4 Affordable Bucket List Travel Destinations You Can Do On Any Budget
Travel is often thought of as this super expensive, "boujee gang only" type of fun. In reality, travel is by far the most affordable luxury there is.
Before I set off on my first adventure, I used to think travel was for an exclusive and elite group that had money to blow. I applied for my passport as a gift to myself after hearing a good friend of mine speak so highly of her trip to Jamaica. This particular friend wasn't the boujee type at all. To hear her talk and show photos of blue water and beaches with people of our same complexion inspired me to take action. I believe that events like this are a subtle act of God, destined to happen and create shifts in our life. Shortly after, I took my first international trip to Turks and Caicos, spent under $500, including my flight, and never looked back.
Since then, I have traveled to several countries in Europe (Spain, London, Paris to name a few), Mexico more times than I can count, Canada, and my favorite island Turks and Caicos a few times. As you can see, the beach is kinda my thing.
If you've been dreaming of blue water and white sand, seeing timeless monuments, or experiencing things you never even thought were possible, and all within a price range that is totally doable for you... here's the only sign you need!
Check out these trips that will accommodate any price point and have you on a plane quicker than you ever thought possible.
Mexico: $1,000
I could lowkey drop the budget for this trip to $800, but I left a little room for things like emergencies. Mexico is the land of tequila shots and turn-ups! It can also be a perfect place to have a wedding, or just get away for a weekend.
Flash sale flights from Atlanta to Cancun for around $250 are pretty easy to come by. My suggestion is to book your flight one to two months in advance to catch this kind of deal.
A few days in Mexico at a 4-star resort is cool but a 4-star All-Inclusive resort is like the cherry on a sundae! All-inclusive resorts are definitely the way to go in Mexico and a trendy beachfront stay will cost $150-225 a night depending on the time of year. If you like to party with a view, Mexico will definitely give you the most bang for your buck, can you say girl's trip?
My Recommendations:
Where to stay:Hyatt Ziva Cancun, a newly renovated all-inclusive resort with a private and public beach
What to eat: Anything at one of the 16 all-inclusive restaurants
What to do: Catch a $10 catamaran or party boat ride into the beautiful blue waters of Isla Mujeres, jetski on the resort for $35, or both!
How to get around:Canada Transfers (Try their upgraded champagne on arrival and departure option for $15 pp).
Featured image via Chelsea Waddy/Instagram
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Chelsea is a travel maven that teaches others to see the world without breaking the bank! Follow her as she shares her tips and experiences on her blog TravelGirlMagic.com or on all social media platforms @travelgirlmagic.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Rihanna Talks Shedding Expectations And Finding Balance As A Mother
Since becoming a mother in 2022, Rihanna has defined parenthood by her terms and hopes to pass that sense of autonomy on to her children.
For Vogue China’s April cover story, Rihanna shared her perspective on raising her two sons with A$AP Rocky, and how she hopes to preserve her children’s uniqueness, devoid of societal expectations.
"The most beautiful thing...is that [children] come into the world with their own individuality and sincerity, without any logic or conformity,” she told the publication. “Which usually makes you feel that you must fit into a certain group."
The “Work” artist, known for her trendsetting style and captivating persona, expressed her desire to support children in fully embracing their individuality and encouraging them to be whoever they want to be. "It's really beautiful to see and I want to continue to help them navigate that and make sure that they know they can be whoever they want to be,” she says.
She continues, “They should embrace it completely, because it's beautiful, and it's unique. I love them just that way."
From shattering music charts to shaking up the beauty industry, Rihanna has forged a path that has since created the “dream” life we see today. One that she says has made her parents proud of.
“I’m living my dream,” she continued. “My parents were very proud of that because they just wanted me to be happy and successful. So, I think the key thing is to find some kind of balance. Yes, balance is important. Do this and you get the best of both worlds. You can write your own life the way you want, and it will be beautiful. Sometimes, you just need to let go of everyone’s expectations and start living your own story.”
Rihanna, who shares sons, RZA, 23 months, and Riot, 8 months, with rapper A$AP Rocky, recently shared her vision for expanding her family in the future in Interview Magazine.
When stylist Mel Ottenberg asked about the number of additional children she hoped to have, Rihanna replied, "As many as God wants me to have.”
"I don't know what God wants, but I would go for more than two. I would try for my girl,” she adds. “But of course, if it's another boy, it's another boy."
Featured image by Neil MockfordWireImage