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Cultured Black Pearl follows the travel musings of a solo female traveler. Enjoy the intimate journey across land and sea, one destination at a time.

Be inspired, engaged and entertained by authentic, immersive experiences, travel tips, GPS-enabled travel guides, and more on the blog.

A big thanks to many of you who aren’t comfortable commenting publicly but send emails in private asking for advice. You motivate me to keep sharing, and I’m glad you are here!

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Safe travels!

latest from my travel blog…

what folks are reading now…

Warung bejana • Restaurant Review

bejana is an authentic Balinese restaurant offering a journey through Indonesian Archipelago. Located in Badung, the open air restaurant is perfectly situated on a...

The Reserve at Paradisus Palma Real, Punta Cana Hotel Review

The week before Christmas I had the bright idea to get away to Punta Cana. I'd never had a desire to visit the Dominican...

Sunsets & Strolls: Santorini, Greece

Sunsets, strolling, and cheese! My fondest memories of Santorini. Roaming free through the towns of Santorini resulted in one of the most rejuvenating experiences of...

Things to do and see in Barbados

No sleep in Barbados! The longest work week fell upon me. Working 18 hour days was for the birds. The busy season never seemed to end...

Fun Things to Do in Bali for Solo Travelers

There's plenty of sightseeing in Indonesia. Here's my short list of 5 fun things to do in Bali as a solo female traveler. Padang Padang Beach  On a...

Uganda Travel: Sipi Falls Things to Do

Making fresh coffee in Sipi Falls, Uganda Time to get away from the city and explore the mountainside. So, I headed to Eastern Uganda for...

London Eye

The all-seeing London Eye was a fantastic ride. This Ferris wheel is the largest in the world and offers spectacular views of London. You...

The Carlyle Penthouse • South Beach Miami Hotel Review

The Carlyle Hotel in South Beach Miami is in an amazing location. Located in the center of South Beach on Ocean Drive right across from...

Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Signature Credit Card

Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Signature Credit Card is the perfect choice for my upcoming trip to Curacao and for anyone looking to earn Hilton...

Where to stay in Athens, Greece: Crowne Plaza

Looking for a budget-friendly hotel while in Athens? Then check out the Crowne Plaza in Athens City Center. It’s the perfect choice for affordability,...

Spicy Peperonata Pasta

Cooking my first meal with Blue Apron was so much fun! The first dish was a savory and tangy Spicy Peperonata Pasta. Being vegetarian...

Seared Cod & Summer Succotash

Seared Cod & Summer Succotash is simply irresistible. This Blue Apron recipe doesn’t call for much seasoning yet packs a punch full of flavor....

Bali perspectives after the trip

Bali perspectives after the trip offers a glimpse into my experience. My travel journey to Bali was beyond surreal. The culture, people, and food were all amazing....

Touring Eiffel Tower

From New York to Paris! It didn’t matter that we’d flown all night, lacked sleep, and couldn’t check into our rooms. The W was not...

How to travel to Cuba right now and tips from a...

In this travel article, I share my experience visiting Cuba over the holidays and a few tips to help you kickstart your Cuban getaway. Finally,...

Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort

Even before arrival, Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort staff were working to ensure my arrival was perfect, memorable, and unique. To start, they worked...

Mixed feelings after solo trip to Curacao

Many travelers rave about Curacao which peaked my travel addiction just in time for the annual North Sea Jazz Festival Located among the ABC islands...

Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours at The New York Times Travel Show

The New York Times Travel Show took place this weekend in New York City at the Jacob Javits Center. Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours was...

Riu Ocho Rios Hotel Review

In dire need to relax, I was glad to arrive at Hotel Riu in Ocho Rios since that would force me to sit still....

Not all who wander are lost

It is amazing how others perceive you when you express a desire to travel the world. The immediate thought is you must be crazy....
solo female travel • editorpicks
kyoto gold pavilion

Solo Female Travel in Kyoto (and Osaka + Tokyo)

Outside of cherry blossom viewing, my solo travel to Kyoto included a flexible itinerary. Yearning to...

By Night in Havana with Meiby • Arts Immersion Experience

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VbNsyMDFw8] The decision to spend Christmas in Cuba came as a shock to many friends...
Conrad Bali Hotel Review Cultured Black Pearlvideo

Conrad Bali (a Hilton Hotel review)

Mixed reviews for Conrad Bali made me question staying at this Hilton property during my vacation...
W Bali Seminyakvideo

W Bali Seminyak: Hotel Review

W Bali Seminyak Villa was beyond marvelous! Arriving to such an astonishing and tranquil scene after a...
Bali: a spiritual journey

Bali: spiritual travel journey

The journey was long but the arrival was plenty. After a twenty-eight hour flight from...

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I’m packing my bags for the following destinations, up next:  Home in NYC

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