Essence of Colombia
$0.00
per item
Highlights:
Colombia offers an interesting combination of colonial architecture, stunning mountain scenery and captivating beach experiences. This suggested program gives you a sample of each, combining the impressive plazas of Bogota with a picture perfect country town founded in 1572 and, in many ways, architecturally unchanged.
Finish up your stay in the notorious town of Cartagena where the gold on the Indies was sent to Spain and pirates lay in wait. Today its quaint streets and ramparts blend with jet set chic, crystal clear water and world class restaurants.
Colombia offers an interesting combination of colonial architecture, stunning mountain scenery and captivating beach experiences. This suggested program gives you a sample of each, combining the impressive plazas of Bogota with a picture perfect country town founded in 1572 and, in many ways, architecturally unchanged.
Finish up your stay in the notorious town of Cartagena where the gold on the Indies was sent to Spain and pirates lay in wait. Today its quaint streets and ramparts blend with jet set chic, crystal clear water and world class restaurants.
SKU:
Explore: Colombia
Customizable Itinerary - 8 Days (from $3,425 per person)
Day 1: USA-Colombia
Today you board an aircraft bound for Bogota, the colonial capital of Colombia. Upon arrival you are met and taken to your hotel where the rest of the evening is left open.
Day 2: Highlights of Bogota and Montserrat
After breakfast you meet your guide for a private half-day tour of the city highlights with a focus on the historic centre known as La Candelaria. Visit the main square, Plaza de Bolivar where a statue of Simon Bolivar dominates. In the past the plaza has served many proposes including a marketplace, a bullring and a place where executions were held. Your next visit will be the Cathedral which houses important religious artifacts. You will also pass by many government buildings as you make your way to Botero Museum exhibiting some of the works of Fernando Botero along with pieces from his personal collection including works by Picasso, Renoir, Dali, Matisse, Monet and Giacometti. From there you visit the Gold Museum which is considered to be one of the most important museums of its type with a vast display of Gold jewelry dating back prior to the conquistadors. Finish your tour by riding a cable car or funicular to the 1,500 feet summit where you find the Santuario de Monserrate plus incredible views of the city and the surrounding Andes. Return to the hotel where you have some free time in the afternoon. We will provide recommendations for dinner.
Breakfast
Day 3: Zipaquira and Villa de Leyva
After breakfast you will meet your guide and head north into the countryside. Your first stop will be the salt mine of Zipaquira, a true feat of engineering. The trip begins in a tunnel that passes the fourteen Stations of the Cross and continues on to a dome. The dome is lit in such a way that it allows you to contemplate the relationship between man and nature. You proceed to an enormous cross carved into the rock and finally the three naves of the Cathedral that represent the birth, life and death of Christ. In the central nave is the main altar, above which is a cross measuring 1,250 feet high and 30 feet wide and all made with salt. Next you visit the mine where there is an auditorium that can seat two hundred people and is used for film showings and fashion shows. Finish up at a mirror of water. You have lunch and then continue on to Villa Da Leyva a charming town founded in 1592 by Hernan Suarez de Villalobos. Enjoy dinner at your Posada.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Villa de Leyva and Cartagena
We have left most of the day open to let you explore on your own. This is one of the area’s most beautiful towns a well-preserved colonial jewel with an enormous 150,000 sq. ft plaza surrounded by Spanish style houses, small alleys, cobblestone streets and the XVII century parochial church. In colonial times, the town played a central role and the Viceroy and his entourage spent a great deal of time here. In the afternoon you will be transferred back to Bogota and the airport where you catch a plane for the short flight to Cartagena. Upon arrival you are met and taken to your elegant boutique hotel.
Breakfast
Day 5: A Walking Tour through Cartagena
Today your guide will take you on a walking tour of this charming Colonial Caribbean town. Start in Bolivar Park by large trees and four fountains and the obligatory Bolivar statue. Around the square is the gold museum offering archeological objects dating back to the pre-Hispanic period. You will also visit the Inquisition Palace which is noted for its large Baroque-style door. The inquisition held its meetings here and it was also the prison and torture chambers of presumed heretics. Finish your tour at the Museum of the city’s fortifications followed by lunch at a local restaurant. You have free time to explore the city ramparts and its quaint shops. In the evening a guide will escort you to La Vitrola one of the finest restaurants in the entire walled city. It offers Cuban style inside a house typical of Cartagena. In addition to its food it is also noted for its antique chandeliers, trunks and paintings emblematic of the heritage of Cartagena de Indias.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: A Private Cruise to Rosario Island
In the morning you will be picked up and taken to the marina where a private yacht will be waiting to take you to one of the pristine islands of the Archipelago del Rosario where you can swim, snorkel and just relax, A lobster lunch will be served and in the late afternoon you return to Cartagena where the evening is open.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 7: An Elegant Finale
This is your last day in Cartagena and we have left it open since we know that there is still a lot you want to see and buy. In the evening you will be picked up and taken to Club de Pesca which one of the most traditional in the city because of its location on Cartagena Bay. Casual elegance is the best term as you enjoy the freshest seafood (beef and poultry are available) and enjoy the ocean breeze and the live music. If you have ever yearned to dance the boss nova and watch the waves rolling up to a Caribbean Beach, tonight is your night.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8: Return to USA
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport for the flight back home.
Breakfast
Today you board an aircraft bound for Bogota, the colonial capital of Colombia. Upon arrival you are met and taken to your hotel where the rest of the evening is left open.
Day 2: Highlights of Bogota and Montserrat
After breakfast you meet your guide for a private half-day tour of the city highlights with a focus on the historic centre known as La Candelaria. Visit the main square, Plaza de Bolivar where a statue of Simon Bolivar dominates. In the past the plaza has served many proposes including a marketplace, a bullring and a place where executions were held. Your next visit will be the Cathedral which houses important religious artifacts. You will also pass by many government buildings as you make your way to Botero Museum exhibiting some of the works of Fernando Botero along with pieces from his personal collection including works by Picasso, Renoir, Dali, Matisse, Monet and Giacometti. From there you visit the Gold Museum which is considered to be one of the most important museums of its type with a vast display of Gold jewelry dating back prior to the conquistadors. Finish your tour by riding a cable car or funicular to the 1,500 feet summit where you find the Santuario de Monserrate plus incredible views of the city and the surrounding Andes. Return to the hotel where you have some free time in the afternoon. We will provide recommendations for dinner.
Breakfast
Day 3: Zipaquira and Villa de Leyva
After breakfast you will meet your guide and head north into the countryside. Your first stop will be the salt mine of Zipaquira, a true feat of engineering. The trip begins in a tunnel that passes the fourteen Stations of the Cross and continues on to a dome. The dome is lit in such a way that it allows you to contemplate the relationship between man and nature. You proceed to an enormous cross carved into the rock and finally the three naves of the Cathedral that represent the birth, life and death of Christ. In the central nave is the main altar, above which is a cross measuring 1,250 feet high and 30 feet wide and all made with salt. Next you visit the mine where there is an auditorium that can seat two hundred people and is used for film showings and fashion shows. Finish up at a mirror of water. You have lunch and then continue on to Villa Da Leyva a charming town founded in 1592 by Hernan Suarez de Villalobos. Enjoy dinner at your Posada.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Villa de Leyva and Cartagena
We have left most of the day open to let you explore on your own. This is one of the area’s most beautiful towns a well-preserved colonial jewel with an enormous 150,000 sq. ft plaza surrounded by Spanish style houses, small alleys, cobblestone streets and the XVII century parochial church. In colonial times, the town played a central role and the Viceroy and his entourage spent a great deal of time here. In the afternoon you will be transferred back to Bogota and the airport where you catch a plane for the short flight to Cartagena. Upon arrival you are met and taken to your elegant boutique hotel.
Breakfast
Day 5: A Walking Tour through Cartagena
Today your guide will take you on a walking tour of this charming Colonial Caribbean town. Start in Bolivar Park by large trees and four fountains and the obligatory Bolivar statue. Around the square is the gold museum offering archeological objects dating back to the pre-Hispanic period. You will also visit the Inquisition Palace which is noted for its large Baroque-style door. The inquisition held its meetings here and it was also the prison and torture chambers of presumed heretics. Finish your tour at the Museum of the city’s fortifications followed by lunch at a local restaurant. You have free time to explore the city ramparts and its quaint shops. In the evening a guide will escort you to La Vitrola one of the finest restaurants in the entire walled city. It offers Cuban style inside a house typical of Cartagena. In addition to its food it is also noted for its antique chandeliers, trunks and paintings emblematic of the heritage of Cartagena de Indias.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: A Private Cruise to Rosario Island
In the morning you will be picked up and taken to the marina where a private yacht will be waiting to take you to one of the pristine islands of the Archipelago del Rosario where you can swim, snorkel and just relax, A lobster lunch will be served and in the late afternoon you return to Cartagena where the evening is open.
Breakfast and Lunch
Day 7: An Elegant Finale
This is your last day in Cartagena and we have left it open since we know that there is still a lot you want to see and buy. In the evening you will be picked up and taken to Club de Pesca which one of the most traditional in the city because of its location on Cartagena Bay. Casual elegance is the best term as you enjoy the freshest seafood (beef and poultry are available) and enjoy the ocean breeze and the live music. If you have ever yearned to dance the boss nova and watch the waves rolling up to a Caribbean Beach, tonight is your night.
Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8: Return to USA
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport for the flight back home.
Breakfast
