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Claudia Looi

NYC

View from The Lobby Lounge Mandarin Oriental NYC

If you haven’t been to New York City, it’s about time you come over.

Here’s why:

  1. New York City has the best pizza in the world!
  2. Unlike major cities outside the US, there are plenty of public restrooms in NYC.
  3. 56.5 million domestic and international visitors chose to visit NYC in 2014. Will you this year?
  4. You have a choice of over 24,000 restaurants and you won’t have to travel far for authentic Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Lebanese, Brazilian, Italian, Greek, Irish or Indian food. You don’t have to go to China for authentic buns or to Lebanon for the best hummus.
  5. NYC’s bagels.
  6. There’s always something to do in the “City that never sleeps!”
  7. It’s a city filled with entertainment and events galore! You have plenty of choices for theater events, music and dance events, Broadway shows, cultural events, sports events and free tickets to TV show tapings.
  8. New York City is rich in both culture and history.
  9. It’s the financial capital of the world (debatable).
  10. It’s the largest city in the US and the most diverse.
  11. It’s a global transportation hub, served by three international airports and you can easily find airfare deals to the city if you are flexible.
  12. Getting around NYC is easy – you have the options of taking the subway, bus, cab, Uber, bicycle, ferry or walking if you are in Manhattan.
  13. You’ll know that the world is BIG and there are all types of people in the world. You are uniquely YOU and there is no one like YOU!
  14. You’ll rethink Thomas Jefferson’s statement, “All men are created equal!”

And there’s so much more!

New York City is a city like no other. In case you are wondering where to go and what to do, where to eat and what to expect, below is a list curated for you. More will be added each month. For live updates, follow me on Instagram or Periscope.

Neighborhoods and Places to Stay

Everybody Needs to Stay in a Houseboat in NYC

Guide to Living Like a Local in Sunnyside New York

Museums, Galleries and Landmarks

Top of the Rock

The Noguchi Museum

American Natural History Museum

Grand Central Terminal, New York City's Crown Jewel

The Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) NYC

New York City Museum of Chinese in America

Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House in New York City (National Museum of American Indian)

Museum of the Jewish Heritage

Stephen A. Schwarzman Building: The New York Public Library

One of a Kind Architecture: Guggenheim Museum

A Journey Through Photos of the Cloisters Museum and Gardens

The Bible Stories According to Antonio Canova's The Seven Last Works

Streets and Parks

High Line Park in NYC

Washington Square Park New York City

Walking on the Brooklyn Bridge

What Locals Do in Brooklyn Botanical Garden

NYC Packing List

New York City Packing List

Walking Tours, Cruises and Guided Tours

Financial District Walking Tour with The Big Onion Tours

Statue of Liberty on the ZEPHRY

The Best Views of New York City with Circle Line

Culture and Shows

Guide to Getting the Best Seats and Price for Mamma Mia on Broadway

Guide to Getting the Best Seats and price for Wicked on Broadway

The Ultimate Carnegie Hall Experience: Steven Curtis Chapman

Beatles in America: 50 Years Ago

Why Children's Books Matter Exhibit in New York Public Library

This Land is Your Land in Madison Square Park

Food and Drink

A Taste of Authentic Ramen Noodles in New York City

The First Dim Sum Tea Parlor in Chinatown

A Prix Fixe Lunch at Boulud Sud NYC

Must Try Macarons in NYC: Ladurée SoHo

Chobani SoHo Yogurt Bar NYC

New York City's Best Pastrami Sandwich: Katz's Deli

Malaysian Food in Flushing NYC

Fortunately 500 Lunch at The Garden Four Seasons New York

Afternoon Tea in NYC: The Lobby Lounge Mandarin Oriental

Join Us At Our Table- Le Pain Quotidien NYC

Dim Sum Experience in Chinatown NYC

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The Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro is in Barra da Tiju The Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro is in Barra da Tijuca, far from the central areas many first-time visitors want to explore. Traffic can add considerably to the journey.

If you have just three nights and want to visit Copacabana, Ipanema, Santa Teresa, and Centro, this wouldn’t be my first choice for location.

For a longer stay, perhaps five nights, with time for shopping and a quieter side of Rio, it’s worth considering.

This was my second trip to Rio. I split my stay: two nights at the Grand Hyatt and one in Santa Teresa.

Save this before booking your Rio hotel. A beautiful hotel still needs to fit your trip.

Stay tuned for the hotel I stayed at in Santa Teresa. That one was a wonderful surprise!

#GrandHyattRio #BarraDaTijuca #RioTravelTips #WhereToStayInRio #globetrotter100club
Would you stay farther from Rio’s famous sights fo Would you stay farther from Rio’s famous sights for a view like this? 🇧🇷

Sunset over Marapendi Lagoon, filmed in mid-September from the Grand Club lounge balcony at Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro. A boat passing across the water, apartments in the distance, and a view worth taking your time over.

My connection to Barra da Tijuca goes back to 2013, when I spent two weeks here in a private duplex apartment, before the Grand Hyatt opened. Returning last month gave me another way to experience this part of Rio.

If you want a quieter base, away from the hustle and bustle of the main tourist areas, I’d consider staying here. Grand Hyatt Rio is a lovely option for that kind of trip.

The trade-off is travel time. Copacabana can be roughly half an hour away by car in light traffic, but allow an hour or more when traffic is heavy. If your visit is short and packed with sightseeing, staying closer to the places you want to explore may be more practical.

But if you have time to slow down and enjoy another side of Rio, Barra da Tijuca deserves a look.

Save this for planning your Rio stay. Do you prefer a quieter base or staying close to the action?

#GlobeTrotter100Club #BarraDaTijuca #GrandHyattRio #RioDeJaneiro #BrazilTravel
Most visitors only spend a few hours in San Marino Most visitors only spend a few hours in San Marino. I decided to stay overnight, and it completely changed the experience.

As the day-trippers left, the streets fell silent. The medieval castle took on a different charm in the warm evening light, the sunset over the surrounding countryside was unforgettable, and dinner was a delicious plate of fresh truffle pasta.

If you’re planning a trip through Italy, don’t just make San Marino a quick stop. Spend the night. You’ll experience a peaceful side of one of the world’s smallest countries that many visitors never get to see.

Would you stay overnight in San Marino?

#SanMarino #VisitSanMarino #EuropeTravel #CastleViews #TrufflePasta SunsetLovers
I couldn’t believe it when our guide showed us thi I couldn’t believe it when our guide showed us this tiny rainforest seed in Kinabalu Park. After a few tries with the lighter, it finally caught fire and burned like a candle thanks to its natural oils.

Nature never stops surprising me. Have you ever seen a seed that can do this?

#KinabaluPark #globetrotter100club #Sabah #Rainforest #TravelMalaysia
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