Where does Diaspora Discoveries™ travel?

Currently, Barbados is our only destination. This allows us to specialize in crafting unique, memorable experiences for our Discoverers.

What’s the vibe?

Diaspora Discoveries™ is perfect for people who want to relax in a beachy environment while exploring Black history and culture with others at a medium pace. Our format is one-of-a-kind. You’ll have the opportunity to attend lectures with brilliant scholars who are experts in their field one minute, and the next, you’re sailing on a private boat. Diaspora Discoveries™ offers you more than just vibes. You’ll have time to socialize, learn, and take a splash with your fellow travelers, as well as alone time to unwind, re-energize, and see what our destination has to offer. This isn’t a party atmosphere, though you can certainly enjoy our destination’s nightlife on your own.

What are the accommodations?

Discoverers will stay at a 3- or 4-star beachfront hotel in Bridgetown similar to Coconut Court Beach Hotel. The exact hotel and location will be shared with you after you make a reservation.

You will have the option of booking a double-occupancy room or a single occupancy room for an additional fee. If you are traveling by yourself and would like a roommate, you must book a single-occupancy room at checkout and you will have the opportunity to look for a roommate in our Discoverers Portal after making a reservation. If you find a roommate, you will receive a partial refund. If you do not find a roommate, we will make our best effort to match you with someone else using a survey. In the event that we are unable to pair you with a suitable roommate, you will be responsible for the full cost of a single occupancy room.

What’s on the itinerary?

Our trip will last 7 days/6 nights. During our time in Barbados, we will:

• admire nature reserves such as Flower Forest Botanical Gardens

• attend lectures with faculty members from the University of West Indies

• do a tour and tasting at a rum distillery

• enjoy a welcome dinner, a private boat ride, and other social gatherings

• go on walking tours of Bridgetown

• go to former plantations

• visit a variety of museums including the Barbados Museum and Historical Society

The exact itinerary will be shared with you after you make a reservation.

What’s included?

The price includes:

• airport transfers to/from the hotel

• 6 nights at a hotel

• 6 breakfasts

• 3 dinners (a welcome dinner; dinner on our private boat ride; a farewell dinner)

• a welcome gift

• a boat ride with stops for swimming and snorkeling

• all-inclusive drinks on the boat

• a walking tour about slavery and Black history with 1-2 local specialists

• admission fees for all museums and group excursions

• 2-3 lectures with experts

• private, air-conditioned transportation for group excursions

• tips for vendors

• hands-on support before and during your trip

After making a reservation, you will also have access to an online community to connect with other Discoverers. Airfare is not included and must be booked separately.

Can I still come if I’m not Black?

Absolutely! Diaspora Discoveries™ welcomes travelers of all racial backgrounds who have an interest in and respect for Black history and culture.

How much walking will we do?

There are two days that involve mild walking. The first will be to museums that are less than a mile away from our hotel. Transportation can be arranged to the museums for Discoverers with mobility challenges. Another day will feature a walking tour of Bridgetown that stops at several sites within one mile of each other. Transportation will be provided for all other group outings.

What experience do you have organizing trips?

I've held two previous trips to Barbados for groups of approximately 20 people including professionals and college students. I've also planned smaller birthday trips with friends to Mexico and Aruba. My sister looks at me like I'm speaking a foreign language whenever I tell her that planning a trip is half the fun, and my family regularly treats me like their resident travel agent, whether that’s planning my sister’s honeymoon or organizing family vacations to Egypt, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and England.

What’s the payment and cancellation policy?

We offer flexible plans to meet your needs. There are two payment options:

1) Make your reservation with a deposit of $500 per person, and pay your remaining balance in monthly installments that are due in full 91 days before the itinerary start date

2) Pay your balance in full during checkout

Payments are refundable and reservations may be canceled until 91 days before the itinerary start date. Cancellations made less than 91 days in advance will result in forfeited payments. Full payment is due 91 days before the itinerary start date. There will be no refunds for any reason after this date, including no-shows, late arrivals, and early departures. I strongly recommend that you purchase trip insurance separately through a provider of your choice.