This week we interviewed travel entrepreneur and content creator Taliya on all things Travel and Slay. Ladies go ahead and get your notepad ready because she's spilled the tea on everything from how to look good on the road to negotiating airbnbs.
In this podcast, our Founder and CEO, Orion Brown discusses withSabrina Scholkowski the importance of representation in all things beauty and travel. The two touch on Orion's entrepreneurship journey and what all went into creating the BlackTravelBox we know today. That's not all folks!
Listen in and read on, because you are not going to want to miss this!
Photo Source: Bisola and Instagram
Meet Bisola aka @bissy_. She's a therapeutic radiographer living in London Town with a passion for travel. When we asked her to tell us more about her love of travel, she said "I’ve believe no annual leave should be spent at home so I’ve been to about 26 different cities." Right on sis, right on!
Today she's sharing her favorite beauty tips on the go, how her love of food is second only to travel, and why it's important to talk finance if you're serious about your travel game.
What’s your favorite travel hack?
No one ever talks about finance when they're on holiday but I feel that is key. No need to splash more than necessary and that’s why my Monzo card is key. I predominantly use this as my travel bank card. There are no bank charges so if I don’t have any cash on me or I need to use my card abroad I don’t need to worry about additional fees. Really easy to use and they have an app which you can use to manage your expenses. I try travel as much as I can and this helps me manage my travel budget and expenses.
Your make up is always fire! How do you keep your face beat while on the road?
I am a BIG fan of skin care, my vitamin C and hydrohalic serum are my holy grail. Better skin care means a better beat. I also set my primer to prevent my make up from moving around but if all else fails I wear no make up and put on sunglasses. There's no seeing any panda eyes through that. Also don't forget your sun protection!
The adventures. I feel the moment I leave the country I'm a whole new person willing to try new things and immerse myself in the different cultures. I always find myself doing water sports when I can't even swim. It's all about making memories everywhere you go.
What would you say is one of the most under-rated places to visit? What do you love most about it?
I most recently visited Hamburg. I booked the trip 2 days before I travelled and I had an amazing time, if it was so much fun during a pandemic I wonder how much more enjoyable it could be. I felt like the city had a bit of everything; cultural experiences such as museums and galleries, amazing nightlife, architectural buildings and bridges everywhere and most importantly the FOOD was 10/10. I would definitely go back again.
What's the one thing you love most about travel?
Well this probably comes as no surprise but I am passionate about traveling. I am also a BIG foodie, so one of my favourite things about travelling is trying an authentic dish from a different part of the world but I absolutely draw the line at insects. Some of the best meals I’ve had are from places I would not have considered.
Here are some more of our favorite travelers and their gorgeous shots.
Photo Source: Kisha and Instagram
This week we're crushing on Kisha! This Canadian citizen and travel blogger loves to visit far flung places like Cabo, Paris, Costa Rica, and more. She's been to 13 countries, 16 states, and 7 provinces… with no signs of stopping.
But it's the photos of her native Canada that got our attention. Beautiful mountains and streams? Check. Warm sunny beaches? Check. Luscious vineyards? Check. Elegant architecture? Check. We could go on and on. But instead we leave you with this fun interview and lots of yummy travel photos.
Enjoy!
Describe the most memorable trip you've been on? What made it special?
My most memorable trip was to Santorini, Greece in 2016 as I have never been to a place so beautiful in my life. I literally felt like I was living in a postcard. The people were very nice, the architecture was stunning, the food was delicious and the VIEWS were amazing !!! My trip to Greece was special to me as it was my first time traveling to Europe and it exceeding my expectations on every level. The pictures I looked at prior to my trip did not do Santorini justice. If you ever get a chance to go to Santorini, you have to check out a sunset in OIA, it was the prettiest sunset I have ever seen. That was the first time in my life that I felt extremely free and relaxed.
What’s your advice for first time travelers?
I would tell them to make sure they do their research! Read reviews/blogs and follow up with friends or family that have travelled to the location. It is always great to travel to a new place but your safety is also very important especially when traveling solo. HAVE FUN, EXPLORE & TAKE A LOT OF PICTURES !!!
I have three favorite travel hacks:
1. Using packing cubes as they save so much space in your luggage. By using my packing cubes, I am able to travel very minimally with a carry on and backpack. Which means I save on paying the luggage fee at the airport. That's 30-60$ extra I save for food and fun!
2. Collecting soap/lotion from my hotel stays. As I only pack carry on luggage, I cannot take my regular soap/lotions that are over 100ml. Therefore, I save the ones I collect and pack them in with my other toiletries.
3. I love collecting airline points such as Aeroplan/Delta Skymiles for free flights. By collecting points over the years, I have had several free flights.
It is all about the angles! LOL no...literally. The majority of my photos are taken with my iPhone. I like to play with the settings and I have learned different angles to get the perfect shot. When I am traveling with someone, I guide them on how to take pictures of me or I ask a random stranger that I can outrun to snap a few shots lol.
What has traveling taught you?
Traveling has taught me that it is important to take time for yourself. Traveling is a time for me to get away from my regular busy life and to really focus on my health; physical and mental. I am a big advocate of self-care and when I am traveling I love to take advantage of having free time and exploring new cultures/experiences.
Where else can folks find you Kisha?
They can check out my travel blog.
Here are some more of our favorite travelers and their gorgeous shots.
