The Black Girl’s Guide To Travel: Places Where Black Women Can Feel At Peace

I’ll admit it. I didn’t all the time consider the Catskills as a spot for me.

Living in New York for nearly 20 years, I’d heard folks speak about escaping to the mountains for cozy weekends and fall foliage, however I by no means pictured myself there. When I lastly made the journey, I wasn’t positive what to anticipate. I’d seen few faces that appeared like mine in pictures and questioned if I’d really feel misplaced.

But the second I arrived, that hesitation light. Everyone I met was heat and welcoming. I biked the Catskill Scenic Trail surrounded by golden leaves, rode a classic practice by way of postcard-perfect hills, and ended my days at a bed-and-breakfast that felt like residence. It jogged my memory that peace can present up in essentially the most surprising corners — even while you’re unsure it’ll.

That feeling isn’t new to me. I’ve been to loads of locations the place I had that very same quiet pause, questioning if I’d really feel protected, earlier than realizing how a lot magnificence, pleasure, and luxury have been ready on the opposite aspect. Here are 5 surprising solo escapes the place I skilled serenity as a Black girl.

Los Cabos, Mexico

I had all the time heard of Los Cabos as a vacation spot for wild events and spring breakers. But my keep at Hacienda Encantada Resort & Residences proved that it may be a spot for relaxation and reflection.

Perched above the Pacific Ocean, the resort’s Mexican structure and colourful art work immediately drew me in. My suite had two entrances to the balcony — one from the bed room, one from the lounge — and waking as much as the ocean stretching endlessly under was unforgettable.

I spent my days transferring at my very own tempo: morning espresso and mimosas at Mestizo whereas overlooking the Sea of Cortez, afternoon swims within the infinity pool, and quiet walks at sundown alongside the cliffs. There was nothing flashy about it — simply the form of stillness that helps you reset.

Samaná, Dominican Republic

Anytime the Dominican Republic comes up, most individuals I do know speak about Punta Cana or Puerto Plata. But Samaná, a lush peninsula on the nation’s northeastern coast, provides a quieter, slower tempo that seems like a secret ready to be found.

I cut up my keep between Wyndham Alltra Samaná, an all-ages resort tucked on a secluded seaside, and Viva V Samaná by Wyndham, an adults-only property steps from the ocean. Both provided other ways to unwind. At Alltra, nights below the celebs with contemporary seafood and the sound of waves have been unforgettable. At Viva V, spa therapies on the sand turned a ritual of calm — listening to the ocean whereas receiving a therapeutic massage felt like meditation in movement.

Samaná additionally has a powerful African affect, seen in its music, dance, and native delicacies. People have been pleasant and alluring, the form of heat that makes touring alone by no means really feel lonely.

Albufeira, Portugal

I got here to Albufeira for the Soca Wkndr pageant, anticipating power and nonstop motion, however what I discovered was a peaceable coastal city stuffed with attraction. Cobblestone streets led to quiet cafes, clifftop viewpoints framed the Atlantic sundown, and contemporary seafood jogged my memory why the slower, smaller corners of Europe deserve consideration.

This isn’t Lisbon or Porto. Albufeira’s calm, coastal rhythm made it simple to maneuver solo, sip wine by the marina, and revel in moments of reflection between pageant units. It’s a part of Portugal’s Algarve area, identified for its golden cliffs and turquoise waters. But what stunned me most was how protected it felt. I walked the streets alone at evening and dined solo with out hesitation, all the time feeling relaxed. And it is smart: Portugal ranks among the top 10 safest countries in the world.

Malta

Another soca pageant introduced me to Malta, an island nation within the Mediterranean I’d by no means imagined visiting solo. Beyond the music, I found tranquil pockets of peace. I wandered the golden streets of St. Paul’s Bay with out worry, stopped in Bugibba for gelato, and took boat rides to Comino and Gozo, swimming within the Blue Lagoon’s crystal-clear waters.

Even in a rustic the place the vast majority of its roughly 470,000 residents are white Europeans, I by no means felt misplaced. I walked round freely and comfortably, with out the second-guessing that may typically include touring whereas Black. That freedom, to easily exist and discover, is one thing I don’t ever take without any consideration.

Arizona, United States

The Grand Canyon had been on my listing for years. One morning, I ended ready for firm and simply went.

Flying into Phoenix, I didn’t know what to anticipate. I didn’t see many vacationers who appeared like me, however I by no means felt unwelcome. The drive north was lengthy and quiet, the form of silence that forces you to be current.

When I lastly stood on the canyon’s edge, looking over these infinite layers of crimson and gold, I lastly understood the that means of getting your breath taken away. Yes, the views have been terrific, however the stillness was extra highly effective. It was a reminder that I belonged there, too.

Over time, I’ve realized that serenity isn’t all the time present in the obvious locations. Sometimes it’s within the sluggish mornings of Samaná, the cliffside breeze in Los Cabos or the mountain air of the Catskills. Each journey has jogged my memory that peace isn’t about escaping the world — it’s about discovering your house in it.