Benvenuto! Bienvenue! Welcome!
December 28, 2008 at 8:30 pm 33 comments
Ciao, and welcome to UrbanTravelGirl, a blog featuring my thoughts on black women living globally through international travel. I’m a passionate believer in the ability of travel to not only transform the way we see the world, but ourselves. As an African-American woman, I’ve developed an even stronger sense of who I am by leaving the United States, visiting nearly 30 countries and territories — and spending nearly one year living and working as a freelance writer in Florence, Italy (at left, I’m pictured standing atop the famed Piazzale Michelangelo). I don’t believe in letting other folks define ME — and you shouldn’t, either!
I hope to spark conversation among African-American women who love (or WANT) to travel abroad, who are never happier than when we’re in new and challenging foreign environments. I want to hear your comments about my trips – and I want to hear about yours. Wondering whether it’s cool to travel solo to Paris, or how you’d be received as a black woman in Rome? Put it out here and we UrbanTravelGirls will jump in and give you the scoop. Looking for some fab, locals-only restaurants and boutiques in Florence, Barcelona or Buenos Aires? I’ll dish about it and hope other chicas visiting here will also share.
So what are you waiting for? Get out there, hit the road, discover your own global bliss — and let’s chat about it!
Entry filed under: Uncategorized. Tags: African-American, blog, Buenos Aires, Florence, foreign environments, international travel, Italy, Paris, Piazzale Michelangelo, Rome, travel, travel abroad, travel solo, United States, UrbanTravelGirl, women.
1.
urbantravelgirl | November 17, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Ciao, Leila — and thanks for visiting my blog!! Yes, we are ALL living vicariously through Ms. Stacy and her fab “Baci from Rome!” blog (http://bacifromrome.blogspot.com/), aren’t we?
My absolute FAVORITE B&B is Daphne Inn (www.daphne-rome.com), with two great locations perfectly centrally located, right off the “Barberini” Metro stop. It’s owned by two people who have become good friends of mine over the years, and I stay there EVERY time I travel to Rome, whether for company business or pleasure. Be sure to tell Elyssa and Alessandro that Maureen from Chicago sent you. I’ve recommended it to countless friends over the years and they’ve always loved it. Elyssa is an American from Florida; her husband Alessandro is Roman. Between them, they speak about five or six languages, but have created the most comfortable, welcoming oasis in the middle of Rome. But book EARLY — it’s been written up in tons of worldwide magazines and guidebooks, so it’s really popular, especially during the busy season. (I’m proud to say I was one of the FIRST journalists to write about them way back in 2003 (http://www.daphne-rome.com/cms/chicago.htm)!
Buona fortuna — and have a GREAT time in Rome, one of my two favorite cities in the world!
Maureen
2.
Leila | November 17, 2009 at 12:24 am
Hello..I saw one of your comments on Stacy’s blog Bisous from Paris and you mentioned some contacts in Rome? My girfriends and I are going to rome in March and we were looking for a nice B&B! Do you have any advice??? If so..please contact me at lhbasics@gmail.com..Can’t wait to follow your blog:)
Ciao
3.
urbantravelgirl | November 5, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Hey there, American Black Chick –
NO WAY!!! You are the biggest sweetheart… MERCI BEAUCOUP, ma cherie! I’m not sure which Blogger Award, but I’m beyond honored — especially because YOUR blog is so fabulous!
Thanks again — that really makes my day!
Maureen
4.
American Black Chick in Europe | November 5, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Hi! This isn’t related to your post, I just wanted to let you know that I nominated you for a Blogger Award.
5.
urbantravelgirl | November 4, 2009 at 1:28 pm
Ciao, Greg — thrilled to meet you (virtually!). Thanks for the kind words about my blog — and back at ya!! I’ll have to spend way more time on “I’m Black and I Travel!” when I’m not at work.
But thanks for adding me to your blogroll — and I’ll add you to mine right now.
Let’s DEFINITELY chat!
Maureen
6.
Greg Gross | November 4, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Love your blog. We need to talk. Actually, we need to exchange links. Your blog will be on my blogroll by the time you finish reading this.
You go, girl.
Greg Gross, editor
“I’m Black and i Travel!”
7.
urbantravelgirl | September 20, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Ciao, Marta — and thanks for visiting! Yes, there ARE a few of us globetrotting sisters out there, and there need to be many more. That’s why we all need to keep each other encouraged as we set out to see the world!
Happy travels,
Maureen
8.
Marta Fernandez | September 20, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Hello while researching Ada “Bricktop” Smith..I saw your avatar. I had to look twice..it was like looking at myself in the 1970′s..you had me there for a moment..we have the same face..and probably my hair had those moments..wow..interesting blog..travel on..and continued good luck …there are a few of you world travelers around!
9.
urbantravelgirl | August 30, 2009 at 10:03 am
Donna, thanks so much for visiting! I’m so psyched for you and your sister’s trip to Europe next year — hope you’ll have plenty of time to travel around at your leisure. And how cool that your husband is from the UK and Ireland — I’m sure it’ll be a blast seeing his countries through his eyes, and also experiencing them through your own perspective. Keep me posted on your travels. I want to live vicariously through all of you as well as take trips on my own!
Bon voyage,
Maureen
10.
Donna | August 29, 2009 at 6:35 pm
I love your blog. I’ve traveled to Canada, Mexico and the UK and plan to do more travel to Europe, Asia and the Carribbean. My husband is from Manchester and we’ve traveled there and Ireland to visit his family. Traveling abroad enriches my teaching (I’m a college professor in Women’s Studies) and as a black woman, I get to experience so many different types of people and culture.
Now that my younger sister has finished college, we’re planning a trip to Europe next year while my husband and his best friend go to Prague. I cannot wait!
Keep up the good work!
11.
urbantravelgirl | August 11, 2009 at 10:36 am
Ciao, Nikita!! I’ve seen you on Stacy’s Bisous from Paris and probably American Black Chick in London blogs… great meeting you and CONGRATS on your move to Hong Kong. A woman after my own heart!! I will happily add your blog to my roll — and please do the same for me!
Talk soon,
Maureen
12.
Nikita | August 11, 2009 at 9:49 am
Nice blog!
I am a “travelling sista” as well; I have lived in France and Mexico and just moved to Hong Kong last week! Check out my blog and please add me to your blogroll!
13.
urbantravelgirl | August 1, 2009 at 12:51 pm
Donna, great meeting you, too! Can’t wait to see the pics Peter took of all of us — what a generous gift! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog, and I’m off to check out http://myitchytravelfeet.com/ right now!
14.
Donna Hull | August 1, 2009 at 11:38 am
Enjoyed meeting you at TBEX as we waited for our photograph to be taken in front of the bean. I’ll be looking in on your blog. Great resource for women solo travelers. Love the picture of the glass of vino.
15.
sendingpostcards | August 1, 2009 at 9:20 am
Hi Maureen,
Thanks for your comment – I am looking forward to getting your ‘Tourist in Your Own City’ post on Chicago!
16.
UrbanTravelGirl | May 14, 2009 at 2:24 am
Hey there, Neisha — so glad you checked out my blog! And I’m also thrilled to hear your son is already a world traveler… wish I’d started that young myself. Please keep in touch!!
17.
Neisha | May 13, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Hi Maureen! I’m loving your blog and living vicariously. Although, I’m happy to report that our kid has enough frequent flyer miles to get at least monthly credit card offers at age 8. Keep up the travel and the writing and I’ll be following along!
18.
urbantravelgirl | May 13, 2009 at 4:37 am
Dear PlanetNomad,
I’m so glad you found my blog — and through that precious WackyMommy, no less! LOL I’ve got to figure out the “subscription” thing, but it’s on my list… in the meantime, PLEASE check back! I’ve been promising my friends that more stories and photos from the French Riviera are on the way!
And good for you and your husband for hitting the road with your kids. Not sure how old they are, but what a precious and valuable gift to pass along, yes?
19.
planetnomad | May 12, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Hi! Found your blog through Wacky Mommy (aka Nancy…we went to college together). I love to travel too, although I usually drag my husband and kids along. (For one, their French is better than ours. For two, so is their Arabic and Spanish.) I’m going to subscribe and look forward to hearing about your latest travels.
20.
urbantravelgirl | May 4, 2009 at 1:35 am
How TOTALLY cool is it that you’ve got cousins in Greece — and that one tracked you down? You’ll have the COMPLETE hookup once you get there. Please take good notes… and save a Greek cutie for me! LOL
My mom and I stopped at a couple Greek ports during a cruise in November and I fell in love with Santorini. It’s DEFINITELY on the must-return list.
And yes, I DO plan to write that book someday… I shall certainly keep you posted on what and when!
21.
Cheryl Petratos | May 2, 2009 at 1:35 pm
I know exactly what you mean about the men in Italy! yum!yum! it can only get better right?!
I’m Greek and African-American so I can hardly wait to get to Greece! Can you believe my Greek cousin found me on facebook?! This should be quite an experience! Stay tuned!
Chery
PS….I’m am patiently going to wait for a book from you! I know it would be great!
22.
urbantravelgirl | May 2, 2009 at 5:13 am
Ciao, Cheryl! Yes, I agree that Italy is a WONDERFUL place for women to start their solo travels. The people are friendly, the men are solicitious
, and the culture is so open. I’ll bet you find Spain just as neat for a solo traveler… but since I’ve only been to Greece briefly on a couple of cruise stops, I don’t know. But the Greek people are also very friendly and open, so I’ll bet you’ll be fine. Plus, a smile opens doors everywhere… especially for women! “Buen viaje” when you get those pennies together and take that trip!
Maureen
23.
Cheryl Petratos | May 1, 2009 at 3:54 pm
Loved your article! I also went to Italy in 2008 solo and loved it! I went on an escorted tour, but when I wanted company I had it and when I didn’t I had solitude! I made friends that I still talk to and I have a pic of myself at that same spot in Florence!
Now, I am trying to get my pennies together to go to Spain and Greece….SOLO~!!
Pax.
Cheryl
24.
urbantravelgirl | May 1, 2009 at 11:32 am
Bonjour, Sprite — thanks so much for reading my Tribune article and visiting this blog! Traveling solo ROCKS, doesn’t it? In fact, I’m in the south of France now “on holiday” by myself. Always an adventure!
Maureen
25.
Sprite | May 1, 2009 at 10:42 am
Loved the article in the Chicago Tribune~I too enjoy traveling alone…good for you!
Enjoy!
Peace and Smiles,
Sprite
26.
Lynne Jordan | February 27, 2009 at 1:37 pm
OOOH… sounds like a plan! You sound experienced in that game. LOL
27.
urbantravelgirl | February 27, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Lynne, SO glad to hear you’re also a believer in solo travel! You meet more people; you’re more open — and locals always feel freer to approach you and include you in their lives when you’re flying solo. Good for you… now, we’ve got to get you to a country where you’ll be language-challenged. Always a good excuse for making eye contact with a handsome stranger!
Maureen
28.
Lynne Jordan | February 26, 2009 at 11:02 pm
Congrats on your blog! I traveled to amsterdam alone last January. It was fabulous! I blogged about the entire trip. I must travel to a country where English is not so prevalent…EEK! That will be a challenge.
29.
Lynne Jordan | February 26, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Congrats on your blog! I took a trip to amsterdam (my favorite city) alone and had a blast!! One day Imust try a country where English is not so prevalent…
30.
Avis W. | February 13, 2009 at 1:11 am
Travel opens doors and breaks down all kinds of barriers. Thanks for being its voice and speaking to independent women looking to broaden their horizons! I can’t wait for your next adventure
31.
Ricki Stevenson, Black Paris Tours | January 15, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Cou cou Mo!
I love this blog and the fact that you are inviting other women to tell their stories, share their experiences!
You’re challenging folks to get past their perceptions…sometimes based on what they’ve “heard” …and get out in the world to see and experience what’s really going on!
Like Michelle Obama, I am proud to be an American today and I’m urging Americans to get out into the world to test this feeling while President Obama is in office. YOU WILL BE HAPPILY SURPRISED!
Find budget priced trips to the places you’ve always dreamed of visiting. Forget the high priced big chain hotels for the moment and look for the clean, charming, inexpensive hotels with staff who cater to you and know the city!
See the top tourist attractions, but get off the beaten path and find the “hood” and our history wherever you go!
Black Paris Tours will be happy to help you if you’re coming this way anytime soon!
http://www.tomtmusic.com/id24.htm
You all have fun out there!
32.
Monsieur David P. | December 31, 2008 at 2:07 am
Bonsoir Reenie,
Very nice blog! I hope you’re enjoying great food and wine! I will talk with you soon. Take care.
33.
Monetta | December 30, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Hi Reenie, Cool blog!! I like your picture and the XL glass of vino on your “Who IS She” page … how is your current travel adventure going??!!!