Meaningful connections with fellow magical Black women, the opportunity to explore new cultures, a moment to refill my self-care cup – there’s nothing Roxie enjoys more than the freedom of travel.

It’s truly something I cherish and don’t take for granted. Not everyone is able to travel freely, so knowing that I can hop on a plane to escape is something I’m eternally grateful for.

Every time I look at my passport, I see more than just a small book with pages and pages full of customs stamps:

I see freedom.

I see adventure.

I see endless possibilities.

In fact, you can consider it your ticket to adventure. Here are a few reasons why:

You Can Travel Internationally

More than just a ticket to adventure and a form of identification, a passport is a collection of memories. Every stamp is a reminder of your Black girl magic: that you worked hard, played even harder, and had the courage to do both.

You see, traveling is an act of bravery. Whether it’s with a group of women you know, a group of strangers, by yourself, or a mix of all the above, it takes guts and gravitas to literally step outside of your comfort zone and fly to a new destination where nothing is the same.

Every time you pick up your passport, remember that.

You Can Immerse Yourself in New Cultures

A Diva knows there’s more to life than what she knows – that’s why she prides herself on being well-versed and cultured. Your passport unlocks opportunities for you to immerse yourself in cultures you never would have been exposed to otherwise, except for in a book or in a YouTube video.

Getting to know how others live their lives can inspire you to live more freely and openly. In fact, chances are, if you’re traveling outside of the U.S., you’ll discover just how much hustle culture isn’t the be-all-end-all.

As a hard-working Black woman, it’s important for you to see that you deserve a soft life. That life – no matter its dilemmas – can be one full of joy … sunshine … clear waters … luxury.

Your passport is the ultimate luxury. Don’t forget to use it.

You can practice doing just that by booking a trip and letting us plan it all for you right behind this link.

Can’t wait to see what adventure you choose next!

The post Your Passport Is Your Ticket to Adventure appeared first on Travel Divas®.

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.

The post Save Time and Money with Global Entry + Passport appeared first on Travel Divas®.

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.

The post 3 Reasons Why Every Diva Needs to Add Travel to Her Self-Care Routine appeared first on Travel Divas®.

Hey girlfriend! It’s Roxie again, and I’ve just come back from my latest rendezvous. While I was out jet-setting across Europe and Asia, I couldn’t help but notice that all the stresses, to-do lists and constant worry that can sometimes take hold of me disappeared.

There’s just something about hopping on a plane and getting far away that clears your mind.

After all, your environment plays a huge part in your overall well-being and mental health. For magical, hard-working Black women like us, our environments are often all about the grind, the hustle and ensuring our loved ones have everything they need.

But what about you? How do you make sure you have everything you need and pour back into your own cup?

For so many of us, travel fills that bill. It’s a great way to escape, get a bit of distance from daily life and gain valuable insights so you can live your best life.

Here are a few more ways travel benefits your mental health and why you should let us take care of all the planning so you can rest, recharge and relax STAT:

Reduce Your Stress

You’re probably no stranger to “Superwoman Schema” or “Sojourner’s Syndrome” – also known as “Strong Black Woman Syndrome.” In fact, chances are you probably lean into these at work and in life without even realizing it. That’s not your fault – so much of how the world works makes it easy for Black women to suffer disproportionately from stress.

A study done by the Human Nature journal even shared that Black women process and internalize stress differently – and that it can cause biological aging.

In other words, stress could be aging you and one of the best ways to combat that is through travel.

When you get away from environments where stress is your norm, you naturally lower your stress levels. Also, there’s nothing like breathing fresh air, getting away from the laptop, and doing whatever the heck you want that just melts all the stress away.

Boost Your Mood

While routine is a wonderful thing, it can eventually make for a bleak mood and dreary disposition when it comes to tackling your everyday tasks, personally and professionally.

Travel is an opportunity to shake up your routine and expose yourself to new sights, sounds, cultures, and adventures.

If you’ve been feeling blue recently, it might be time to hop on a plane to help reset your outlook.

Improve Your Overall Mental Health

Did you know that when you do something different outside of your norm that you form new pathways in your brain? The same goes for travel. New experiences can help improve your brain function, boost your mood, and inspire creativity.

Sometimes you just need a dose of vitamin D and sunshine, some water, and some greenery to turn things around. In this day and age when so many of us are cooped up in buildings and staring at computer screens all day, being exposed to nature for longer periods of time can improve your overall mental health.

So, what to do next?

Decide which destination makes you feel the most excited. Is it the turquoise seas and over-the-water bungalows in the Maldives? Dubai’s opulent vibes? The glamour of Paris? The intoxicating roses of Jordan? The colorful countryside of Cartagena?

Wherever you feel called to explore, we can make it happen without you ever lifting a finger (except to pay and pack, that is!).

Come sprinkle your Black girl magic with us on one of these magical escapes.

The post Free & Clear: Why Traveling Is What Every Black Woman Needs for Her Mental Health appeared first on Travel Divas®.

Hey, it’s your favorite Travel Diva Roxie again, and I’m back with some communication tips for group travel! If you’re wondering how to create meaningful connections and ensure you have the most *magical* Black girl time, communication is key!

Back home, before you packed your bag and passport and booked your trip, you were already working hard without playing hard.

Initiating Conversations

The hardest part of talking to new travel mates is often just starting a conversation! One of my favorite tricks is to acknowledge the awkwardness of it all as an icebreaker. It may feel scary to jump out of your comfort zone and initiate conversations with women you don’t know, but coming from a place of curiosity always helps.

While it’s important to ask questions, you also don’t want your conversations to feel like an interview. Layer in some of your own stories that are related to what your conversation partner is sharing.

When in doubt for how to get things rolling – compliments always work! Use that as a starting point, or even ask them how they found the Travel Divas community. Then – let it flow!

Listening Actively

Let’s be honest: when most people listen, they’re waiting their turn to speak. That never makes the other person feel heard or listened to. But Travel Divas don’t do that. One of the easiest ways to start a new friendship is to make the other person feel seen, paid attention to, and heard, and you can do that by actively listening. That means waiting until they’ve finished sharing their thoughts before responding, asking clarifying questions, and even pausing before answering, so you can truly reflect on what they shared. In other words – don’t interrupt!

Respecting Differences

One of the most wonderful parts about travel is the opportunity to meet others from all walks of life. You’re bound to do that when visiting a new country or even another area you’re not familiar with, but remember differences exist even within the group you’re traveling with.

No matter your beliefs, it’s important to hold space for others’ experiences and differences. What may be normal for you coming from Harlem, NYC may be different from someone who’s been living in Wisconsin for years, so be mindful of differences.

Be curious and ask about their individual experiences that may be different from yours, as it may lead to some stimulating conversations!

When it comes to communicating effectively while traveling with strangers, there are really only a few key concepts to remember:

Be curious, open and respectful.

Once that’s done consistently, you can easily make new connections and build community. Speaking of, if you’re wondering how you can build more of a community while traveling solo, you know your girl has sprinkled some magical tips in this blog post on how to do just that.

The post It’s Giving Meaningful: Our Best Communication Tips When Traveling with Strangers appeared first on Travel Divas®.