About Me
So this is me: Claire Sturzaker.
A dreamer, traveller and lost soul; wandering the Earth until I find what I’m looking for. A food, drink and life-lover, my wanderlust keeps growing by the day!
This blog began in 2013, as Tales of Barcelona. I moved to Barcelona after having somewhat of a mid-life crisis, and on a cold, wet October day in Manchester, England, I made up my mind & booked my one-way flight for Barcelona!
However, after a couple of years there my feet started to itch once again. This time, South America was calling me. So I decided to quit my job in Barcelona, and booked another one way ticket – this time to Bolivia – and began a journey to discover South America for myself.
Tales of Barcelona became Tales of a Backpacker as I set off on my travels, with a backpack on my back & walking boots on my feet. I began to write about my adventures, as well as tips, tricks and musings about life on the road. I have now returned from South America and have realised I love to write about travel. I want to share the very best locations, attractions and accommodations that offer good value for money in each of the destinations I visit.
I hope this blog inspires other people to travel – I have proved that women over 30 can travel solo too, and if I can do it, so can you! Solo travel has helped me to rediscover myself and my lust for life which was somewhat lacking before. I didn’t know why I was unhappy until I realised how much of the world is out there for us to discover. Travelling alone can be scary, but it doesn’t need to be. Embrace it and enjoy!
Safe and happy travels, wherever your feet may take you!
Love Claire xx
If you’d like to follow me on social media, you can find me at:
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest
As I work to grow my portfolio, I have created several other websites which I aim to develop into key resources. Please check them out:
Why Visit Barcelona – A site dedicated to the incredible city of Barcelona
This Travel Lover – solo female sustainable travel and wellness.
This Food Lover – travelling the world through food
How to be Eco-Friendly – A new site to help people learn to live an eco-friendly lifestyle, one green step at a time
Hi Brigette! When I got fired I moved to Barcelona and found work there and I did have 2 jobs where I saved money to go travelling the first time, and then I went again but used work exchanges so I didn’t spend money on accommmodation and saved a lot on food too. Having some money to start with is of course useful – mainly for flights, passport, etc, but if you’re not paying rent or a mortgage while travelling it is often cheaper than staying in your home town, depending on where you are from of course!
Aw thank you! I’m working on more guides for solo travellers but If there’s anything specific I can help with just let me know! Happy travels 🙂
You’re awesome. I want to travel like you.
Hello! I’m intrigued by an article I read about you that says you were fired and broken up with in short order and now you travel the world. All the article said was that you started a blog about your travels, but surely that can’t be what sustained you for 8+ years? Did you have money saved up? I want to travel the world too, but I am broke so if you have some secret please let me know! Thank you!
Hi Isabel and thank you so much for reading, and for your comment! I hope I can help! 🙂
I love your article! I’m not one that will usually subscribe to anything, but this time I believe there is a lot I can learn from you and about traveling solo!
Claire….
Can you post or e-mail me the name of Jose’s Hotel & Restaurant in Guadalupe? Heading there for New Year’s Eve, which we think beats some typical wild hotel party in a big city.
Thank you!! It was great to meet you too, I hope you enjoy the rest of your time in Colombia! 🙂 happy travels x
Claire,
It was great to meet you on the Bogota graffiti tour. We hope you have many more wonderful adventures.
Reiner, Tacie, Eli, Maya
Great site! And awesome to have you as a fan of my music…Antigua rocks!
Hehe, these days I’m in Mexico City 🙂 I will be back to BCN one day I’m sure!
come back to Barcelona, all is forgiven. Where are you these days Clairie?
Hola Alex! Igualmente, hicisteis mucho mas soportable el viaje 😉 Buena suerte con los bailes! Un abrazo, Claire
Hi Claire
Have a happy birthday … Thanks for visiting Peru .
Fue un gusto compartir contigo el viaje de Huaraz a Lima.
Haha there are a few out there 🙂 Nice to meet you too, hope you like the blog! Roll on Malaga!!
oh boy, another Spain blog to follow! My dream is to retire to Malaga and hopefully in about 4 years. Nice to meet you. I’m going to have a look around your blog now 🙂