Countries Black Travelers Should Prepare for Racism In: One Traveler's Experience

Countries Black Travelers Should Prepare for Racism In: One Traveler's Experience

Travel has the power to change your perspective, but it doesn't erase the reality that racism exists around the world. One Black travel creator shares her personal experiences visiting Spain, China, and Italy, explaining why these destinations became some of her most difficult trips abroad.

Her goal isn't to tell Black travelers to avoid these countries. Instead, she believes travelers deserve honest conversations so they can prepare for experiences that may arise while still exploring the world.

Spain: Feeling Invisible in Public Spaces

Spain ranks high on her list because of repeated experiences that made her feel unwelcome.

While dining alone in Madrid, she watched restaurant staff serve everyone around her while ignoring her for nearly 45 minutes. It wasn't until another customer asked a waiter to help that someone finally took her order, and even then she says the interaction felt hostile.

She also noticed similar treatment toward an Asian customer entering the same restaurant.

Outside restaurants, she recalls uncomfortable moments riding the Madrid Metro, where people appeared reluctant to sit beside her even when seats were available.

Although she speaks Spanish fluently, she believes these experiences reflected more than poor customer service. She points to Spain's historical relationship with race and notes that many other travelers of color have shared similar stories.

China: Curiosity Can Still Feel Uncomfortable

Unlike Spain and Italy, the creator says she actually enjoyed her visit to Beijing.

However, she still believes Black travelers should understand a common experience many report: strangers asking for photos or treating Black visitors as unusual attractions.

She questions whether these interactions should automatically be dismissed as harmless curiosity, encouraging travelers to think critically about how they feel when repeatedly singled out because of their appearance.

Although her own trip to China was positive overall, she includes the country because these experiences continue to be reported by many Black travelers.

Italy Became Her Most Difficult Destination

According to the creator, Italy was the hardest country she has ever visited.

Unlike a short vacation, she spent approximately three months there while studying, giving her time to experience daily life beyond tourism.

She describes feeling unwelcome in public, struggling to receive directions from strangers, and encountering people who appeared fearful simply because she approached them with basic questions.

One story involved asking a couple for directions, only to have the man physically position himself between her and his partner as though she posed a threat.

Another involved becoming lost on public transportation and finding that no adults would assist her, leaving her to ask a child for help instead.

These repeated experiences gradually affected her emotionally, making Italy one of the few places where she questioned whether she truly belonged.

The Beach Incident That Changed Everything

The creator says the most disturbing experience occurred during a beach outing with friends.

After a man became upset when his attempts to flirt with members of the group were rejected, he allegedly directed insults toward them. When one Black woman confronted him about his behavior, he grabbed her.

The creator intervened after he refused to let go, leading to an escalation where, according to her account, the man later threw beer toward them while shouting racial insults.

She says this incident confirmed her feelings about the hostility she had experienced throughout her stay in Italy.

For her, it became the defining moment of the trip.

Why She Still Encourages Black People to Travel

Despite these experiences, the creator ends on an important point.

She does not believe Black travelers should stop exploring the world because racism exists.

Instead, she encourages people to travel with realistic expectations, learn about local cultures, and be prepared for situations that may occur.

Her goal is to share honest personal experiences so others can make informed travel decisions while continuing to see the world with confidence.

Closing

Every travel experience is personal, and no single story represents an entire country or every traveler.

This creator's experiences in Spain, China, and Italy highlight why conversations about race remain important within the travel community. While many Black travelers have positive experiences in these same destinations, others appreciate hearing firsthand accounts that help them prepare.

Being informed doesn't mean being afraid. It means traveling with awareness while continuing to explore the world on your own terms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which country did the creator consider her worst travel experience?

She says Italy was her most difficult destination because of repeated experiences of discrimination during the three months she lived there.

Did she enjoy any part of visiting China?

Yes. She says she had a good overall experience in Beijing but still believes Black travelers should be aware that being asked for photos by strangers is a common experience.

Does she tell Black travelers to avoid these countries?

No. She specifically says she is not telling people to avoid traveling. Instead, she wants travelers to be informed and prepared while continuing to explore the world.

Future Blog Topics

• Black Travel in Spain: What to Expect in Madrid

• How Black Travelers Can Prepare for Racism Abroad

• Personal Stories From Black Women Traveling Through Europe