Girlfriend, it’s Roxie again! Can I just give you a huge pat on the back and a “YASSS, GIRL!” Because if you’re reading this you’ve likely arranged for a trip to somewhere new and in a different country!

So many fabulous Black women just like you don’t get this opportunity, so take a moment to recognize your greatness.

Just like we do at work, we always stay ready so we don’t have to get ready, even for fun stuff like traveling. And while jet-setting is a beautiful thing that can expose you to new cultures and ideas, one thing that’s almost guaranteed to happen is a bit of culture shock.

Here’s how to prepare for cultural differences:

Be Open-Minded & Respectful

Everyone always talks about how you’ll feel in a new country, but it’s important to also be respectful about how natives might feel. That being said, what may be considered normal and appropriate where you’re from may not be the same in a new country.

For example, when visiting countries like the United Arab Emirates, walking around in a bikini near the beach is frowned upon, unlike Miami where it’s the norm. Be open-minded and respectful toward differences in cultural norms.

Learn the Local Language

You don’t need to bust out the Rosetta Stone, but learning a few phrases in the local language will go a long way. While English is spoken widely across the globe, it’s not always a good look to assume everyone speaks it at your destination. Learn how to ask for directions, where the bathroom is, thank you, and how to order food as you prep for your next international trip.

Research Local Customs & Etiquette

This is the big one! Just like being open-minded and respectful is a non-negotiable, so is learning the local customs and etiquette. Not only does this make for a memorable and comfortable experience, it can also make you safer. It’s easy for non-good-doers to pick you out in a crowd if you don’t follow a country’s customs or etiquette. Do your research and familiarize yourself.

For example, did you know slurping when eating noodles in Japan means you enjoy the food, whereas in the U.S. it would be considered rude and unkempt?  

My favorite ways to research include talking to others who’ve traveled there before, watching YouTube, and of course, reading blogs like this one (we’ve got tons more tips on how to travel like a Diva at every one of our destinations).

Prep for cultural differences, excursions, the airport, and more with other great tips from the Travel Divas blog.

The post Respectfully Preparing for Cultural Differences appeared first on Travel Divas®.

Well, look at that! It’s almost 2023. I’ve been off jet-setting around the world this year and finally have some downtime to decompress, put my feet up and think about what kind of rich, luxurious, upscale experiences I want to have next year.

Here are some great ideas I want to share, you know, so we can step into our Rich Auntie Vibes even more and sprinkle our Black girl magic so often we might as well put it in our water!

The following are a few Rich Auntie-approved New Year’s Resolutions:

Make Self-Care a Habit: Girlfriend, you work so hard, BUT are fun and self-care ever the top things on your to-do list? Make a habit of putting “F U N” as your to-do thing every single day, whether it’s sipping a glass of bubbly, dancing to your favorite song, or slathering yourself with a luxurious lotion after a warm Epsom bath at night.

Schedule Regular Getaways: That bucket list isn’t going to cross itself off! Every 3 months, schedule a trip. It doesn’t have to be international, although Travel Divas has the most AMAZING international experiences close and far away from home, such as Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. Truth is …  you need to make a regular habit of sprinkling your Black girl magic around at least 3x-4x a year.

Take a Random Day Trip: Spontaneity and doing what you want is 100% Rich Auntie Vibes. Put away the laptop, clock out of the mental stress, and take an unplanned day trip to another city. There’s gotta be a vineyard somewhere that’s calling your name. Just do it!

Try New Cuisines Once a Month: You can expand your palette even if you can’t stamp your passport. Try a new culinary experience once a month – fusion restaurants, hole-in-the-walls and even treat yourself to an upscale 5-star experience at a fancy hotel. Remember … you’re worth it.

Spend More Time Living & Less Time Working: Make a promise to yourself – right now – to spend more time away from your desk. Now, the best way to do this is to hang with us across the world. That is so we can pamper you and help you forget about your too-long to-do list. Did I mention you’ll make lifelong friends AND memories?

Make 2023 the year you live your best life, girlfriend! Start by treating yourself to the gift of imagination and take a peek at all the breathtaking destinations we’re inviting you to right here: www.traveldivas.com/trips

The post Roxie’s Guide to Rich Auntie’s New Year Resolutions appeared first on Travel Divas®.

2022 was a year filled with change, but 1 thing stayed consistent all year long: The Travel Divas showed up and showed out! 

We loved turning up with you in every corner of the globe during 2022, and we can’t stop reminiscing on all the fun we’ve had this year.

Read on to take a trip down memory lane with us and look back on a few of our 2022 highlights! 

Highlight #1: Egypt 

Egypt owes us nothing!

We spent 9 days in Egypt this March, and we hit up Cairo, Aswan and Luxor while we were there. Thanks to its unique blend of ancient culture and modernity, Egypt is always 1 of our favorite countries to visit. 

We marveled at the Pyramid of Giza, explored ancient temples dedicated to Egyptian gods and goddesses, cruised down the Nile and turned up during a Sound & Light show at the pyramids. 

Highlight #2: Dubai

This trip was one for the books! 

Each year, our Dubai Glam trip gets better and better. And the May and November versions were definitely our best yet. 

Our hotel, the Sheraton at the Mall of the Emirates, made it easy to get our beauty rest and our looks for the night in one fell swoop.

When we weren’t shopping and kicking back at our wildly luxurious hotel, we were out exploring Dubai and getting a taste of life in the United Arab Emirates. 

And we made sure to snap plenty of pics for the ‘gram on our Modern Dubai City Tour and our desert safari. The Divas looked so fly on camelback!

Highlight #3: Hawaii

Whew, Waikiki in September was an absolute dream! 

Our resort was just steps from the white sand and blue water of Waikiki Beach, and we loved waking up to fabulous views every single day. 

Like all our trips, this Waikiki getaway was filled with experiences and events to bring the whole Travel Divas crew closer. We loved learning more about Polynesian culture with y’all during our luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center. 

And we’ll never forget the memories we made during our lit all-white welcome reception! (If you know, you know!)

Highlight #4: South of France

Now, September and October were filled to the brim with luxury. 

We bid au revoir to all our worries and headed to the South of France for a decadent, ultra-relaxing vacation.

We hit up Nice, Saint-Tropez, Cannes and Monte Carlo to indulge in the very best the fabulous French Riviera has to offer.

Between our champagne brunch, rooftop dinner in Nice and our visit to a local winery, each day was filled with luxurious excursions that had us feeling like Bey on her yearly yacht trip!

Highlight #5: Singapore and Malaysia

This October we hit up not 1, but 2 of Asia’s hottest vacation spots! 

In Singapore, we embarked on an adventure-filled night safari and treated ourselves to an island getaway on Sentosa Island. Crazy Rich Asians who?! 

We kept the South Asia vibes going in beautiful Malaysia, with stops in super-chic Kuala Lumpur and the historic city of Malacca. Of course, we ate yummy food the whole way through!

Highlight #6: London

We sprinkled a lil’ Black girl magic in London this October on a glamorous trip that would make even the royals jealous! 

We lived our best Bridgerton lives on this London getaway and treated ourselves to our heart’s content. 

Every second of this trip was filled with luxury. Some of our favorite parts were touring the city in vintage taxis, sipping on afternoon tea, touring Windsor Castle and going to a concert at the Royal Opera House. 

Highlight #7: Los Cabos

Sis, we shut Los Cabos DOWN and looked fabulous doing it! 

We headed down to Mexico in October for a trip to Le Blanc Spa Resort Los Cabos. While there, we kept the all-white theme going for 5 days straight and served major monochrome lewks during our welcome event, pool party, catamaran cruise and sunset farewell party. 

The Travel Divas also treated themselves to some serious rest and relaxation at our all-inclusive resort. We’re so glad you all enjoyed your spa treatments, beach days and personal butler services! 

Highlight #8: South Africa

November was all about visiting the Motherland, and we wouldn’t have it any other way! 

We headed down to South Africa to take in the country’s rich culture and natural wonders. 

We hit the city of Cape Town hard, tasting authentic South African wine and marveling at the breathtaking Victoria Falls. 

And although South Africa is more than a wildlife destination, we did throw in a few safari excursions for our most adventurous Travel Divas! We loved getting up close and personal with hippos, crocodiles, elephants, leopards and other wild animals. 

Highlight #9: Ghana

The Motherland tour continued when we let the hot West African sun heat us up this winter.

Our trips to Ghana were filled with opportunities to celebrate our ancestors, reconnect with our roots and explore Ghana’s rich history and vibrant present. 

We’ll never forget turning up with you at the Black and Gold “Welcome Home” dinner party, meeting locals in the villages and the fun-filled nights in the streets of Accra.

We did more than party, though. Our lives were forever changed after walking in our ancestors’ footsteps through the Door of No Return, visiting the castles where our people were held captive before embarking on the Middle Passage and receiving our African names from Ghanaian elders during a naming ceremony.

_______________

While 2022 will always hold a special place in our hearts, we can’t wait to make even more memories with you next year! We’ve got tons of epic trips planned for 2023. Book your next Travel Divas getaway here: https://thetraveldivas.com/trips/

The post A Fabulous Year in Review: Looking Back on Travel Divas in 2022 appeared first on Travel Divas®.

1. Y’all got cute to go to the living room – I’m getting cute to go to the airport. Bye! 🙌🏾

2. Me and travel go together like cornbread and collard greens🤞🏾

3. Imma have to work off this Christmas Brunch meal before my next @traveldivas vacay!

4. Another drama-free Christmas out the country and out the way 😴✈️

5. Can’t wait to be the bougie auntie who only flies in for holidays 😎

6. Listennnnn, after that cooking class on my last @traveldivas trip, I’m ‘bout to put my foot in this Christmas brunch!

7. Imma let winter finish, but Christmas in Cabo is looking like the move. 👀

8. All Mariah wanted for Christmas is you, but I need a vacation!

9. I’m drinking this pumpkin spice latte, but deep down I really want a fruity drink with a lil’ umbrella in it 😩

10. Heard it’s snowing at home … Can’t relate. I’m in the tropics with @traveldivas 😜

11.  Every day feels like Christmas in Dubai!

12.  Bought myself another trip across the world with @traveldivas for Christmas 🎁 Thank you, me!

13.  Christmas hits different when you’re in the Caribbean with @traveldivas!

14.  Due to getting myself a 5-star @traveldivas vacation, the rest of you will be receiving thoughts and prayers from me for Christmas 😂

15.  The only white I’ll be seeing this Christmas is at the @traveldivas VIP all-white reception dinner 💅🏾

16.  Santa said you wanted some Black girl magic for Christmas, so here’s me on a @traveldivas trip!

17.  Is it just me or are they playing the Christmas music extra early this year? 🤔 That can only mean 1 thing: time to start planning my 2023 trips!

18.  Skipped the Christmas party this year. Booked a trip with @traveldivas instead!

19.  What should I get myself for Christmas? A Cabo trip? A Dubai vacay?

20.  Whew chile, Christmas vacay drained me. Time to book a @traveldivas trip to recover 😂

Want more travel inspo? Get ready to sprinkle your Black girl magic all over the world with more tips and lists just like this when you subscribe to the Travel Divas email list: http://bit.ly/TD-signup

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