Hey there! I’m the first part of Zahra Travels, Zahra. I’m a Pakistani-Canadian storyteller based in Toronto. I’m currently a journalism grad student.

Not too long ago, I hated the idea of travel. When my family and I immigrated to Canada, homesickness became a pit in my stomach. I blamed travel for not being able to fit into the Western mold.

My parents wanted my sisters and I to have all the privileges of travel they didn’t as young people; so with all her savings, my mom sent us on our first trip to the Middle East when I was 16. After that, my passport kept getting thicker.

My trips involve volunteering and teaching abroad to visiting friends and family around the world. I created this platform to document and critique mainstream travel culture and inspire other women of color to practice #WokeTravel.

Practicing #WokeTravel

Woke: a political term of African American origin that refers to a perceived awareness of issues concerning social and racial justice.

Traveling is fun and great but we often forget to get past the luxuries of resorts and the privileges of western passports. As a Canadian national, my experience is different from someone who’s passport limits opportunities. Being a woman and that of color also flips the tables. Zahra Travels has become a place where I feel comfortable challenging the Instagram vacation shots and sharing experiences about meaningful travel.

Fondling Spanish on Duolinguo, practicing salsa moves in the shower, and talking to strangers on the subway are ways I keep sane.

My ultimate goal is to travel to 30 countries before I turn 30. So far, I’ve got 19 down!

North America

• Canada
• USA

South America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Paraguay
• Honduras
• Cuba

Europe

• Netherlands
• England
• France
• Spain
• Turkey

Asia

• Pakistan
• Iraq
• India
• UAE
• Palestine

Africa

• Egypt
• Tunisia

Check out my Instagram and keep up with where in the world I am now!

© All photos and content belong to Zahra Travels unless stated otherwise.