During the transatlantic slave trade, millions of Africans were shipped to Brazil to work on sugar plantations, many of whom were sent to Bahia. To date, Brazil has the highest Black population outside of Africa. It was remarkable to witness the preservation and promotion of African culture in Bahia. Here are 13 things to do in Salvador Brazil to get a flavor of its culturally-rich heritage, categorized by neighborhood:
Self care is about nurturing your mind, body, and soul. It essentially comes down to doing what makes you feel good and balanced. At first glance, it may seem that talking about “self care” and travel is unnecessary. After all, travel can be viewed as a form of self care (it is definitely a way I nurture my soul). However, a lot of time, energy, and money goes into trip planning and trips themselves. Practicing self care is vital to be able to mentally and physically enjoy traveling. Here are my go-to self care practices that I treat myself to before, during, and after traveling:
Although Black History month is celebrated in February, our story is shared year-round across the world. Black history spreads across continents, cultures, and centuries. It is so complex and interesting that there is something for everyone. Here are 6 diverse destinations to help travelers delve deeper into African American history and culture:
A large majority of my trips (27/28 countries visited) I’ve gone without a bae. This was either because I was single at the moment or I was in a relationship and our availabilities didn’t align. Fun fact about me: I don’t wait for anyone to live my life… I just go! But I have to admit, there are a few experiences I’ve had with friends that I added to my running “Travel with Bae” list. Here are 7 romantic travel experiences to have with bae:
Besides the Brazilian Carnival, one of the largest events in Rio de Janeiro is Réveillion, the New Year’s Eve celebration. This famous party happens on the iconic Copacabana beach. Millions of people come from all over the world to join in on the festivities that include a variety of traditions. Here’s a guide to this grand celebration:
The captivating beauty of Rio’s iconic mountains, beaches, and landmarks are best viewed from up high. We hiked Trilhas de Morro Dois Irmãos, which is a rock formation located in the Vidigal. Here’s a complete guide to hiking your way up to one of the most incredible views of the city:
One of Rio de Janeiro’s most recognizable landmarks is Christ the Redeemer. Wherever you go in Rio, you will see this glorious statue watching over the city. It attracts 3,000- 4,000 visitors daily, or over a million visitors each year. People from all over the world travel to come and do the most to get a picture with the statue. However, as you can imagine, with such a popular attraction, picture taking is a challenge! Here are 5 of the 100s of hilarious attempts I made at getting a half-way decent shot with Christ the Redeemer:
Going on a Rio de Janeiro vacation has been on my travel bucket list for years! After several failed attempts at trying to visit the vibrant city, it finally worked out! Here’s a guide and travel tips for spending 6-days in Rio de Janeiro.
2017 was the year I vowed to myself to live FULLY & BOLDLY, despite unpleasant surprises life threw my way! I promised myself that no matter what, I would be the owner of my own happiness, which is a process and not an outcome. This year, my journey to living intentionally took me to 7 countries across 4 continents. Here’s a recap of my most memorable domestic and international travel moments of 2017:
My winter will start off a little warm this year, as I’m spending a couple of weeks exploring Brazil! We plan on spending the majority of our time in Rio, Salvador, and Iguaçu Falls, which will be hot, humid, and rainy at times. While Brazil is known for its beautiful beaches, this packing list doesn’t focus on how many bikinis or shorts you should pack. Here’s the packing list for travelers who want to explore Brazil in a more adventurous way: