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Claudia Looi

The Delicious Side of Cozumel, Mexico

By Claudia Looi 11 Comments

7 Nov

Somewhere away from all the souvenir and duty free shops, in the middle of town was Josefina's blue and white house. For USD7 the cab driver took us to her front door. It was about six blocks from the waterfront where the cruise ship docked. We discovered Cocina con Alma through Fodor's Mexico ... Read More about The Delicious Side of Cozumel, Mexico

Filed Under: Cruising, North America, Travel Tips Tagged With: cooking class in Cozumel, cooking class in Mexico, Cozumel, nopales, travel stories

Open for Lunch, The Lodge at Chaa Creek

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

31 Oct

The sign on the right said The Lodge at Chaa Creek and Joe made the left turn and instantly we were on  dirt road. Back to nature...love it! Travelers come from all over the world to escape from the hustle and bustle, unwind and explore living creatures like birds, wildlife and butterflies and smell ... Read More about Open for Lunch, The Lodge at Chaa Creek

Filed Under: Central America Tagged With: Belize, Central America, Food in Belize, shore excursion in Belize, The Lodge at Chaa Creek, travel stories, travel writing

How We Spent Seven Hours in Belize

By Claudia Looi 7 Comments

27 Oct

The thought of just a seven hour window to wander around Belize was nerve wrecking and at the same time unsettling. Many questions came to mind: What if the ship leaves without us? What are we going to do if we are stuck in traffic or the van breaks down? Waking up early in the morning before ... Read More about How We Spent Seven Hours in Belize

Filed Under: Central America, Cruising Tagged With: Belize, Mayan ruins, Menonnite of belize, shore excursion in Belize, travel experience, traveling with children

Tampa: The Colors of my Backyard

By Claudia Looi 10 Comments

22 Sep

Beyond all the beaches, sports venues, amusement parks and historical sites of Tampa, the attractions of my neighborhood beckons me. What seems to be normal is not to one who is visiting for the first time. The palm trees, the many swimming pools, benches, golf courses and shops...they are vividly ... Read More about Tampa: The Colors of my Backyard

Filed Under: North America Tagged With: Locals Know Best Series, Off the beaten track places in Tampa, Tampa

Top 10 Must-Do Things To Do on the Sunshine Coast, British Columbia

By Claudia Looi 5 Comments

8 Sep

  Top 10 Must-Do Things To Do on the Sunshine Coast, British Columbia by Victoria Gazeley I consider myself pretty lucky. I get to live in an area of the world that people the world over come for peace and relaxation. Where do I live? The beautiful Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, ... Read More about Top 10 Must-Do Things To Do on the Sunshine Coast, British Columbia

Filed Under: North America Tagged With: Locals Know Best Series, sunshine coast british columbia, traveling and homesteading

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This was the lovely surprise I mentioned: Gerthrud This was the lovely surprise I mentioned: Gerthrudes Bed & Breakfast in Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro.

On my second trip to Rio, I spent two nights at the Grand Hyatt in Barra da Tijuca, then one night here. A charming old house, a good breakfast, and a view of Sugarloaf Mountain made this a memorable part of the trip.

If you enjoy smaller places with character, put this one on your list. One practical detail before booking: there are stairs, so check access with the property if that matters to you.

Save this for your Rio planning. Would you choose a small B&B or a larger hotel?

#SantaTeresaRio #GerthrudesBedAndBreakfast #WhereToStayInRio #RioTravelTips #globetrotter100club
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
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