Larissa Parks, Author at Travel Divas®

The Joy of Traveling: Why Global Entry + Passport Are Worth the Investment

July 12, 2023 by Larissa Parks

Hey Travel Diva, Roxie here again, and I’ve got a question for you:

Think back to the last time you traveled. Notice that smile that curled up at the thought?

There’s nothing like the memories you create when you travel. Not just the moments you have with yourself – the awe and the wonder of having gone to a new destination – but the memories you create with others are always worth the investment of time, money, and energy.

If you’ve been wondering whether or not it’s even worth it to get a passport – not to mention the Global Entry perk that allows you to skip customs lines – here are a few reasons why you might want to reconsider:

More Time for Meaningful Connections

With Global Entry, you skip so much of the waiting time in lines and the anxiety of trying to get through customs when traveling internationally. That means more time for you to develop meaningful and deep connections with whoever you’re traveling with – or for someone new, you meet at the airport, on the plane, or in the lounge.

Those connections can be ones that last a lifetime. Whether it’s a new business partner, a new client, or a new travel bestie, when you’re not waiting in line, irritated and frustrated, you’re more open to meeting new people from other walks of life.

International Friendships

What is so wonderful about a passport is that it is truly a ticket to international friendships. With that little book full of country stamps, you can go almost anywhere in the world. You could meet new friends, new romantic partners, find new jobs, and connect with those who you may not have otherwise met in your hometown.

Having international friendships comes with so many benefits, but the main one is the expansion of your mind and becoming more cultured. Don’t sleep on having a friend in another country!

The Black Girl Magic is Different with Passport & GE Holders

When you see a fellow Diva with a passport or one who’s just gone through the GE kiosk with ease, you know she moves different. She prioritizes ease. She cares about her time. And she doesn’t play about her travel.

I don’t know about you – but doesn’t that sound like the kind of meaningful connection you want to make? Someone who’s on your level and understands that travel isn’t just an escape; it’s a way of life?

Think of having a passport and Global Entry as a door that unlocks an entirely new set of individuals you now have access to. It’s like going to the airport lounges – not everyone can get in, so you have a different caliber of people there, and oftentimes, these can be some of the most enriching and life-changing relationships you can make.

Listen, for less than $300, you can get both a passport, Global Entry, and TSA PreCheck (it’s included in Global Entry), and if you have a travel credit card, it’s likely you’ll get this investment back in a statement credit, making your annual fee 100% worth it.

It’s a one-time investment (you’ll need to renew every few years) but a lifetime of magical memories.

So, do yourself a favor and get both. And if you need some inspiration, just take a look at how much f un your fellow Travel Divas had on some of our past trips.

Save Time and Money with Global Entry + Passport

June 29, 2023 by Larissa Parks

Hey hey, Roxie again. Now, if there’s anything I hate to waste, it’s time and money. As a Travel Diva, I know you hear me on this one.

That’s why if you travel often – at least 3 times a year – you’ll want to ensure your hard-earned money is being spent in the right places so you can stay draped in the lap of luxury before, during and after your trip.

That luxury can start before you even get to the airport when you have Global Entry and a passport.

If you’re curious what Global Entry is and all the benefits it offers, I wrote a lil’ something-something for you right here.

The thing is – having Global Entry AND a passport can truly save you time and money. Here are a few of the ways they can do just that:

Get the “VIP” Treatment at Customs

Unless you have a private plane and your own departure terminal, the next best thing is Global Entry which lets you fly through the Customs line. Global Entry gives you expedited entry in other countries because they’ve vetted your identity already and you’re considered a low-risk traveler.

Typically, once you’ve gotten it, you can easily enter back into the U.S. through automatic kiosks depending on the airport. In many other countries, you can skip standing in the standard customs lines because you’ve already undergone a rigorous identity check to obtain your Global Entry card.

Less Likelihood of the Diva “I Missed My Flight” Moment

Because Global Entry makes it easier for you to avoid processing lines and check-in is via an automatic kiosk, as well as its TSA PreCheck® benefits, that means you simply spend less time getting through security.

Translation: Fewer Diva moments and less stress getting ready for the airport hours before your flight. Luxury is having the freedom to choose how you spend your time. A passport and Global Entry give you back valuable hours you can then spend chilling in the high-end lounge or in bed before the Uber comes to get you.

It’s Only $22 More Than TSA PreCheck®

TSA PreCheck® makes going in and out of domestic territories or states a breeze, but you’re still at the mercy of international customs and processing lines. When you enroll in Global Entry – just $22 more than TSA PreCheck® – you get the benefits of TSA PreCheck® included!

Purchased separately, you’d pay about $178 for both programs. By just doing Global Entry, you save almost a hundred dollars.

If you have certain credit cards, you might even get the fee back as a statement credit! It’s perfect for the Diva who knows she’s going to be jet-setting, sprinkling her Black girl magic across the globe for the foreseeable future.

Now, you just need a destination to inspire you to go out and get it done!

Tap this link below to be automagically transported to your bucket-list destination.

If You Travel Often, Global Entry is a Must-Have

June 27, 2023 by Larissa Parks

Efficiency. Hassle-free. Ease. Those are just a few things Roxie values when it comes to travel, especially because I’m out here jet-setting and sprinkling my Black girl magic around the world so often!

In the interest of efficiency, I’m sharing a pro tip for my fellow frequent travelers and why you need to get on it ASAP: Global Entry!

Here’s what you need to know:

What is Global Entry?

Global Entry is a membership program operated by the Department of Homeland Security that allows international travelers to take advantage of expedited security clearance when entering the U.S.

How Much Does It Cost?

As of April 2023, Global Entry costs $100 USD, and allows for entry into the U.S. from international destinations by air, land and sea. It includes TSA PreCheck®, which costs $78 if purchased separately and allows for quicker departures within the U.S. during security screening.

Certain credit cards with travel benefits may reimburse you with a statement credit – making it essentially free (or covered within your annual fee).

Global Entry takes around 4-6 months to be processed, and you’re only eligible if you’re a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident or a certain type of foreign national.

How Does It Work?

Once you’re enrolled in Global Entry, you simply walk up to the airport kiosk, let the machine read your passport or permanent resident card, put your fingers on the scanner so it scans your fingerprint and complete a customs declaration form!

After the scan, you’ll get a receipt of the transaction. Then, head to baggage claim and get to your destination quicker!

What are the Benefits?

The list is long here, Diva! According to the Global Entry official website, you can expect all these time- and money-saving benefits when you enroll:

· No processing lines

· No paperwork

· Access to expedited entry into 75+ countries

· Reduced wait times

What’s Required to Enroll?

Global Entry requires an application (go to https://ttp.dhs.gov/) and a $100 payment. Once that’s been submitted, your application will be subject to conditional approval. Once approved, you’ll be invited to an appointment where you’ll be interviewed by an official to ensure you are who you say you are and you’re a low-risk traveler.

If approved, you’ll get a Global Entry card!

There are so many more benefits to Global Entry. Check out why you should invest in this program if you’re eligible here.

Traveling to Unplug and Recharge: The Benefits of Digital Detoxes

June 20, 2023 by Larissa Parks

Girl, are you a distracted traveler? Are you always checking your phone, scrolling social media or worrying about work or what’s happening back home?

Now putting the phone down is hard but when I’m jet-setting across the globe, I want to take it allll in. I want all the experiences, the adventures, the culture, the food – every single second of it – and I don’t want to miss out on something just because I’ve got my head down watching a cat video my sister sent me on Instagram!

I’m sure you don’t want to miss out on all the travel things either but I also know how tough it can be to ignore your phone. Especially when your email dings every few minutes and your friends keep blowing up the group chat.

But look – you didn’t come all this way to do what you do at home. You’re paying for this trip and you deserve the FULL experience.

Now my solution might ruffle a few feathers but I’mma say it anyway: unplug from your phone when you’re traveling.

Now that you’ve picked your jaw up off the floor, let me explain. I’m not saying you can’t take your phone with you when you’re traveling. I’m also not saying you can’t use it to take pictures or listen to music.

I’m saying to cut down on distractions. Mute your notifications. Temporarily turn off email notifications. Remove Instagram and Facebook from your phone.

Here are a few reasons why I recommend doing a digital detox when you travel:

Increase Post-Trip Productivity

Listen, you’re not on vacation to answer emails or field a bunch of work-related questions. You’re on vacation to get away from all of that and relax.

So, if you’re constantly checking your phone or answering emails, you’re still working. Sure, you might be doing it poolside or at the beach but some part of you will resent “having to work” when you should be doing anything but.

Disconnect from work completely. Silence your email. Set up an out-of-office email that automatically sends when anyone emails you. And resist the urge to check email or check in with your colleagues or team when you’re having some downtime in the hotel.

By not working on vacation, you’ll return to your job more relaxed, rejuvenated, and productive than if you had split your vacation time with work.

Reduce Stress

It’s small enough to fit in the palm of your hand but that little phone can be a huge contributing factor to your stress.

And by constantly checking emails, texts, and social media, you’re amping up your stress level, even if you don’t realize it.

When you’re on vacation, cut ties with your phone and only use it for emergencies or to check in with your family or friends at specific times of day.

As I suggested above, temporarily remove social media apps from your phone, silence email notifications and only allow yourself to “check” your phone for a few minutes a day.

This won’t just help you stay more present on vacation, but it will let you truly relax and rejuvenate while you’re taking in all the sights, culture, and food.

Improve Mental Health

Just as technology can increase stress, it can also have a negative impact on your mental health.

For many of us, when we scroll social media, we compare ourselves and our lives to the posts we see. So-and-so is so in shape. So-and-so got a promotion. So-and-so no longer has to work for a living. So-and-so is enjoying a luxury, all-expenses-paid vacation. And so on.

While we’re meant to be enjoying this wonderful trip we’re on, we’re comparing ourselves and our life to what we see on Facebook and whether we realize it or not, it’s affecting our mental health.

Tuck your phone away and get out and explore the sights, sounds, and food when traveling. Just stepping outside and taking it all in can boost your mood, inspire creativity and improve your brain function.

Read on to discover all the mental health benefits of travel.

Travel as a Form of Therapy: The Healing Power of Exploring New Places

June 15, 2023 by Larissa Parks

Hey girl, it’s Roxie. Quick question: Why do you travel?

I know why I travel – it’s healing, therapeutic, relaxing and I love exploring new places, eating exotic foods and making new friends – but why do you travel?

I’m guessing probably for many of the same reasons.

Maybe you want to get away from everyday life. Maybe you want a change of scenery. Maybe you want to simply rest and relax.

Whatever the reason, go ‘head and add “taking care of your mental health” to the list. Because that’s 1 of the biggest reasons why travel is so amazing.

Here are 3 ways exploring new places can be just as healing as a therapy sesh:

Leads to Personal Growth

If you’re stuck in the same place day after day, it’s easy to stay the same. You do the same things, see the same people and have the same experiences.

But when you travel, you take in new experiences, new environments and meet new people. Travel calls on you to rely on yourself in different ways. It challenges you, cultivates empathy (even if you’re just navigating the airport) and pushes you to develop your worldview.

Encourages Self-Discovery

Listen, it is SO easy to become comfortable and passive in your life. It’s easy to just go through the motions and not really think about what you want or who you want to be. After all, our busy lives and daily obligations mean we don’t have much time to reflect.

Travel gives you a new perspective on things and gives you the time and space to think about what it is you truly want. When you travel, you remove the day-to-day hustle and distractions that influence your thoughts.

For example, maybe eating a croissant while walking the streets of Paris makes you realize that you don’t want to work in a cubicle for the next 20 years but you’d rather be a pastry chef instead.

Or maybe while exploring the pyramids, it hits you how much you really enjoy archaeology and you decide to take a class at your local college. You’re not planning a career change, you just found something that really interests you and you want to know more about it.

Improves Mental Health

We’ve talked about travel and mental health before but listen, taking a vacation can stimulate creativity, help you better adapt to challenges and boost your mood.

Plus, when you take a break from your regular routine, you can clear your head and get out of any rut you may be in. And just planning your next vacation can improve your mood because you have something to look forward to.

So, be honest with yourself …

Is it time for a vacation?

If you’re nodding your head “yes,” then let us help. We’ll take care of all the little details, all you have to do is pick your destination and show up.

Mindful Travel: How to Stay Present and Grounded During Your Trips

June 13, 2023 by Larissa Parks

Oh hey girl, Roxie here again with another travel tip! If you’re one of those travelers who gets overwhelmed in crowds, irritated by flight delays or anxious when it seems like everything that can go wrong does, then this blog is for you.

I know traveling can be stressful. You’ve got to navigate your way through crowds of people and screaming children. You’ve got to keep your cool when the airline bumps your flight to a later time and you end up almost missing your connecting flight. And you’ve got to chalk it up to a good time when you step out into a monsoon – without an umbrella – and your phone slips out of your hand and into a huge puddle.

Sounds like the worst trip ever, right? And the trip hasn’t even really started.

If you’re one of those travelers who gets anxious and overwhelmed when things don’t go as planned, here are some things you can try to keep you present and grounded:

Meditate

Listen, I know it sounds a little hippy dippy but meditation helps me keep my cool. It’s all about bringing your mind back to the present instead of replaying what went wrong in the past or worrying about the future.

Meditation during travel helps you remember your trip is bigger than the minor inconvenience in front of you. And don’t think you have to wait until you’re by yourself to meditate! Pop in your headphones, look up “5 minute meditation” on YouTube and get your Zen on girlfriend.

Journal

Just as you can meditate anywhere, you can journal anywhere, too. Plus, keeping a travel journal not only helps you relax, it’s a great way to remember all the sights and experiences of your trip, too.

I know that writing while traveling can sound exhausting, especially if you’re experiencing a highly stressful situation, but it’s also a great way to calm your nerves and focus on the things you’re most excited about or the best parts of the trips you’ve already experienced.

Make your journal fun and easy – write about what you’re looking forward to, reflect on the day, write about something you found interesting or about the food you ate.

Breathe

Now, I know what you’re thinking … really Roxie? Breathe? Yep. Take a deep breath in and let it out nice and slow. Woosahhhhh.

Traveling to your destination can wear you out and zap your energy – fast. One of the best ways to take care of yourself is with a little breathwork. It’s an instant mood boost and regulates your nervous system when you get overstimulated. (Which can happen quick with all the new sights and sounds.)

When you travel, all sorts of unexpected things will pop off that can frustrate you. Try to embrace them and use the above techniques to move through those moments so that they don’t sour your entire trip.

One of the best solutions for frustrating, stressful travel? Traveling with us! We put as many of the details on autopilot as possible and the Divas will be right by your side to keep you in great spirits. Peruse our trips here.

Put ‘Em on DND: The Power of Disconnecting during Travel

June 8, 2023 by Larissa Parks

Divas, I don’t know about you, but being “on” all the time takes a lot of work! Not just physically, but mentally, too.

Constant phone notifications, endless video calls or in-person meetings, loud work environments and even noisier family life.

It’s a lot – even for a magical Black woman like yourself who can power through anything!

That’s why unplugging completely when you travel is an absolute must. Look, whatever they’ve got going on back home – they can find somebody else to do it! You need to rest and recharge. It’s not your job to carry the weight of the world every second of every day – even though you can and you do.

Travel is your time to be soft. To turn inward. And to be with yourself. So put your phone on do not disturb, leave the laptop behind and check out why you should completely disconnect during travel:

Too Much Scrolling & You’ll Miss Out

Look, we know you love a good picture for the memories but try your best to not even pull your camera out when you’re away. You want to be in the moment and truly see, hear, smell and taste everything around you.

After all, some people never get the privilege of traveling out their own neighborhood, never mind the country. Don’t squander your chance at discovering beauty up-front-and-close by taking pictures or spending your time scrolling.

There are so many studies that show how being on the phone and social media can dampen your mood, and when you’re traveling, that’s the last thing we want to happen!

Unlock Your Creativity

New intelligence level unlocked! Without Google to answer whatever question you have, your brain actually has to work a little harder and find new ways of thinking. It also forces you to be present in the moment!

Think about it like this: always looking up why something is the way that it is can make you miss details you wouldn’t normally catch. Instead of wondering and looking up why there are cobblestones, for example, you can relish in the feel of them beneath your feet. In knowing they were probably built centuries ago and have lasted the test of time.

Just Googling that won’t give you the satisfaction and wow factor of coming to those conclusions on your own!

Stop the Overthinking

The biggest benefit of unplugging? You literally turn off the parts of you that are wired to overthink. When you’re constantly talking on the phone, scrolling or playing around with your electronic devices, it can be difficult not to get anxious or to have 50 million thoughts roaming around.

When you don’t have your phone prompting you to pick it up again, that anxiety can actually go away.

And once it does – you can really relax for the first time. No worries. No cares. Just relaxing and being.

And that alone is worth disconnecting while you travel! Wondering how else you can elevate your travel experience? Learn more about purposeful travel, what it is, and why you should consider it as part of your self-care routine.

Self-Care & Service: How You Can Travel with Purpose

June 6, 2023 by Larissa Parks

Listen, here at Travel Divas, we’re all about travel as a form of escape, even recharging and relaxation. But there’s nothing like traveling intentionally with a goal of refueling your own cup while serving others.

Purpose-driven travel can be a rewarding way to share your gifts and services with communities in far-flung countries that hold space for you to let go and just be.

Divas like Roxie never miss a chance to practice purposeful travel because they love that sense of giving back and purpose while doing something they’re already passionate about – traveling!

Here are a few ways you can lean into the concept of purposeful travel and elevate your self-care in the process:

Minimize Your Ecological Impact

While tourism is wonderful for those of us who are tourists, it can have an unwelcome impact on the communities you visit.

Take a look at Hawaii for example. A constant stream of visitors has adversely impacted the state’s natural beauty and biodiversity. Traveling purposefully can help ensure your footprint on a destination’s climate and culture isn’t one that causes negative effects.

The same way gentrification affects so many of our neighborhoods – tourism can do the same. Traveling purposefully helps keep the culture and what makes that destination so magical intact.

Support the Local Economy

When it comes to trip accommodations – you can certainly choose big chain hotels, but staying at locally owned spots helps pour resources back into the community.

The same goes for where you eat – dining at local restaurants keeps those businesses alive.

When buying gifts for your friends and family, visit local shops and buy directly from artisans and co-ops whenever possible.

If you love to volunteer, go that route! Take a day during a solo trip and volunteer doing something you love. It could be teaching English, art, building a school, or helping out locally.

There are endless options to indulge in travel that benefits both you and your destination.

Check out this blog post for other ways travel can serve as self-care.

Discover the Joy of Traveling Solo

June 1, 2023 by Larissa Parks

There’s a reason why Marie Kondo’s way of tidying up her space is to find joy in the things around her: not only does it clear your mind, it opens you up for new experiences and connections – with others and yourself.

Your in-house Travel Diva Roxie thinks the same! There’s nothing I cherish more than kii-kiing with the girls and connecting with like-minded women. That is, except the opportunity to truly connect with myself.

It’s the ultimate form of self-care! Especially when you’re traveling solo.

As Black women, we’ve been taught to be so cautious growing up. It’s why the idea of traveling solo can often seem foreign to us.

But the benefits, girlfriend, far outweigh any of the concerns you might have. In fact, traveling solo is truly the best form of self-care you could ever give to yourself.

Here are 3 reasons why:

Increased Independence

Now, I know you’re already throwing your hands up like Bey told us to in that famous Destiny’s Child hit from the ‘00s, but independence isn’t just about being able to do everything on your own.

Sure, the bills, the house, the cars, the work – that counts. But true independence is having the freedom to do what you want when you want – and the confidence to do it without worry.

Solo travel forces you to rely on yourself in ways you might not have before in the past. After all, what better way to get confident about what you’re capable of when you’re in a foreign country all by yourself?

That doesn’t mean you can’t connect with or depend on others. But there’s truly nothing like knowing that no matter what – you’ve got your own back. Traveling solo strengthens your independence muscle.

If you ask me, it’s the “I” in “Black girl magic!”

Personal Growth

Solo travel is the perfect way to stretch yourself and blossom into the woman you want to be. Sometimes, when you’re doing all the things at home and at work, you can start to feel stagnant.

Travel can shake things up and plant a seed of growth inside you. You’ll become more open-minded and most importantly, softer to yourself. Solo travel can help you reconnect with parts of you that need a little TLC.

Mindfulness

Have you ever been so caught up in what you have to do or where you have to be that you forget where you are?

And if you do have a moment of realizing you’re in the moment – do you judge it? Analyze it? And does that then take you out of the moment?

Solo travel can help you learn the mindfulness needed to truly savor a moment for exactly what it is. No thought. No judgment. No anxiety.

You’re simply in your body and letting your breath guide you along the way. With solo travel, you can have these moments multiple times a day. At a street-side cafe eating a freshly baked croissant. Ziplining over a dense, lush forest. Staring at the clear blue waters in the Caribbean.

In those moments, you can feel stress dissolving.

And that, Travel Diva, is the essence of self-care.

Let us show you how to do just that. Book your next solo trip with Travel Divas – we’ll take care of everything.

3 Reasons Why Every Diva Needs to Add Travel to Her Self-Care Routine

May 30, 2023 by Larissa Parks

Someone asked me the other day, “Roxie, what are your non-negotiables when it comes to your self-care?”

And to be honest, girlfriend?

I only had one thing on my list:

Travel.

Sure, I love a glass of champagne and a hot bubble bath more than anyone, but there’s nothing that pours back into me more than travel.

Here’s the thing: just because you can’t jet-set across the world every Sunday (yet) doesn’t mean travel can’t be a part of your self-care.

Self-care isn’t just about treating yourself or recharging. It’s learning about yourself so that you can show up as who you want to be in all areas of your life.

Here are a few reasons why I think travel is the ultimate in self-care and they’re not the usual “it’s relaxing” responses you always hear:

Expands Your Comfort Zone

As an ambitious, hard-working Black woman, if there’s one thing I know about you, it’s that you have big dreams.

You know that to get where you want to go in life personally and professionally requires you to do things you’ve never done and go where you’ve never been.

Travel allows you to do exactly that. Not only does travel physically get you out of your daily environment, but if you travel solo, it really forces you to learn how to trust your own instincts and intuition.

It’s only intimidating when you’ve never done it before and you don’t know you’re capable. Once you’ve traveled alone, you gain new levels of courage to do ALL the things you didn’t think you could do.

If you’ve got a big, scary goal you want to achieve, take a trip by yourself. You’ll come back home with your comfort zone expanded and ready to tackle it.

Opens Up Your Mind

It’s One Big Solo Date

Dating yourself is a way for you to get to know who you are. Travel is the ultimate way to do that. Just like on a regular date, you can get to know parts of yourself that were hidden because you were too busy working or focusing on others.

You get to do what you want when you travel instead of catering to the needs of others.

You can eat what you want, stay up as late as you want, and lay up on the beach for as long as you want. You can even get reacquainted with old hobbies and passions that fell by the wayside when you travel.

Plus, the obvious self-care stuff too: treating yourself to new experiences, spa days, and so much more.

You deserve to indulge yourself more than just on Sundays. Let us take care of planning your trip. You just show up.

Just pick a destination and we’ll handle the rest.