Our trip to Cartagena in pictures

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTxZqLEEvl4V80AT3p8jDa_F5ujML1cLPPxTiZuusCzgx_lbKFeiD3wMxg4vVazfHZbidW9XwQhcuHQX-cKAj5jwVO7usTUhELN0jagR6Fop081DVC7IgvY65kbGiAyzmSVToH9DKlMQ/s1600/IMG_9907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTxZqLEEvl4V80AT3p8jDa_F5ujML1cLPPxTiZuusCzgx_lbKFeiD3wMxg4vVazfHZbidW9XwQhcuHQX-cKAj5jwVO7usTUhELN0jagR6Fop081DVC7IgvY65kbGiAyzmSVToH9DKlMQ/s640/IMG_9907.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">If you are like me, and travel for architecture, food, culture and fresh air then Cartagena de Indias is undoubtedly a place you should go.  The main attractions of this city is enclosed within a fortified wall built around the 1530's to protect the city from pirates who seem to be more than interested in the gold existing in ancients tombs as well as in Cartagenas's strategical trading location.  We were expecting a devastating heat while we were there however the weather was perfectly comfortable.  Sunny everyday but also breezy and very little humidity in particular during the late afternoons when the sun is setting.  Between admiring the colonial architecture and trying out the ceviche we had a very memorable Christmas and I highly recommend it.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_I0YpDrJmPiozabNjI3C19U7nxm_aah0hz-2h7j-3PXPlBnqRcGwHKTdL_2zACyYpoIKqBOMf1VVy3x0iuGNZsKxL1AuU-WtoLwGueyPN0lpUQWNQPvoRzanCS_R2lDVD328ziMJpec/s1600/IMG_9852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz_I0YpDrJmPiozabNjI3C19U7nxm_aah0hz-2h7j-3PXPlBnqRcGwHKTdL_2zACyYpoIKqBOMf1VVy3x0iuGNZsKxL1AuU-WtoLwGueyPN0lpUQWNQPvoRzanCS_R2lDVD328ziMJpec/s640/IMG_9852.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMvAeTPN04EPIGdCw0nAfQO6EmZFnc-wZtrO504Qzm6hm6sk1l-W_IrLUWnCtukOVRXu2eQZ3znlvtfuKJuH4M7QXK07C5-A63N2dm-Ushflkgi2kF2_5-oolEdYHPu0l6vUaiVbiF14/s1600/IMG_9905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMvAeTPN04EPIGdCw0nAfQO6EmZFnc-wZtrO504Qzm6hm6sk1l-W_IrLUWnCtukOVRXu2eQZ3znlvtfuKJuH4M7QXK07C5-A63N2dm-Ushflkgi2kF2_5-oolEdYHPu0l6vUaiVbiF14/s640/IMG_9905.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZ4_XubpckLE0BAs7sm6dGXYvOJQ2ecMm9PyEW-xKt1kbdSHhiEy1TLBgeR9lZt0AI3DKNLUmeicPoWFWenp08KuoECZGf7su78xWGCL0Jt99mtgW-PpcYHX0o0dJSFDYoLAKqbWDU08/s1600/IMG_9909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZ4_XubpckLE0BAs7sm6dGXYvOJQ2ecMm9PyEW-xKt1kbdSHhiEy1TLBgeR9lZt0AI3DKNLUmeicPoWFWenp08KuoECZGf7su78xWGCL0Jt99mtgW-PpcYHX0o0dJSFDYoLAKqbWDU08/s640/IMG_9909.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The Churches throughout Cartagena are stunning and also a chance to get to cool off while safeguarding yourself from the sun.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=34481012" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEeE9yIHsKdvGRyXjjYpXJaaOfM3ogSAlxbGsNyySXFfy8swA_X0e4e4StPzrd_ncFpO30_0PjwBybcXOKwCvXg9NZxStOpEuk_83sxjRozmtMa0y8_lbAf7dEkpRaahGliNQKvREUOY/s1600/IMG_9955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZEeE9yIHsKdvGRyXjjYpXJaaOfM3ogSAlxbGsNyySXFfy8swA_X0e4e4StPzrd_ncFpO30_0PjwBybcXOKwCvXg9NZxStOpEuk_83sxjRozmtMa0y8_lbAf7dEkpRaahGliNQKvREUOY/s640/IMG_9955.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">Calle Cochera de Hobo is one of the most beautiful streets in the City.<br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqAxSX0RZC9X2WjVU1T0XsUjXgehZF7xydVcr1DY6WBZZf0VIbHZyrY2z6bsSNW6r6b6X4Do0ItvVpPhhBgRyZ3a1enXX0BuHbWn-sJvQPXCPqs1Ca5zGvF-QcqkvL8ABkI2ahVIVFJE/s1600/IMG_9956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqAxSX0RZC9X2WjVU1T0XsUjXgehZF7xydVcr1DY6WBZZf0VIbHZyrY2z6bsSNW6r6b6X4Do0ItvVpPhhBgRyZ3a1enXX0BuHbWn-sJvQPXCPqs1Ca5zGvF-QcqkvL8ABkI2ahVIVFJE/s640/IMG_9956.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">The typical straw hats being sold on practically every street. <br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMg_99rme4CsK6krOqQOD25cPnZX66hIABRzqBEHEMay9EBtWvdZwge8gQwPHU7ULAO7QnrPmiWfn1v1TZ1Ihpp4YD9jskThWCkG_TlUcbo-s6oHA2I3ldjAqDbvwWKdKF7eUESkzYjZw/s1600/IMG_9849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMg_99rme4CsK6krOqQOD25cPnZX66hIABRzqBEHEMay9EBtWvdZwge8gQwPHU7ULAO7QnrPmiWfn1v1TZ1Ihpp4YD9jskThWCkG_TlUcbo-s6oHA2I3ldjAqDbvwWKdKF7eUESkzYjZw/s640/IMG_9849.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVys2wLWoQU_zyQL-2diO42RFlCb_fooH2kl_IMpxeIaNxweNSRvQ6b56fN7L3TD0MNKHxm7kO9KdPT_aTmKnU1sOJNvZZQ5104hVMP7dZXxVDUG-jdvS-3vXwVKkTFSvG1vhH2h8dTZU/s1600/IMG_9862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVys2wLWoQU_zyQL-2diO42RFlCb_fooH2kl_IMpxeIaNxweNSRvQ6b56fN7L3TD0MNKHxm7kO9KdPT_aTmKnU1sOJNvZZQ5104hVMP7dZXxVDUG-jdvS-3vXwVKkTFSvG1vhH2h8dTZU/s640/IMG_9862.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58VxPvCyomaL2-anslcRi6wVqkHayQm4OiHoMbTDAugmE39oflikpCS2R0Kf-c_BbRRIlJx6apKiNjebNtanymQt5z-E1BZAprpKvGm0htl_YKMzg-1hGyGRBiVMW5Lm8_tp8S5SBeBI/s1600/IMG_9876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj58VxPvCyomaL2-anslcRi6wVqkHayQm4OiHoMbTDAugmE39oflikpCS2R0Kf-c_BbRRIlJx6apKiNjebNtanymQt5z-E1BZAprpKvGm0htl_YKMzg-1hGyGRBiVMW5Lm8_tp8S5SBeBI/s640/IMG_9876.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">My hubby always doing silly things.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTO5C-5VQd4HKFeLR00XK8d1iKIqXCAgZ3jicGqTtikEaWQIDYoH4uGh9CZ-ch2_0i6f8NcQZscDeFGIvL2Il9NDJmidKN5gqa_Pg8QvQFtjSnJpFsM4PO-WTG1XqmBlnX7rEqbEUReJU/s1600/IMG_9877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTO5C-5VQd4HKFeLR00XK8d1iKIqXCAgZ3jicGqTtikEaWQIDYoH4uGh9CZ-ch2_0i6f8NcQZscDeFGIvL2Il9NDJmidKN5gqa_Pg8QvQFtjSnJpFsM4PO-WTG1XqmBlnX7rEqbEUReJU/s640/IMG_9877.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2M1f3COTvTKfd-k4UssvMR-VaJvkIyFe-3-IzZWr3ZCcMuGy4QPvSa2OGEl55W4b8qM5sU0ikzLrY1oT7c8Uai9pJDVEA5KTbViah7CkH-omlVPYATkGVccPUOVX_6PvbsJCZyyAzjAA/s1600/IMG_9879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2M1f3COTvTKfd-k4UssvMR-VaJvkIyFe-3-IzZWr3ZCcMuGy4QPvSa2OGEl55W4b8qM5sU0ikzLrY1oT7c8Uai9pJDVEA5KTbViah7CkH-omlVPYATkGVccPUOVX_6PvbsJCZyyAzjAA/s640/IMG_9879.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgud835RVF2ABvSiXrinHoW7gfFE8BKVcHlXJxpDhZ9RscAJW95448F_UrMpO_dFGKpcFvtE8xg7qMqHpDjvfXUzavKgiNsdFHQKLRdKPw7xFuRZOhRXmtI8oyIiAoXYz3Rud3RHSMB1JA/s1600/IMG_9957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgud835RVF2ABvSiXrinHoW7gfFE8BKVcHlXJxpDhZ9RscAJW95448F_UrMpO_dFGKpcFvtE8xg7qMqHpDjvfXUzavKgiNsdFHQKLRdKPw7xFuRZOhRXmtI8oyIiAoXYz3Rud3RHSMB1JA/s640/IMG_9957.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;">There are horse carriages you can stop and hop on everywhere in the city. <br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7qlq0UT3thxl_iCrCWTMrqELOpvbHOTapf7eXbUpgP3ofRdoyZOg8XPc3vNctw-TVaKG3ag0o2NI1ZMMrKAWl-65L3d-HL1bC89bA2egkYjX_Ugrv6cmUyZSV-3md02niqFut3vdtFGE/s1600/IMG_9904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7qlq0UT3thxl_iCrCWTMrqELOpvbHOTapf7eXbUpgP3ofRdoyZOg8XPc3vNctw-TVaKG3ag0o2NI1ZMMrKAWl-65L3d-HL1bC89bA2egkYjX_Ugrv6cmUyZSV-3md02niqFut3vdtFGE/s640/IMG_9904.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Plaza de San Pedro Claver<br /><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrL_uEF1_kUrW4EoW4j5f6GBQyFs8_7DvjinUIQHLlzwF20SPg7i0xqu35GoHLTJnygy25pkA9MZu3dDVVL19pQU8Fcc_74IsIbmFucbM6p16fGllZv1WfKTa6mxWme83prQKnwBuNAH4/s1600/IMG_5647.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrL_uEF1_kUrW4EoW4j5f6GBQyFs8_7DvjinUIQHLlzwF20SPg7i0xqu35GoHLTJnygy25pkA9MZu3dDVVL19pQU8Fcc_74IsIbmFucbM6p16fGllZv1WfKTa6mxWme83prQKnwBuNAH4/s640/IMG_5647.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxjP_DEYM2Mcq0gxiAsEMXt7bJsGZ8WjhGBio1HCa6yRX4r605EA0jgtUF9rJ9ks8E1BQmMsxsauOEcpJ9zxLk0BGOA6ANBL1c2Bgpd64Q7kfdUuLN5G4QB9QyO-OPCP20bzoL0Ni34A/s1600/IMG_9890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxjP_DEYM2Mcq0gxiAsEMXt7bJsGZ8WjhGBio1HCa6yRX4r605EA0jgtUF9rJ9ks8E1BQmMsxsauOEcpJ9zxLk0BGOA6ANBL1c2Bgpd64Q7kfdUuLN5G4QB9QyO-OPCP20bzoL0Ni34A/s640/IMG_9890.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Restaurante <a href="http://www.donjuancartagena.com/" target="_blank">Donjuan</a> was my favorite for lunch.  Not only for the beautiful ambiance and decor but also for the good food. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAyt7eIYop3vvCkucPCpBi7loBaMgtXoYn6iVDiYd4GCHddG87NTPdoI0BA41stxXH1P7cnoiARditnFhJqu0l3SbDZODNgluDhaOUFUtK06Km9OJ-ghSRG02K2IaotJwXxhONB_n7xs/s1600/cartagena-poolside-vera-484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAyt7eIYop3vvCkucPCpBi7loBaMgtXoYn6iVDiYd4GCHddG87NTPdoI0BA41stxXH1P7cnoiARditnFhJqu0l3SbDZODNgluDhaOUFUtK06Km9OJ-ghSRG02K2IaotJwXxhONB_n7xs/s640/cartagena-poolside-vera-484.jpg" width="502" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Restaurante Vera at Tcherassi Hotel + Spa, owned by the most well known Colombian designer, Silvia Tcherassi, was the best for dinner.  (picture above is from Bon Appetit)<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTS9HfshEWCHLyVVmhrEDsszn9CTVqxS71atrs9r-Swm_omUlhs3mBd07xm1L3eEnBCfiRyQ6UgXSqcb0nP2SB8IEBOa2TNfBUD-stcIu7ogkfMmfRU028mgjuxdg6bv92LjH9vFB3l8/s1600/IMG_9933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTS9HfshEWCHLyVVmhrEDsszn9CTVqxS71atrs9r-Swm_omUlhs3mBd07xm1L3eEnBCfiRyQ6UgXSqcb0nP2SB8IEBOa2TNfBUD-stcIu7ogkfMmfRU028mgjuxdg6bv92LjH9vFB3l8/s640/IMG_9933.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="im">We stayed at <a href="http://www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-1871-sofitel-legend-santa-clara-cartagena/index.shtml?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter" target="_blank">Sofitel Legend Santa Clara</a>.  Located in an old monastery, the setting and decor couldn't have been better.  The service is excellent as well. <br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAltU4IXHZtfHbC7iMHGLuX8E_wx71uCn9ddF4KPfRXavSrkzzo6oztTCGI-GTE8WEI-zsrLEiaxGRs76eLntvLWOYT6pm-eM75ITseJ3ruzREyjVMILFBseT2acrmrhzTkVu7D2fLsbQ/s1600/IMG_9934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAltU4IXHZtfHbC7iMHGLuX8E_wx71uCn9ddF4KPfRXavSrkzzo6oztTCGI-GTE8WEI-zsrLEiaxGRs76eLntvLWOYT6pm-eM75ITseJ3ruzREyjVMILFBseT2acrmrhzTkVu7D2fLsbQ/s400/IMG_9934.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">They offer a full buffet breakfast and/or a la cart.  Colombian soft note coffee is so far my favorite coffee and when French pressed it is even better.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbR26vqt8c0Go2dfvKTherz4n2zIwD7TGfvf685P5NQGvUC2os2YaydHA5xvLznd0S9xdB8ZyTNC4KRaEjukAgQrFrbwp9LeF3rJYOYoIQdqoRc8jFuV2RjMc74hJk-RJJIeZGxFkQcs/s1600/IMG_9931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbR26vqt8c0Go2dfvKTherz4n2zIwD7TGfvf685P5NQGvUC2os2YaydHA5xvLznd0S9xdB8ZyTNC4KRaEjukAgQrFrbwp9LeF3rJYOYoIQdqoRc8jFuV2RjMc74hJk-RJJIeZGxFkQcs/s640/IMG_9931.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas is outside the walled City, it's as hot as hell and you basically get to walk outside on the structure where the sun seems to bounce all over the place.  I don't really recommend a visit here, unless you are really-really into it!. <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rP-7qxlFhFExiAXZG318tPDWS2l-EM_xoQ18VZzyIe1YgulEQWSeAqiuS_SFfx0w8biXtBFj1DbKi7FvZGIcVWWaCAlH1c6x-pGv7pdY-rRfDxG_lVRt3IymJ3jR9ozBSYtsAmnTbH0/s1600/IMG_9962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rP-7qxlFhFExiAXZG318tPDWS2l-EM_xoQ18VZzyIe1YgulEQWSeAqiuS_SFfx0w8biXtBFj1DbKi7FvZGIcVWWaCAlH1c6x-pGv7pdY-rRfDxG_lVRt3IymJ3jR9ozBSYtsAmnTbH0/s640/IMG_9962.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>This is Mateo.  A permanent resident Toucan of Sofitel Santa Clara.  Everyone who goes there expect to see him and get acquainted with him quickly! <br />We decided to hop on a speedboat and spend one day and night at the beach.  Our first choice for <a href="http://bellevivir.blogspot.com.br/2013/08/on-my-travel-list-hotel-agua-baru-island.html" target="_blank">Hotel</a> didn't have any availability but everything works out for the best.  We got to spend a wonderful time in <a href="http://www.hotelmajagua.com/en/" target="_blank">San Pedro de Majagua</a> bathing under the sun, sipping mojitos and munching fish and lobster.  We couldn't ask for more. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxDv0EcNhN_qJnoW4S09THEX2z59PyanmV-w4oLD1JKYDskW06q0CJXy2dsCJlRxGywYBzis6rv9K6ZRysRJVL2_8nI70qK1x-EzUScto723mnWyglA8BwiolZvZKmLfBnfGmz-aRI1o/s1600/IMG_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxDv0EcNhN_qJnoW4S09THEX2z59PyanmV-w4oLD1JKYDskW06q0CJXy2dsCJlRxGywYBzis6rv9K6ZRysRJVL2_8nI70qK1x-EzUScto723mnWyglA8BwiolZvZKmLfBnfGmz-aRI1o/s640/IMG_0003.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyQCMfDgdEHZwoJFpxaA0VOT2G8-YLndRxwwNNSm44rXm4L4OrL53W3LYJ7m7E-Ds85tQBRh2Q39Tt74gqnBiQlGNJpLXd0MX-RVSzf5My36w5BaXyy3kD4L7AcZOKnZH8ZZW8joA8a4/s1600/IMG_9967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWyQCMfDgdEHZwoJFpxaA0VOT2G8-YLndRxwwNNSm44rXm4L4OrL53W3LYJ7m7E-Ds85tQBRh2Q39Tt74gqnBiQlGNJpLXd0MX-RVSzf5My36w5BaXyy3kD4L7AcZOKnZH8ZZW8joA8a4/s400/IMG_9967.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>The Hotel has suites with outdoor spaces with hammocks where we went late afternoons tired of doing nothing.  <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=34481012" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AElU8ZGO1_9fve37r5YWFaM5wdGj8ZEh-Bzbz1LGqX4-6erpdyYzgJGV4rQjvV9nBVFsEMIshbKRez9WdaIGCWrvq6e2LQTZuJnHNRTTqN_DJQEi5pYpyfO4Qzikh4kJwzZIeJ37gIo/s1600/IMG_9999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1AElU8ZGO1_9fve37r5YWFaM5wdGj8ZEh-Bzbz1LGqX4-6erpdyYzgJGV4rQjvV9nBVFsEMIshbKRez9WdaIGCWrvq6e2LQTZuJnHNRTTqN_DJQEi5pYpyfO4Qzikh4kJwzZIeJ37gIo/s640/IMG_9999.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, when are we going back again?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_86aaOuPTJe4moEVao7FahZ5taHicDQI9EbSB_lNAO3wX6nI52a1yHjNCdOVs8fWczNrRr6I6PqBhJRDBd9j5e6qoR7zESJMd_K8g8DV17IKpjdjL2yIVCOg34-6sjhONZx8l64arFVI/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_86aaOuPTJe4moEVao7FahZ5taHicDQI9EbSB_lNAO3wX6nI52a1yHjNCdOVs8fWczNrRr6I6PqBhJRDBd9j5e6qoR7zESJMd_K8g8DV17IKpjdjL2yIVCOg34-6sjhONZx8l64arFVI/s400/IMG_0004.JPG" width="480" /></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=34481012" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQJFHsN0aXkco8-6ifi3PtzKiidc9ZZeAhoRH064mHwVuyjoBiyi8r045TXtrfC0hlNCboykEzNXaGbmFipGlKZoaWdgV6Em24YOk6zg5rH1sT2MkU8vjOf9B-m8ex_Sgyb32QUK7kfjQ/s320/5r9xt.gif" width="244" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: right;">All pictures taken by me with the exception of the Vera Restaurant. </div></div></div>

Our trip to Cartagena in pictures

If you are like me, and travel for architecture, food, culture and fresh air then Cartagena de Indias is undoubtedly a place you should go...

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Buenos Aires Review

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxBPyihTBgPkFPI__aBA8uVsLCMBKutlfzeSW73H46lYgtDmLd9cGSi8f7LfmrPuGQa6Py4lvzICD06Wk5gO5q3xjVXdAY01dh2x-EAs-GyXlqk59-h5NjmVyhKkRCD5lzzam1kLGj3pG/s1600/res.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxBPyihTBgPkFPI__aBA8uVsLCMBKutlfzeSW73H46lYgtDmLd9cGSi8f7LfmrPuGQa6Py4lvzICD06Wk5gO5q3xjVXdAY01dh2x-EAs-GyXlqk59-h5NjmVyhKkRCD5lzzam1kLGj3pG/s640/res.png" width="481" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> The Park Hyatt Hotel in Buenos Aires all deck out for Christmas.  A Buenos Aires review. </div>As I told you last week, if you haven't been to Buenos Aires you haven't seen Europe in South America.  My first time in Buenos Aires was in December, 2012 where we spent our Christmas Holidays, I absolutely and instantly fell in love with the city.  It has everything a savvy travel looks for when traveling.  Stunning Architecture, wide boulevards and avenues, small and charming if not breath taking little neighborhoods inside the very walkable city, where all streets are pretty much connected.  We would walk for hours without needing a taxi except for the times we would opt for  safety and decided to grab a cab.  Think of a walkable New York city.  We stayed at a boutique Hotel called <a href="http://www.casasurhotel.com/en/" target="_blank">Casa Sur</a> precisely a block away from the famous and exclusive Avenida Alvear.  Casa Sur is a small boutique hotel with excellent service and rooms so comfortable and cozy that totally eliminate the chances of you missing home.  The room walls are upholstered in gray linen fabric displaying black and white photographs and mahogany lacquered furniture.  It gives you the feel of a sumptuous art-deco era.  On our first day we walked on Avenida Alvear where chic shops are embedded in breath taking Neo Classical mansions.  One thing that caught my eyes was how each building would display the name of the Architect responsible for its creation.  The feeling of being in Europe instead of Latin America is blatant.  Look below by yourself at just a few of the amazing architecture you can find at Buenos Aires. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yhmss-fD27RV0SOF48dLsYrOSPboSj4SE0veu7QczuWP76Zg0M6Pev31AH5d1pxavVJ0mxg8R5_XoCYNb3b-ip6CzDJN-gPYUxfvMRSmam7r_UxbJvE2cNKAChT1FV1sXr_2ptfjzfkn/s1600/architecture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yhmss-fD27RV0SOF48dLsYrOSPboSj4SE0veu7QczuWP76Zg0M6Pev31AH5d1pxavVJ0mxg8R5_XoCYNb3b-ip6CzDJN-gPYUxfvMRSmam7r_UxbJvE2cNKAChT1FV1sXr_2ptfjzfkn/s640/architecture.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZIuXwfEjuHj857bKXont3dII3-zafCbBPp_120YlLLqtKwEyqMKFe2mSGNpdyJ1HZrZfcluf5QmOPRU2pNJ1dueWf6hySCbGg3GGaAgZV-tgIKrrLwyRpL2lmoKRrx595tJR2ZDwMDTq/s1600/botanical+garden+in+buenos+aires.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZIuXwfEjuHj857bKXont3dII3-zafCbBPp_120YlLLqtKwEyqMKFe2mSGNpdyJ1HZrZfcluf5QmOPRU2pNJ1dueWf6hySCbGg3GGaAgZV-tgIKrrLwyRpL2lmoKRrx595tJR2ZDwMDTq/s640/botanical+garden+in+buenos+aires.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A building in the Botanical Garden.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjcP_2W41HmUatnX63-kiAOTnShEyKoIYvcdFAGCI0t6t3fmrWOwfHnt07b_fr0Uq4OBzIwPotUDaBNZm55mm-NJJ4yR3JDdOyzVvTQZ2vzm34eS86KD1lvzqbF1RUX8iuFcm7jed5LoO/s1600/buenos+aires1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjcP_2W41HmUatnX63-kiAOTnShEyKoIYvcdFAGCI0t6t3fmrWOwfHnt07b_fr0Uq4OBzIwPotUDaBNZm55mm-NJJ4yR3JDdOyzVvTQZ2vzm34eS86KD1lvzqbF1RUX8iuFcm7jed5LoO/s1600/buenos+aires1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Avenida Alvear<br /><div style="text-align: left;">When people think of Buenos Aires, Argentina the first thought that comes to their minds is Tango.  And it should!  Not until I saw my first Tango show did I realized everybody should see one in their lifetime.  I'm not kidding!  We decided to go to one of the best tango shows in town.  It was our first impression and we did not want to ruin it.  Not that I know if this is possible with such a climactic show dance.  And so we went to <a href="http://faena.com/en/entertainment/#!/target=rojo-tango" target="_blank">Tango Rojo</a> at the <a href="http://faena.com/en#!/" target="_blank">Hotel Faena</a> located in Puerto Madeiro, one of the newest and chices neighborhoods in Buenos Aires.  The show offers the option of pre-fixed menu which is very good and tasty.  The show is electrifying!  </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyQWOx6axoh4gDFh2k3C9Tbwdw8cIeOPkAW2BpxZHx-I3OBcgfoLpBkMDY4m-TJpSaZCKU6RMjKcuP2gJm1VdvHXciNbbUjpY0cywL9nqoeo-Z5YEbvr5188n-vvn_vCn2nOl_0Suy8Xo/s1600/casa+del+senado+buenos+aires.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyQWOx6axoh4gDFh2k3C9Tbwdw8cIeOPkAW2BpxZHx-I3OBcgfoLpBkMDY4m-TJpSaZCKU6RMjKcuP2gJm1VdvHXciNbbUjpY0cywL9nqoeo-Z5YEbvr5188n-vvn_vCn2nOl_0Suy8Xo/s400/casa+del+senado+buenos+aires.jpg" width="470" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Casa del Congreso</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAD3D-5fy0xKBwqroiW02eZ0V7auJ_6rEpqLbDR2Lf9J-seGexXgtw-XOuHwrkIzdWevfOCrYcRNBuNhcVIQkE7_Btw5rUuuPyLEbbaAWGfKbyUrW5UMmf9P_YOu6JUL43yX2vU-uyBW19/s1600/corner+in+buenos+aires.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAD3D-5fy0xKBwqroiW02eZ0V7auJ_6rEpqLbDR2Lf9J-seGexXgtw-XOuHwrkIzdWevfOCrYcRNBuNhcVIQkE7_Btw5rUuuPyLEbbaAWGfKbyUrW5UMmf9P_YOu6JUL43yX2vU-uyBW19/s640/corner+in+buenos+aires.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">La Recoleta neighborhood<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWyTPDx_haNulvCue0tw0k9ma8xtGVOcZak0zxUgDvLOnAtVfL4lrfCG4efSHXI3Vg-r1mp3vxAPHvE5wdb7IceGu1HXpoM_1SwAfcUbCRKVYLi40np9wXDTkLu2iw5E-08duYXmEhRqR/s1600/Palermo+neighborhood+buenos+aires.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWyTPDx_haNulvCue0tw0k9ma8xtGVOcZak0zxUgDvLOnAtVfL4lrfCG4efSHXI3Vg-r1mp3vxAPHvE5wdb7IceGu1HXpoM_1SwAfcUbCRKVYLi40np9wXDTkLu2iw5E-08duYXmEhRqR/s640/Palermo+neighborhood+buenos+aires.jpg" width="476" /></a> <br /><div style="text-align: left;">At the chic and artistic neighborhood of Palermo is easy to find a lot of restaurants mingling with small local designers boutiques.  I loved sitting at one of the outdoor restaurants on one of the many cobblestone streets.  The center of Palermo fashionable neighborhood is summed up to a number of streets from Armenia to Thames and from Honduras to Paraguay.  Don't you worry these are just street names.   </div><div style="text-align: left;">But there is one restaurant that I particularly love in La Recoleta neighborhood.  Fervor located at the corner of Posadas and Callao where we try to go every time we are in Buenos Aires.  My mouth still waters when I remember the tenderness and juicy of the grilled seafood platter we paired with a local Sauvignon Blanc.  </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwNQkOLH8xrtOirIIVNZE1pssll7hagAdAi8tnA9PJYtt87llNBdNwD8oPlv6GyU49IIDQV6XjygMMSxMhbkOLBLDSTggoluhaV7210_c4kAhy2OXCpbP5YPKFHfItHK5Z3HcLUkeEbiC/s1600/flowers+buenos+aires.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQwNQkOLH8xrtOirIIVNZE1pssll7hagAdAi8tnA9PJYtt87llNBdNwD8oPlv6GyU49IIDQV6XjygMMSxMhbkOLBLDSTggoluhaV7210_c4kAhy2OXCpbP5YPKFHfItHK5Z3HcLUkeEbiC/s640/flowers+buenos+aires.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Even the flowers sold on the streets are just beautiful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQXDA6kzt4zye6GwC9ux_wQxmM0XPmEZRkQ0kjoqjsWoIOrnyv1mkU35PzxjlPr1yEdaCUCgnY52xj6fdtDlWZiLR0UslqL1TEOdjrbR1Jp6NEd4_6hMrmy3ruqg3BcG8hRdD-_3tKxpB/s1600/la+catedral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQXDA6kzt4zye6GwC9ux_wQxmM0XPmEZRkQ0kjoqjsWoIOrnyv1mkU35PzxjlPr1yEdaCUCgnY52xj6fdtDlWZiLR0UslqL1TEOdjrbR1Jp6NEd4_6hMrmy3ruqg3BcG8hRdD-_3tKxpB/s640/la+catedral.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Inside La Catedral.  That is our little one.  cushi cushi</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AkMEawkwjoysEgCFQWOPItqcO9hyphenhyphen8q_Li-3ZMZi56Ir2c7wsd-j9nAOyE00bEHTVkbHVG_fPpDd9aezR7p4u96FyT9VRUhIBHQQDu52rbsRWME0wtdNJGfNsP7mUzyve-6yDywvl5L_7/s1600/la+recoleta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AkMEawkwjoysEgCFQWOPItqcO9hyphenhyphen8q_Li-3ZMZi56Ir2c7wsd-j9nAOyE00bEHTVkbHVG_fPpDd9aezR7p4u96FyT9VRUhIBHQQDu52rbsRWME0wtdNJGfNsP7mUzyve-6yDywvl5L_7/s640/la+recoleta.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">La Recoleta Cemetery</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmdWIArEwI6eGRpx8RaekVYeIhOsxkvSUSc1SdjEge1DVz97LXpHJLD_e7FTvEU17HnyYvtoFY5E3pD14_OiIAgrko1BKk4k6mXSGNQeVCjf-CSRZzdpTQ3BDjo4hN3E76xLSBwZojwRt/s1600/magnificent+door.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmdWIArEwI6eGRpx8RaekVYeIhOsxkvSUSc1SdjEge1DVz97LXpHJLD_e7FTvEU17HnyYvtoFY5E3pD14_OiIAgrko1BKk4k6mXSGNQeVCjf-CSRZzdpTQ3BDjo4hN3E76xLSBwZojwRt/s640/magnificent+door.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I want a door like this, I want a door like this!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YVRxbSwlu1U8DmarP_cRouIV6VhyPzrxejXqk0DVe7ZIhyphenhyphenxqWkvPtMAwThokJ7Pc_Nf3hy1gr7lrMVV-S0cl_Q_Om5wJ561f-B3tNgpLFtE0f85qKOOQfvlp4jXfIYeojFFaUuTH7zfF/s1600/me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0YVRxbSwlu1U8DmarP_cRouIV6VhyPzrxejXqk0DVe7ZIhyphenhyphenxqWkvPtMAwThokJ7Pc_Nf3hy1gr7lrMVV-S0cl_Q_Om5wJ561f-B3tNgpLFtE0f85qKOOQfvlp4jXfIYeojFFaUuTH7zfF/s640/me.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Me, myself and I and I want a building like this too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIxH7wLA2iLCPdx8NsLM2G-2-PUfCi_03ziQpx4ofJMUGN-cqNrAZmAjbn1yN4XJFJBJPApOiNJNwmSK4ck944vG4taDhg-X7VXP-JH_peFSRXXOB3bCxmjCCHFMxK6jEnj8t2zErYlEc/s1600/park+buenos+aires.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIxH7wLA2iLCPdx8NsLM2G-2-PUfCi_03ziQpx4ofJMUGN-cqNrAZmAjbn1yN4XJFJBJPApOiNJNwmSK4ck944vG4taDhg-X7VXP-JH_peFSRXXOB3bCxmjCCHFMxK6jEnj8t2zErYlEc/s640/park+buenos+aires.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Lx7EwIrzhO_aC8Ms0rjtm7nqrhyphenhyphen9u1hoTZxnoHI_FE0JDdF95t9-JHH8YqcpmJLLMzSfFNpan7XcPVDBu6V5kW-g4sH9eUGbYBPYcLV7WZSXu_XF8DtwWXMeMzBIonYI1ujfOyIKzn6c/s1600/windown+buenos+aires.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Lx7EwIrzhO_aC8Ms0rjtm7nqrhyphenhyphen9u1hoTZxnoHI_FE0JDdF95t9-JHH8YqcpmJLLMzSfFNpan7XcPVDBu6V5kW-g4sH9eUGbYBPYcLV7WZSXu_XF8DtwWXMeMzBIonYI1ujfOyIKzn6c/s640/windown+buenos+aires.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Beautiful window display in La Recoleta neighborhood. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AL1Wv4ZQ_YeTGtuVGMhujCIKos_9545qwbttS-s8QVkWearEf6OOpM_Pk89ROCVXEBRMwE3kKjDPXlW03bRDGB0Feed6_xOdAaSdBA3Jo2ZzG33v_ss77vA4VIoc0h3O8hV7kF0BZFCj/s1600/park+hayat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3AL1Wv4ZQ_YeTGtuVGMhujCIKos_9545qwbttS-s8QVkWearEf6OOpM_Pk89ROCVXEBRMwE3kKjDPXlW03bRDGB0Feed6_xOdAaSdBA3Jo2ZzG33v_ss77vA4VIoc0h3O8hV7kF0BZFCj/s640/park+hayat.jpg" width="482" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Park Hyatt Hotel.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://bellevivir.blogspot.com.br/2010/08/deja-vu.html" target="_blank">Munich Review</a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://bellevivir.blogspot.com.br/2011/08/packing-for-hamptons-weekend.html" target="_blank">Packing for the Hamptons</a></div></div>

Buenos Aires Review

 The Park Hyatt Hotel in Buenos Aires all deck out for Christmas.  A Buenos Aires review. As I told you last week, if you haven't been t...

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Copacabana Palace Hotel review

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohhvQ61aG-S-6UPCkAtTiQdSgDs5iP7ft9nSA-LQZbQssCfkWeT5012848CHKWNANjvgSxJyGo5_-NJ2NFlxIl7Xr9Dhn0Y1fQI7ee2Gs_pNlDgJv1qedRAQxXlw4R2RQEr6CdgLxEDWE/s1600/7130_53_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohhvQ61aG-S-6UPCkAtTiQdSgDs5iP7ft9nSA-LQZbQssCfkWeT5012848CHKWNANjvgSxJyGo5_-NJ2NFlxIl7Xr9Dhn0Y1fQI7ee2Gs_pNlDgJv1qedRAQxXlw4R2RQEr6CdgLxEDWE/s400/7130_53_b.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>I suggested by hybby <a href="http://www.copacabanapalace.com/web/orio/copacabana_palace.jsp" target="_blank">Copacabana Palace Hotel</a> in Rio de Janeiro for our first visit to the City.   I wanted to see firsthand the recent renovations this Orient Express landmark went through under the responsibility of French Architect Michel-Jouannet.  After purchasing our plane tickets three weeks in advance (transaction done in Portuguese) it turned out we didn't really buy any tickets so we had to drive 6 hours to get to Rio.  We thought it was going to be a pain but the drive was actually pretty beautiful and it ended up being faster than I thought.   <br />There are still some renovations going on in some areas of the Hotel but, the main areas are finished.  The lobby was expanded, including the steps and this sitting area below was added.  Everything looks as it's been there forever.  We had a great time and can't wait to go back to Rio.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ee0aRsRHMiNQkrecYEFXaqKfemWRCTmYB431tC6KgVQSsjps5KR3A3chudJe7yM3nbg79Zau1B_8Mbzy6eyIHWe-ZccSmr_t6F-INy4vJwj_NY0XsWc9gxaYqAUgnq1Rx1P7szMfq7dz/s1600/lobby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ee0aRsRHMiNQkrecYEFXaqKfemWRCTmYB431tC6KgVQSsjps5KR3A3chudJe7yM3nbg79Zau1B_8Mbzy6eyIHWe-ZccSmr_t6F-INy4vJwj_NY0XsWc9gxaYqAUgnq1Rx1P7szMfq7dz/s400/lobby.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVEolKKbtHsBAmWJjDopEYOpKp5G7i-pdr2xgVAaeOnX_KpfB9WDIyyyMQhBeufJleDciS1hXRc86ilNoRtuVkIVMlCH3_oVUHzu54HQGiLuXr0AjC7fUdAJqwvS6rQMOGsn_jm2YARwi/s1600/lobby+hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVEolKKbtHsBAmWJjDopEYOpKp5G7i-pdr2xgVAaeOnX_KpfB9WDIyyyMQhBeufJleDciS1hXRc86ilNoRtuVkIVMlCH3_oVUHzu54HQGiLuXr0AjC7fUdAJqwvS6rQMOGsn_jm2YARwi/s640/lobby+hotel.jpg" width="479" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjioA7gFkhKvh9Ng99eOl1D5SgirboSaP2ImFqTVZidO42u9_FlRljVD-QJA8kDBRMjbpQtleLjwfMTSWYSeClJlpyEAr4OO13U0XnfDhBA4vC8B7C8ZKFaXTNSABGQYYIQNj3ge7PYxdA8/s1600/lobby2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjioA7gFkhKvh9Ng99eOl1D5SgirboSaP2ImFqTVZidO42u9_FlRljVD-QJA8kDBRMjbpQtleLjwfMTSWYSeClJlpyEAr4OO13U0XnfDhBA4vC8B7C8ZKFaXTNSABGQYYIQNj3ge7PYxdA8/s640/lobby2.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yKP_OnrcpRHnR14fICzAa4vBs4HIbkkP0FokLxHIHjVKq9Fay-AQmsQAS7b2zj0E_KczyBNlsTuAjCL1Y2LHny58JlutpF5VW72u3MFo5p3L1nDxJQfVk4BhLE6nqjYqsk2VmP6QFw9C/s1600/lobbymirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yKP_OnrcpRHnR14fICzAa4vBs4HIbkkP0FokLxHIHjVKq9Fay-AQmsQAS7b2zj0E_KczyBNlsTuAjCL1Y2LHny58JlutpF5VW72u3MFo5p3L1nDxJQfVk4BhLE6nqjYqsk2VmP6QFw9C/s640/lobbymirror.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTa5OE2ysiFauYs2D-JZ2obfBxUTTGP7rTHiWmb7hH7DM4nez1rx5WZFmHI6MWoBk2JYXraJ7QNT45NPlg4eUlPL24sixYE6gVROae9SSYLxmeeX3jkzmxxuIHiGy4p01h6JaznsS-zdK/s1600/room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTa5OE2ysiFauYs2D-JZ2obfBxUTTGP7rTHiWmb7hH7DM4nez1rx5WZFmHI6MWoBk2JYXraJ7QNT45NPlg4eUlPL24sixYE6gVROae9SSYLxmeeX3jkzmxxuIHiGy4p01h6JaznsS-zdK/s640/room.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRkgtMiI9dWXsvrC3hbl0uxwPI-2veEN4o1_oOpJ9CFtLQGuJCfmrGOY-hQa84A0hzGT4IHUMMDgZd4_miOI-km5vDXvYXp0TjiTxK2E-HJoikyBpgjOdGPM8w9IcqU0leJOAYgLTLucK/s1600/bathroom+hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRkgtMiI9dWXsvrC3hbl0uxwPI-2veEN4o1_oOpJ9CFtLQGuJCfmrGOY-hQa84A0hzGT4IHUMMDgZd4_miOI-km5vDXvYXp0TjiTxK2E-HJoikyBpgjOdGPM8w9IcqU0leJOAYgLTLucK/s640/bathroom+hotel.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-bHwAlHm0uRoG8LUbGFv6JEYPyBEbDwpuQgxLYES4wfhovipfN0BCvbrsbs04Q3YWrAM1UNhslMQWeB6a4Z9y357G-ftF-XaUuEwRoqFMc8_jE2_MSnU5EKjAagz8uPto5lLK7LlabWa/s1600/breakfast+copacabana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-bHwAlHm0uRoG8LUbGFv6JEYPyBEbDwpuQgxLYES4wfhovipfN0BCvbrsbs04Q3YWrAM1UNhslMQWeB6a4Z9y357G-ftF-XaUuEwRoqFMc8_jE2_MSnU5EKjAagz8uPto5lLK7LlabWa/s400/breakfast+copacabana.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's funny how we take airplanes, drive for long hours and go through all the hassles that comes with traveling and then we love to stay in and order room service.  This photo above illustrates how <a href="http://www.copacabanapalace.com/web/orio/copacabana_palace.jsp" target="_blank">Copacabana Hotel</a> doesn't stay short of exquisite when it comes to food.  We were only two and a half people and the half doesn't even eat!  We promised ourselves that the next time we go there we'll bring plastic containers with us to either not spend one extra dime on food for the rest of our stay or to take the leftover to homeless people on the streets.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVHKtUmT-T4xrEkdxOjwSI06xQk73hv1S1yrEtpl7YjIBSx-5CvYDZ_qXAeSSrlMWX92NfxXkkqhmC8dtJRNoANv7-Wemt5C08HEkRBdoJcdQGzfpwqPjbAv2zMgCbiQcBdzylS3gkAKd/s1600/cipriani+restaurant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVHKtUmT-T4xrEkdxOjwSI06xQk73hv1S1yrEtpl7YjIBSx-5CvYDZ_qXAeSSrlMWX92NfxXkkqhmC8dtJRNoANv7-Wemt5C08HEkRBdoJcdQGzfpwqPjbAv2zMgCbiQcBdzylS3gkAKd/s640/cipriani+restaurant.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Hotel's restaurant, Cipriani</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSqt0FqnV9JmNZdxWyZ4H-L0RRVix-FALxH6_h7ek7YFUK-b9TK0C8n_Y_8VMP1ZMnETIzVBRLoJNkoihtRuP0FCjntINnoqq8FEfn5JDRVzSr34blpwmw0t8V7pVGC1eIN0ILw6Hs3pK/s1600/cipriani+hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjSqt0FqnV9JmNZdxWyZ4H-L0RRVix-FALxH6_h7ek7YFUK-b9TK0C8n_Y_8VMP1ZMnETIzVBRLoJNkoihtRuP0FCjntINnoqq8FEfn5JDRVzSr34blpwmw0t8V7pVGC1eIN0ILw6Hs3pK/s640/cipriani+hotel.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit189gvtTqaS9rvHrynD9vhRj4_68noynZKbAKYvkosmQXhlAIcuEBU_7LSJKGORK6zOKHuXNeHHRng_WjH1DY3EGvyJTc3FUHCeDNApvYU_Vb1iCbu9PhVZokO52prQXsLdS3hZfbL-Cq/s1600/copacabana+swimming+pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="499" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit189gvtTqaS9rvHrynD9vhRj4_68noynZKbAKYvkosmQXhlAIcuEBU_7LSJKGORK6zOKHuXNeHHRng_WjH1DY3EGvyJTc3FUHCeDNApvYU_Vb1iCbu9PhVZokO52prQXsLdS3hZfbL-Cq/s400/copacabana+swimming+pool.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The stunning swimming pool area transported me to the glamorous days of the 20's</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1dQ2AVHoihbFy-hf9pdpBo6tAbF2HXnRjPoakbJJ9nhBx1xUfEpofglX1V_inOitOpNHnz3yGS6tDhDfqi424FynAJdWMDUv_T3EzRLMFLSxXC7qdb5krz-MnbuTd0QyHdm6OnzhdLom/s1600/julie+yenicag+copacabana+palace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1dQ2AVHoihbFy-hf9pdpBo6tAbF2HXnRjPoakbJJ9nhBx1xUfEpofglX1V_inOitOpNHnz3yGS6tDhDfqi424FynAJdWMDUv_T3EzRLMFLSxXC7qdb5krz-MnbuTd0QyHdm6OnzhdLom/s400/julie+yenicag+copacabana+palace.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUgflVECeVptgq_f6z1MyAT714tP9YC2hE3AbQJVStLwavYYomKyH9kRcXqDhbH_DOTQ9fL26j2E4mf7GcpNuKdD1RWkPy518h7ErNfGujoYOe63ke5U7SFHwT4oWyXz2usx232mkeJVp/s1600/corcovado.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqUgflVECeVptgq_f6z1MyAT714tP9YC2hE3AbQJVStLwavYYomKyH9kRcXqDhbH_DOTQ9fL26j2E4mf7GcpNuKdD1RWkPy518h7ErNfGujoYOe63ke5U7SFHwT4oWyXz2usx232mkeJVp/s400/corcovado.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>One of my favorite experiences was when we went to visit Corcovado to see the big Jesus, as my son calls him.  The experience is pretty impressive and special.  <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXOM_p8CExiFx1RE3r9sv375UKiTPImNLzb1S_kG17o9wYar_i1_9vAMyhwusumNMrg9ibSOhfjOHmwy6xpfGI2et0MGLjMGOfPinZ1mZ36v4cu_oBNu6dHW1Mkj2ALI_5r-PiQOvjt3b/s1600/pao+de+azuca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOXOM_p8CExiFx1RE3r9sv375UKiTPImNLzb1S_kG17o9wYar_i1_9vAMyhwusumNMrg9ibSOhfjOHmwy6xpfGI2et0MGLjMGOfPinZ1mZ36v4cu_oBNu6dHW1Mkj2ALI_5r-PiQOvjt3b/s400/pao+de+azuca.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pao de Azucar is that huge mountain that you see in many photos and it's also the place where many famous Rio de Janeiro pictures were taken. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdfRWvoskgwJOSl-29NBy3GuxMWjXcTlu2S3m2zDxRcVYF7msFXpYHfOU86wlWA-He-tZT-KAQ7h2-Y1dwTvwL8brl3ZCkdJBgWzYcz_IiHXuXGRwlj_6UUKGnfxO_C_FKo-KffgA1R8y/s1600/rio+beaches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdfRWvoskgwJOSl-29NBy3GuxMWjXcTlu2S3m2zDxRcVYF7msFXpYHfOU86wlWA-He-tZT-KAQ7h2-Y1dwTvwL8brl3ZCkdJBgWzYcz_IiHXuXGRwlj_6UUKGnfxO_C_FKo-KffgA1R8y/s400/rio+beaches.jpg" width="500" /></a></div>We drove all along the beach coast and my favorite beach was a very quiet beach, yes you read that right, named Sao Conrado along Av. Neimeyer.  This picture above was taken there.<br /><br /><a href="http://bellevivir.blogspot.com.br/2013/02/i-was-there-buenos-aires.html" target="_blank">A Buenos Aires Review </a><br /><a href="http://bellevivir.blogspot.com.br/2010/10/while-in-turkey.html" target="_blank">While in Turkey: An Istanbul review</a>

Copacabana Palace Hotel review

I suggested by hybby Copacabana Palace Hotel in Rio de Janeiro for our first visit to the City.   I wanted to see firsthand the recent reno...

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