The African-American traveler should not have any concerns about a trip to Budapest. In the countryside, people may be more curious, but there is no reason for any concern. In Budapest, there have been a number of immigrants from some of the poorer African countries and the population has been accepting.
The Internet offers a number of helpful travel sites for African-American travelers. Black Travel Online (www.blacktravelonline.com) posts news on upcoming events and includes links to articles and travel-booking sites. Soul of America (www.soulofamerica.com) is a comprehensive website, with travel tips, event and family reunion postings, and sections on historically black beach resorts, active vacations, and even black innkeepers.
Agencies and organizations that provide resources for black travelers include: Rodgers Travel (tel. 800/825-1775; www.rodgerstravel.com), a Philadelphia-based travel agency with an extensive menu of tours in destinations worldwide, including heritage and private-group tours; the African American Association of Innkeepers International (tel. 877/422-5777; www.africanamericaninns.com), which provides information on member B&Bs in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean and Ghana; and Henderson Travel & Tours (tel. 800/327-2309 or 301/650-5700; www.hendersontravel.com), which has specialized in trips to Africa since 1957. For more information, check out the following collections and guides: African American Travel Guide to Hot, Exotic & Fun Filled Places by Jon Haggins (Amber Communications, 2002); Go Girl: The Black Woman's Guide to Travel & Adventure (English Mountain Press, 1997), a compilation of travel essays by writers including Jill Nelson and Audre Lorde, with some practical information and trip-planning advice; The African American Travel Guide by Wayne Robinson (Hunter Publishing; www.hunterpublishing.com), with details on 19 North American cities; Steppin' Out: An African-American Guide to Our 20 Favorite Cities by Carla Labat (Avalon), with details on 20 cities; Travel and Enjoy Magazine (tel. 866/266-6211; subscription: $15 for 4 issues per year), which focuses on discounts and destination reviews; and the more narrative Pathfinders Magazine (tel. 877/977-PATH; www.pathfinderstravel.com; subscription: $18 per year), which includes articles on everything from Rio de Janeiro to Ghana as well as information on upcoming ski, diving, golf, and tennis trips.
