Say Konnichiwa to Tokyo’s Most IG-Worthy Spots

Listen, when we say Tokyo is one of our favorite places for pictures, we mean it. This super tech city is a fascinating blend of futuristic architecture, ancient Japanese culture and natural beauty. Translation? Endless photo ops for Divas like yourself.

Let’s get into it:

Tokyo Tower

At 333 meters, Tokyo Tower is the world’s tallest self-supporting steel tower – ideal for unbelievable city views and pics to match. Climb the 600-step staircase to the main deck for a bit of exercise (or take the elevator up).

Meiji Shrine

Hop off the train at Harajuku station and whip your good camera out because this shrine, which recently turned 102, is a must-visit. This traditional temple is quiet, clean and perfect for IG thanks to the shrine’s large wooden entryway.

Ueno Park

This gorgeous public space has been home to some of Tokyo’s most iconic landscapes for over a century. If you can manage to visit during Cherry Blossom season, you’ll be in for the most stunning, pink backdrop in bloom. 

Roppongi Hills

Put on your best Diva outfit because this 54-story skyscraper offers photo op after photo op. A city within a city, this building development complex has the perfect panoramic shot from the 52nd floor observation deck.

Tokyo Plaza Omotesando

Home to the Harajuku district, Tokyo Plaza Omotesando contains an IG-worthy shopping center with a mirrored archway and stairway, making for a great photo op. Don’t forget to take pics of all the fun fashion in the Harajuku streets, too!

Shibuya Crossing (The Scramble)

Ever seen videos of thousands of folks crossing the street in Tokyo? That’s likely The Scramble, Tokyo’s busiest intersection. There’s even some talk that it may very well be the world’s busiest intersection. Get your Black girl magic photos in quick here because the amount of foot traffic is massive.

Come experience the magic of Japan and travel like a Diva with us to Tokyo:

Home to the Harajuku district, Tokyo Plaza Omotesando contains an IG-worthy shopping center with a mirrored archway and stairway, making for a great photo op. Don’t forget to take pics of all the fun fashion in the Harajuku streets, too!

Shibuya Crossing (The Scramble)

Ever seen videos of thousands of folks crossing the street in Tokyo? That’s likely The Scramble, Tokyo’s busiest intersection. There’s even some talk that it may very well be the world’s busiest intersection. Get your Black girl magic photos in quick here because the amount of foot traffic is massive.

Come experience the magic of Japan and travel like a Diva with us to Tokyo:

https://thetraveldivas.com/trip/tokyo-2023/

The Fairmont Singapore: A Black Girl Magic Overview

Imagine this … you’re whisked away to a five-star, luxury hotel where you’re pampered, fawned over and treated like the Black girl royalty that you are.

You’re thousands of miles and several continents away from the endless to-do lists and infinite demands of professional life.

You are enveloped in opulence and wealth every step you take and you truly feel like you’re at home.

This, girlfriend, isn’t a dream – it’s just a sneak peek of the extravagance that awaits you when you come with us to Singapore and stay at the lavish Fairmont Hotel, located in Marina Bay.

Here’s what you need to know about this world-famous hotel:

So Safe & Clean, You’ll See Your Reflection In Every Surface

Certified as an SG Clean establishment and the first Accor LUXE hotel to be accredited with the global ALLSAFE label, you can rest assured that your stay at the Fairmont will be extraordinarily safe, clean and drenched in wellness.

13 Restaurants

Embark on what the Fairmont calls a “gastronomic journey” as you take your pick from an amazing array of culinary delights from 13 restaurants and bars on the premises. Whether you’re in the mood for sushi and sashimi, Chinese dim sum, spaghetti al pomodoro or a modern cocktail, there’s something every Diva can enjoy.

Expansive Harbor Views

Gaze out over the harbor and Marina Bay while you lay up in lush luxury. Each room in the Fairmont is carefully appointed with the finest amenities, details and statement pieces for undeniable comfort.

Wellness Retreat

With over 23 treatment rooms, the Willow Stream Spa inside the Fairmont Singapore is the perfect place to revitalize body, mind and soul. Think whirlpools, cool dips, steam rooms, sauna rooms, pools, tennis courts and more. Of course, if you need a traditional massage, they’ve got you covered.

And that’s just the hotel. The Travel Divas trip? Well, girlfriend, that’s so jam-packed with luxury we wrote an entire page on how we’ll pamper you.

Get all the details here:

https://thetraveldivas.com/trip/singapore-malaysia-2023/ 

Glow Up Your Greece Experience: 3 Diva-Esque Activities in Santorini

Santorini’s sun-kissed, sea-sprayed villas and endless blue waters are calling for you, sis!

Look, we know you’re ready to live your best Grecian goddess life. But as a true Travel Diva, there’s no way you’re flying across an ocean just to do the same activities and snap the same pics as every other tourist. Nope! You’re looking for those things to do in Santorini Greece, that will make friends swoon and wish they had joined you.

See, we already know our Divas have the most discerning and bougiest taste. So, we do Greece a little differently. We’ve hand-picked some ah-mazing excursions for our next Santorini tour to deliver an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind journey.

Here are a few detours we’re taking off the beaten path to elevate your experience to Diva-esque standards:

3 Amazing Experiences Santorini Greece

Detour #1: Explore the Archeological Wonder of Delos

You’ll feel transported back to ancient times as soon as you step foot on Delos, the Greek god Apollo’s mythological hometown. Our private tour with an expert, English-speaking guide will give you the inside scoop on this island’s captivating mythology and send you home feeling like a Greek historian.

Detour #2: Sail the Med in a Luxe Catamaran

Picture this: the gentle ocean breeze caresses your face as you watch the sun dance across the sparkling, bright blue sea. You and your fellow Divas – decked out in oversized shades, bathing suits and kaftans – scatter your Black girl magic from island to island as the skipper navigates a top-of-the-line catamaran for an afternoon of smooth sailing.

Sounds delightful, no? It’s the best way to experience Greece up close and personal.

Detour #3: Vibe Out with Greek Vino

One of the world’s oldest wine-producing regions, Greece may not be as famous for wine as its northern neighbor France, but Grecians sure know how to pick a grape! We’ll sip plenty on a private wine tour and our Diva-favorite, Sundress & Floppy Hat Wine & Cheese Tasting. Trust us; your wine palate will never be the same.

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Hitting up hotspot destinations doesn’t have to be all “copy and paste.” When you join us on a 2023 tour of Greece, we’ll show you a side of Santorini that’ll make you feel like a famous travel vlogger! Touring the mystical ruins of Delos, gliding along the Med’s clear blue waters in a catamaran and tasting wines like a sommelier will make you feel like Athena herself! Ready to glow up your Greece experience? Click here to secure your spot: www.thetraveldivas.com/trips.

Need More Melanated Magic After Cartagena? Fly Here.

If you’ve been bit by the melanated travel bug after basking in the culturally lit, Black girl-friendly city of Cartagena, Colombia and need some inspo for a new trip, look no further than one of West Africa’s most electric metropolises … Ghana!

If you loved the vibrant culture and lush, tropical paradise of Cartagena, our 3-locale tour of Accra, Kumasi and the Cape Coast will heat up your winter travel schedule!

Come back to the Motherland with us, reach your roots and immerse yourself in Ghana’s rich history and radiance. Here’s a sneak peek at what we have in store for you:

Black & Gold Welcome Home Dinner Party & Cultural Performance

Girlfriend, Ghana knows how to party! Celebrate like they do in the homeland with a black-and-gold-themed, “welcome home” dinner party hosted by your Travel Divas guides. We’ve even curated a special performance from local dancers and musicians that will delight your senses and stir your soul.

The Door of No Return

Visit this symbolic landmark that represents the last place many West Africans saw before being forced into the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. Bring your tissues, Divas: this one can be quite the poignant experience. The Door of No Return is a reminder of the shoulders we all stand on and a memory that will stay with you forever.

African Naming Ceremony

Feel the warmth of your ancestors’ embrace as you receive a hand-selected, traditional Ghanaian name during a powerful naming ceremony. You’ll feel closer and more connected than you ever have before – even if your family doesn’t come from Ghana.

Come with us and see Africa in a new light! Learn more about the five-star accommodations, luxurious perks, breathtaking tours and excursions we’ve arranged for you behind this link:

https://thetraveldivas.com/trip/ghana-2023-tour-2-2/

We’re Taking Our Magic to the Sea! Join Our Inaugural Cruise in 2023

You know Black girl magic knows no bounds: land, air, anywhere we go we bring the magic. Now we’re taking our talents to the sea with our very first cruise!

See, in 2023, we’re not playing any games when it comes to expanding your horizons. Our inaugural Virgin Voyages experience will upgrade the way you think about cruising forever.

Pack your best sailing outfit (we see you in that crisp navy blue and white combo!) and get ready to explore epic Mediterranean ports of call on the French Daze & Ibiza Nights cruise.

We’re full steam ahead on a mission to bring you maximum joy, culture and a fabulous time as we set sail from Barcelona and hit up all the must-see destinations in the Mediterranean’s uber luxe playground.

We’re finalizing all the deets right this second but here’s a sneak peek of what to expect once we welcome you aboard:

7 Nights of Magical Sailing – June 11 to June 18, 2023

On this incredible journey, you’ll depart from Barcelona, stop in the French metropolis of Marseille, glam it up with a night in Cannes (yes, THE Cannes!), create unforgettable memories in Palma de Mallorca and then feel the wind caressing your curls in Ibiza.

Quarters fit for a Diva

These aren’t the below-deck rooms of cruises past! Sail the seas like a Diva with luxurious quarters decked out with plush velvet interiors, modern details and architecture, and beds so comfortable you might be tempted to lay up all day long. With unlimited Wi-Fi, dinner included every night and no tipping required, you’ll be fully pampered.

Five-Star Entertainment

Listen, Virgin doesn’t play when it comes to the entertainment. With adult cabarets, dance shows, dinner parties, acrobatics on a ship full of nightclubs, decadent cuisine and Broadway-level productions, this cruise line delivers endless opportunities for fun on board.

If you’re thinking “sign me up!”, hit the link below to join our trip.

https://thetraveldivas.com/trip/virgin-voyage-2023/

Meet The Real Housewives … We Mean Divas of Dubai

Listen, if you’re anything like us, you love a good tea spill … as long as it’s not your own, that is! As a Diva, the only drama you permit is the kind you watch on Bravo.

Now, the Real Housewives of Dubai premieres in June, focused on the ultra-glam, ultra-wealthy housewives of the desert. But before you binge the season, we thought we’d shine a spotlight on the real Divas here:

You and your girlfriends!

You see, here at Travel Divas, we do Dubai like no one else. Not even the Housewives. Yeah, we said it!

With nearly a decade of experience traveling to Dubai, we’ve got local specialists, connections and vendors that will make your trip to one of the world’s top destinations absolutely unforgettable.

Here are just a few ways we out-Diva “The Real Housewives of Dubai:”

All White on Yachts

Say bon voyage to the boring life as you sail away aboard a luxury yacht through the Persian Gulf. And don’t forget to pack your flyest all-white looks so you can kick it with your fellow Travel Divas and talk about rich, bougie, Black girl magic goals in style.

Signature, Travel Divas-Only Glam Galas

Get your glam on at a party you’ll talk about for ages. Hosted at some of the hottest spots in Dubai, our group exclusive parties are the perfect chance to go all out – and we do it on every Dubai trip. So, bring your designer heels, your best bags and your best dress: we’re turning up!

Traditional Desert Safari

You know how the Housewives are always going on adventures together? Well, that’s exactly what you’ll do with your fellow Divas during our desert safari. From henna tattoos to camel rides, water pipes, dune bashing and more, you’ll have plenty of opportunities for fun.

The best part? You can get down in Dubai with us whenever you want, however you want. Dreaming of a glamorous, Diva-trip? Try our Glam Tours. Ready for an all-out extravaganza? Our NYE bashes are unsurpassed. With over 10 trips to the Emirati land of luxury this season alone, you can join us for fun any time of year.

Whatever you decide, know that when “The Real Housewives of Dubai” comes on, you can be livin’ it up just like them too. Check out our Dubai trips here: https://thetraveldivas.com/trip/the-real-travel-divas-of-dubai-2023/.

Black Women You Should Know: Meet Nikki Klugh!

Here at Travel Divas®, you know we’re all about celebrating Black women doing incredible things in our community. And this month, we’re excited to introduce you to Nikki Klugh!

See, we all know our homes are our own little oases away from the world and Nikki has an extraordinary talent for bringing these places to life in new ways.

As an interior designer, wife and mother to 4 sons, Nikki is a powerful advocate for living a life filled with luxury, excitement and deep joy. With nearly 20 years of professional interior design experience and a passion for creating spaces that support and improve a person’s overall well-being, she designs homes that make her clients feel like their best selves as they fall in love with their spaces all over again.

Her one-of-a-kind design method focuses on creating unique spaces that are beautiful, functional and restorative – she calls them Sacred Spaces. As a professional member of ASID and IIDA as well as a certified interior designer and mentor to others within the field of interior design, Nikki is not only passionate about designing, she’s also committed to helping others expand their knowledge of the field.

She believes that space matters, remarkable design is essential and thoughtful planning inspires extraordinary results.

It’s not every day you find someone with a gift like Nikki’s. Her dedication to her craft is truly inspiring and it’s so exciting to see the impact she has on her clients’ lives and her community.

Want to learn more about Nikki and her work? Check out her site here!

How to Calm Your Anxious Mind before Traveling

You’ve got your tickets. Your bags are packed. You’re set to head out on the trip of a lifetime. And the only thing you can feel is … ANXIETY.

If that sounds familiar, you aren’t alone. Traveling can be incredibly stressful, no matter how much you’re looking forward to your trip. But the good news is, there are plenty of things you can do to ease your mind!

Flip the script on travel anxiety with these calming strategies to feel more relaxed before your next trip.

Tip #1: Give Yourself Time

Part of the reason so many people feel anxious during travel is the pressure to be in specific places at specific times. You start to worry about long lines, traffic jams, getting lost, forgetting something important and then panic sets in.

Giving yourself some extra time to get to your destination can relieve a lot of this stress and help you manage your anxiety. After all, it’s incredibly unlikely you’ll end up in a 2-hour traffic jam, an extra-long security line AND get lost in the airport! Knowing you won’t be running to board your plane at the last minute will make the entire journey more enjoyable.

Tip #2: Stay Positive

If you begin your journey with a negative mindset, you’re inviting stress and anxiety on your trip. Try to stay positive about your vacation from the moment you book it. Instead of asking yourself what might go wrong, focus on all the fun you’ll have doing new things in beautiful places.

Tip #3: Be Prepared

Worried that something is going to go wrong while you’re away? Set aside some time to journal these thoughts and what you can do to prevent them from impacting your trip. For example, you might check that you have all important phone numbers saved in your phone or designate a meeting place in advance in case you’re separated from your group. While you should never dwell on worst-case scenarios, putting a little prep work in can calm your fears.

Tip #4: Practice Calming Techniques

If you deal with travel anxiety, then you know it can hit you at any time. Before your next trip, spend some time exploring breathing exercises, guided meditations and other calming techniques. The key here is to find something that works for you before you’re in the middle of traveling. That way, when anxiety strikes, you’ll be able to practice the technique in the moment.

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Anxiety is part of traveling for many folks, but it doesn’t have to be. Give yourself extra time, stay positive, be prepared and practice calming techniques to manage your anxiety. Want more insider travel tips and advice? Head here for everything you need to know!

Black Girl Magic Personified: Davonne Reaves

Travel Diva, have you ever just been awe-struck at the excellence, commitment and overall Black girl magic that’s out there in the world?

While we’re not surprised, it still warms our hearts to see Black women out here crushing their goals!

That’s why we’re highlighting some of the most phenomenal women who have been sprinkling their magic in our hemisphere lately.

If you’re not following the woman we’re about to reveal, you’re missing out!


First up is real estate and hospitality magnate Davonne Reaves.   

Davonne is the founder and chief hospitality strategist of Atlanta-based 

hospitality firm, The Vonne Group.

Experience

With over 14 years of experience in hotel operations, asset management, hotel development and feasibility studies, Davonne is a certified Diva!

She’s killed it in event management at Blair Management Consultant Services, hotel operations at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, and hotel development consulting and feasibility at Horwath ATL. She switched it up and was the reigning queen of asset management at CHMWarnick.

She managed portfolios with over $1 billion in assets when she was at Horwath HTL and CHMWarnick. Talk about a boss!

Highlight Reel

While there isn’t enough space here to list all of the magical things Davonne has accomplished, we’ll share a few highlights.

In 2017, she founded the Vonne Group, a premier hotel consulting firm known for its cutting-edge market research and innovative brand positioning. 

In 2019, she co-founded Epiq Collective, a commercial real estate investment fund specializing in hotels and multi-family real estate. 

Where You Can Find Her

Davonne is on a mission to make hotel ownership and investments a reality for 221 

ambitious wealth-builders this year. 

Keep your eyes on her by visiting https://thevonnegroup.com/ to learn more.

Also, visit her #stayblackexperience initiative here.

Get Your Red Bottoms and Designer Wear Ready for Rome 2023

You bring the diva with you wherever you go, sprinkling your Black girl magic, iconic style, undeniable confidence and damn-good looks all through the streets, whether you’re at home or jet-setting around the world.

That’s why strapping on your finest designer shoes to strut in front of the Colosseum like a true warrior queen is just one of the highlights of our ultra-glam, ultra-boujee, ultra-luxe Rome 2022 tour.

And we’re inviting you to bring your Red Bottoms, your “damn, who’s that” outfits, long flowing goddess dresses and spent-a-bag-or-two-on-these purses to travel, pose and relax like a true diva should.

When you do Rome with Travel Divas, you’ll indulge in all things diva-like:

Slay In Front of the Spanish Steps 

Listen, IG photos are nice for a minute … that is, until someone else posts and your photo is lost in the scrolling sauce. But what about hanging a stunning pass-it-down-for-generations photo above your mantel or in your foyer. If you’re a diva like us, then the hanging around option sounds more like you.

That’s why you’ll be professionally photographed as you’re dressed-to-the-nines, posing in front of the Spanish just like Rihanna in the latest issue of Vogue. Breathtaking. Beautiful. Boss. And these are just a few words to describe the incredible, high-quality photos our melanin-loving photographers will take of you.

Oh, and did we mention we’ll also photo-click capture you posing in the most iconic vintage cars in the streets of Rome? Modern meets classic meets Black girl magic is the vibe you’ll effortlessly embody.

And, you’ll probably be hungry after working so hard to look so good (though truthfully, it’s easy for a melanated goddess such as yourself). That’s why you’ll need to:

Sip Prosecco at a Gourmet Luxury Picnic

Sip on the finest Italian champagne at a carefully-curated picnic lunch one day. Dress in your best whites, you know … like you’re on Diddy’s yacht at our all-white rooftop welcome dinner. Then, learn how to make pizza and gelato in a private cooking class. 

Next, unwind while you swish, smell and marvel at the exquisite wines over the hills just outside of Rome. 

After filling up your cup, get ready for a glam, classy night on the town.

Put on Your Red Bottoms, Little Black Dress and Pearls

After touring the Colosseum, taking a walking tour with a private fashion expert and soaking in the thermal waters of Acque Albule Springs, you’ll want to slip into your sexiest Black dress, Red Bottoms and pearls for our upscale farewell dinner.

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Glam it up and walk the streets of Rome as if you’re Cleopatra herself when you travel with us to Rome in 2023. Get all the details on accommodations, excursions and more here.