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…
New York Times Travel Show 2017 opens tomorrow
The New York Times Travel Show 2017 opens tomorrow and Cultured Black Pearl has your coverage!
The largest consumer travel and trade show in North...
Eating healthy while traveling solo
Being on the go can take a toll on your body, especially if you’re not eating healthy, not staying hydrated, and skipping exercise. As...
How I prep for solo female travel
Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason. I get the urge for travel, pick a destination, and head for the hills or sea.
When getting...
Simple Hiking Tips for Every Season
There are several good hiking tips in the blogosphere. In this post, I focus on seasonal hiking tips:
Seasonal Hiking Tips for Summer
Hike before...
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....
GPS-guided travel article apps
gps-guided travel article apps
Have you ever read a travel article and wished you could take it with you as a guide or itinerary while...
Hilton Garden Inn Bali Ngurah Rai Airport – Hotel Review
Hilton Garden Inn Bali Ngurah Rai Airport exceeded expectations
My international flight into Bali landed in the middle of the night. It was hot and...
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...
Ky-Mani Marley Performs at Farm Up Jamaica Festival
Over the weekend, I watched Ky-Mani Marley perform in South Jamaica, Queens for the first annual Farm Up Jamaica festival.
The festival is actually a...
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...
Things to do in Cali Colombia
Going back to Cali, Cali, Cali!
Had a blast in Colombia for a trip that wasn't planned. Cali reminded me of San Diego. It was safe and...
Pampered Travelers Escape to Ani Villas for Luxury • NYT Travel...
The New York Times Travel Show returned this year with record-breaking attendance for the longest-running trade and consumer travel show in North America. The...
Walled City of Cartagena
Strolling through the streets of Old Town Cartagena with no agenda is surely the best way to experience the Walled City. The main attraction...
Win a travel getaway
Here's your chance for a travel getaway on us!
So many people think they can't afford to travel and we get it, travel can be...
How to make the most of a 4-day layover in Paris
The Parisian experience is one to be had. It's overwhelming to take in with only four days to spare, but doable! When my eyes...
Luwak Coffee Experience in Bali
Before I arrived in Bali, I said I wouldn't do it! Try a cup of Luwak Coffee that is...
They call it “cat poop” coffee and...
How Brazilian wax in Hoboken led me to Blue Apron
Conversation topics during a Brazilian wax run the gamut. So, I wasn't taken aback when Blue Apron came up.
After all, you need something to take...
Yacht Experience: Santorini, Greece
Add a private yacht experience to your list of things to do while in Santorini! We stayed at the lovely Mystique and there's a...
i-to-i TEFL review
So last summer I decided to kick my job to the curb. I'd had enough of corporate politics, couldn't use my vacation time, and...
Cayman Islands + Solo Female Travel Tips
Cayman Islands remain my favorite go-to destination in the Caribbean. After traveling the Caribbean Sea, I'm home in Grand Cayman.
Sade sang it’s never as good...
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 (a Hilton Hotel review)
Mixed reviews for Conrad Bali made me question staying at this Hilton property during my vacation...
W Bali Seminyak: Hotel Review
W Bali Seminyak Villa was beyond marvelous!
Arriving to such an astonishing and tranquil scene after a...
Bali: spiritual travel journey
The journey was long but the arrival was plenty. After a twenty-eight hour flight from...
I’m packing my bags for the following destinations, up next: Home in NYC
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