Colombia Interlude

Day 1: Arrive in Bogota

Welcome to Bogotá! Meeting services upon arrival at the airport for transportation to the hotel, your home base for the next few days. Our guide will assist you at the hotel with the registration procedures (check-in) and give you a detailed itinerary of all the services included in your trip. You will also receive information about our local office contact details including our 24 hour emergency phone number. Bogotá is Colombia’s capital city with approximately 8 million people; it is a cosmopolitan center of sophistication and has become an epicenter of business, politics and entertainment. This is a city on the rise offering diverse gastronomy and culture, so spend your free time discovering this vibrant Andean capital by foot. Explore the cobblestone streets of the La Candelaria neighborhood where trendy restaurants and colonial-era landmarks are located. While here, don't forget to explore the excellent museums, shopping, and street food options ranging from empanadas to exotic fruit salads. Bogotá also offers a thriving nightlife, superb al fresco dining and bar culture as well as international shopping. Its privileged location and international airport makes it highly accessible and functional as a main gateway to destinations throughout the country.
Overnight at Four Seasons Bogotá - Deluxe Room

Four Seasons Bogotá:
In the middle of the activity of Zona T, where Bogota's high society comes to see and be seen, feel the energy, confidence and fun of this intimate jewel, Four Seasons Hotel Bogotá. Discover this luxury hotel in Bogota with contemporary style. New and lively restaurants, now part of the distinctive Four Seasons experience. Of the 64 rooms at Four Seasons Hotel Bogota, about half are suites. To ensure exclusivity, the rooms distributed in three towers; there are only four to seven per floor. All rooms have Nespresso coffee, safe, mini bar, functional windows, room maintenance twice a day, LCD TV with cable, free WiFi and much more!

Day 2: Bogotá (City Tour with Monserrate Hill & Paloquemao)

The tour starts with an early morning visit to the Paloquemao’s Market. This is one of the largest and most important markets in the country. Paloquemao presents the perfect mix of the old and new Bogotá and offers a great insight into the life and customs of the people from Bogotá. You will find a large variety of flowers, exotic fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood, cheese, medicinal herbs as well as typical food. Everything is fresh and arrives daily to Bogotá from all regions of Colombia. You will have the opportunity to live a unique cultural experience, tasting some exotic fruits and enjoying a small snack during the visit.

Afterwards visit the famous and well preserved historical colonial quarter of La Candelaria. Steeped in history, this area is a must for photographers with its splendid colonial architecture; you will want to take the opportunity to capture the sights and sounds of this fascinating part of Bogotá. Walk through the streets permeating with the heady atmosphere of the past, as revealed by the library of Luis Angel Arango and down to the prominent Plaza de Bolivar, the heart of Bogotá, where locals and visitors mingle amongst the magnificent and foreboding structures. You will want to discover the history of this old part of the city by visiting the Cathedral, the Congress Palace, the Cardinal’s Palace, the colonial churches of El Sagrario and San Agustin, the Independence House, the Palace of Justice and the City Hall which are all located in this impressive square.

Continuing to the east, on top of the forested mountains, you will find “Cerro de Monserrate”. This mountain has a white catholic church located at the top and has been a site of worship since 1657. On a clear day you will have the opportunity to enjoy a spectacular view of the city. You also might see snowcap of “Nevado del Tolima” on the far west side.

The tour then follows with a visit to the “Museo del Oro”, the most important gold museum in the world and a ‘must see’ when traveling to Bogotá. This museum displays one of the largest collections of pre-Columbian gold. Galleries on three levels display exquisitely crafted pieces dating back nearly 2.500 years. Visit the vault-like room on the top floor where the most treasured pieces are displayed, as well as the Offering Room, where passengers enter a black circular area that is gradually illuminated with indigenous music playing in the background; the light begins to dawn, and finally a remarkable display of gold offering collection is discovered.

The tour ends with a visit to the “Museo de Botero”, housed in a renovated colonial mansion. The works on display are all donated by Fernando Botero, Colombia’s most famous contemporary artist. Around 120 pieces of his own work are displayed at the museum including his famous sculptures, paintings and drawings. His work is well-known for the ‘proportionally exaggerated’ fat figures. In addition to his work, his personal collection by Picasso, Renoir, Dalí, Degas, Chagall, Matisse, Monet and Giacometti are also exhibited.

Lunch is included during the tour at a local restaurant with a set menu.
Overnight at the Four Seasons Bogota. (B,L)

NOTES: The Gold Museum is closed on Mondays and Botero Museum is closed on Tuesdays.

It is important to remember, when visiting churches, monasteries, and shrines, women should not wear shorts or miniskirts and men should not wear shorts.

Day 3: Bogota / Medellin

Today we transfer to the airport for the flight to Colombia’s famous city of Medellin located in the lush Aburrá Valley, this city is warm-all-year, laid-back alternative to the more buttoned-up Bogotá, where digital nomads hole up in cafes, foodies go restaurant hopping, and art lovers bounce between sprawling museums and intimate salsa haunts. The city remains deeply rooted in and proud of its rich Paisa culture—though it also acknowledges the dark side of its past, as the hometown of Pablo Escobar and a former epicenter of the world’s deadliest drug trade. But that was then and now is now.

Dubbed the “City of Eternal Spring” the city is known for its Flower Fair (held in August) and Colombia Moda, the second most important fashion fair in South America. Medellin has become an example of social and cultural transformation; going from being the capital of narcotics two decades ago, to become now the "most innovative city in the world", a title that has held since 2013 when it was awarded by the Wall Street Journal and the Citi Group.
In Medellin, you can interact with thriving, dynamic, cosmopolitan and most of all very friendly and warm people: paisas are referred to the natives of this region, they are very representative of Colombian population, idiosyncrasy and culture. Mountain scenery filled with flowers, colorful colonial towns and one of the best places to go shopping in Colombia, are among the attractions you will find in your visit to Medellin.
Overnight Medellin Marriott Hotel - Deluxe Room

The brand-new Medellin Marriott Hotel is located at El Poblado, at the heart of Medellin's financial and entertainment district. All guestrooms are designed to deliver our guests with the best rest, featuring luxurious bathrooms, total blackout curtains, soundproof windows, feather pillow top mattresses with 300 thread Egyptian cotton linen sheets, streaming speed Internet and an access point per room to ensure the best connectivity. On the executive lounge, guests can enjoy a complimentary breakfast and afternoon hors d'oeuvres, while on the 4th floor guest will find the outdoor pool. For the healthy conscious guests, the hotel offers a fully equipped fitness center and a full-service spa. This fun and exciting hotel features two concept restaurants: The Market with a build your own concept for casual dining and NAU Sushi Lounge offering handcrafted cocktails, fresh Sushi and live music in a vibrant atmosphere. Whether you visit Medellin for business or leisure stay at the Medellin Marriott Hotel.

Day 4: Medellin (History, Transformation & Flowers of Santa Helena)

Twenty (20) years ago, Medellin was one of the most dangerous cities in the world, the times of the infamous Pablo Escobar, head of Medellin’s drug cartel. Thus the reign of “El Patrón” came to its end. Until the turn of the millennium the struggle about Escobar's successor continued, but since 2002 Medellin began to change. Local politicians started to invest heavily in infrastructure and public education. Today the “City of Eternal Spring” is one of the most innovative metropolises in the world. Join us on an exciting tour through the history and present of Medellin and learn more about the transformation of this fascinating metropolis.

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The small village of Santa Elena is located less than an hour outside of Medellín in the mountains of Antioquia (over 2000 m high). It is home to a great variety of traditional flower farmers. The flower arrangements of the Flower Festival (“Feria de Flores”), called “silletas”, have an impressive history and are today a cultural symbol of Medellín. On this tour we visit an organic flower farm and experience the traditional peasant culture of Santa Elena.

Next we head to the small village of Santa Elena, located less than an hour outside of Medellin in the mountains of Antioquia, is home of a great variety of traditional flower farmers. These are the traditional families that have done this activity for decades, on this tour they share their stories and what they do. The flower arrangements of the Flower Festival (“Feria de Flores”) are a cultural symbol of Medellin. This experience takes place just outside of Medellin going up the mountain 2000 meters above sea level.

Overnight Medellin Marriott Hotel - Deluxe Room

Day 5: Medellin (Coffee Experience - Workshop)

Experience the traditional coffee culture on a typical Colombian farm. On less than three hectares Don Octavio Acevedo and his family produce their own coffee brand and give us the unique opportunity to observe the whole coffee processing from the plant to the cup. Before lunch you stroll through the coffee fields learning more about growing and collecting the coffee beans. After a traditional countryside lunch you get an insight into the roasting process and furthermore about the best way to prepare the coffee. Get to know the typical daily life of Colombian coffee farmers.

***Typical lunch is included*** Overnight Medellin Marriott Hotel - Deluxe Room

Day 6: Medellin / Cartagena

Transfer to the airport for the flight to Cartagena. Welcome to Cartagena! This picturesque colonial city on the Caribbean Sea is rich in culture, architecture, romance -- and, yes, even pirate history. We transfer you to the hotel.

With its breathtaking colonial architecture, horse-drawn carriages and narrow cobbled streets, the city of Cartagena de Indias is one of the most exciting destinations in Colombia. This Caribbean colonial jewel was the first Spanish colony on the South American mainland and one of the main ports for the Spanish fleet which turned the city into an important center of trade in the 16th century. It is a city full of history which has been an inspiration for artists, writers, historians and musicians. This vibrant and colorful city throughout the years has enchanted tourists with its fairy-tale charms that invite people to linger and explore the city for days.

Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa - Standard Room

Welcome to the Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa where a regal mix of historical grace and contemporary cool, meets the warmth of Colombian hospitality. Nestled in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage site, this luxury 5 star hotel in Colombia’s Caribbean coast is renowned as Cartagena’s best boutique hotel and one of the top 5 star luxury hotels in Colombia.Lovingly restored by expert craftsmen, the reverence of this former cloister demands an insistence on quality and attention to every tiny detail. The proud Colombian heritage is immediately evident from the stately splendor of the facade to the warm personal welcome of the staff. Whether you are looking for a unique corporate event venue in Cartagena, a premier corporate hotel in Colombia, the prefect dream Cartagena wedding or you simply want to revive your body and soul in a hotel spa, at one of the top Caribbean resorts; the Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa will refresh, restore and inspire you.

Day 7: Cartagena (Walking Tour & Monuments of Cartagena)

Today we discover Cartagena’s rich history and beautiful colonial architecture where you will admire the old houses, stunning balconies and different little squares. You will know more about the culture of Cartagena and its interesting architecture as you walk through the different cobbled streets and plazas; each street has a different story to tell. You will also see this city alive, with its students, vendors, and all the people that live there.

We pass along the main square called “Plaza de Bolívar”. In this beautiful plaza you will find many trees and a statue of the most important leader of South America’s Independence movement, the liberator Simón Bolívar. Initially it was used for military parades; however, after 1610 it was called “Plaza de la Inquisición”, because the Inquisition Palace was located on the west side of the plaza. Then you will pass by the “Plaza de la Proclamación”, where the town gathered to support the declaration of independence on November of 1811.

The tour then continues to the “Plaza de San Pedro de Claver”, a small plaza named after the saint that fought to help the slaves that came from Africa and were sold in the city. Next, you will visit the “Plaza de la Aduana”, the largest and oldest square where the important governmental and administrative buildings were located in the colonial times.

Afterwards, visit the “Plaza de los Coches”. A triangular plaza surrounded by the old city wall, houses with Spanish colonial architecture and buildings with colonial arches at ground level. This arcade walkway is known as “El Portal de los Dulces”, a whole street full of stands that sell typical Colombian sweets. There you will also find the main entrance to the inner walled city, which was originally called “Boca del Puente”. This gateway was complemented years later with a Republican-style clock tower, which is known as a symbol of Cartagena.

At the end of the tour, you will visit the “Plaza Santo Domingo”. This plaza is full of life and entertainment and it is a perfect place for social interaction and relaxation while enjoying the open air restaurants that are located there. You will also see the church of Santo Domingo, a beautiful colonial church with a stunning facade.

NOTES: It is important to remember, when visiting churches, monasteries, and shrines, women should not wear shorts or miniskirts and men should not wear shorts.

Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa - Standard Room

Day 8: Cartagena (San Basílio of Palenque Tour)

Today we head to San Basilio de Palenque, a village located 35 miles (56 kilometers) southeast of Cartagena. The village was one of the first freed slave cities in the Americas and still holds its indigenous traditions, culture, and language (Palenquero). The village has played an important part in Colombia’s history, being the birthplace of various musicians and genres including palenque and champeta (Colombia’s coolest dance). The city managed to maintain their ancient customs and traditions for more than 300 years. More than 70 African languages that could be heard on the streets of Cartagena; the Palenquero has its roots in the Portuguese factories that traded African slaves in the seventeenth century. The city was a major slave port of America, where traditional languages of these were mixed with European lingua franca in an effort to establish a link between the two worlds. Founded at the end of that century by small populations of African slaves who escaped the Spanish regime and settled in the mountains of the San Jacinto’s range, this community has a rich cultural heritage that has been passed down orally from generation to generation. Its vast and ancestral knowledge earned in 2008 the declaration of UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. We invite you to walk the streets of this peaceful village stopping to chat at Palenquero grandparents’ houses about music, legends and centuries-old stories, dancing authentic Afro-Caribbean sounds and preparing recipes of the culinary tradition that inspired one of world’s best cookbooks (Kumina ri Palenge pa to paraje - Best Cookbook of the Year at the Gourmand Awards 2014). Try local sweets, participate in a drums improvisation or dare to wear a Palenquero hairstyle made by a local coiffeur: a journey through 300 years of Afro-Colombian traditions awaits you! After lunch and sharing with the community, you will be transferred back to your selected hotel in Cartagena.

Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa - Standard Room

Day 9: Depart Cartagena

Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)