By: Akeem Tolson
There are as many travel styles as there are destinations. Some of us want a five star resort reset, some are chasing the vibes at a family reunion, and others are strictly “no passport required” travelers.
As a solo traveler, I move for one thing: the freedom to pivot. I love the ability to alter or cancel plans at a moment’s notice without a group chat debate. When I travel, I am on “Akeem time.”
The No Plan Plan in Portugal
I remember landing in Lisbon for a month long exploration with zero accommodations booked. While that might sound like a nightmare to some, I felt a rush booking my hotel and rental car right as I walked out of the airport.
My original vision was simple:
• The Algarve: Exploring the cliffside beaches of Portimão and the rock formations in Lagos.
• Sintra: Visiting the vibrant, colorful Pena Palace. Feel free to steal this itinerary.
But the beauty of moving solo is that when the wind blows you in a different direction, you can just go.
Crossing Over: A Week in the Sahara
After just one night in Lisbon and a quick trip south, I made a major pivot. I caught a flight to Morocco and headed straight for the desert.
I spent a week exploring Marrakech before driving to Merzouga to see the dunes of Erg Chebbi via ATV and camel. But the real soul of the trip was Khamlia village.
Khamlia is home to the Gnawa, a community of Black Moroccans. Seeing their choreography and hearing their music was the highlight of my experience. As Black travelers, finding these pockets of the diaspora is what makes a trip truly transformative.
Lisbon: Finding Home in the Diaspora
I eventually flew back to Portugal and fell into a beautiful daily ritual. I spent my days walking through Lisbon, which turned into a culinary tour of the continent. I discovered an incredible community of Senegalese restaurants and, between the food and the miles of walking, I actually lost 20 lb while having the time of my life.
I wrapped the trip by taking the high speed rail north to Porto for a few days before heading home.
Why We Are the Unsung Heroes
In my opinion, solo Black travelers are the unsung heroes of the travel space. We take the risks and do the boots on the ground work to bring visibility to hidden gems. Give us our props.
Your Secret Weapon: Black Expat Groups
If you have been wanting to travel solo but do not know where to start, I highly recommend joining Black Expat groups on Facebook.
These communities are a gold mine for U.S. citizens because:
The Blueprint: They are full of brothers and sisters living abroad who can give you the real tea on drivers, safe neighborhoods, and the best stays.
The Community: You can find people with overlapping dates to share a meal or a tour. It is the perfect way to be solo but not alone.
The Network: You might even catch an expat meetup where you can learn what it is actually like to live abroad.
Let’s Connect
Is there a specific Black travel topic you would like me to cover? Reach out to me at info@livebedo.net.
And if you are ready to see the world but want a curated tribe to do it with, visit livebedo.com to join one of our amazing group trips or immersion experiences.
