6 Dope Destinations That Don't Require A Passport
Springtime means losing an hour but gaining more sunlight to see new places. Many of us don't get an official Spring Break, but that doesn't mean we can't take one.
As a full-time freelancer, I know it can be challenging to take time off because when you're not working, you aren't making money. For all the full-timers with benefits, you might have deadlines or responsibilities that make planning a trip less of a priority, but I have a solution: Booking a vacation within our fifty states and territories.
That means less jetlag and depending on where you're going, less travel time. When I was making this list, I wanted to think about places and experiences that might offer something new even for those of us that have spent a lot of time traveling or something familiar for those of us that have cities we love.
Here are five destinations (and a cruise) to think about that don't require a passport:
1.Marfa, Texas
Want to plan a good roundtrip? Visit Marfa. A town with a population of 1,772, to be exact, with the nearest airport almost three hours away in El Paso. Now this town does sound like the start of a scary movie, but the unique city has become a getaway spot for art lovers and creatives — our favorite siblings, the Knowles sister, have spent time in the off the grid town. With a population so small, you might be wondering what visitors actually do there?
Well first things first, you'll want to find a place to stay. If you aren't one to sleep outdoors surrounded my mother nature, the Hotel Saint George's 55-room hotel is a nice choice, especially if you enjoy a luxe hotel experience. But if you are up for becoming one with the great outdoors, booking a yurt at El Cosmico will be an experience to write home about, and the grounds are perfect for getting pictures to add to your Insta grid. Though the town is small, Marfa seems to have a bustling food scene. With cheap eats like Marfa Burrito, Food Shark, and Buns N' Roses and more upscale options like Stellina and Al Campo, there is something for everyone.
As far as sightseeing goes, you can take a guided tour of the Chinati, and it wouldn't be a trip if you didn't get a photo in front of the Prada Marfa installation.
2.U.S. Virgin Islands
Hurricane Irma rocked the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2017, but that hasn't dampened their spirit. Tourism is ramping up as the islands have started to welcome tourists again. With three islands to choose from (St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas), planning the ideal getaway shouldn't be too difficult. The islands offer a chance for visitors to take in their National Wildlife Refuge at Sandy Point, climb The Baths at Virgin Gorda (one of their most visited attractions) which leads to a sandy white beach, snorkel the RMS Rhone, and enjoy the local cuisine in St. Thomas. There is no shortage of properties ready to make your stay one to remember. If you like to support small hotels, the Tingalayo is a six-bedroom private estate offering amenities like an infinity pool and one-of-a-kind views.
3.Wimberley, Texas
Okay, hear me out. Wimberly, Texas is probably not on any black girl's list of places to visit, but the Collective Hill Country sounds like the ideal getaway for someone looking to leave the big city, reset, and try something new. The glamping site is surrounded by 225 acres of ranch and organic farmland, while their accommodations mimic that of an upscale hotel with 1,500 thread-count linens, rain-style showers, and complimentary daily breakfast. If that's not enough to get you to give camping a try, they offer horseback riding, culinary classes, and wine tours.
4.Puerto Rico
It's been nearly two years since Hurricane Maria devastated the island of Puerto Rico, but that isn't stopping them from welcoming visitors with open arms through tourism and volunteerism. Nonprofits like Para La Naturaleza offer tourists the option to experience the island and give back. If you're looking for an opportunity to get a little sunshine and contribute to Puerto Rico's local economy, go ahead and book that flight. The island offers everything from museums in San Juan, scuba diving in Isla de Mona, to rum tours of the Bacardí distillery. Even with the damage of the Hurricane, Puerto Rico has a wealth of hotel options from boutique properties like Hotel El Convento to staples like Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve.
5.The Grand Canyon
Visiting the Grand Canyon has been on my list. I have researched visiting the Canyon, and it seems like the best way to visit is to fly into Phoenix (a four-hour drive) or Las Vegas (about four hours and thirty minutes), and take a road trip from there. The great things about the Canyon being close to these cities are that you can plan a trip within a trip. If you're in need for a little R&R, book a spa day at The Phoenician Spa in Scottsdale. If enjoying the nightlife of Vegas is more your speed, book a hotel at The Aria and buy tickets (or a ticket if you're riding solo) to see Janet Jackson take the stage during her 15-date residency.
6.Take An Ocean To Ocean Cruise
Don't want to do any planning? Book a cruise. Okay, yes there is a little planning involved, like deciding your port city, where to cruise, and how long you'd like your vacation — but the cruise line does the rest. If you want to visit warm-hot spots beyond the traditional cruise routes, Princess Cruises offers an "Ocean to Ocean" cruise that departs from Los Angeles and sails to Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Nicaragua while finishing up in Fort Lauderdale. This cruise isn't for quick trips as it a fifteen-day voyage, but if you're looking for something shorter, the Regal Princess will take you on a seven day trip to the Bahamas, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, and Mexico.
I hope this got you all thinking about your next trip!
I hope this got you all thinking about your next trip!
Featured image by Getty Images.
Bianca Lambert is a proud Atlanta native soaking up the Los Angeles sun. She is the founder of Mae B: a stationery company for women of color and a digital content creator on a mission to elevate the voices of women of color everywhere.
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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Sheila Rashid's Androgynous Approach To Unisex Clothing Is A Lesson In Embracing Individuality
The ItGirl 100 List is a celebration of 100 Black women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table.
For Sheila Rashid, it all started with some free-hand drawings and a few strokes of paint.
The Chicago-based clothing designer and creative director of Sheila Rashid Brand recalls using her spare time in high school to hand paint designs on t-shirts and distressed hoodies, distributing them to classmates as walking billboards for her art.
Rashid sought to pursue fashion design at Columbia College in Chicago but eventually took the self-taught route to build upon her knack for crafting one-of-a-kind, androgynous pieces.
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Thanks to the mentorship of local designers taking her under their wings, Rashid was able to gain valuable experience in putting together collections and creating patterns; equipping her with them with the necessary skills to pursue her own collections.
After two years of living in New York, Rashid returned home to the Chi and uncovered the unique flair she could offer the city. “I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world,” she tells xoNecole. “That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
For the Midwest native, inspiration comes from her time around creative peers and the city’s notorious winters — known to be a main character in many Chicagoans stories. “It's a different perspective and mindset when I'm making stuff because of the weather here,” she explains. “When we get summer, it’s ‘Summertime Chi’ — it's amazing. It's beautiful. Still, I find myself always making clothes that cater to the winter.”
"I moved to New York after that because I wanted to be in the fashion capital world. That's when I really got a leg up. I found myself when I moved back to Chicago after moving to New York.”
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Many designers have a signature aesthetic or theme in their creations. In Rashid’s design story, dancing between the lines of femininity and masculinity is how she’s been able to distinguish herself within the industry. Her androgynous clothing has garnered the eye of celebrities like Zendaya, Chance the Rapper, WNBA star Sydney Colson, and more — showing her range and approach to designs with inclusivity in mind.
“I think I do reflect my own style,” she says. “When I do make pieces, I'm very tomboyish, androgynous. My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes.” From denim to overalls, and color-drenched outerwear, Rashid has mastered the structure of statement pieces that tell a story.
“Each collection, I never know what's going to be the thing I'm going to focus on. I try to reflect my own style and have fun with the storytelling,” she shares. “I look at it more like it's my art in this small way of expressing myself, so it's not that calculated.”
"My work is unisex because I feel like everybody can wear it. I cater to everybody and that's how I try to approach my clothes."
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Still, if you were able to add up all the moments within Rashid’s 20-year career in design, one theme that has multiplied her into becoming an “ItGirl” is her confidence to take up space within the fashion industry as a queer, Black woman. “Being an ItGirl is about being yourself, loving what you do, finding your niche, and mastering that,” she says.
No matter where you are on your ItGirl journey, Rashid says to always remain persistent and never hesitate to share your art with the world. “Don’t give up. Even if it's something small, finish it and don't be afraid to put it out,” she says, “It's about tackling your own fear of feeling like you have to please everybody, but just please yourself, and that's good enough.”
To learn more about the ItGirl 100 List, view the full list here.
Featured image Courtesy