Comfortable holiday destinations for black people

[Sparklebaby111]

Hi I feel like I'm hitting a wall.

I was considering a nice hotel in Turkey for a last minute holiday, but I really really can't take the 'lets stare at the black people' routine. Anyone willing to share their experience of holidaying in Turkey - more specifically Antalya/Belek. Where else would you recommend where you weren't stared at constantly? In Portugal we found the other hotel guests - mainly Russians and Germans -to be constantly staring. Now we have our 8 year old, I don't want him to experience this. We went to Mexico last year and loved it - our son is keen to travel the world - bless him! Thanks!

We’re going to Dalaman so will report back

Brown, not black but Barbados was lovely. Antalya was quite nice, a lot of tourists so I don’t think anyone stands out particularly, they will just assume you are a tourist. I am never going back to Madrid, it was intimidating. Italy was nice for us but we got mistaken for spaniards a few times so not sure about that and I don’t think brown and black people have the same experiences everywhere.

It’s super shit OP and I hate having to think about that stuff too. I’m more keenly aware of it now because we travel with DC.

Surprised lots of people recommending Morocco. They might not stare wt you because you are Black, but they’ll certainly stare at you for being a woman. My experience there was horrible.Never again.

Hello, we have stayed at the following hotels over the last few years:

• Limak Lara De Luxe
• Titanic Deluxe Lara
• Side Royal Palace
• Limak Atlantis Deluxe Hotel & Resort

Out of all of them, we loved the Limak Atlantis the best and have booked again for the October half term.

Don't go anywhere near Istanbul.

I'm a black woman born in the UK and now in my middle 60s and since being divorced nearly six years ago I've been on many solo holidays both in Europe and North America many times. When I was still married we used to go away 2 to 3 times a year so I thought why should I stop going on holiday now I'm divorced. I've just come back from Orlando Florida (my 5th solo holiday there), last year I was in Paphos in Cyprus, Vilamoura in Portugal and Amsterdam. I've also been solo to Almeria in Spain and Rhodes. I've never had any problems with racism - in fact nowadays there's probably more racism in the UK.

None of my extended family or myself have had problems in Turkey but we have stayed near the touristy areas.

Spain and Portugal have been completely fine. Belgium has been fine.

However some of my family have had issues in France.

I found Malta and Italy to be the worst. Mauritius and Florida (Key West) was lovely. Other than that I have mainly been on city breaks which isn't what you are looking for.

Yes - this is the difference of white privilege I think.

With all due respect, I find these comments very unhelpful, bordering on 'maybe it's you' energy - coming from another black person, it's hard to hear. It's great that you haven't experienced any type of racism but clearly I and many others on here have - are you implying we're doing something to attract this negative energy? I'm genuinely confused what your point is, maybe I have misunderstood the point you are trying to make. To give an example, I was born in the 80s, went to Primary school mid 80s, many would say they didn't experience racism at school (my husband included, who is actually older than me)- does that negate the fact that I was beaten up by a gang for refusing to not walk down 'their' staircase because I was a n,? No it doesn't - different experiences can co-exist. Just tiring........

@Sparklebaby111 White MNer here (husband and two sons are black). Antalya is one of our favourite places to visit as we have not had any issues there. Same with Spain and Portugal. We have had issues in Greece and Italy and would not go there though.

We have been to Antalya 5-6 times and no issues at all.

We’re on Gozo, off Malta. Lots of lovely black people in our hotel.

I'm Black a woman and solo travel although I'm lighter skinned (so colourism has an impact)
it depends I've been to places where other black women have had a brilliant experience and I've had a negative experience.

I have just come back from Seville and my experience was mixed, people 50 and younger were nice but lots of stares/uncomfortableness from older folk.

As a family we can fully relate to the racism, stares and hostility whilst being on holiday too. Bad experiences in Turkey, Spain and France, will never go again! Apart from the Caribbean, Cape Verde is our go to holiday destination. You still get the "entitled folk" as you do most places, but there is something to be said about being surrounded by your own people of colour and your children feeling happy and comfortable in their own beautiful black or brown skin.
Happy holidays everyone

I have been to Istanbul twice, once on my own and once with my parents, both times were fine and there was no staring or unpleasantness. However, when I was in Fethiye and Bodrum with my white husband it was a different story .... lots of stares and some 'jokes' about how lucky I was to have bagged a white guy etc etc..

I spend quite a bit of time in Portugal, France and Sweden, and feel pretty comfortable there. However, I would never return to Poland, Czech Republic or Hungary .. experiences ranging from people trying to touch my hair to outright name calling and hostility. I also felt very unsafe in some rural areas of South Africa

Has anyone not had a negative experience in Italy? We are going to lake como in a few weeks for a friends wedding and I’m feeling very anxious about it. Dh is black, (kids are mixed but not attending). Dh isn’t hugely worried but I am as I really don’t want anyone to make it an uncomfortable experience for him. hoping for some positive stories

As a white person I think it’s sad you don’t feel you can enjoy a holiday anywhere like anyone else just because of your difference in race

Why I'm not to fussed about travelling anywhere, especially with white hubby and mixed kids. Can't be dealing with the stares and general ignorance... it's bad enough over here 🏙️ . 👈

I totally get this, just got back from the Caribbean and it's always so nice to not feel like the ofd one out. I did a solo trip to Portugal and it was fine, been to Tenerife several times too. I've found the Greek islands more friendly than mainland Greece. Rome wasn't great.
Florida and Carnival Caribbean cruises have been fantastic holidays for my family.

@ByLoudSeal I’m genuinely not sure your comment adds any value here?

I'm a little late to this thread. I've been to Turkey (Kalkan) and it was fine. I recall one of the hotel staff seeming so excited around my kids... their hair especially.

That was the only kind of negative thing.

My sister and her family went and whilst they enjoyed the holiday, they had a few men asking my BIL how many camels it would be for the brideprice to marry their daughters (my nieces). I never got that, but my girls were younger at the time. That really annoyed my Dsis and BIL. He said his daughters are not for sale.

I have found that the staring comes more from other Tourists in certain countries. It's happened to us in Thailand, Egypt and Dubai... all times from other visitors to the country and all times, those tourists were Asian.

It's been to the point, they want to take photographs with us..very very annoying and I just say NO. Like they've never seen a black person before.

I wont let the stares put me off going to a place I want to visit.

Why?

Italy is a definite no, been twice now and felt very uncomfortable everywhere we went...the beach, shops, restaurants.

Loved Mexico very friendly and no stares...the odd stare from German tourists on our hotel beach but they quickly learned to stop when others in my mixed group would ask them loudly is there a problem?

Two friends (one with children aged 8 and under the other a couple) have just come back Seville and they loved it. Friendly locals and no stares.

We went to Crete last year(Chania), it was lovely. If someone stares at you just stare back. Thats what I do. It doesn't offend me too much, some people are just curious I think.

I'm black, yes people do that but never bother me before I just enjoy and relax, Most of places I have stayed in holiday I end up to be only black person in the hotel.
I love Italy , I keep going back there because people there nice and amazing food. Last year I was there and random hotel guest ask me " You must be rich to afford this " I just smiled and walked away I so used to be called " Americano" most of European people not used to see black people off course will stare same goes to the white people if there in Africa market everyone will stare. I never took it personally this attitude always help to meet kind people ( just normal people how doesn't look for skin colour )