I’ve hired many tour guides over the years. Some have been knowledgeable but not socially gifted. Others are kind and friendly, yet don’t know their stuff.
Lucky for me, during a recent visit to New York City, I hired Alexandra Maruri and she combines both perfectly. Her extensive experience, and easy-going attitude, made the tour both memorable and fun. I was very impressed with her approach and left feeling energized and inspired.
Alexandra grew up in the borough, so she knows her history and shared a lot of really interesting anecdotes and facts during our walk.
She’s also spent many years touring the South Bronx neighborhood which was made famous for being the birthplace of hip-hop, graffiti art and a slew of celebrated actors, writers, designers and politicians – including, Al Pacino, Jay-Lo, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Edgar Allen Poe and Colin Powell.
There are several large-scale projects under development in the South Bronx right now. I met dozens of Alexandra’s local friends, mostly business owners, and everyone was optimistic about the neighborhood's future. The area still has issues that need attention, but slowly and surely, things are changing for the better. Which makes visiting right now so cool.
If you yearn to experience a part of New York City that feels alive – yet still a little gritty – and isn't as sanitized and fluffy as Manhattan’s SoHo or Time Square districts are, you should definitely book at tour with Alexandra Maruri’s outstanding Bronx Historical Tours.
About me:
I am a freelance filmmaker and photographer and make my living working in places far away from home.
On average, I stay at 25-30 hotels and eat at way over 100 different restaurants a year and depend on the reviews I read when choosing where to stay and where to eat. Not always, but often enough, I find myself disappointed and forced to endure staying at unremarkable hotels or eating at restaurants with mediocre service and food.
My ambition for reviewing hotels and restaurants is to provide fellow travelers (and indirectly, hotel management) with my experiences and insightful critique.
On several occasions, owners, General Managers and F & B Directors at hotels I’ve stayed at and reviewed have gotten in touch to thank me personally for my opinions and suggestions.
Joakim Lloyd Raboff
Lucky for me, during a recent visit to New York City, I hired Alexandra Maruri and she combines both perfectly. Her extensive experience, and easy-going attitude, made the tour both memorable and fun. I was very impressed with her approach and left feeling energized and inspired.
Alexandra grew up in the borough, so she knows her history and shared a lot of really interesting anecdotes and facts during our walk.
She’s also spent many years touring the South Bronx neighborhood which was made famous for being the birthplace of hip-hop, graffiti art and a slew of celebrated actors, writers, designers and politicians – including, Al Pacino, Jay-Lo, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Edgar Allen Poe and Colin Powell.
There are several large-scale projects under development in the South Bronx right now. I met dozens of Alexandra’s local friends, mostly business owners, and everyone was optimistic about the neighborhood's future. The area still has issues that need attention, but slowly and surely, things are changing for the better. Which makes visiting right now so cool.
If you yearn to experience a part of New York City that feels alive – yet still a little gritty – and isn't as sanitized and fluffy as Manhattan’s SoHo or Time Square districts are, you should definitely book at tour with Alexandra Maruri’s outstanding Bronx Historical Tours.
About me:
I am a freelance filmmaker and photographer and make my living working in places far away from home.
On average, I stay at 25-30 hotels and eat at way over 100 different restaurants a year and depend on the reviews I read when choosing where to stay and where to eat. Not always, but often enough, I find myself disappointed and forced to endure staying at unremarkable hotels or eating at restaurants with mediocre service and food.
My ambition for reviewing hotels and restaurants is to provide fellow travelers (and indirectly, hotel management) with my experiences and insightful critique.
On several occasions, owners, General Managers and F & B Directors at hotels I’ve stayed at and reviewed have gotten in touch to thank me personally for my opinions and suggestions.
Joakim Lloyd Raboff