Jessica Poitevien

While group travel for Black Americans has gained popularity in recent years, some Black explorers are also choosing to go out on their on their own—whether solo or with loved ones—and are leaning into more exclusive, private experiences. Many are also looking to Black travel specialists to help them create these unique moments and memories.

When planning a trip through Florida, chances are that Tallahassee doesn’t even enter the conversation. At first glance, it doesn’t seem like Tallahassee has much to offer, but what I found and will forever preach to any willing listener is a capital city that’s underestimated in every way possible, from its outdoor adventures to its fine dining.

Between the mosquito-borne Zika epidemic in 2015 and increasingly destructive hurricane seasons, the last few years have not been easy for the Caribbean. And now, with the COVID-19 pandemic impacting tourism globally, this battle-worn region is once again devising new ways to attract visitors. For several hotels, that effort means turning to their surefire way of appealing to both new and repeat guests: fresh renovations coupled with new programming.

Across the bay from San Francisco, Oakland prides itself on a population as diverse as its progressive history. From the first Chinese-American woman registering to vote in 1911 to the founding of the Black Panther Party, Oakland’s multiculturalism has nurtured the minds of many, including current Vice President Kamala Harris. This environment has also fostered an ecosystem of Black-owned businesses since the early 20th century, when Oakland was known as the Harlem of the West.

It’s not often that a city hosts a Super Bowl with the local team playing in the big game at its home stadium. In fact, this year is the first time that has ever happened.1 And while Tampa, Florida, beat the odds to make sports history, the city’s hotel landscape is also making headlines of its own.

From freedom fighters being blasted by high-pressure water hoses to the arrest of African-American student protestors, some of the most pivotal moments of the civil rights movement unfolded in the Downtown area, now recognized as a national monument. Here, a look at the landmarks shaped during the civil rights movement.

As we roll into the new year still battling the same pandemic-induced dilemmas that troubled us in 2020, it seems that stress and anxiety are here to stay for a while. Just leaving the house for basic necessities requires an extended mental checklist with face masks and hand sanitizer top of mind. But for those who go much farther than the front door, traveling now demands more preparation than ever before—and it’s all done with the threat of COVID-19 looming in the air.

Daycations, travel pods, and resort bubbles—the tourism industry has certainly leveled up the creativity with this year’s new vocabulary. As a travel writer, they all piqued my curiosity. So, after months of staying home, I decided to safely wade into the waters of a popular 2020 travel trend: the workcation.

For generations, Black Americans have moved overseas, citing a wide range of reasons from seeking adventure to searching for a better quality of life. For many others, though, it was a desire to free themselves from the weight of racism in the U.S. that ultimately prompted their departure.

Recent years have brought increased interest in moving overseas, especially following major events that further illuminated ongoing racial inequalities in the U.S. What’s often left out of this expat narrative, however, is that the U.S. is not the only country with problematic anti-Black racism.

As some cities and countries around the world implement regulations to stop a second wave of COVID-19, all signs seem to indicate that American travelers are feeling optimistic and ready to travel in 2021 — or even sooner.

As cooped up travelers look to the future, travel advisors are urged to start planning and booking their clients’ 2021-2022 vacations now, with a focus on bucket-list trips.

As my friends and I continue going further down our separate paths, our differences in timelines and general goals grow more stark. So, along with my happiness during the inevitable growth spurts of life also comes a fear of how our friendships will change and a sense of mourning for the simpler days when we had much more in common than our shared pasts.

That’s not to say I don’t still cherish my friendships in the present tense or have any intention of turning my back on them. To help ensure that doesn’t happen, I sought expert advice for staying friends at different stages of life.

The idea of living and traveling in a van may evoke images of long-haired hippies and flower power, but now a new generation is embarking on this lifestyle. This year in particular has seen a rise in the popularity of vanlife as people searched for alternative ways to travel amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

But with increased popularity also comes the reality that the world of vanlife seriously lacks diversity. Luckily, there are vanlifers of color who are paving the way for both newbies and those still in the dreaming phase of getting started.

Like most spaces in the travel industry, representation of vanlife is not very diverse. Type “#vanlife” into Instagram and you’ll be flooded with photos of mostly young, straight, cis-gendered, able-bodied white people. But that image only tells a narrow part of the story. A deeper dive shows that diversity does exist in the vanlife community, and those people have stepped into the social media limelight to showcase their perspectives.

Some artists express their creativity with canvas or clay, but Rick "Ormortis" Schreck sticks to what he knows best: Ouija boards.

For those interested in dating during the pandemic, offerings made available by various apps to make connecting online easier than ever may have felt like a godsend. For instance, Tinder allowed free access to its Passport feature, which allows users to connect with anyone on the platform globally; Bumble expanded its distance filters to allow for nationwide dating; and OkCupid added questions that allow users to share their feelings about dating during the pandemic.
But as the pandemic conti...