We’re just going to say it--Black folks have been killing the travel game lately. From Cape Town to Cairo, Bali to Budapest, we’ve been there done that and taken the photos to prove it. And any avid traveler knows that the best time to plan a trip is right after you’ve gotten off the plane from another one. But there is another reason to scroll through the travel hashtags on Instagram—when you are feeling a bit blue. Or even a bit too Black.
Beyoncé approved Youtuber turned PBS host Evelyn Ngugi aka Evelyn From the Internets, once made a video parody about the desire to “call in Black” from work when whatever racial traumas of the day were just too much to deal with. And this was while President Obama was in office. (Now, chile…)
Unfortunately, this isn’t necessarily realistic for most people. But instead of staying down, we can opt for the next best thing—to scroll through photo after photo of smiling black faces sipping mai tais or climbing the Great Wall of China may be just the thing to bring you out of your funk.
So, here is a list of 10 hashtags that will instantly put you in a good mood.
#wegotooworld
Created sometime around 2015, this hashtag turned travel company is used by those who are serious about travel. These hashtaggers have moved far beyond the camera phone. Instead, the photos here are glossy and sophisticated—kind of like a melaninated National Geographic. It is the perfect page to browse if you are looking for an alternative to any negative images that traditional media often shows of us.
#blackwomentravel
Sistas are doing it for themselves in nearly all aspects of their lives, including travel. Whether it is a girl’s trip or a solo jaunt to Lisbon, seeing girls like you or the women you love travel the world is enough to rip anyone out of a funk.
#forafricans
Taken from the account of the same name, this community is a view of African life by the people who know and love them the most—other Africans. The result is a series of gorgeous shots of deeply melaninated people and the earth that surrounds and supports them.
#blackvoyageurs
You know things are getting’ fancy when the British spelling comes out. As a result, of all the hashtags, this one is one of the most inclusive. Combining Black folks from all the former British colonies and some French ones too. It truly is a one stop shop for the totality of the African Diaspora.
#travelnoirekids
There is truly no cuter hashtag nor a greater inspiration for how to raise your kids than this. No matter what you are going through, this hashtag will give you a mental boost.
#mybeautifulafrica
Dedicated to a land and her people, this hashtag includes everything from historical images, to beauty shots to images of travelers. This is the hashtag to search if you just want a refill on Black beauty and the land in which it originated.
#afrodyssee
Like many companies, this Swiss-based African marketplace turned their brand into a hashtag for promotional reasons. The result, whether intended or not, is a sophisticate’s dream of Black beauty and journeys all over the world.
#blacktravelerstakebrazil
The name pretty much says it! And as the originator of Samba, Candomblé, Capoeira, and the largest Black population in the Americas, it should be no surprise that other kinfolk would love to journey there to explore its culture and beauty. If you are planning a trip there, be sure to check out the journey of those that came before you.
#travelisthenewclub
Half hashtag, half great advice for living your life, travel is the new club reminds you of what you could be doing with your life if you weren’t spending $400 on bottle service every weekend. Use it to remind yourself that a trip to Tanzania is only a few packed lunches and weekends in away.
#lasmorenasdeespana
Founded by Sienna Brown, known on Instagram as @siempregirando, it was initially created to connect the disparate groups of Black women living all over Spain. As the years went by, it expanded into a website and is now one of the most important organizations for Black people in Spain. If you are planning a trip there and would like a vision of Spain beyond tapas and flamenco, this is the hashtag for you!
#braidsandjade
And to round out our list, here is the only hashtag dedicated to Black travel in Asia. While lots of people often journey to Europe, the Caribbean and certain parts of Africa, there is a giant continent filled with ancient cultures and peoples to explore. If you don’t know where to start, Braids and Jade may be a great first step!
Also in Travel & Slay | The BlackTravelBox® Blog
Travel Crush Tuesday: Ellee
Ellee is in the building - and this week she's showing us what it means to be a globe trotting Travel Crush. This native New Yorker has climbed the pyramids of Egypt, took her whole life in her hands on the swings in Bali, and she's still pumped for more challenging, new adventures. Read on for her tips on having magical experiences without breaking the bank, her favorite hack for buying cheap flights, and how she stays in villas without the hefty price tag.
