Perhaps you’re putting international travel on a back burner and concentrating more on exploring what the U.S. has to offer. You’ll be surprised to know how many historical and adventurous getaways our country has waiting to be discovered by more travelers. 

Forbes shared a list of 25 best places to visit in 2020 and they’re all based in the U.S. The writer, Laura Begley Bloom, spoke to travel experts and influencers to compile this incredible list. 

New Orleans, Louisiana

Not only is New Orleans a great destination to visit during Mardi Gras, but it has an abundance of festivals, delicious foods, and music to get you on your feet all night long. 

This year, the city will be hosting the Women’s Final Four games and the 2020 College Football Playoff National Championship — so if you’re a sports fan, New Orleans is the place to be this year. 

Foodies should head to Bourbon Street where in addition to great food, there’s plenty of drinks and jazz music. 

If you’re into admiring beautiful homes, head to the Garden District where you can also find boutiques and antique shops. 

Vail, Colorado

Vail is perfect for family travel because everything can be found in one central location. Vail Village is a great town to visit and has heated cobblestone streets, coffee shops, eateries, and bars. 

The largest free transportation system in the country runs frequently here so you can travel from Vail Village to Lionshead Village and anywhere in-between seamlessly. 

If you’re into skiing, head to Vail Mountain which is open from November 15, 2019, until April 19, 2020. 

Hudson Valley, New York

New Yorkers love getting away from the hustle and craziness of the city to Hudson Valley for fresh air and relaxation. Located less than two hours away from NYC, Hudson Valley is comprised of small towns located east of the Hudson River. 

For amazing food, head to Lil’ Deb’s Oasis, where the chef-owners secured a nomination for the Best Chef: Northeast James Beard Awards last year. 

Legoland New York Resort will be opening this year for travelers to enjoy 50 rides and the New York City skyline made out of Legos.

Memphis, Tennessee

Memphis is a great city to visit if you’re an avid music lover. Visit the Stax Museum which honors artists who created music that current artists are influenced by. 

This year, the Hattiloo Theater, known as the only freestanding Black repertory theater in five surrounding states, will open for its 15th season. 

Greenville, South Carolina

Although the U.S. has 35 Greenvilles, residents don’t want you to be confused. Greenville, South Carolina’s residents have so much pride and its home to the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

It is also home to the only BMW museum in North America and delicious homemade sourdough bread at Topsoil restaurant. 

Orlando, Florida

Orlando, the home of Walt Disney World, is amazing to visit no matter what age you are. There will be new attractions debuting in 2020 and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge just opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios last month. 

Other than visiting this epic theme park, head to Sixty Vines, a wine bar offering over 60 wines on tap. 

Sun Valley, Idaho

Sun Valley is known as the first ski resort in the U.S. and has been open since 1936. The town is still known for skiing today with the addition of restaurants, hotels, art galleries, and music festivals. 

Indiana

Indiana Dunes National Park will be opening this year, making it the newest national park in the U.S. Travelers will be able to discover beaches and the sand dune mountain, Mount Baldy. 

If you’re traveling with young ones, check out the Children’s Museum. The Madam Walker Legacy Center is another great museum to visit and honors Madam C.J. Walker, the first female African-American millionaire. 

Martha’s Vineyard

Hop on a 30-minute ferry from Cape Cod, Massachusetts and you’ll be transported to the beautiful town of Martha’s Vineyard. A hot spot for celebs like Spike Lee and the Obamas, the town is filled with high-end boutiques, art galleries, and fresh seafood. 

Key West, Florida

With a nickname like “America’s Caribbean”, Key West is perfect for a laid back getaway. 

Embark on a 90-minute sail to the Great Florida Reef with FuryWatersports where you can snorkel and experience the third-largest coral barrier reef system on the planet. 

You can also take a tour of the first legal rum distillery in Key West which is located in a former Coca-Cola bottling plant. 

St. Louis, Missouri

Besides Nelly, the most known landmark is the 630-foot arch which can be spotted above the Mississippi River. 

Travelers should visit the recently renovated Gateway Arch National Park, which recently went under a $380,000,000 renovation. 

For bomb food, try Rooster, whose brunch will satisfy your tastebuds. Clementine’s Creamery has delicious handcrafted ice cream and you can even try some of their spiked flavors. 

U.S. Virgin Islands

Although the U.S. Virgin Islands were hit with hurricane Irma and Maria, they have made enormous strides to make a comeback. 

Head to the swim-up taco bar located off the coast of St. John or head to Navy Beach in St. Thomas. 

Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale is the perfect location for art lovers with the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art and the free experience of ArtWalk being recently opened. 

For ultimate self-care, head to Royal Palms Resort and Spa which just opened an 11,000-square-foot spa. 

Redding and the Shasta Cascades, California

Redding and the Shasta Cascade region are located in Northern California and is commonly referred to as “California’s Last Frontier.”

While here, you can experience 50 waterfalls, lakes, rivers, mountains, six national forests, and active volcanoes. Best of all, the sites are either totally free or inexpensive. 

Denver, Colorado

In 2019, there were 32 million visitors to Denver. The city is known for its food truck culture, street art, and live music. 

It also is in close proximity to hiking trails and bike paths. 

If you’re a beer lover, there are hundreds of breweries and more pop up every day. 

Southern Utah

Zion National Park has recently celebrated 100 years of being open and is the gem of Southern Utah. Another great place to visit in this are is Bryce Canyon National Park, the second oldest national park in the state of Utah. 

Southern Utah is only a few hours away from Salt Lake City and is close to Las Vegas so you can travel to multiple places while vacationing here. 

Lake Tahoe, California

Lake Tahoe was the host of the 1960 Winter Olympics and known for its top of the line ski resorts and relaxed mountain culture. 

Lake Tahoe is perfect for those who love nature and also has luxury resorts, casinos, camping, fishing and golfing. 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Milwaukee has been put on the map recently because of the 2020 Democratic National Convention and it’s placement on Airbnb’s top destination to visit in the world for 2020. 

Milwaukee is also home to Summerfest, the largest music festival in the world, Milwaukee Art Museum and Harley-Davidson Museum. 

McCall, Idaho

The state of Idaho has everything you can ask for: nature, adventure, and great beer. Located about an hour away from Boise, McCall has about 3,200 residents and is great for biking and zip-lining. 

Luckily, McCall isn’t a common area for tourists yet, so you can truly enjoy the authentic essence of this charming city while visiting in 2020. 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia was one of only two locations in the U.S. picked for the National Geographic’s Best Trips of 2020 list. 

Philly is a great city for art, fashion, eateries, and history. 

Miami, Florida

Miami has been a hot spot for years but this year the Raleigh Gardens will be hosting an art experience by the beach, making it the largest-ever outdoor public show by artists Claude Lalanne and Francois-Xavier Lalanne (Les Lalanne). Admission is free and you’ll see over 40 sculptures and objects by the artistic duo. 

Another art space is El Espacio 23 which has thousands of paintings, sculptures, videos and photographs collected by billionaire Jorge Perez on his travels around the world. 

The Museum of Grafitti recently opened in the artsy area of Wynwood and it’s the first museum to honor the pioneers of graffiti. 

San Juan, Puerto Rico

2020 will be the continuation of the celebration of the 5000th anniversary of San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico. 

El Distrito will be opening this year and will offer a multi-sensory experience. Spoon Food Tours will offer travelers a foodie experience through Old San Juan or around the countryside on a party bus. 

Head to the Ron de Barrillito Visitor Center to sample the oldest rum in Puerto Rico. 

Plymouth, Massachusetts

There will be festivals and events this year to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower landing at the Plymouth.

You can tour the Plimoth Plantation and see a replica of the Mayflower, which brought the colonists to the U.S. in 1620.

Today’s Plymouth is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and views of the harbor where pilgrims once lived. 

Los Angeles, California

Known for the infamous Hollywood sign is the city of LA. 

Don’t sleep on the food scene in LA, 12 restaurants in West Hollywood were given Michelin awards in 2019. It is also home to Gilles @ Montage Beverly Hills, a restaurant opened by the youngest chef to receive a Michelin star. 

This year will mark the 50th anniversary of LA Pride, honoring the LGBTQ community. 

The Ozarks

The Ozarks are surprisingly becoming one of the fasting areas in the country for Americans to vacation. 

Silver Dollar City is a theme park which will be celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2020. 

Travelers can also visit the Aquarium at the Boardwalk, WonderWorks (science indoor amusement park) and Big Air Trampoline Park. 

Residents in South Los Angeles are making their message clear: they like their coffee black – as in Black-owned. 

From Inglewood, View Park, Windsor Hills, and Jefferson Park, and neighborhoods in between, South Los Angeles is currently undergoing a cultural renaissance where the number of Black-owned cafes has increased in the last year. 

According to the LA Eater, it all began when Magic Johnson’s “Starblacks” closed in Ladera Heights. For 20 years, Starblacks served as a safe space where African- Americans could talk news of days, work remotely, host meetings, and play games. 

Its departure was significant from this historic African- American community. 

Like many other major cities around the country, people of color are feeling the effects of gentrification –with chains like Starbucks being a leading indicator that housing prices are about to spike and a gentrifying neighborhood is right around the corner.  

Black-Coffee Shops Emerge

In that same year, Starblacks closed, Anthony Jolly opened Hot And Cool Café. The café, known for its honey lattes and trap yoga, may look familiar as it the cafe was featured on the HBO show Insecure. 

View this post on Instagram

ITS FRIDAAYYYYY!!! Excited for the long weekend ahead! Bring a friend and come kick it with us! 😬 Cups up community ☕️ P.S. We’ll be open Monday for Labor Day! 9am-3pm!

A post shared by Sip & Sonder (@sipandsonder) on Aug 30, 2019 at 9:02am PDT

Speaking of Insecure, the show’s creator Issa Rae just recently announced that she is the newest Black-owned coffee shop co-owner in the area. Located in the View Park-Windsor Hills area, Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen, a modern café where residents gather for coffee and community opened. According to LA Eater, the owners plan to open two additional locations in Los Angeles in Eagle Rock and Inglewood. 

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INGLEWOOOD!! Progress is a process and it’s been a long time coming. Monday 12/9/19 we officially open our doors and are ready to serve. Be among the first to experience our flagship location for yourself. Doors open at 7am. #findyourhilltop

A post shared by Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen (@findyourhilltop) on Dec 9, 2019 at 12:30am PST

Another hotspot that happens to be Black-owned is Sip & Sonder in downtown Inglewood. In addition to coffee and a place to grab a quick bite, Sip & Sonder has become a staple for art shows, live performances, investor clubs, and more. 

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Yesterday’s #ReadingRoom by The Burntsienna Research Society was a complete vibe. Got to check out and get inspired by an amazing collection of film, art, design, fashion and architectural books! (And the curated playlist was the perfect soundtrack for the day!)… . . . As we head into this new decade we pose the question…what is our community reading, listening and watching to inspire them to create?! Drop us a line below and let us know! Sharing is caring 🤓

A post shared by Sip & Sonder (@sipandsonder) on Dec 17, 2019 at 3:37pm PST

Husband and wife Joe and Celia Ward-Wallace just recently opened South LA Cafe to build something they said the Exposition Park/South Central community needed. 

View this post on Instagram

We’ve serving up South LA Cafe holiday lattes today! We’ve got a Mint Mocha, Gingerbread Latte, Pumpkin Spice Latte, and Snickerdoodle ready for you! Come on in and get your holiday spirit going with us! Open today 7-4, see you soon! ✨ . . . 3991 S. Western Avenue, #12c, 90062. #holidayspirit #southlacafe #soulfulholidays #warmandyummydrinks

A post shared by South LA Cafe (@southlacafe) on Dec 16, 2019 at 6:45am PST

Social Media Response 

“I pass by South LA Cafe and slowly saw it turn from some building with graffiti to a nice little coffee shop,” one Reddit user said. “It’s perfect and what I’ve been wanting close by for a long time.”

“This makes me happy. Businesses owned by locals! More of this, bravo! Go southside!” another Reddit user stated. 

“That’s awesome. I’m glad the residents are owning shops catering to their communities.” 

So, which one are you trying first, fam? 

Traveling will expose you to new ways of living and doing. Not only will you try new foods and learn different languages, but you’ll be able to see how beautiful other countries are with your own eyes. 

One of my favorite things to do while traveling is stroll through cities and experiencing the beauty of streets unknown. Some streets are filled with colorful homes while others are very monochromatic. Either way, this world has some pretty interesting and stunning streets to discover through travel.

Here are the most beautiful streets in the world.

Convent Avenue – Harlem, New York City

From West 140th Street to 145th Street, you’ll see the beautiful street known as Convent Avenue. Head to 339 Convent Avenue to view The Royal Tenenbaums’ house. You’ll also see the stunning Convent Avenue Baptist Church while strolling this Harlem street.

Caminito – La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Caminito means “the little path” in Spanish and is also the most colorful street in Buenos Aires. 

There was once a railroad that ran through this area but it closed in the 1950s, resulting in the street becoming neglected. A local artist by the name of Benito Quinquela Martin saw potential in the street and began the process of bringing it back to life.

Now Caminito is known as a street museum and showcases local artists’ works. 

Brouwersgracht – Amsterdam, The Netherlands

If you’re interested in seeing old architecture, this is your spot. Brouwersgracht is filled with warehouses from the 17th century, tanneries and it’s the space where spice traders once operated. 

Known as the most stunning street in Amsterdam, Brouwersgracht has great views of canals and Dutch architecture. 

Jinli Street – Chengdu, China

This area is lined with Qing Dynasty style wooden homes and stores as well as traditional signage and red lanterns. 

The street was restored in 2004 but it can be traced back to 1,800 years and is one of the oldest shopping areas in the Sichuan province. 

The Philosopher’s Walk – Kyoto, Japan

Located along the canal running between Ginkaku-Ji and Nanzen-Ji is the Philosopher’s Walk, an area occupied with cherry trees. 

Head here in early April to catch cherry blossom season in full bloom. 

Cockburn Street – Edinburgh, Scotland

Cockburn Street is the ideal location if you’re interested in Victorian architecture. 

The street was built in the 1850s and is steep and curving, meant to provide easy access to the then-new train station during medieval times. 

Blue City – Jodhpur, India

The streets of the Blue City will completely enchant you. All of the buildings were painted blue to indicate there was a presence of the Brahmin, priest or caste.

To get the best experience, take time to stroll through the alleyways of this historic area. 

Hosier Lane – Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne is known globally as a street art mecca. Hosier Lane is filled with street art from graffiti artists from around the world. 

The Royal Crescent – Bath, England

Built between 1767 and 1775, the street built with 30 terraced houses was built. 

Book accommodations at The Royal Crescent Hotel, a 5-star getaway for travelers seeking architecture and relaxation. 

Herbert Baker Street – Pretoria, South Africa

Travel between September and November to see the jacaranda trees in all its glory. You’ll be able to see 70,000 trees from the Klapperkop Nature Reserve in Pretoria but its Herbert Baker Street that dons the best views. 

The street is located in Groenkloof and has 100 white jacarandas. 

Cogels-Osylei – Zurenborg, Antwerp, Belgium

Cogels-Osylei is beautifully lined with impressively built houses. 

Chefchaouen – Morocco

Located in northwest Morocco is Chefchaouen, alleyways filled with blue. There isn’t a definite reason why the streets are blue but some say its to prevent mosquitos while others say it was painted blue by Jewish refugees after escaping the Nazis in Germany. 

Heerstrasse – Bonn, Germany

Also known as Cherry Blossom Avenue is Heerstraase. If you go there during the beginning of spring, you’ll see glowing pink streets. 

The trees were planted in the 1980s and were imported from Japan. This area will make you feel like you’ve visited two countries for the price of one!

Mykonos Old Town – Greece

Mykonos has become a tourist hot spot, with most visiting during the summer months. 

Stroll through its narrow alleyways and beautiful streets and you’ll discover whitewashed houses and shops. 

Via dei Coronari – Rome, Italy 

Head to Rome with your bae and slowly take in the beauty of Via dei Coronari. The buildings date back to the Renaissance and are perfect for enjoying an espresso and people watching. 

The Dark Hedges, Bregagh Road – County Antrim, Northern Ireland

The street fueled with beech trees is one of the most loved sights in Northern Ireland by photographers. 

It’s also the area used as the Kingsroad in “Game of Thrones”. 

Nevsky Prospekt – St. Petersburg, Russia

The buildings in Nevsky Prospekt are some of the best-preserved in all of Russia. Notable sites include the Church of our Savior on Spilled Blood and the Kazan Cathedral. 

Square de Montsouris – Paris, France

This private cobbled road is quite easy to miss if you don’t know where to look. The street connects Parc Montsouris with Avenue Reille and has some of the most stunning homes embellished with stained glass and mosaics. 

Umbrella Sky Project – Agueda, Portugal

Taking place from July through September is the annual Agitagueda Art Festival, formed partly by the Umbrella Sky Project. 

Umbrellas are hung from the rooftop in order to prevent the harsh summer heat in addition to adding colorful aesthetics. 

Flask Walk – Hampstead, London, England

Located a few steps away from the Hampstead Tube station is this quaint street. The street begins as a narrow alleyway but ends as an opening to the beautiful residential streets of London. While strolling through Flask Walk, you’ll see traditional British pubs and Victorian shopfronts. 

Lombard Street – San Francisco, California

This street is one of the busiest tourist spots in San Francisco. It is known as the most crooked street in the world. Getting a view from the top is the best way to enjoy this street. 

Early Monday morning, a United Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing after a passenger spotted flames coming out from one of the plane’s engines. 

The flight was traveling from San Diego to Chicago and landed in Albuquerque after the emergency was discovered. Fortunately, United was able to organize another aircraft to take passengers to their destination in Chicago. 

Thomas Chorny, a passenger on the flight sitting in seat 34F, managed to record the flames shooting out of the engine. 

Chorny tells CNN, “The plane started to shake a bit like it was hitting turbulence, but the wings were still perfectly still. I was halfway falling asleep but opened my eyes to look out the window and saw flames shooting from the right engine.”

He goes on to share, “They shut down the engine to idle, and the flames went out and then they started banking left for quite a while and we dropped a bunch of altitudes. It took another 10 minutes or so before they announced that we would be landing at Albuquerque.”

Although Chorny saw the flames, he didn’t talk about it with fellow passengers because he didn’t want to “freak people out.”

“It’s a strange feeling to sit there not knowing exactly what was going on, but it was very easy to start getting emotional just thinking about what might have happened,” says Chorny. 

United Airlines released a statement saying, “The flight landed safely, and customers deplaned normally at the gate. Our maintenance team in Albuquerque will inspect the aircraft and we’ve arranged for a different plane to get our customers to their destination which has departed.”

There have been no reported injuries and according to United, there will be a full inspection to confirm the issue with the engine.

One of the largest and busiest airports in the world is run by a black woman.

Deborah Ale Flint has served as the CEO of the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), which owns and operates LAX and Van Nuys Airports, since 2015 after she was appointed by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

LAX serves more than 80 million passengers a year, making it one of the busiest airports in the world and in the United States.

During her time as CEO, Flint has transformed the airport to help enhance the experience of passengers traveling through Southern California. Her biggest accomplishment since joining LAWA is securing the largest public works agreements in the history of Los Angeles with the Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP).  

LAMP is a $5.5 billion solution aimed to fix the crowded roadways and curbsides at and around LAX.

In addition, Ale Flint has been recognized for taking the lead on the modernization of LAX, which includes revamping terminals, replacing outdated equipment, expanding taxi lanes, improving security systems, and more, as reported in Biz Journals.

“I’m excited about what is happening at LAX,” Ale Flint told the publication. “I look at it as both a challenge and opportunity because we are poised to reinvent the passenger experience at LAX.”

Prior To LAWA

Ale Flint came to LAWA from the Port of Oakland where she had held the position of aviation director since 2010, her bio explains.

While there, she delivered the $480-milliion BART Airport Rail project; executed strategies to stabilize and redesigned OAK’s customer experience to make the airport more competitive.

Moving On

In April 2020,  Ale Flint will step down from her role in Los Angeles to serve as President and CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority –which operates the largest and busiest airport in Canada.

“It is bittersweet to be leaving LAWA, but, as a Canadian-born airport executive, I am looking forward to this homecoming and to leading Toronto Pearson, a rising and notable star on the international airport stage,” Flint said in a statement. 

If you thought she had her hands in a million things already, Issa Rae is now co-owner and partner of Inglewood’s newest Black-owned and people of color owned coffee shop and kitchen.

Hilltop Coffee and Kitchen opened its doors today, and it will definitely be a space that creatives of all genres will want to gather at.

“I’ve always wanted a coffee shop in my neighborhood,” Issa Rae said in a video on Instagram. “Coffee shops facilitate productivity in so many ways, they facilitate collaboration. I personally have done all of my writing in coffee shops. So it always disappointed me that there weren’t any that were Black-owned or people of color owned in my neighborhood.”

Los Angeles natives Ajay Relan and Yonnie Hagos created the brand and later asked Issa to join in as partner and co-owner.

“We could not have found a more authentic partner whose values and mission is aligned with ours,” Ajay Relan said.

The name, Hilltop, is said to represent the climb that creators of all walks take to reach their dreams and goals while overcoming obstacles along the way.

The space located at 170 N. La Brea, is airy and bright with lots of natural light coming in. There will be collaboration events happening often, including a once a month open mic night. There is also a second location at 4427 W. Slauson Avenue.

Related: How To Spend 48-Hours In Black-Owned Oakland

Indecent exposure is not a concern at these clothing-optional beaches where it is encouraged to bask under the sun in nothing more than your birthday suit. If you are looking to break free of the restraints of clothing this summer, here are a few beaches to check out.

San Gregorio, California

Home to the oldest nude beach in the country dating back to 1967, San Gregorio is particularly popular with the Bay Area’s gay community. The two-mile-long stretch of sand offers a lagoon, tide pools, and a lava tube in addition to topless sunbathers.

RELATED: The Top 5 Nudist Resorts In The Caribbean

Kehene Beach, Big Island, Hawaii

Known as one of the best nude beaches in the state, Kehene Beach is located on the far eastern tip of Hawaii’s Big Island. Its isolated location is also a plus for first-timers who may want to keep prying eyes at bay and requires a hike from the main trail down to the black-sand beaches.

Haulover Beach, Miami, Florida

Just north of Miami sits Haulover Beach, one of the few government-run nudist beaches in America. Not only is the beach renowned for its privacy and beauty, it is also “one of the greatest success stories in North American nudism,” according to the American Association of Nude Recreation, attracting more than 1.4 million visitors each year.

RELATED: 29 Clothing Optional Beaches Around the World

Moshup Beach, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

You may think of a more conservative, preppy community when Martha’s Vineyard comes to mind, but the charming island is home to one of the oldest naturalist hotspots. In the summer, you will have to pay a $15 fee to lay topless on the sand, but it is worth it for those looking for a freeing experience on an otherwise conservative island.

Hippie Hollow, Austin, Texas

Lake Travis, a 109-acre recreation park located 30 minutes from downtown Austin is where locals go to escape the grueling summer heat. Hippie Hollow is where you can do just that, minus the clothes.

After working 57 years with the company, a 79-year-old Delta Air Lines flight attendant was fired for allegedly stealing a milk carton and additional items. Now she is fighting back by filing a lawsuit against the airline.

Ida Gomez Llanos is accusing both Delta and her coworkers of orchestrating what she calls a “smear campaign” against her because of her $250,000 salary, which is approximately four times more than the average flight attendant salary of $56,000.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Llanos confirmed that she had been employed with Delta since 1962 until she was fired this past April. She stated that before she was let go, she was ranked as the Number One flight attendant in the Los Angeles area and ranked fifth in the country.

Her rank as the most senior flight attendant in LA came with great perks that other flight attendants did not have, including priority overtime shifts. She said her colleagues “grew envious,” which is part of the reason why she believes they started a “smear campaign” against her.

“They accused me of sleeping, of taking chocolates, not doing a good job – but my letters from passengers proved that wrong,” Llanos said. “They accused me of not being able to arm or disarm the doors. But we all go through training every year, and we have to pass that training or we do not fly.”

According to Llanos, one flight attendant put Bailey’s Irish Cream in her coffee and accused her of taking a chocolate bar. But Llanos denies the allegations stating that she “avoids sugar” because she predisposed to diabetes as a result of her family’s health history.

The lawsuit describes Llanos as an “exemplary employee” who received many company awards and positive reviews from Delta customers.

“I haven’t called in sick for thirty or forty years,” she told DailyMailTV. “Every year they had a banquet for the top 1% who had the most letters from the customers. I went to that three times. I was nominated by the chairman’s club. I’ve had Flight Attendant of the Quarter; you get a little statue.”

She added that despite her record and awards, her bosses came up with false claims because it would save the company money.

“They want to get rid of the older flight attendants,” she said. “I think they put us on higher surveillance. It’s because they have to pay us so much because we’ve been there forever and your pay scale goes up each year. I think they can hire four newer flight attendants for what they pay me.”

A spokesperson from Delta told DailyMailTV, “when a violation of company policy is identified or inappropriate conduct is reported, Delta conducts a thorough investigation to determine the appropriate course of action – considering many factors, including the employee’s overall performance record and length of service. Decisions like these are not made lightly or without a comprehensive review by many.”

Fodor has released its annual list of places travelers should avoid. Responsible and ethical travel has made big waves in 2019 as we saw the devastating effects of climate change and over-tourism on many of our favorite destinations. These stories, including Fodor’s latest list, are meant to give travelers a moment of pause. To acknowledge their impact on the environment and the lasting effects of tourism on nature and resources across the globe.

RELATED: Over-Tourism May Force An Entire Island In Indonesia To Close For One Year

“Every year, we use the No List to highlight issues—ethical, environmental, sometimes even political—that we’re thinking about before, during, and long after we travel,” says Fodor.com. “Being featured on the No List is not a scarlet letter. Rather, it’s a promise that when we do cover the destinations mentioned here–all of which are, truly, wondrous places–we’ll be doing so responsibly.”

The first section of their list covers places that don’t want tourists. Places such as Big Sur, Barcelona, and Bali top this list as locals and officials request that visitors reconsider how and when they travel to these destinations.

Barcelona is a city that is suffering from over-tourism, causing a huge strain on resources. According to Forbes, “No number of pavement expansions and bus rerouting can solve the fundamental issue that tourism is the number one problem for the city (of Barcelona).” Big Sur, California is also becoming overwhelmed by the number of visitors, due in part to the rising popularity of the hit HBO show Big Little Lies.

Next on the list are places that could actually kill you. Matterhorn is an infamous Swiss peak that saw seven climbers fall to their deaths in 2019.

RELATED: These Destinations Were Ruined By Instagram This Year, Here’s How To Be Better

“The mountain has become too unstable and therefore too dangerous to be a tourist attraction climbed by loads of people every day,” one guide told the Zurich newspaper Tages-Anzeiger. 

Coral Reefs are at the top of the next list. According to fodors.com, globally, more than a quarter of all coral reefs have depleted over the last 30 years due to mass bleaching. This has already affected 500 million people who depend on these reefs for “food, income, coastal protection, and more,” according to NOAA. They are cautioning travel to Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and Parque Nacional Arrecifes de Cozumel to allow time for the reefs and natural marine habitats to stabilize.

Walk around any major city and you will see electric scooters. Similar to the rent-a-bike scheme, electric scooters are available for riders at their convenience.

Riders have praised the scooters as an affordable and eco-friendly means to get around. Critics, however, argue that they put the lives of riders and pedestrians at risk as people ride them on sidewalks or step over them as they lay in walk paths.

As a result, countries are pushing back and limiting how they are used. 

Most recently, officials in Singapore announced that they would test banning e-scooters on sidewalks, which could result in a total ban next year, as reported on CNN. The decision comes amid a local hospital’s report of six deaths linked to the scooters in 2019.

Singapore isn’t the only country to do so.

In France, scooters were banned from sidewalks in September after a rider was killed by a truck driver.

And across the UK, e-scooters are banned from public roads, sidewalks, and cycle lanes. 

Among the safety risks that critics say e-scooters pose, the most alarming is the impact they are having on persons with disabilities.

Some cities have docking stations but for the most part, scooters can be picked up or dropped off anywhere. As a result, people are leaving them abandoned anywhere. 

“If you’re a wheelchair user or a blind person, indeed a human being, I predict these two-wheeled electric scooters, will become very annoying.,” Simon Minty, a disability consultant tweeted in Brussels this past summer after examining two scooters left blocking the sidewalk. “They seem to be abandoned, in the middle of the pavement, everywhere I go. I saw three from the station to my hotel. #disability.”

If you’re a wheelchair user, or a blind person, indeed a human being, I predict these two wheeled electric scooters, will become very annoying. They seem to be abandoned, in the middle of the pavement, everywhere I go. I saw three from the station to my hotel. #disability pic.twitter.com/7UyeRCpben

— Simon Minty (@simonminty) August 4, 2019

Where You Can and Can’t Ride An E-Scooter

In the UK, riding one on a road can cost six penalty points on your driver’s license and/or a fine of $385.

In Paris, riding on the sidewalk can cost you’re a $148 fine and dumping them in places of inconvenience, including a doorway or crosswalk has a fine of $38.

Spanish officials have banned them in Barcelona, and Madrid city officials refused granting licenses to e-scooter companies, CNN is reporting.

Meanwhile in the United States, New York City considers them illegal although consumers can own one personally.

Los Angles, San Francisco, and San Diego allow them. 

The Future of E-Scooters

As cities struggle with how to cope with the scooters, there’s a possibility that you may not see them too much longer if there’s not a better system in place to protect both pedestrians and riders. 

“I don’t quite understand how people can just leave them in the street,” Minty told CNN. “It just blows my mind a little bit.”

If you are looking for the perfect gift to bring to dinner or need a little something for yourself, these black-owned wine brands offer an assortment of flavors and varieties with inspiration from across the globe.

Abbey Creek Wine

If you’ve never been to Abbey Creek Vineyard, the hip hop winery in North Plains, OR, you should certainly consider it. Besides not being your traditional winery and the only hip hop themed winery in the Northwest, Abbey Creek plants, crushes, and ferments their own grapes, as well as bottles and sells their own wine.

Heritage Link Brands

Husband and wife team, Khary and Selena Cuffe, own Heritage Link Brands. The company is known for importing and producing a series of wines from African winemakers and people of African descent. Their wines are available in over 40 states across 4,000 retailers and restaurants, online, and served worldwide onboard airlines. 

RELATED: Rosé Revolution: Where To Taste The Best Rosé In The World

MYX Fusions

Nicki Minaj and Mona Scott-Young serve as co-owners of MYX Fusions, a brand that offers a full line of Moscatos and Sangrias available across the country in an assortment of flavors and sizes. “I didn’t want to create just another ordinary wine,” says Minaj on her website. “I wanted to make something special, something unique, something that I would love to drink.”

McBride Sisters Wine Collection

Founders and sisters Robin and Andréa were raised separately in the wine regions of Monterey, California and Marlborough, New Zealand. In 2017, Robin and Andréa released the McBride Sisters Wine Collection that includes a variety of wines including Black Girl Magic California Riesling and Black Girl Magic California Rosé.

RELATED: From Long Lost Sisters To The Biggest Black-Owned Winemakers

Maison Noir

Founded by sommelier André Hueston Mack in 2007, Maison Noir incorporates a trademark attitude and personal perspective on wine subculture.  According to the website, the wines are unique and distinctive garage wines, initially created for some of New York’s best restaurants for whom Mack was a sommelier. His wines are not available nationwide.  

Vision Cellars

Vision Cellars, founded in 1995, is a passionate boutique award-winning winery specializing in Pinot Noir without compromise. You can find their wines in select restaurants and online. Owner and winemaker Edward Lee McDonald specializes in a variety of Pinot Noirs that he believes should be accessible to everyone. “I have this theory that if you want a 17-point-eight zinfandel with your fried catfish, that’s what you should have,” he says on his website.

Davidson Wine Co.

Davidson Wine Co. is North Carolina’s newest urban winery and it’s Black woman-owned. Davidson Wine sources the finest grapes from vineyards around the world to provide an international flavor that is locally crafted. You can even come in and create your own custom wine.

Beaches are some of the most popular destinations and with so much do on nature’s beauty, it’s easy to see why millions flock each year.

However, some of those beaches that people enjoy every year may not be here much longer due to climate change.

Here are how some of the world’s most famous beaches are imperiled by sea-level rise, as reported in CNN.

Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Hawaii

When you think of beaches in Hawaii, naturally,  you think of Waikiki Beach. 

Sadly, the beach is at risk of sinking within the next 15 to 20 years, according to a 2017 Hawaii Climate Commission report.

State officials are taking action by an aggressive goal of generating 100% of its energy from renewable sources by 2045. 

South Beach, Miami

The impacts of climate change have been so severe in Miami that the city’s mayor dubbed it the “canary in the mineshaft” when it comes to the impacts of rising sea levels.

Officials are taking action to keep the most vulnerable areas dry by building sea walls, installing pumps and raising roads, but recent hurricanes combined with rising seas have eroded parts of South Beach, as reported in The Miami Herald.

With the latest storms,  the city has tried to replenish the sand lost from its beaches by dredging it up from offshore and are now exploring buying sand from the Bahamas and elsewhere to keep their beaches alive.

Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro

Copacabana welcomes millions of people each year to its sandy shores, but the iconic beach is vulnerable to the impacts of sea-level rise.

Recent storm surges have eroded stretches of the city’s beaches and sent sand onto surrounding streets, the Guardian reported.

Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Like many other urban beaches, Surfers Paradise is fighting erosion. As the sea levels rise, replacing lost sand will grow more costly for Australian officials. A 2012 analysis found that over the next century, beach nourishment could cost as much as $54 million per year.

Ocean City, Maryland

One of the busiest and most crowded beaches in the United States is Ocean City.

Ocean City’s beaches have typically been replenished every four years, but after a winter storm caused serious erosion in 2016, the city was forced to begin dredging and pumping sand on the beach ahead of schedule costing $12.7 million, as reported in WJZ 13.

Santa Monica, California

Like many of the beaches on this list, Los Angeles’ Santa Monica Beach is facing a problem with erosion.

To fight it, a pilot program run by the Bay Foundation is underway on a 3-acre stretch of the beach to cultivate native plants and dunes as a buffer against sea-level rise.

The goal is to make the beach more resilient by with a more than 60% chance that sea levels will rise more than three feet in the next 80 years, the long-term future of Santa Monica remains uncertain.

Barceloneta, Spain

Like all of Barcelona’s eight beaches, Barceloneta is a man-made creation.

In 2008 and 2010, a series of strong storms eroded large sections of several of Barcelona’s beaches, including Barceloneta. The city has repaired the beaches since but about half of the sand has been reclaimed by the sea.

With sea levels now expected to rise more than previously predicted, it will likely be difficult for Barcelona to maintain its status as a premier destination for beachgoers.

When most people hear the word Berkeley, they automatically associate it with the University of California at Berkeley aka UC Berkeley. However, this Bay Area town has so much more to offer.

If you have plans to visit the area soon, let us tell you why you should consider stopping by Berkeley as well.

It’s a foodie’s paradise

If you love food, and I mean you are really a foodie at heart, you will fall in love with this city.

To get a glimpse into some of the food culture, you can sign up for a walking food tour with Edible Excursions. This company offers tours throughout the Bay, but their Downtown Berkeley Brunch tour is definitely the move.

Bounce around to 5 different spots within the area while sampling their most popular dishes and a few cocktails along the way. It’s a great introduction to all that this place has to offer.

If you enjoy foods from all over the world, just across from campus, you will find the popular ‘food street.” This road literally has almost anything you could possibly crave.

Art lovers, you’re home

Of course, as one of the top music schools in the world, it’s no surprise that this area is full of visual and performing arts.

Start with the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive. They recently announced that they would feature one of the world’s largest collections of historic African American quilts beginning February 19, 2020. A follow-up exhibit will come in early 2022 as well.

Depending on when you visit, you may be able to catch a live concert from the Berkeley Symphony outdoors on the Plaza.

Finally, catch a play at the Berkeley Repertory Theater. If you are under age 35, you can even get a discount on certain shows.

It’s home to the only Sake distillery in the U.S.

If you are a spirit connoisseur, you can certainly appreciate this one. As the only sake distillery in the country, Takara Sake is definitely a place that you’ll want to visit.

They offer daily tastings that will also take you through a brief history of this Japanese spirit.

Your tour will end in the traditionally decorated tasting room, where you will get to sample several Sakes that are made not only in Berkeley but in Japan as well.

Mina Tsuchiiwa and her team are very knowledgeable and can even offer great suggestions on what to pair your drinks with as well as how to serve them.

Honorable mention

While there, try to spend at least one night on the beautiful marina. There is a newly renovated DoubleTree Hotel on the water, and it provides some of the most relaxing views and sunsets. Be sure to stop by their restaurant, The Berkeley Boathouse for an upscale dining experience.

Related: Why Madagascar Should Be On Your Travel Bucket List

Good news Barbie fans, remember those childhood dreams of what it would be like to actually stay in Barbie’s Malibu Dreamhouse? Well, you don’t have to dream much longer.

The massive villa in Malibu, California will be available to reserve for a one-time, two-night stay later this month.

A stay includes everything your little dreams once imagined. The Dreamhouse has three floors with ocean views and open spaces where friends and family can hang, according to the Airbnb listing.  

Guests will also have access to the infinity pool that comes with loungers and the Barbie DJ booth; a terrace and sports court located on the upper deck of the home; and the best part: the walk-in-closet.

And there’s more!

As well as the house’s amenities, the Airbnb stay comes with experiences, as Barbie’s “friends” will come and visit the villa, as reported in Newsweek.

Through a booking experience, guests will have the chance to book a cooking lesson with chef Gina Clarke-Helm.  There’s also a chance to make like Barbie and have a makeover with hairstylists from Mane Addicts Creator Collective and celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin.

The Dreamhouse has two bedrooms that can sleep up to four guests and two bathrooms.  It will be available for a one-time booking, two-night stay.  Reservations open on Airbnb at 11:00 am PDT on Oct. 23, so set your alarm to book your stay from Oct. 27 through Oct. 29.

Remember, this is a once in a lifetime chance, which means the Dreamhouse will only be booked once. 

The vacation opportunity is also attached to a Mattel charity. The Barbie Malibu Dreamhouse on Airbnb will fund charities involved in The Barbie Dream Gap Project. Airbnb will make a donation to one of the charities on the guests’ behalf, as reported in Newsweek.

If you follow football in any way, you have likely heard the name Marshawn Lynch aka ‘Beastmode.’ The former Seattle Seahawk and Oakland Raider running back became well known for his post game interview styles.

Whether it was his now-popular phrase, “I’m just here so I don’t get fined,” or his more simple answer of “yeah” to any question that was asked, Lynch has made it known that he doesn’t really like media attention.

Because of this, many people outside of his hometown of Oakland are unfamiliar with all that the star is doing around his community. While being in the spotlight isn’t his thing, giving back to his community most certainly is.

Throughout his career, Lynch was known for not being flashy and instead, saving the majority of his earnings from the NFL. With the extra money that he saved over the years, he has begun investing it into new businesses across the Bay Area and Seattle.

One of the first things on the list was the Family 1st Foundation, a nonprofit created by Lynch and his team to give back to the youth of Oakland. Any resident of the area will tell you that the foundation is known for pulling up in their Beastmode trucks and giving out tens of thousands of backpacks and school supplies around the start of the school year.

According to the website, the mission of the organization is as follows: “The Fam 1st Family Foundation saves the lives of black and brown youth on a daily basis and is raising the consciousness of a broken community to become more self-sustaining, more accountable, and less dependent on outer entities. Each philanthropic endeavor strikes the unique balance of athletic appeal and scholastic achievement in a neutral, yet nurturing environment.”

Just like many cities across the country, Oakland’s Black community is fighting against gentrification, especially in the inner city. To do his part, Lynch acquired a key piece of commercial real estate in the heart of downtown Oakland for his now Beastmode Apparel store. The store, located at 811 Broadway, sells pieces from the athlete’s clothing collection under the same name.

What makes this even better, Lynch employees his own family members and on any given day, you will find him hanging out and talking sh*t like only he can.

Rob Ben’s, named for a cousin that passed away, is the restaurant that the football star opened a few years ago. It sits on the border of Oakland and smaller suburb Emeryville. According to one resident that I met while there, the space was once owned by a Black family in Oakland and was a popular gathering spot for the Black community. Lynch, who frequently ate there himself, stepped in to ensure the spot would continue as a Black-owned establishment.

The restaurant is known for it’s seafood dishes, garlic noodles, and cocktails that will definitely get you right.

Most recently, he invested in a communications store. Just a block away from his clothing store, you will find the newly opened Beast Mobile. Yep, it’s exactly what it sounds like.

This cellular communications store utilizes the towers of Sprint, Verizon, and AT&T but they are an independent phone seller. In addition to the phone plans, Lynch’s partner introduced an app that allows subscribers to earn credits through their phone devices.

On top of this, the company paired with the Family 1st Foundation for the Phones for Homeless program. Through this initiative, the company offers a free phone and service for 1-year to those in Oakland’s homeless community. They understand the need to have a means of communication especially for those who are getting back on their feet and being reintroduced to the workforce.

These are only a handful of the things that the Oakland native has his hands in. He’s building his own production company, investing in more commercial real estate, and he even owns a piece of Lyft that supplies scooters around the city.

While he may be short on words, it is evident that he has an enormous heart.

Related: Rapper Curren$y Invests In Hometown, Opens Burger Spot In New Orleans