It’s a great week for airfare sales! Aer Lingus has just announced it’s international spring sale and there will be low-cost fares from North America to Europe. 

Travelers can expect to find flights starting at $466 round-trip departing from the East Coast, $569 departing from Midwest, and $619 from the West Coast for travel dates between April 1st and June 15th. 

The Ireland based airline will have the cheapest flights to Dublin — starting from $466 from NYC or Boston, $616 from Los Angeles and $716 from San Francisco. 

There are also flights to Amsterdam, London, Madrid, and Paris if you’re leaving from the East Coast. For example, if you leave from JFK Airport in NYC, you can expect to pay $571 for roundtrip flights to London. Flights will also leave from Miami for $744 round-trip to either London or Milan. 

If you’re on the West Coast, you can leave from Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle and find round-trip flights to Europe for under $800. 

You can fly basic economy for the cheapest flights to Dublin and Shannon, Ireland, but checked bags and the ability to choose your seats aren’t included. 

Flying to the rest of Europe in basic economy will include checked bags and the ability to choose your seats in addition to complimentary headphones and a blanket to use while on road. 

You should also note that all flights to Europe and Britain will have a layover in Ireland — but it could be a good opportunity to get out and explore the country. 

For more information, head to the Aer Lingus website. Since the travel dates are from April to June, you’ll have the luxury of beating the peak season crowds.

Kanye West has announced big plans for his Sunday Service concert series in 2020. After releasing his album, Jesus Is Born, Ye is planning to take the gospel event around the world.

Sources have confirmed with TMZ that Kanye wants to tour Europe and Africa next.

According to the report, Kanye is taking a break from touring and his music to focus on producing more songs with the choir he performs with, who he plans to create another album with as well.

Kanye has already taken his shows to Coachella, L.A.’s Skid Row, and with Joel Osteen in Texas, and has plans to play at Yankee Stadium in May with his choir.

During a recent appearance at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church, Ye stated that he also wanted to focus on spreading the word of God and testify about what Jesus had done for him.

“Now that I’m in service to Christ, my job is to spread the gospel, to let people know what Jesus has done for me, in that I’m no longer a slave,” he said. “I’m a son now, a son of God. I’m free.”

It’s not clear which countries from those continents he plans to visit, but the services are not expected to be a traditional Kanye West tour if he decides to move forward, Times Live reports.

If you’re looking for an excuse to plan your first trip of the year that won’t set you back a ton of money, Norwegian Air has a deal for you. 

You’re going to have to move fast because this deal is only available for a few days. The European airline is offering flights to Europe starting at $134 one way. 

For example, if you live in Los Angeles, you can fly to Barcelona for $159. New Yorkers can fly to Rome for $134 and those in Chi-Town can head to London for $140. 

Other U.S. cities with departing flights under Norwegian’s deal are Austin, Boston, Denver, Miami, San Francisco, and Seattle. European destinations include Amsterdam, London, Madrid, Oslo, Paris, and Rome. 

Dates available for travel are from January 14th through March 31st and from September 1st through October 24th. The offer does not stand for those traveling on weekends or public holidays.

Special codes aren’t needed for the sale fares, the prices will be available upon searching on the site.

The sale is running from now until January 12th at 11:59 p.n. ET. 

Before booking, be aware that your ticket will not allow changes, reservation of seats or included meals.  

If visiting Amsterdam is part of your travel plans this year, you may want to budget more for accommodations. Tourist tax on traveler’s accommodations at hotels, Airbnbs or guesthouses has been increased in the city. 

Starting this month, the Dutch capital city will be charging a fee of  €3 ($3.25) for every person staying the night in a hotel as well as the 7% room rate. If you’re staying in an Airbnb, prices will be increased by 10% per night. 

Tim Fairhurst, director of policy at the European Tourism Association tells CNN: “It will likely make Amsterdam’s the highest overnight tax in Europe, on average.”

However, Amsterdam isn’t alone in terms of increasing visitor taxes in 2020. If you’re planning to visit Venice, Italy this summer, you’ll have to pay more. According to Lonely Planet, “From 1 July, visitors will pay  €10 ($11.22) during peak periods and €3 during off-peak periods.” Those staying overnight already pay tourist taxes. 

Although the fees may seem small, they end up adding up to a significant amount for those vacationing for at least a week. 

For example, if you and your significant other are in Amsterdam for a week at a hotel that charges €120 a night, you would end up paying €117.60 ($128.30) extra. 

“The fact is that numbers are growing — you can’t build a fence around the city and we don’t want that either. Increasing the tax isn’t to affect the number of visitors, but it’s the principle. It costs a lot to keep our city clean and safe, and our infrastructure — like bridges — in a good state,” says Vera Al, spokesperson for Amsterdam’s deputy mayor Groot Wassink to CNN. 

There are an estimated 20 million visitors to Amsterdam annually even though there are less than one million residents. The large amount of tourists visiting each year overwhelms the city which has resulted in Amsterdam’s ban on short-term Airbnb rentals in popular neighborhoods. There has also been a ban on shops that sell overpriced souvenirs in the historic center. 

Other European cities such as Paris and Rome add flat rate tourist taxes to hotel bills. 

Located in northeast Catalonia, between Barcelona and Costa Brava is the beautiful city of Girona.  It’s medieval walls, and narrow-cobbled streets, and architecture makes Girona one of the most charming cities you will visit in Spain.  

Here are 5 reasons why you should make the haul to Girona:  

Girona is the Perfect Day Trip from Barcelona

Located just an hour away via train,  Girona makes a great day trip! You can purchase a ticket for less than 9 Euros one-way.

It’s smaller than Barcelona if you need to get away from the crowds and it’s also cheaper!

Stunning Architecture

From 982 to 1492, Jews lived in an area of Girona called El Call,  a maze of narrow, winding, cobblestoned lanes, that are still intact like they were over 500 years ago. Known as the “The Jewish Quarter” it’s one of the best-preserved in the world.

One thing you will notice when you arrive in Girona are the medieval walls known as Passeig de la Muralla. A walk on the medieval walls is a must-do activity while in Girona.

Lastly,  pay a visit across the Eiffel Bridge. Gustav Eiffel constructed a bridge in Girona just before the Eiffel Tower was built. Also called the Pont de les Peixateries Velles, this bridge spans the Onyar River and is the most famous in Girona.

Walk up the steps of the Girona Cathedral (Game of Thrones Fans …This Is For You)

Situated on top of a hill, the Girona Cathedral dominates the city’s skyline.

Are you a Game of Thrones fan? This cathedral was used in the filming of Season 6!

One of the world’s best restaurant is in Girona

Known as El Celler de Can Roca, here is where you can enjoy certain dishes that were inspired by perfume.

Girona Flower Festival

Girona Flower Festival is quite an event where there are hundreds of individual flower-displays across the town.  Held each year in May,  streets in Girona become art installations of flowers accompanied by music, lights, and fountains.

If you’re looking for some cheap and authentic food in Barcelona, one place that both locals and travelers recommend is heading to the La Boqueria or Mercado de La Boqueria.

Located in the Ciudad Vieja district of Barcelona, La Boqueriaone serves as a one-stop-shop for visitors to taste the best of Barcelona.

But there are some places in Barcelona that aren’t on tourists’ radars that you don’t want to miss.

Foni Bar and African Restaurant is one of those hidden gems. 

Located in the heart of Barcelona’s El Raval neighborhood, between the Rambla of Barcelona and the Avenida Parallel, Foni is an amazing Gambian and Senegalese restaurant that’s not only an amazing place to eat but a great place to hang out if you want a low-key evening with good music.

It’s one of few Black-owned restaurants in Barcelona where you can enjoy  African juices, such as Bisap, baobab juice or freshly squeezed ginger juice, and traditional African dishes such as Gambian domoda (peanut soup), chep bu Yapp (fried rice with meat or fish), mafe (white rice with peanut sauce), or super kanja (okra soup). 

The best part? All of these dishes will cost you less than  7€!

Keep in mind that you will be served a large portion of food.   If you’re not that hungry or you’re traveling solo, you can ask for half of the portion size.

In addition to the good food and fresh juices,  Foni offers cocktails and beer at insanely cheap prices. For example,  mojitos and piña coladas can be purchased for 5 €.

The last thing worth mentioning is that the service you will receive from the staff at Foni will make you feel that you’re stepping foot in West Africa. The staff is welcoming and will make you feel right at home. 

It’s time to plan and execute our 2020 travel. If you’re stumped on where you should go next, consider somewhere in Europe. This continent offers both old and new architecture, amazing shopping, delicious foods and a chance to see how Europeans truly enjoy living. 

Luckily for us, Travel & Leisure has released a list of the best places to travel in Europe in 2020. The list was compiled based on information from travel writers, advisors, and other travel experts. 

According to a press release, the destinations are all “at the forefront of the global conversation” and “perennial favorite that are reinventing themselves in exciting ways.”

Here are the 10 European destinations you should visit in 2020:

Paros, Greece

If you are dreaming of traveling to Greece but want to avoid crowds, Paros is the ideal destination for your next vacation. 

Stacey Leasca, a Travel & Leisure writer, says: “Paros is a place over-tourism forgot. The rugged Greek island, located smack in the middle of the Cyclades, can only be described as the cooler cousin of more populated islands like Mykonos and Santorini.”

Tbilisi, Georgia

Tbilisi is a breeding ground for creatives in Georgia. This city is filled with artists, architects, chefs, and designers. 

The capital city of Georgia is also seeing more wine bars and restaurants opening serving traditional Georgian cuisine. 

Rijeka, Croatia

Another slept on European destination is Rijeka. Jonathan Thompson wrote for Travel & Leisure: “With amazing views of the Adriatic coast, blockbuster beaches, and a colorful Baroque heart — not to mention one of the world’s biggest Carnival celebrations — it’s a wonder that Rijeka isn’t better known.”

Thompson goes on to write, “But despite ticking pretty much every conceivable vacation box (toss in world-class museums, a bevy of top restaurants, and cinematic hikes in the surrounding mountains), it remains an under-the-radar Adriatic treasure.”

Lille, France

Lille is regarded as the World Capital of Design 2020 because of its advances in urban development. 

Sarah Souli writes via Travel & Leisure: “The once-struggling industrial city of Lille is on its way to enjoying optimized public spaces thanks to a slew of sustainable design initiatives. It’s also quickly becoming a cosmopolitan oasis with new galleries, museums, restaurants, and boutiques.”

While in Lille, be sure to check out “La Piscine, an Art Deco indoor swimming pool turned art museum” and eateries serving mouthwatering French cuisine. 

The Douro River, Portugal

You can visit The Douro River via a cruise with Viking River Cruises or explore on land. 

Hannah Walhout writes via Travel & Leisure and shares: “On land, wineries like Quinta do Portal and Quinta do Seixo serve light reds, vinho verde, and the ubiquitous port. Stay in Porto at recent additions like the Art Deco stunner Le Monumental Palace or the art-filled Torel 1884, whose 12 rooms and 11 standalone apartments feature art inspired by fabrics, materials, and spices from faraway lands.”

Austria

Vienna has recently spent $240 million to redevelop the central train station and build new hotels. 

“The country has reinvented itself, pouring resources into cutting-edge arts institutions while lovingly elevating the cultural jewels that made it so beloved in days gone by,” writes John Wray for Travel & Leisure. 

Klitmøller, Denmark

This small Danish town is only a short trip driving to Thy National Park where you’ll see coastlines, lakes, forests, and dunes. 

The town is regarded as “Cold Hawaii” because of its ideal conditions for surfing. 

Manchester, United Kingdom 

Manchester is one of the most rapid-growing cities in Europe and has an abundance of hip hotels like Hotel Brooklyn and Native Manchester. 

Rome’s EUR District

Esposizione Universale Roma (EUR) is Rome’s business district. It was originally built in the 1930s for a World’s Far which never actually took place.

Today, it’s an ideal location for those who love architecture and exploring a commonly unseen side of Rome. 

North Macedonia

This year, North Macedonia will be the host of Terra Madre Balkans, a food festival celebrating the “slow food” movement. 

Courtney Lichterman writes for Travel & Leisure: “The newly renamed country has a wealth of historic sights, like the Kale (or fortress) in the capital, Skopje; Kokino, a megalithic observatory; and the ancient city of Heraclea Lyncestis, on the outskirts of Bitola.”

When Abi Olusanya decided to move to Denmark, she was looking for a new adventure that would push her outside of her comfort zone.

What she didn’t know at the time was that being uncomfortable would create an opportunity to support black-owned businesses in Denmark.

“In Denmark, access to products for black women is difficult,” Abi said. “You either order online from a brand you already know and love or make do with the limited options available.”

According to Abi, there are not enough products in Denmark that are suitable for black women – which comes to no surprise as more than 90 percent of the population identifies as European descent.

Because she couldn’t find an existing solution, Olusanya created her own that would be both wallet-friendly and hassle-free called the BlacBox.

The BlacBox was designed as a highly personalized subscription box for black women in Europe but Abi confirmed with Travel Noire in an interview that the company ships around the world.

From makeup, hair and skin care products, and more, the BlacBox provides subscribers with black-owned products every other month.

Here’s what else Travel Noire learned:

Travel Noire: What’s your ultimate goal of the BlacBox?

Abi: There are two goals for the BlacBox: to boost the black economy and to give black women easy access to frequent pampering and self-care that is personalized for them.

TN: what’s inside the BlacBox?

We partner with black-owned businesses who not only understand our challenges (because they’ve experienced them themselves) but are creating solutions for us.

And the best part? We send a range of their products straight to your doorstep every other month.

By sourcing all our products from black-owned businesses, we are playing a part in protecting the livelihoods of black families around the world. This is incredibly important given today’s current climate and we wrote a blog post explaining this a little bit more. 

A huge benefit of working with black-owned beauty brands is that their products are sometimes even better than those we currently use, as most are created specifically to tackle the challenges that black women face. This makes it even easier to personalize our boxes to each subscriber, as black-owned brands understand and have created products to suit the different shades, skin types and hair types that black women have.

For us, it was a no-brainer to merge the two together, giving black-owned brands access to their target audience and allowing black women to experience personalized pampering and self-care in a way that is both wallet-friendly and hassle-free – all while supporting black-owned businesses.

TN: Do you ship to other countries?

Abi: We do! We ship to any country in Europe and we are planning to expand outside of Europe in 2020. If you are currently not based in Europe but you’re interested in the BlacBox, create your profile and let us know where you are located!

TN: Anything else you want our readers to know?

We’re currently offering all new subscribers 5% off their first payment with the code “treatyourself”. This offer is valid until the 31st of December.

SuperShuttle, the company responsible for the infamous blue-and-yellow vans that transport passengers to and from the airport, is going out of business.

The company along with its sister sedan service ExecuCar notified airports in early December that companies would cease operations at the end of the year, as reported in USA Today.

According to their website, SuperShuttle is listed at more than 60 locations across the United States, Europe, and South America.

“Unfortunately, our parent company has decided to cease SuperShuttle and ExecuCar operations nationwide effective 12/31 so we will not be continuing our service agreement into 2020,”  Alan Gildersleeve,  SuperShuttle general manager, reportedly told Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport officials in an email.

Los Angeles International Airport was also notified that SuperShuttle would halt its services, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times.

In recent weeks, the company pulled out of airports serving Burbank, Phoenix, Baltimore, and Minneapolis.    

SuperShuttle was founded back in 1983 and despite being in service for more than three decades, has had significant competition from Uber and Lyft. 

At LAX alone, shared van services have dropped by two-thirds in the first half of 2019 compared with the first half of 2016, the Los Angeles Times reports. 

Trips on LAX’s FlyAway buses sank by two-thirds during that same timeframe and taxi trips fell by more than 35%. Meanwhile, the number of Uber and Lyft trips have more than doubled.

SuperShuttle will also lay off its employees. Customer service representative Ricky Heredia told the Los Angeles Times that he learned about the shutdown before his lunch break Thursday after his manager handed him a letter saying his job would end Dec. 31.

Customers have responded to the news as well.

“As a wheelchair user who travels, SuperShuttle has been a game-changer in getting to & from the airport with ease. This is upsetting to learn about.”

“This is wild, considering we tried to book an Uber and a Lyft just now and not only is the price higher than what SuperShuttle ever was but with both services we couldn’t book a ride because there were too many requests in the area. Renting a car, way cheaper than Lyft or Uber,” a Twitter user stated.

Travel company Zicasso is releasing an eight-day trip to Norway inspired by the Disney film “Frozen”. 

If you loved “Frozen” and the characters, you’re going to love this themed vacation in Norway. 

The trip is described by Zicasso as: “Mystical fjords, charming villages, and enchanting hills that are blanketed with snow will bring the majesty of Arendelle to life during your family-friendly tour of Norway, which will celebrate the release of “Frozen 2” and the adventures of Elsa, Anna, Kristoff, and Sven.”

It goes on to read, “Bask in a captivating winter wonderland on a scenic train ride through mountains, where Elsa could have built her secluded castle, and wander alongside colorful homes that are reminiscent of images of Anna’s kingdom.”

After booking the packing, you’ll land in Oslo and a rental car will be arranged for you to be transported into the city. You’ll then check into your accommodations and explore the city on your own before embarking on a guided tour. 

The guided tour will take you to Akershus Fortress, the model for Elsa’s castle. You will also visit the Gol Stave Church, built in the 13th-century, Huderfossen theme park and the oldest national park in Norway.

During your tour, you’ll be passing through the beautiful town of Alesund, where you’ll see colorful houses above the fjord. 

After the tour, you’ll get on a flight to Alta and experience the Finnmark Plateau, a view similar to Elsa’s ice castle. You’ll get the opportunity to meet with the Sami people while observing reindeer nearby living their best lives. 

Sounds like an amazing experience, right? Check out the full itinerary here.

“The G-Spot of Europe. Nobody knows where it is but when you find it — it’s amazing,” reads a series of advertisements promoting tourism to Vilnius, Lithuania’s little known capital city.

The controversial marketing campaign by Go Vilnius features a woman lying on back in ecstasy as she grips the sheet beneath her. Printed on the sheet is a map of Europe, with her hand strategically placed on Vilnius’ location.  

RELATED: Drive-In Sex Booths Could Replace Berlin’s Former Airport

Visitors to the website are encouraged to “build your own personal pleasure map” by taking a test, in which you can judge how much you agree with statements like “there is no such thing as too much tongue,” “real pleasure doesn’t come without breaking a sweat,” and “the right accessories can enhance any experience.”

Based on your answers, the user is then presented with a variety of activities in which they can like or ditch resulting in a “pleasure map” of things to do throughout the city.

The idea was created by advertising students and has caused a divisive reaction throughout the largely Catholic country.  According to cnn.com, the bishop of Vilnius warned that it was casting the capital as a “sex tourism city” while the Lithuanian government requested that Go Vilnius postpone the launch of the campaign until after the Pope’s visit — a request which was ignored by the city.

But the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) rejected the complaints it received about the campaign, saying that while “some might find the ad distasteful… [it] did not objectify the female character.” They concluded it was not “exploitative or degrading” and “unlikely to cause serious or widespread offense.”

To Go Vilnius’ delight, the project has been named the best destination campaign for a city at the International Travel and Tourism Awards.

RELATED: Travel Noire’s Sexiest Blac-cents List

But most importantly, has the campaign worked to bring tourists to the little-known capital?

According to cnn.com, overall visitor numbers to Vilnius increased by 12.5% last year, but visitors from Germany and the UK — the two primary markets for the campaign — were up by 37.8% and 20.5% respectively.

“Our goal is to attract more young, curious travelers interested in discovering new exciting destinations,” Inga Romanovskienè, director of Go Vilnius, the tourist board, told CNN. “Sometimes bold ideas attract more attention.”

It sounds like the racy campaign has certainly hit the spot.

Travel is becoming more popular amongst millennials, resulting in an influx of tourism in locations like Bali, Madrid, and Cape Town.

There are, however, destinations that are still under-the-radar and perfect for travelers wanting to travel to places unknown. 

Travel expert and writer Patricia Schultz spoke with Insider on how social media has aided in bringing awareness to destinations unknown: “So much of the world is becoming more accessible. Places that wouldn’t have been on our wish list now are.” 

Schultz has been a travel writer for over 30 years and has predicted 6 destinations that will become the next hot spot locations for travelers in 2020.

Albania

Not only is Albania affordable, “it has a beautiful coastline, and there’s a lot of young tourism going on there”, shares Schultz. She also says, “It’s similar to Georgia, which is better known, and has the same wine history and good food.”

Greenland

According to Schultz, Greenland predicted to become more popular as the country becomes easier to travel to. “It’s very similar to Iceland, it’s very northern but less developed.” 

Greenland is naturally beautiful, which is why it is bound to become a hot spot. 

Bolivia

A great inexpensive location to visit before it becomes a hot spot is Bolivia. Schultz speaks on this country saying, “Bolivia doesn’t get much attention, and it’s relatively inexpensive. The altitude I think scares people a little bit, and they think they can’t hand it and perceive it as dangerous, but the people are very welcoming, and tourism has increased.”

Moldova

This eastern European is pretty much unknown to most people but “It’s very reasonable in terms of lodging and food, and has wonderful food,” according to Schultz. 

“It’s very farm-to-table, but in a way that’s not pretentious, it’s just the way they’ve always existed. I love that whole area. It’s physically very beautiful, with the mountains, and you still see a lot of the traditional ways, like costumes around the holidays,” she goes on to say. 

Zimbabwe

Traveling to the African continent has become increasingly popular over the last few years and Zimbabwe is set to be the next hot spot. When touching on the beauty of Zimbabwe, Schultz says, “The local people are wonderful, the Big Five — the wildlife viewing — has always been spectacular, there are beautiful lodges, and some of the finest guides.”

Uganda

Another predicted hot spot on the African continent is Uganda. 

“Uganda is where I visited the gorillas, and oh my God, it stopped me in my tracks,” recalls Schultz. Although you can see gorillas in Rwanda, the prices have increased there because of a recent influx in tourism. Schultz compares the two, saying, “But it’s [Rwanda] the same gorillas as in Uganda, which is right across the border. There [Uganda] it’s $600 per person, versus $1,500 fora one-hour visit [Rwanda], which is still mighty expensive, because first you have to get there, and then you want to see the rest of the country, which is absolutely expensive. But in the big picture, it’s the less expensive of the two.”

Are you thinking about trying something new, like picking up and moving abroad? The good news is, you’re not alone.

A recent poll by Gallup shows that a record number of Americans are looking to live that expat life. The latest data finding that 16 percent are considering a move, up from 10 percent since the year 2000.

And while the experiences of expats vary, there are some things that you all may encounter that are the same. That’s why Travel Noire reached out to some Black expats to hear firsthand on things they wished they knew before moving.

Creating A Social Network In Your New Home

“I wouldn’t do anything differently if I had the opportunity to leave the U.S. again. I’m so glad I did it! So, I would never want my advice to deter potential expats. But, of course, there are challenges. For example, being an expat can be lonely. When you leave friends and family behind, it’s up to you to create your own community in the adopted country. Fortunately, Black people are everywhere. In many cases, even though we often have different backgrounds and life experiences, I’ve found my community among other Black women, including locals and fellow expats. It takes more effort to find your people when you’re living abroad. But, trust me, we’re out here.” – Dana Saxon, who is currently living in the Netherlands and founder of Black Girl Gone.

Race + Identity+ Nationality

“Depending on where your passport is from and where you’re going, sometimes nationality will play an even bigger role than race. It can be really discomforting realizing you’re receiving preferential treatment because of the type of passport, while also witnessing the disadvantageous treatment another black person is receiving because they happen to be from a passport holder from a country with less political pull.

“In general, it is super important to understand the racial/ethnic and national origin dynamics that play out in your new location beyond just literal skin tone.”  – Amanda Bates, founder of The Black Expat – @theblackexpat (Twitter, Instagram)

Mental Preparation

“There was just so much excitement of moving, but there was no mental preparations of expecting the worst from acceptance by the people to conform to their social norm. I was disappointed during my first few months. Think about the possibilities of what to expect and whatnot, and don’t get too excited. Be prepared for the worst.” – Ola, who is currently living in Ghana and a content creator for Waka Journals.

“In addition, don’t forget your seasonings! I always tell expat clients that food can be a great comforter when you’re moving abroad. If you’re moving to somewhere you haven’t spent a long time previously, you may not know where to get those seasonings that have at home. While you’re still navigating a place, you’ve got to eat — and we generally default to making the foods we’re familiar with. Having a starter kit of seasonings that you bring from home, can help you make the food you know while you’re acclimating to a new environment. This is especially key if you’re moving with kids, and they are picky eaters – or not in the mood to be adventurous. Beyond this, when you’re dealing with homesickness (and it will crop up), it helps to be able to make or have access to your comfort food.” – Amanda Bates, founder of The Black Expat – @theblackexpat (Twitter, Instagram)

Logistics + Accommodations + Money

“As an expat, I wish I would have known that although American dollars can go far as a tourist in Budapest [sic] you truly have to pay for comfort, private healthcare, refurbished apartments, and so much more!” – Starr Session Varga, travel blogger in Budapest and founder of Black Girl In Budapest.

“This was a major problem while moving to Ghana. The cost of accommodation is on the very high side for foreigners, added with a high standard of living. This would have helped me prepare better. To get a very conducive apartment requires a lot of money. Save as much as possible and move with enough cash as possible. It’s always better to have a surplus than insufficient or been stranded in a foreign land.” – Ola, who is currently living in Ghana and a content creator for Waka Journals.

Seasonings +Perosnal Items

“As a black expat, I wish I would have known what kind of hair products I should have brought from home or how many tubes of foundation I should’ve brought before I arrived.” – Starr Session Varga, travel blogger in Budapest and founder of Black Girl In Budapest.

“There are some basic things you can’t do without, like your personal health/skincare products (creams, soaps, etc) things you know you can’t do without. Get as much as possible, because sometimes you might not find that same exact product or it might be called a different name in the country you are moving to.” – Ola, who is currently living in Ghana and a content creator for Waka Journals.

Located approximately 300 miles of Athens is the second-largest city in Greece: Thessaloniki. 

As a Greek port city on the  Thermaïkos Gulf,  Thessaloniki is a vibrant metropolitan city full of history, beauty, character, and charm.

The city boasts of archaeological sites that date back to the second and the third century, which means be prepared to take a step back in time during your visit.

The Ancient Forum, the Palace Complex of Galerius Maximianus, and The Triumphal Arch of Galerius should all be on your itinerary.

Even though Thessaloniki is mostly famous for its nightlife and sightseeing, there are few nice beaches to explore. Most locals go swimming to Halkidiki, as most beach resorts are about a one-hour drive away from Thessaloniki. 

Here’s how to book a flight to Thessaloniki, Greece for as low as $320 round-trip:

From New York

If you’re leaving from the New York City area, the best time to travel to is from Jan. 31 through Feb. 8.  Flights during this time are priced at $320 round-trip, according to Google Flights.

Because this flight option is through Scandinavian Airlines,  there’s a 15-hour layover in Stockholm. 

From Chicago

Those of you leaving the Chicago area will have the chance to escape the winter cold.  Scandinavian Airlines have flights to Thessaloniki, Greece for as low as $370 round-trip, according to Google Flights.

Use Jan. 31 through Feb. 8 as your travel dates.

Keep in mind when booking this flight, there’s a five-hour layover in Stockholm.

From Miami

Flights to Thessaloniki, Greece can be purchased in mid-January for just $419 round-trip, according to Skyscanner.

Just plug in Jan. 14 through Jan. 28 as your travel dates.

The only downside with this flight option is the number of layovers and transfers.  There are layovers in Lisbon, Paris, and Rome, according to Skyscanner.

It all started in graduate school for Linda and Leonard Jackson, who have been together now for 16 years and married for 12 of those years.

From the Carribean Islands, Europe, and in Linda’s home of Malawi, the couple has traveled to at least 11 countries with their son Miles.

In an interview with Travel Noire, the Jacksons discussed what they love about traveling as a family and have a small piece of advice for couples traveling with children.

Travel Noire: How many countries have you visited together?

The Jacksons: We have been to Jamaica, The United Kingdom, France, Sweden, The Netherlands, Japan, Mexico, South Africa, Malawi, Puerto Rico & Italy together as a couple. We have traveled with our son, Miles, to Malawi, South Africa, Sweden, The United Kingdom, and France. 

My native country is Malawi, so it was important to me that both Miles and Leonard got the opportunity to visit my homeland in Africa.

TN: What’s your favorite country so far and why?

The Jacksons: We love Europe and have been to London and Paris several times. My favorite place so far has been Italy. I loved the history and culture we experienced. That was our first time taking guided tours on a trip and it was well worth it to learn all about Italy’s rich history. Florence and Tuscany were incredibly enriching and the Amalfi Coast was breathtaking. The best part of that trip was sharing the experience with our good friends Otto and Danielle. Leonard has always loved Paris for its history, architecture, and fashion. Paris is also one of his favorite cities to run and he has a ritual of running to the Eiffel Tower every time we go.

TN: What’s the best part about traveling together as a family? 

The Jacksons: The best part about traveling together as a family is the shared experience of seeing the world and experiencing new cultures. We endeavor to give our son the joy of learning through travel. We also want him to have an appreciation for different cultures.

TN: Tell us about one of the most challenging times you’ve experienced during your travels and how you got through it? 

The Jacksons: One of the most challenging times we had, was the first couple of days in Tokyo. We got lost and found it difficult to find someone to help us that spoke English. Once we started to use the Metro system, we found it  much easier to get around.

TN: What countries are next for you all? 

The Jackson’s: Our ten-year-old son Miles has been asking to go to Tokyo for the last four years. We’ve been wanting to go back and are hoping to take him there next spring! We would also love to visit Australia and New Zealand in the next year or two.

Lastly, what advice would you give traveling couples and/or couples with children? 

The Jacksons: Our advice for couples is to see and do as much as you can before you have children. It becomes harder to get away once you have familial obligations. Once you have children, we would advise parents to include them on experiences so they can get a broader view of the world. We still take the opportunity to get away alone as a couple so we can nurture our relationship.