If I’m going to stay somewhere for any amount of time that is not my home, then I need to make sure I have home-level comfort. Naturally, I’m very active on vacations, so my accommodations are where I rest and rejuvenate to be ready for whatever I may have planned over the course of the trip.

Discover how to find the perfect balance between thrilling adventures and rejuvenating self-care. Incorporating wellness and mindful activities into your itinerary can be the difference between a fulfilling trip and returning home having experienced burnout. This guide is your go-to resource for maintaining balance and joy while you travel.

One thing I know for sure is that there is no shortage of things to do and see or places to eat in Los Angeles. From hiking Griffith Observatory to cheering the LA Rams on to shopping at Melrose Ave, The Grove, or Rodeo Drive, there’s something for in the city for everybody.

Food in the Caribbean can be attributed to the fusion of many different cultures. Often heavy on the spices and sourced locally, the food is rich, hearty, and I would even say made with love. There are dishes found in each respective location that are very similar, save a couple ingredients and often named differently. Here are some unique Caribbean foods and dishes you'll want to try.

Backdropped by volcanos and sitting almost directly atop tectonic plates, Antigua is compassed and enchanting where everything you see feels like picture inside of picture inside of picture. No more than a simple overlay of grids, this colonial town is easy to navigate and charming enough to be drawn into exploring every nook and cranny. More than anything, I found myself in awe at the natural beauty of Guatemalan people and amazed at reclamation after disaster.

If you look up things to do in Guatemala, Chichicastenango Market will undoubtedly come up, as it’s one of the biggest and most beautiful markets in Central America. It has long been a trading post and place of value for the Mayan people and represents a sort of all-encompassing independence from the way they sell their goods to the way they practice a religion that was once punishable to the way that what truly is everyday and mundane for natives seems both requisite and monumental to outsiders.

From beautiful Spanish architecture to dreamy castles to historical shanty town La Perla, San Juan is one of the most picturesque places I’ve ever been. As you bask in incredible weather and devour some of the best food you’ll ever have, you can also experience a profound merging of the old and new world right here in San Juan.

Good Hotel is a former private mansion and sustainable property in central city Antigua that began as a charitable organization years ago and evolved into several properties in different countries. While I fell in love with the design of the property, I also knew I wanted to stay because I greatly appreciated that the chain invests in the local community in a number of ways.

It’s always important to know about the cuisine and good food spots when you visit somewhere new so I try to always list a few options for you. Here are five restaurants in Tulum, Mexico ranging from touristy to traditional, low cost to high cost, and small cafe vibes to beach view vibes.

Tulum is actually an incredible place for versatility if you like that on your vacations. There are shopping and pedestrian walking/biking areas, beautiful beaches, and exhilarating jungle excursions. You might enjoy time ziplining into crystalline water or swinging upside down through trees– whatever floats your boat (literally), you can probably find it here.

Cartagena, Columbia is a beautiful city that you can easily get swept away in because there is so much to see. Because it has become such a tourist location there are many ways you can go about seeing everything- walking tours, horse and carriage tours, boat trips, or some combination of all of those.

Every time I’ve visited an island, I’m always overwhelmingly enthralled with the existence of color from the architecture to the food to the people. It is incredibly hard for me to strike a balance between being in the moment and wanting to capture everything as a photographer so that I don’t forget what my eyes saw and my heart felt. At least for a couple of hours, I walked and took in the beauty of this foreign land. Here is what I saw.

As daunting as the idea of solo travel may seem, this post is your compass for crafting the perfect itinerary for your next adventure. Embarking on solo trips is an opportunity to explore the world on your own terms and make the most of the time you have.

When I browse social media these days, I’m particularly proud to see Black women travel everywhere you can think of, but more importantly, liberating ourselves to experience any and everything the world has to offer. When you choose experiences, you’ll want to think about adventure, connecting with your heritage, supporting local businesses and immersing yourself in a way that’s enriching and memorable.

Joshua Tree is on the map as the perfect getaway to do just that- get away. There’s nothing but desert and hiking trails, so essentially a trendy call of the wild. It sits between the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert and is named for the yucca tree that, in my mind, resembles something out of a Dr. Seuss book. There are a few things to know, but most important to note is that this is a place you go to explore and commune with nature.

Joshua Tree is an interesting place that I would say is all about exploration. Most of your activities will be outdoors and more or less just things to see and take in. You won’t find very typical vacation activities here, so my suggestion is to be open minded going into the trip about what you’ll be able to do. Get into the peculiar art culture, hike a trail or two, or experience a hypnotic sound bath.

In Cartagena, I booked a street food tour because that’s where all of the food emphasis is in this city. That’s not to say there aren’t some great restaurants; it’s just that street food is where you’ll find the standout recipes that are likely passed down through families, generations and years of tradition.

For a trip to the Caribbean, Puerto Rico will be one of your most convenient options considering you don’t need a passport or proof of vaccination to enter and leave, Uber operates in the main part of the city and to and from the airport, and Old San Juan is one of the safest and most walkable places I’ve ever been.

Caye Caulker is a A 5.5 mile scenic island off the coast of Belize with the friendliest people, amazing marine life, great food, and brilliant sunsets. You will definitely get to know people before you leave and it is really a joy to do so.

Puerto Rico’s cuisine is a captivating blend of indigenous Taino, Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences, creating a mouthwatering tapestry of dishes. You’ll want to try beloved local dishes like mofongo, made with fried green plantains, savory sauce and seafood, or lechón, the famous roasted pig slow-cooked to perfection.