Should You Go on a Date While Travelling Abroad?

In honor of Valentine’s Day quickly approaching I wanted to write a post about going on a date while travelling abroad. Going on a date in your own city is a piece of cake. You’re out with your girls; you happen to step away from the group for a quick second and a handsome man catches your eye. He smiles, you smile and the next thing you know he’s heading in your direction. After a few minutes of small talk, he asks for your number and then you two head your separate ways for the night. If the chemistry between the two of you was strong enough, you should be expecting a couple of text messages followed by a phone call and a date or two. See simple!

Now let’s change the story up a bit. Same scenario but instead of being in your own city you’re now out of the country with your friends or on a solo trip. That’s when the questions start flowing such as: “Should I give him my number? Is this safe? Is he crazy? What about the language barrier?”

I was faced with this exact scenario while traveling to Rome, Italy the summer I studied abroad. Here are some Do’s and Don’ts based on my experience. 

When I said "yes" to his moped ride

DO: Make sure you tell your friend(s) where you are going. Just like you would back home in your own city.

DON’T: Allow your date to change the location or add a second stop to the plans. If he says lets meet at this restaurant and changes the location, don’t let him. Remember you just told your friends where you will be.  Also, try to scope out the place prior to the date. 

I'm pretty sure I was asking a lot of questions at this point

I probably said something off the wall. lol

DO: Try to make the situation as comfortable as possible for yourself. I wasn’t comfortable going on my date alone so I brought my entire group of friends with me. If you can do this as well, go for it or at least try a double date.

I invited all my friends to our date

Authentic Italian food away from the touristy areas

DON’T: Allow your date to determine the transportation for you. This isn’t the South where it’s respectful for the guy to pick you up for your date. You’re in another country! You either take the cab there or use public transportation (if you’ve gotten familiar with it). I made the mistake of riding on the moped with my date to the restaurant. I was 20 years old and was living in the moment. Bad idea! Luckily for me nothing happened, but I was extremely paranoid. I didn’t even enjoy the ride because the entire time I was thinking of ways I could escape. I also thought he was making eye contact with this man driving a white van at a red light. I was convinced I was about to be kidnapped and sold into the sex slave industry (I watched too many Lifetime movies growing up). I learned my lesson this day.

All smiles!

Going on a date while travelling abroad may leave you with a great story to tell when you return home or it could very well be your future husband. I know a few people who have met their husbands through their foreign travels. Either way dating is supposed to be fun but also remember to stay safe. Listen to your intuition and use precaution every step of the way. 

The Colosseum at night

Have you ever been on a date while travelling abroad? If not would you ever consider it?

Top Cities To Visit (Part 1)

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”- St.Augustine. Traveling is one of those amazing adventures in life where you finally to get to take a much needed break. Whether it’s a break from work, a spouse or even your children….it’s needed! Listed below are my top 10 places to visit. Some of these places I will never get tired of and I can’t wait to return!

10. Alicante, Spain

Something about Alicante, Spain will always have you coming back for more. I spent the summer of 2007 in Valencia, Spain and went to a different city or country every weekend (it’s so easy to travel around Europe once you’re already there). Alicante was just a short 2-hour train ride on the Alicante Tram which is similar to Amtrak in the U.S. This city is on the harbor and is so scenic. I fell in love with the seafood, laid back culture and the diversity of the people in this town. The Mediterranean Sea was so alluring but it was too cold for me. I only dipped my foot in the water and decided to make a U-turn back to my beach towel. If you ever make it to Spain don’t forget to make a stop in Alicante!

9. San Juan, Puerto Rico

When I made my way to San Juan, Puerto Rico with a group of friends I was ecstatic. At the time I was still living in Florida so it was nothing but a quick 2.5 hour plane ride on Spirit Airlines (don’t ever fly with them…Spirit Airlines frustrates me). I had minimal expectations and no itinerary which I think is the best way to travel. We were greeted with bright sunbeams, piña coladas and Spanish food galore. The most enjoyable part about this trip was the love that Puerto Ricans have for their country. I never seen so much pride in my life. While there I made my way to the Bacardi Rum Factory, a ride on the banana boat and a trip the Rain Forest. My favorite part was the nightlife in Old San Juan. Spanish men can dance ALL night long. I found myself trying to hide in the corner just to give my feet a break.

8. Freeport, Bahamas

I may be biased because most of my family is from Nassau, Bahamas, but honestly there is NO island like this one. When I hear people talk about the Bahamas they are usually referring to Nassau and the luxurious Atlantis. However, Freeport definitely should not be overlooked. This place is so beautiful that every picture you take will look like a postcard. Step away from your resort and make it your duty to hang out with the locals. The best part of this girls' trip taken during summer 2006 was attending the local fish fry and partying with the people from Freeport. Don’t forget to try a Bahamian staple: Goombay punch and conch (whether its conch fritters, stew conch or conch salad) you’ll be missing out on life if you don’t try it.

7. Memphis, Tennessee

My first time in Memphis, Tennessee was for a family reunion and it defines the real South. From the heat that nearly knocked me out, to the hospitality and of course the Southern accents. Our first stop from the airport was straight to Neely’s Bar-B-Que downtown and that was the best decision ever! I had a post on Facebook asking: "Who has the best BBQ - Texas or Tennessee?". Memphis won that competition hands down! Memphis is also a great city for music lovers especially those who LOVE live music like me. The most moving part of this trip had to be my visit to the National Civil Rights Museum. The Lorriane Motel is a part of this museum yet it is also where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was taken from us too soon.

6. Rome, Italy

As soon I stepped off Ryanair I was treated like royalty. It’s not a myth that they really do LOVE brown girls in Italy. I can’t lie, the 5 star treatment did add to the experience but that was not the only thing. This was the city that made me fall in love with architecture. The Colosseum is mesmerizing in pictures but even more amazing in person. I used my non-existent Spanish to muster up a few Italian words (Many Italians also speak Spanish) and tried to immerse myself in this culture that loves food, the arts and relaxing just as much as I did.

Part 2 coming soon….

Are any of these cities on your list? If not what is your favorite city?