I have been so incredible fortunate to travel outside of the United States. In January 2018 I was able to take 3 weeks exploring both eastern and western Europe. I was literally living my best life. The following are my tips for Black women traveling in Europe. I’m hoping this can serve as an introductory guide and inspire others!
Black Women Traveling in Europe
If you are wondering about the safety or accessibility of Europe this is a short guide for all Black women traveling in Europe. I primarily do solo travel but much of this post will be applicable to all Black women. There are so many options out there that women can take advantage of. There are planes, trains, and automobiles that can get you to Europe. If you are worried about racism, sexism, or your overall safety I hope to give you a few ideas of where you can go to live your best life in Europe.
I want my readers to expand their mind beyond what they see a typical traveler doing on social media. If cruises are your thing you can find them in Europe. If you are afraid of long flights then I want to show you ways of breaking it down so it is manageable. I want to show you how other modes of travel are also an option. If you think you will stick out too much or not be welcome I want to show you how friendly most European communities are. Black women traveling in Europe are plentiful. There is no need to miss an opportunity to be one of them.
The Joys of Speaking English
When I traveled through Europe I took several plane rides, traveled most of Italy by tour, and took 2 different boats around the Greek Islands. I didn’t know what a privilege it was to speak English until I began to travel abroad. Every train station that I went to, every international flight, every market that I went to, there were people that speak English. This isn’t the case with Spanish, French, or Arabic. It is an incredible advantage and privilege to speak a language where a majority of the people that I run into can understand me.
During times of travel this means that getting directions, finding a place to eat, and overall my ability to get help for medical or safety issues is easier. If you are a Black woman traveling in Europe and one of your concerns is a language barrier, it shouldn’t be. Every tourist attraction that I went to, every bus I took, every souvenir shop had someone who could speak English.
I realize that it can be frightening to send yourself off to a country where you don’t speak the language. I want to assure all other travelers that this should be low on the list of concerns. I don’t speak Bulgarian but every restaurant that I went into had an English menu. At no time did I ever have to struggle to get my point across.
Most of the places that you will encounter in Europe have an established tourist infrastructure. They anticipate people from all cultures visiting their cities and attractions. They want you there. Don’t let language be a determining factor in stopping you.
What to Do With the Hair
I can not tell you how surprised I was to be walking down an alley and to find an African braiding store in Athens, Greece. Ya girl tried to live out of a carry-on and I was in deep need of some products. While the selection wasn’t as large as it was in some American stores I was able to find a couple of travel size items that would get me through.
This is just one example of ways that you can care for the all important hair as a black woman traveling through Europe. When I went abroad the first time I had shaved off practically all of my hair and had a sick fade. My current travels have all been with different braid styles. My suggestion is to get a protective style that will last you until you get home.
I am currently team natural and am always looking for new and natural products that I can use. I was able to find naturally made products in all of the European countries that I visited. If you know some of the basic ingredients that you use: shea butter, coconut oil, avocado, and honey for example then you can make your own products or find natural products to buy abroad. There are so many different open markets, gift shops, and local brands that sell lotions and hair products. The ingredients are almost always in English.
Immigrants can also be a great resource. When I was in Southern Italy I ran into several african immigrants that gave me directions on where to eat and we also talked about hair. I ran into several Caribbean immigrants while in Greece. While they may not be the majority, there are black people everywhere and they can hook you up!
It is Financially Feasible
When I talk to other Black women they are OBSESSED with cruises. These cruises are almost always to the Caribbean or the northern part of South America. Don’t get me wrong, I am sure that these are fantastic opportunities. I’m also sure that this isn’t the only options. There are 50 different countries in Europe and they all have different price tags. I have tips on affordable housing, cheap flights, and taking public transportation.
Getting a manageable savings plan is just one click away on Pinterest. You can use the envelope system, create a special savings account, or use a savings app. For some people I understand how difficult it can be to save money when you are living paycheck to paycheck. I am not going to lie and say that it is easy. There are many sacrifices that I make to “afford” to travel. Check out some of my other posts on how I afford my travel to get some inspiration for your own.
Racism exits
I spent 19 days in Europe and truly had a fabulous time. There was only one time In Crete that I had any sort of safety concern. Racism was a very minor part of my trip and it was only one woman. While I was happily trying to buy my cannoli in Naples a woman tried to refuse me service. She also questioned if I was trying to take the cannoli. I was shocked. I was actively trying to pay for my dessert.
If it wasn’t for one of the workers vouching for me I would have had to leave without the cannoli. Now this is a very tame incident and is really the extent of what I expect to experience when I go back. 99.9% of people are happy for your patronage. I wasn’t followed around museums or verbally assaulted.
I have spoken to several other Black women who also have gone to Europe and most of them experienced no racism at all. I never felt that being Black was any sort of issue while being in Europe. This is probably because there are Black people that live there. I will say that people will want to touch your hair and if they have never met a Black person then they may want a picture. Outside of that you really should be able to live your best life and not be bothered. Like in any situation if you run into a jerk you can take your money elsewhere or find someone else to help you.
You Can Do This
If I could offer any advice for Black women traveling in Europe it would be: you can do this! I’m sure that most people know that on some level, travel in Europe is possible but they don’t know that it is possible for them. If you are flexible with the dates that you travel and the places that you go then you can make it possible for you. So many people questioned why I wanted to go to Europe. Why don’t you want to go to a Black country? Why aren’t you going to Africa first? Why don’t you spend that money locally? The answer was simple… I wanted to go where I wanted to go.
Whatever trip takes you to Europe does not have to be the last trip you ever take in your life. Don’t let people make you think that the limits and restrictions that they have put on themselves are the same ones that should be put on you. You can do this. You can book that flight. You can take pictures among the blue topped building in Santorini, Greece. You can eat authentic Italian gelato. You can walk through the lavender fields in Bulgaria. Let me help you!
There you have it. Any introductory guide for Black women traveling in Europe.
Thanks for sharing. I’m sure this will be so helpful for everyone! 🙂