For centuries, Mayan women have kept alive the tradition of weaving that produces some of the most globally recognized textiles. At a glance, it may appear these clothing pieces are fairly similar, but coming to understanding the history and culture of Guatemala and having the opportunity to take a closer look at textiles from several villages, you can glean that these textiles are far more complex and representative of more than you can imagine.

There are at least eleven villages surrounding Lake Atitlán, and you might visit them all for different reasons. I made it to four during my latest trip to Guatemala, and was amazed at how each village could be described as having its very own personality: Panajachel with its familiar vibe, illusory San Juan La Laguna, beguiling San Pedro, and reticent Santiago.

Guatemala is a Central American country just underneath Mexico that is home to Mayan culture, volcanoes, delicious coffee and so much more. It is one of the largest countries in Central America and hosts the most populous urban area, Guatemala City. There is so much to explore in Guatemala, but here are ten things I learned while there that I found most interesting.

Guatemala is fairly simple to navigate, even with limited Spanish. It can be as cheap or as expensive as you’d like depending on how you travel, but it’s important to note that your money can go a long way here. Convenient transportation like tuc tucs and chicken buses or meals at the local market rather than at restaurants are both ways to stretch your money.

Aside from visits to local markets and Mayan villages, taking a Guatemalan cooking class was as cinematic as it sounds. When I think about travel, food is almost synonymous, and it presents a unique opportunity to understand the history and culture of a new place through its best dishes.

In The Bahamas, a tour guide with a sense of humor may convince you to try something that looks and feels similar to a worm. In my case, the tour guide refused to tell me what I was trying and made me eat three before he even gave me a hint. Would you try conch pistols?

Staying healthy has obviously always been important, but post-pandemic, it’s even more critical, especially when traveling abroad. I never get sick, and I owe it to a great immune system, but also to a few things I do on and in between trips to boost my immune system and overall health and wellness.

I’ve been wanting to take a vacation to a Getaway House since I first saw the ad on Instagram a couple years ago. I loved how the cabins looked and how it just seemed like the perfect opportunity to be off the grid. I’ve been describing it as the perfect median between camping and glamping (“glam camping”) because you get the experience of being in nature, cooking outdoors, hiking, etc. but the comfort of returning to a home with running water, shower, kitchen and beds.

Stacks of fruit. Heaps of seaweed. Rustic furniture. Raw charm. Tulum is naturally beautiful in the way a place or thing doesn’t have to try hard to be anything but what it is. Being here urges you to acknowledge the balance between ancient and neo-bohemia. What you see is what you get. No more. No less. Take it or leave it.

River rafting on the Martha Brae is one of the most popular experiences that people flock to in Jamaica and for good reason. It’s relaxing, it’s a great photo opportunity, and it’s an opportunity to experience such a meaningful cultural marker.

There are many reasons a black woman might have interest in traveling solo, and I'd like to offer 10 of them here that might encourage you to book your first trip or to keep going if you've already started. Black women should travel solo because it encourages cultural appreciation, spontaneity, self discovery, confidence, and more.

In Charleston, you’ll want to try southern comfort foods, especially those that are native to the area. Rice is a major part of the culture and history of Charleston so you’ll see it on nearly every menu; you’ll also come across many fundamentally southern seafood dishes like shrimp and grits or she crab soup.

When I was planning my very first international trip as a solo female traveler, I came across The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) and a strong recommendation from another solo traveler to utilize it. Of course we always hope that nothing happens to us abroad, or even at home for that matter, but in the event that it does, registering with nearest US embassy is one way to be prepared or to get the information you need in an emergency.

The Pacific Coast Highway in California is one of the nation's most scenic drives. There is no shortage of things to do from romantic Santa Barbara to expansive wine country in Paso Robles to vista points like Piedras Blancas all along the drive and breathtaking views on Pebble Beach in Monterey, you won't regret hopping in your car and gulping in the fresh air and surrealism of California.

The number one question I’ve gotten is “how do you do it on your own?” and that was the primary reason for starting this blog. Doing it on my own in the last five years, I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks that might make the idea of traveling solo a little less scary for a woman that may want to venture out on her own.

If you’re looking for a location that is advanced and technologically up to date, then I wouldn’t recommend Cuba. If you’re looking for a place to really disconnect and immerse yourself in the culture, I would say Cuba fits the bill. There are some really specific things about Cuba I want to suggest to help you better plan and enjoy your trip.

Before I actually began traveling, I had a running list of places I wanted to visit, mostly international. I had not thought of Cuba…until I thought of Cuba. I found an article that listed places off the east coast with relatively inexpensive flights and Cuba was one of those places.

The borders of Cuba have not consistently been open for political reasons and people have many mythical ideas about it being unsafe. As a solo female traveler, I can say that I had quite the rich, fulfilling, and safe experience in Cuba. I planned several activities over the course of a few days, so I’m sharing them here with you.

Tulum, Mexico is quite beautiful and there is plenty to do between Tulum and Cancun since both are very touristy locations. What the city lacks in infrastructure, it makes up for in beauty and excitement. If you know how to avoid some of the not-so-great things, then you could absolutely have an enjoyable vacation here.

Nassau cuisine is particularly interesting because chefs make use of ingredients that are not common everywhere. Like most islands, you'll find that seafood is popular, and in The Bahamas, mainly conch, snails that are indigenous to the Caribbean. Many dishes are jerk or cracked (deep-fried) and full of flavor.