About the Journey

Oneika Raymond ends her wellness journey in Maui, Hawai‘i's second largest island known for its diverse landscapes, from lush rainforests to sandy beaches. There, she meets up with locals who help her become a more mindful malihini, or visitor, to the island by connecting with the Hawaiian language and history and shopping local.Oneika begins her day with a morning Hawaiian language lesson on Kā‘anapali Beach with Luana Kawa’a, a language teacher who’s been instructing students to speak the melodic language for over 30 years. Luana knows that language is the gateway to cultivating a better understanding and appreciation for Hawaiian history and local traditions. She leads Oneika through a language lesson that connects her to the deep meaning behind essential Hawaiian vocabulary. Then, Oneika heads to her first stop of the day: Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House, a museum run by the Maui Historical Society that boasts the largest collection of pre-contact artifacts in Maui. She meets up with volunteer coordinator James "Kimo" Guequierre to learn about the painstaking craftsmanship, and mana, or energy — especially from Maui’s women — that went into these artifacts.  Next, Oneika goes in search of a Hawai’i specialty — shave ice. Her search ends at Olowalu General Store, a family run fixture of West Maui that’s been in operation since 1932. Oneika sits down with Olowalu’s manager, Rylee Ann Domogma, to learn about the importance of buying local to support independent purveyors on Maui. Oneika travels back to her hotel, the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, to meet one more inspiring business woman on Maui: Anna Kahalekulu, the founder of Kulua, a small batch clothing shop inspired by Maui. Oneika finds out how supporting local artisans like Anna sustains the community and contributes to a more meaningful experience on the island. Oneika and Anna end the day watching the nightly lele kawa, or cliff diving ceremony, that takes place on Kā‘anapali Beach. Looking out over the water, Oneika reflects on her transformative journey this season. Experience Maui's transformative power for yourself. For more about Oneika’s journey — and to get other itinerary ideas — visit Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. To learn more and book a room at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, visit the hotel’s website. Book wellness-inspired activities for yourself at Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities. Marriott Bonvoy members earn points on every experience booked through the site. About the Journey is a podcast produced by Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, AT WILL MEDIA, MNTRA, and Oneika Raymond. Listen and follow the show here.To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can watch full videos of each episode on the Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel.

Oneika Raymond is hungry. And, luckily, she’s headed to Mexico City, one of the most exciting culinary destinations in the world — and a place she always finds herself coming back to. There, she visits three eating and drinking spots that connect her to the layered flavors and history that give Mexico City its particular sabor, or flavor, to deepen her understanding of the dynamic capital. Oneika starts her day off early with a sunrise float through Xochimilco, an historic and active canal system perhaps best known for its weekend parties on the water. But, Oneika’s guide, Anais Martinez, the founder of Devoured Food Tours, is here to show Oneika the quieter side of Xochimilco: its farms, or chinampas. Oneika and Anais tour a working chinampa, where Oneika picks fresh produce for a farm-to-table breakfast. Over the meal, Anais shares how Xochimilco once nourished most of Mexico City — and how its role continues to evolve as a vital piece of the culinary scene.Then, Oneika heads to the beating heart of Mexico City’s food scene: its bustling streets. She meets up with Natalia de la Rosa, a local food and travel journalist at Tacos de Mixiote Castelán — one of Natalia’s go-to street food taco stands in her neighborhood of Juárez. Natalia shows Oneika how to order and dress up mixiote tacos — a taco you’ll be hard-pressed to find outside of Mexico. Then, they sit down to discuss the importance of street food to the fabric of daily life in Mexico City.   After a full day of eats, Oneika ends her tasting tour back at her hotel, the JW Marriott Mexico City Polanco, for a digestif. She takes part in a private mezcal tasting at the hotel’s Tahona Room, the first-ever mezcal tasting room in the city. Oneika’s guide, Julie Wharton, Tahona’s bar manager, explains how the different regions and families of mezcal producers in Mexico infuse each spirit with a unique flavor and story, all of which deepens Oneika’s appreciation for the eating and drinking traditions of Mexico City she thought she knew — and leaves her hungry for more. Experience Mexico City’s transformative eating and drinking traditions for yourself. For more about Oneika’s journey — and to get other itinerary ideas — visit Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. To learn more and book a room at the JW Marriott Mexico City Polanco, visit the hotel’s website. Book wellness-inspired activities for yourself at Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities. Marriott Bonvoy members earn points on every experience booked through the site. About the Journey is a podcast produced by Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, AT WILL MEDIA, MNTRA, and Oneika Raymond. Listen and follow the show here.To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can watch full videos of each episode on the Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel.

If you’re enjoying About the Journey, we think you’ll love Longer Tables with Chef José Andrés. Each episode, world renowned chef José Andrés welcomes friends from the worlds of culinary and creative arts, politics and media to pull up a chair at the table. Together, they dig in to find out how food shapes the world and makes us who we are.This week, we're rolling José’s conversation with Asheville, North Carolina-based chef and restaurateur Katie Button. Katie’s journey started with the moment she decided to leave her PhD in neuroscience to pursue her passion: food. She shares the story of her pivot — and how José’s team took a chance on hiring her. That moment opened up Katie’s world, allowing her to fall in love with the flavors of Spain.Listen on to hear how Katie nurtured that love to create a Spanish tapas restaurant in Asheville that marries local ingredients with beloved traditional Spanish dishes.  About the Journey is a podcast produced by Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, AT WILL MEDIA, MNTRA, and Oneika Raymond. Listen and follow the show here.To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can watch full videos of each episode on the Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel.

Oneika Raymond chats with good friend and fellow expert traveler Monet Hambrick, founder of  the family travel blog The Traveling Child, about the positive benefits of traveling as a family. Together, they offer up tips, tricks and all the tea for how to do family travel right.Monet started The Traveling Child in 2016 with her husband after an international trip with their 8-month-old first born led to tons of folks wanting to know how they pulled it off. Monet’s been encouraging and advising parents through her blog ever since. Today, she’s a mother of two young kids who’ve traveled to six continents, over 30 countries and counting. Oneika hears about Monet's formative travel years and how connecting with people, culture and places around the world has transformed her. Monet shares how she’s instilling this appreciation for connection into her own kids. Then, Monet and Oneika get into their top tips and tricks for parents who are not sure how to begin traveling with kids. We find out how to build a trip itinerary that works for the whole family, how to afford to take family trips, and unique ways to engage with locals with your kids. We’re also joined by a surprise guest who shares a special memory from a very unique family trip. Ready to book your next family trip? Find the perfect local adventure for your whole family by checking out Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities. Marriott Bonvoy members earn points on every experience booked through the site.  About the Journey is a podcast produced by Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, AT WILL MEDIA, MNTRA, and Oneika Raymond. Listen and follow the show here.To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can watch full videos of each episode on the Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel.

Oneika Raymond heads to New Orleans, Louisiana to connect with the people and history of Tremé, one of the oldest Black neighborhoods in the U.S. There, she’ll sit with some of the Tremé culture bearers of music, food and history to build a deeper understanding of the city’s roots. Oneika sets off from her hotel, W New Orleans French Quarter. It’s a short commute to her first stop of the day in the Tremé: Kermit’s Tremé Mother in Law Lounge, the last standing jazz lounge in the neighborhood. She meets with Kermit Ruffins, the lounge owner and a beloved musician in his community. He delights Oneika with a song and stories of growing up in the neighborhood where the lively sounds of New Orleans-style jazz were born. Next, Oneika heads to the historic Congo Square, once a gathering place for enslaved and free people of color that remains an epicenter of culture within Tremé today. Denise is a seventh generation Creole storyteller and owner of the New Orleans history storytelling company, Our Sacred Stories. Denise gives Oneika a tour of the gathering place nestled in the heart of Louis Armstrong Park to share the customs and traditions born out of Congo Square.Ready for a meal, Oneika is off to her final stop, the plant-based soul food restaurant, I-tal Garden. There she meets the owner, Chef Joseph “Rah” Robinson for a delicious, home-cooked meal. Chef Rah tells Oneika about his mission to help nourish the bodies within his community by way of his unique, plant-based take on the traditional New Orleans dishes he grew up eating.Experience the soulful city of New Orleans for yourself. For more about Oneika’s journey — and to get other itinerary ideas — visit Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. To book your stay at W New Orleans, visit the hotel’s website. Book wellness-inspired activities for yourself at Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities. Marriott Bonvoy members earn points on every experience booked through the site. About the Journey is a podcast produced by Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, AT WILL MEDIA, MNTRA, and Oneika Raymond. Listen and follow the show here.To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can watch full videos of each episode on the Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel.

Oneika Raymond sits down with solo travel expert Beth Santos, founder of Wanderful, a global travel community for women. Together, they talk about how traveling on your own can be an opportunity for personal growth and share expert tips on how to make the most of your solo travels.Beth takes a mindset-first approach to traveling solo on your own terms, and recently authored a book that explores her philosophy: Wander Woman: How to Reclaim Your Space, Find Your Voice, and Travel the World, Solo. While traveling solo in São Tomé and Príncipe in 2009, Beth created Wanderful as a travel blog aimed to share the experiences of women traveling the world. Today, it’s a community of over 40,000 travelers.Oneika learns about how Beth’s first solo trips helped shape her travel philosophy, and how solo travel has made her a more engaged mother and business owner. Beth and Oneika bond over solo travel as a form of self care amidst the many responsibilities of modern life. Then, Beth and Oneika dig into their best advice for anyone looking to take a solo trip - from the one item you need to pack, to how to spend your first day on your own, to the questions to ask yourself to figure out where to go on a solo adventure. You’ll also get insider tips on how to meet people on your travels – because solo travel doesn’t have to be lonely.Ready to book your next solo trip? Find your perfect adventure by checking out Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities. Marriott Bonvoy members earn points on every experience booked through the site. About the Journey is a podcast produced by Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, AT WILL MEDIA, MNTRA, and Oneika Raymond. Listen and follow the show here.To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can watch full videos of each episode on the Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel.

Oneika Raymond kick-starts this season in Sedona, Arizona, a desert oasis tucked in the Verde Valley and known for its stunning red rock formations and energy vortices. There, she embarks on a wellness journey to explore how Sedona encourages visitors to slow down to reconnect to themselves. She meets up with three locals who help her tap into Sedona’s must-visit stops to experience self discovery and mindful travel.Oneika starts her day with a morning hike to Yavapai Vista to meet with Melina Fuhrmann, the owner of SpiritFlow Sedona, a wellness center that helps others reconnect to themselves in this one-of-a-kind place. Melina shares the secrets of Sedona’s energy vortices before leading Oneika through a grounding meditation. Then, Oneika and Melina head to the Courtyard Marriott Sedona, for a sit-down conversation about the art of self care. We hear how vital it is to slow down in nature.Next, Oneika heads to the Palatki Heritage Site, an archaeological site with cliff dwellings and rock art from some of Sedona’s earliest inhabitants. Oneika’s guide, Nick Massoni of the U.S. Forest Service, bridges the past and present by sharing ancient stories of Sedona’s past that help Oneika understand her own legacy. As the sun sets over Sedona, Oneika travels to her final stop — a stargazing session with Dave Sanders of Sedona Stargazing. Oneika takes in the starry night sky while learning the impact darkness plays in the desert’s habitat, and on our own busy lives. Experience Sedona's transformative power for yourself. For more about Oneika’s journey — and to get other itinerary ideas — visit Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. To learn more and book a room at the Courtyard Marriott Sedona, visit the hotel’s website. Book wellness-inspired activities for yourself at Marriott Bonvoy Tours & Activities. Marriott Bonvoy members earn points on every experience booked through the site. About the Journey is a podcast produced by Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, AT WILL MEDIA, MNTRA, and Oneika Raymond. Listen and follow the show here.To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can watch full videos of each episode on the Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel.

About the Journey is back! This season, host and travel journalist Oneika Raymond goes on a wellness journey to four distinct places with the power to transform those who come to visit. Join us every other Friday through early October as we mindfully get to know ourselves and the world around us through meaningful, nurturing travel.  About the Journey is a podcast produced by Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, AT WILL MEDIA, MNTRA, and Oneika Raymond. Listen and follow the show here.To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can watch full videos of each episode on the Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel.

Oneika Raymond is off to Berlin's neighborhood of Kreuzberg, a thriving multicultural district just south of Mitte, for the final stop on her journey. There, she meets up with Dalad Kambhu, the chef and owner of Michelin-starred Thai restaurant, Kin Dee. Together, they take a walking tour through Kreuzberg to get to know the district, and its large and growing collection of women-led eateries. Oneika and Dalad meet each other in front of Kitten Deli, a women-owned breakfast joint that serves Israeli and Middle Eastern fare near to the Landwehr canal. The popular dining spot is located in Kreuzkölln, a small, inviting pocket of Berlin nestled between Kreuzberg and Neukölln that’s become known for its own bustling artistic community. It’s also the perfect gateway into Kreuzberg, just north across the canal.  Dalad leads Oneika to one of the many walking bridges that cut across the Landwehr canal, stopping to admire the Turkish Market that runs alongside the canal every Tuesday and Friday. Here, visitors can find plenty: spices, fresh eggs, jars of olives, Anatolian dishes and even ornate textiles. It’s a true one-stop shop.Along the way, we catch up with Dalad’s friend, Ash Lee, owner of Chungking Noodles, a casual spot for spicy, hand-pulled noodles in Kreuzberg. Ash helped Dalad take the leap to move to Berlin and start Kin Dee. Together, the two are devoted to helping other women find their footing in the city’s food industry. Then, Dalad and Oneika head into Kreuzberg. While strolling its tree-lined sidewalks, Oneika takes in the neighborhood’s vibrant street-art, plentiful greenspaces, and vintage stores. In no time, we arrive at Markthalle Neun, Dalad’s go-to spot to source local produce for her restaurant. But first, the two make a beeline for the food stalls that fill the market hall with delicious smells. It’s lunchtime, and Dalad brings Oneika to one of her favorite spots in the market: Manti Berlin, a women-led, Turkish food stall that serves pillowy, ravioli-like dumplings called ‘manti’. Satisfied, and ready to continue their tour, Dalad and Oneika cut across Markthalle Neun to grab some vegetables for the restaurant — and then, they’re off to Kin Dee, their last stop of the day.Once at Kin Dee, Dalad and Oneika relax into one of the restaurant's repurposed tables for a sit down conversation about Dalad’s work in Berlin, and her hopes for the city’s burgeoning food scene. Dalad shares how she’s bringing the “spirit” of Thai flavors and cooking techniques to local and sustainable ingredients. And she offers advice to visitors looking to support the diverse, women-led eateries they love and want to see more of.   To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can also watch videos from select episodes on our Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel. About the Journey is a podcast produced by Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, AT WILL MEDIA, MNTRA, and Oneika Raymond. Listen and follow the show here.To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can watch full videos of each episode on the Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel.

Oneika Raymond dials into Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood, where historian Sherman ‘Dilla’ Thomas takes us on a bus tour through the birthplace of gospel music and Black History Month located just four miles south of the city’s downtown. Bronzeville has quickly become the most popular neighborhood tour that Dilla offers through his bus tour company, Chicago Mahogany Tours, thanks in part to the viral TikToks that Dilla makes to illuminate the history and contributions of Bronzeville, formerly known as the Black Metropolis. On his tour, Dilla brings the energy of his TikToks, and the stories of Bronzeville, to life. We start out on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, a road steeped in history. The 14-mile long street was renamed for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968, making Chicago the first city in the country to name a street after the slain civil rights icon. As we drive the thoroughfare, we learn how Chicago’s Black community created its own thriving business and artistic community within its boundaries — which brings us to our next stop on the tour.   We roll through the Blues district on 47th street, home to the spirit and sounds of the electric Chicago Blues that filled this nightlife corridor in the 1930s. Along the way, Dilla points out the home of jazz great Louis Armstrong, one of a handful of jazz legends who lived in Bronzeville. We end our musical leg of the tour at the birthplace of gospel music, the National Museum of Gospel Music.For the first time on the tour, we step off the bus at our next stop. We find ourselves standing in front of an impressive monument dedicated to Ida B. Wells Barnett called the “Light of Truth”. The 35-foot tall structure, built to honor the journalist and civil rights activist, is Chicago’s first monument officially designated to a Black woman.We end the tour at Bronzeville Winery, a neighborhood staple helping to shape a 21st-century version of the metropolis we just toured. Co-owner Cecilia Cuff shares how the winery supports community, from its wine list, which is made up of ​​75 percent minority or women-owned bottles, to the local artists, musicians and staffers it works with daily. Then, Dilla heads to the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center for a full-circle conversation with Oneika. They discuss the impact that Bronzeville has had, not only on Chicago, but globally, and talk about the history that's continuing to be made here today. To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can also watch videos from select episodes on our Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel. About the Journey is a podcast produced by Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, AT WILL MEDIA, MNTRA, and Oneika Raymond. Listen and follow the show here.To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can watch full videos of each episode on the Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel.

Oneika Raymond heads to Little River, Miami, a creative hub north of downtown and across the bay from Miami Beach. There, she’s joined by local entrepreneur Isabella “Izzy” Acker for a driving tour of the area where Isabella launched Tigre Sounds, a global music discovery platform with a focus on Latin artists. Through it, Isabella hosts live Tigre Sessions, or music events in lesser-known neighborhoods and venues across the city.  Oneika meets up with Isabella at Sweat Records, an independent record store in Little Haiti and a go-to location for music lovers. Oneika has recently moved to Miami and made it her home base, so she’s excited to hop in the car with Isabella to get a feel for a trio of neighborhoods that are new to her: Little Haiti, Little River, and Miami Modern, or MiMo for short. They’re all within a five minute drive of each other, and home to an exciting creative community of artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs. Oneika and Isabella set off on a driving tour up Little Haiti’s main corridor, Northeast 2nd Avenue. Along the way, Isabella points out mainstays like the Little Haiti Cultural Center, Chef Creole, and the B&M Market. From there, they venture into Little River, where the buildings begin to look more industrial and Isabella shares tips for different music venues to check out, like Understory and Helmet One. The final neighborhood in the tour is MiMo, an area along Biscayne Boulevard known for its unique style of architecture featuring curved walls, modern angles, and geometric patterns. You’ll find all sorts of fusion restaurants on the thoroughfare as well, including Luna Pasta e Dolci, an Argentine-Italian restaurant which boasts some of the tastiest empanadas in the city. Oneika and Isabella grab a bite at Caracas Bakery, a Venezuelan-owned and French-inspired café serving up pastries and coffee with a Venezuelan twist. There, they reflect on the diversity of the neighborhood and the importance of supporting local businesses.They end the day by sitting down to discuss how Isabella is committed to doing her part to build experiences beyond Miami’s beaches that both locals and visitors can enjoy – and why live music and supporting Latin artists is such a big part of that commitment. They talk about the present and the future of the Latin music scene in Miami, the live music venues to support across the city, and how Isabella is raising awareness for Latin music in Miami and beyond through Tigre Sounds.Thanks to Tigre Den for providing a Tigre Session recording of Miluhska performing Loba for this episode.To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can also watch videos from select episodes on our Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel. About the Journey is a podcast produced by Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, AT WILL MEDIA, MNTRA, and Oneika Raymond. Listen and follow the show here.To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can watch full videos of each episode on the Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel.

Oneika Raymond dials into South Central, Los Angeles, where local cycling enthusiast Michelle Moro takes us for a tour in her beloved hometown. Born and raised in South Central, Michelle knows her neighborhood inside and out - but she still takes the time to explore like a traveler when she documents her bike rides on her TikTok, @miche1ada. To showcase the past and present of historic South Central, Michelle hops on her glittery blue bike for a ride up South Central Avenue, one of the longest roads in the city. She begins the tour at the intersection of South Central and East Slauson Avenue, where she quickly points out the Snack Shack, a red and yellow stand that’s been serving burgers and fries since 1941. Michelle’s first stop on the tour is the original site of the Dunbar Hotel, where jazz legends like Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington stayed when they performed next door at Club Alabam between the 1920’s and 1940’s. Today the hotel is a home for elderly community members, though its historic brick facade, lobby, and grand entryway have been preserved in recognition of the Dunbar’s significance to the neighborhood. Michelle pays tribute to the rich history of the avenue before moving on to grab breakfast at Delicious at the Dunbar, a restaurant serving a mix of soul food and Mexican specialties. From there, she sets off on foot down Central Avenue to take in the community-informed murals being installed by South Central Arts as part of the Green Alleys Network. While there, Michelle bumps into artist José Cruz and South Central Arts founder Will Flores, who share how the project is both inspired by and reflective of the community that call South Central home.To end the day, Oneika and Michelle sit down to discuss the benefits of slowing down to really get to know a place and how local organizations are helping Los Angeles visitors and locals alike do just that. To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can also watch videos from select episodes on our Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel. About the Journey is a podcast produced by Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, AT WILL MEDIA, MNTRA, and Oneika Raymond. Listen and follow the show here.To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can watch full videos of each episode on the Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel.

Oneika Raymond travels to the heart of Peckham, a bustling neighborhood in South London just a few miles southeast of the Thames River. There, she joins local author Jendella Benson for a walking tour of the district she holds dear. Peckham is where Jendella set her debut novel, Hope and Glory, in order to pay tribute to the town and its Nigerian-British community.Oneika meets up with Jendella at Peckham Rye station to kick off the tour of Rye Lane, Peckham’s main thoroughfare and the place to shop its local markets, dine on international flavors, and people watch. No matter the day of the week, Rye Lane is buzzing thanks to its numerous markets, food vendors, and beauty salons.  Then, Jendella takes Oneika to Peckhamplex, a cinema tucked back from Rye Lane. With its £4.99 tickets, it’s a staple for a casual night out. They also view Peckham Portraits, a collection of images of iconic Black British actors changing the face of cinema.From there, Oneika and Jendella duck into a traditional indoor Peckham market, where they marvel at the textiles, imported peanuts, and shea butter. It’s truly one-stop shopping, and indicative of the entrepreneurial spirit of the neighborhood. The last stop on the tour is Peckham Palms, a modern interpretation of Peckham’s indoor markets, and a Black-women led mall that’s supporting local innovation. Peckham is a Black-beauty hub, and the Palms provides affordable rent and fosters community. They end the day at The Flygerians, a café-in-residence at the Palms run by local sisters Jess and Jo Edun. While chowing down on Nigerian street food specialties like jollof rice bowls and efo riro, Oneika and Jendella discuss how Peckham inspired Hope and Glory, how reading can be one of the most authentic ways to travel, and Jendella’s best advice to engage with the community when you visit Peckham.To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can also watch videos from select episodes on our Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel. About the Journey is a podcast produced by Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, AT WILL MEDIA, MNTRA, and Oneika Raymond. Listen and follow the show here.To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can watch full videos of each episode on the Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel.

Host Oneika Raymond takes the A-line up to Washington Heights, a loud, vibrant Dominican neighborhood in New York City, to join local Hector Espinal for a walking tour of his hometown. Hector is the co-founder of We Run Uptown, the first-ever running group in uptown Manhattan, and the perfect guide to get to know the streets of Washington Heights.     Oneika joins Hector at Locksmith Bar, a popular local watering hole and the meeting point for We Run Uptown’s weekly Monday runs, before heading out to visit some of Hector’s favorite sights, restaurants and running routes in the area. To kick off the tour, Hector shows Oneika a local shortcut to avoid walking some of the steepest hills in all of Manhattan as they make their way to St. Nicholas Ave., a bustling thoroughfare at the heart of Washington Heights. St. Nicholas Ave. They stroll down the busy avenue towards 182nd St. to check out its famed street vendors, including Nidia Rivera, who’s been selling the Dominican dessert habichuelas con dulce for over 30 years. Then, Hector and Oneika stop for a traditional Dominican breakfast at La Casa del Mofongo. Over the meal, Hector and Oneika connect over their shared Caribbean roots, as Hector shares what it was like for him growing up in Washington Heights. We learn about la cultura of the neighborhood and its people, and the welcoming running culture that Hector’s helped create here. Hector and Oneika end the day at J. Hood Wright Park, a quiet pocket of Washington Heights with one of the best views of the George Washington Bridge, before taking off for a victory run to close out the tour.To read full episodes of About the Journey and see photos from the day, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can also watch videos from a few of these trips on our Marriott Bonvoy Youtube channel. About the Journey is a podcast produced by Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, AT WILL MEDIA, MNTRA, and Oneika Raymond. Listen and follow the show here.To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can watch full videos of each episode on the Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel.

What does it mean to truly know a city? About the Journey is a travel show about getting off the beaten path to better understand the places we visit. In Season 3, travel journalist and Marriott Bonvoy member Oneika Raymond visits lesser-known neighborhoods in six iconic cities across the world. With the help of locals who know their neighborhoods best, Oneika learns what makes these destinations one-of-a-kind: from the sights, sounds and flavors, to the hidden gems, and so much more.About the Journey is a podcast produced by Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, AT WILL MEDIA, and Oneika Raymond. Listen and follow the show here. About the Journey is a podcast produced by Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, AT WILL MEDIA, MNTRA, and Oneika Raymond. Listen and follow the show here.To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can watch full videos of each episode on the Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel.

Oneika Raymond walks Castro Street with filmmaker and drag performer Joshua Grannell (he/him) on their way to opening night of Frameline, the largest and longest running queer film festival in the world.The Castro is a historic San Francisco neighborhood which first became known as a hub for the Gay Civil Rights Movement of the 1970s. Oneika meets up with Joshua, or Peaches Christ, outside Queer A.F., a queer arts space dedicated to keeping LGBTQ+ artists in the Bay Area. It’s also the site of  Castro Camera, the former headquarters of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California. Joshua takes Oneika on a tour down memory lane as they stroll Castro Street’s Rainbow Honor Walk, pointing out notable figures like disco singer Sylvester along the way. He reflects on how the neighborhood has changed since he moved to the enclave as an aspiring filmmaker in 1996, and points out one institution that continues to be a gathering place for the queer community: the famed Castro Theatre. Oneika and Joshua continue their conversation at Orphan Andy’s, a rainbow-themed greasy spoon that has been serving up late night eats since 1977. There, she learns more of the lesser-told history behind the city’s queer neighborhoods, like the newly designated Transgender District in the Tenderloin. Joshua also shares how he got his start as a drag queen, and why the Castro was the perfect neighborhood for him to foster that self-expression and launch his drag show, Midnight Mass. Of course, there are countless drag performances to choose from across the city, be it brunch at El Toro, cabaret at the Oasis, or seasonal shows at W San Francisco. They’ll wrap up the day by heading to the red carpet at Castro Theatre for Frameline and witness that cinematic magic come to life in the audience About the Journey is a podcast produced by Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, AT WILL MEDIA, MNTRA, and Oneika Raymond. Listen and follow the show here.To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can watch full videos of each episode on the Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel.

Oneika Raymond dials into Vancouver's historic Chinatown to learn how local entrepreneur Carol Lee has been leading the charge to save the historic neighborhood. Carol is the chair and founder of the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation, and is dedicated to revitalizing the neighborhood without losing its invaluable cultural heritage.Oneika learns about the history of the Chinese community in Vancouver, and how Chinatown became home for many after the Canadian Pacific Railroad was completed in 1885. While Chinatown has experienced a gradual decline in the last 20 years, Vancouver locals have a special place in their hearts for the area and are banding together to help save it. And Carol is leading the charge. Examples of her work include building affordable housing and opening the first museum in Canada that shines a spotlight on the Chinese-Canadian experience. And as you’ll hear, she’s just getting started.Along the way, Carol takes us on a tour of Chinatown. She points out the beauty of the early 20th century architecture, like the Lim Building, stops by the Chinatown Storytelling Centre, and reflects on the significance of the Millenium Gate. We also hear from the manager of her Hong Kong barbecue style restaurant, Chinatown BBQ, who shares Carol’s vision for harnessing the nostalgia of Chinatown of yesteryear while serving today’s diverse clientele. Carol also shares must-visit sites and eats with Oneika, including the lush Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Gardens, the donuts at Mello, and dim sum at Jade Dynasty. About the Journey is a podcast produced by Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, AT WILL MEDIA, MNTRA, and Oneika Raymond. Listen and follow the show here.To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can watch full videos of each episode on the Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel.

Oneika Raymond makes her way to Dallas, Texas on Juneteenth weekend for the legendary 33rd Annual Texas Black Invitational Rodeo to get to know Black cowboy culture and history, a part of the American story that often goes untold.  From galloping horses and the hoots and hollers of the more than 300 competing Black cowboys and cowgirls to the reverential sound of the Black National Anthem performed by  Dallas local Angel White, we take you behind the scenes of one of the most popular rodeo events around. We’ll hear from Charles Hearn, the great-grandson of Cleo Hearn, also known as Mr. Black Rodeo, who founded the Cowboys of Color in 1971. He shares how he’s carrying forward his family’s legacy and shaping the new Black West. But first, we’ll make a stop at the African American Museum of Dallas to take a look back. Oneika sits down with Dr. Marvin Dulaney, the Deputy Director of the museum to hear the origins of the Black cowboy and understand why this history has largely been erased from popular Western media and public knowledge. Dr. Dulaney will also give us insight into what the rodeo means for the story of Dallas today. So dust off your boots and join us for an action-packed evening of barrel racing, bull riding, steer roping and storytelling. About the Journey is a podcast produced by Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, AT WILL MEDIA, MNTRA, and Oneika Raymond. Listen and follow the show here.To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can watch full videos of each episode on the Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel.

Oneika dials into Puerto Rico to talk about regenerative travel with Carmen Portela and Iris Landruá of Local Guest, a tourism agency that connects visitors to sustainable experiences.She’ll learn about the rich natural beauty of the Caribbean island and hear how Local Guest is partnering with locals to share their knowledge of the island with visitors looking to travel more consciously. Carmen and Iris give us insight into how nature and city life collide in San Juan, something they felt acutely when hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated their home island only a month after launching the business. We hear how Local Guest went from travel agency to relief organization, and how that spirit of rebuilding community lives on in everything they do.Then, we’ll wade into the red mangrove forests that line Laguna del Condado for a reforestation tour with Coalición Restauración Ecosistemas Santurcinos, or CRES. Yvette Núñez, executive director of CRES, will share why these coastal trees are so vital to protecting Puerto Rico’s coastline and help visitors take part in planting new seeds. Along the way, we’ll also get turned on to lesser-visited parts of Puerto Rico, like the mountains in Utuado and Adjuntas in the center of Puerto Rico, or the great views from Pico Rodadero and the striking landscape of the Guánica dry forest in the southwest. About the Journey is a podcast produced by Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, AT WILL MEDIA, MNTRA, and Oneika Raymond. Listen and follow the show here.To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can watch full videos of each episode on the Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel.

Oneika Raymond travels to the Mile High City and hits the trail at Denver’s Genesee Mountain Park to learn more about how we can make the outdoors a more welcoming place for all.She’ll lace up her hiking boots to join Denverite Beth Bradley for a short trek along the Genesee Summit Trail, a short drive from downtown Denver. Beth is a plus-sized hiker whose relationship with her body and her hometown were transformed forever when she went for her first hike. We’ll hear how Beth didn’t always feel included in Denver’s vibrant outdoor scene, but how claiming time on the trail for herself helped her tap into the community and motivated her to want to share the benefits of nature with more people.Using the Denver Sheraton Downtown as basecamp, Beth shared her recommendations for best day hikes along with other outdoor adventures to consider like kayaking the rapids at Confluence Park or cycling the Cherry Creek Regional Trail, but at over 8,000 feet elevation and with views of 14,000 foot Mount Evans, Genesee Park was the perfect place to spend a breezy afternoon.Since Beth was born and raised in Denver, she gave Oneika lots of insider insights about her city, including why it’s worth standing in line at Little Man Ice Cream for a post-hike treat and why any food slathered with green chiles is quintessentially Colorado. About the Journey is a podcast produced by Marriott Bonvoy Traveler, AT WILL MEDIA, MNTRA, and Oneika Raymond. Listen and follow the show here.To read full episode transcripts from About the Journey and see photos of each featured destination, head to About the Journey on Marriott Bonvoy Traveler. Starting this season, you can watch full videos of each episode on the Marriott Bonvoy YouTube channel.