By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia
Have a ticket? A passport? Ready to travel?
Some airlines now offer passengers to provide their vaccination and Covid test results, enabling them to travel the world.
The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) continues its virtual travel series during the pandemic.
The goal is to take Black America away — if just temporarily — and offer professional travel agents’ advice about potential vacation destinations.
This installment takes our travelers to Martha’s Vineyard, the famous Massachusetts vacation spot just south of Cape Cod.
An eight-hour flight from the west coast, a five-hour drive from New York City, and 9 hours from Washington, D.C., Martha’s Vineyard offers a wide range of activities for the entire family.
These include the Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, Vineyard Haven Marina, and South Beach.
The summer home of the Black elite, the 100-square-mile island has counted as a favorite to folks like the Rev. Calvin Butts, Barack and Michelle Obama, and Massachusetts’ first African American congresswoman, Ayanna Pressley.
“Martha’s Vineyard has been a refuge for many Black people as a vacation destination since the 1930s and 1940s,” stated Elizabeth Blount McCormick, the president, and owner of UNIGLOBE Travel Designers, a minority, women-owned travel management company that offers more than 40 years of experience in the travel industry.
“Oak Bluffs and Edgartown are very popular among Black people and have been summer destinations for many generations,” McCormick told NNPA Newswire.
Considered the liveliest of all Vineyard towns, Oak Bluffs features colorful gingerbread cottages and the famous Flying Horses carousel.
On the east side of the island sits Edgartown, with its mix of old-world charm and open spaces.
“The seafood is outstanding here, and the real charm of the vineyard is congregating with friends and family on an annual basis in this magical place – especially waiting in line at Back Door Donuts; these donuts will change your life,” McCormick exclaimed.
Though Martha’s Vineyard can prove pricey – some four-star hotel stays are less than $250 per night, McCormick warns that prices tend to increase in July and August.
“My recommendation is that people consider renting a home with a few of their close travel buddies to avoid breaking the bank,” McCormick offered.
Her suggestion includes saving up for a Martha’s Vineyard vacation and not forgo the trip because of a belief that it might be too expensive.
“To travel is to live, and people want to have experiences and not things,” McCormick determined.
“Step outside of your comfort zone and travel somewhere you never considered. I find that I am welcomed on my adventures when I travel, and I learn so much about myself.”
Please do your research before traveling and check on what the cultural norms are, she cautioned.
“You certainly do not want to offend anyone. Finally, work with a travel consultant – we are experts in our field, and we will leverage relationships on our clients’ behalf. We are here for you before, during, and after your trip.”
