DAY 1Arrive Bogotá, Columbia Welcome to Colombia. You are met on arrival in Bogotá, and your guide will take you by private car to your hotel. This afternoon, enjoy time at leisure to relax or explore this capital city on your own.
JW Marriott Hotel, Bogota
DAY 2Full Day Bogotá Sightseeing This morning, enjoy a private Bogotá city tour, starting with the well‐preserved historical colonial quarter of La Candelaria. Visit Plaza de Bolivar, the main square of Bogotá, and see the Cathedral, the Congress Palace, the Cardinal’s Palace, the colonial church of El Sagrario, the House of Independence, the Palace of Justice and the City Hall. Visit the famous Gold Museum, and the world’s greatest collection of pre‐Hispanic Indian gold crafts. Next, tour the Fernando Botero Museum, which contains paintings and sculptures of this famous contemporary Colombian artist.
In the afternoon, drive north to the town of Zipaquirá, famous for its underground salt cathedral. See where the Stations of the Cross and three naves are eerily illuminated along with other sculptures and cavernous pools; all hewn from the salt mine tunnels under the Halite Mountains. En route back to Bogotà, stop in the small colonial town of Cajicá. (B, L)
JW Marriott Hotel, Bogota
DAY 3Bogotá to Armenia Today, fly from Bogota to the regional capital city of Armenia. Located in a small valley under the shadow of the Andes, this relaxed city sits in the heart of the coffee triangle.
The afternoon is at your leisure to relax in your accommodations for the evening, a charming colonial‐style hacienda (an estate) decorated with 18th century antique furniture. Go back in time and experience the tranquility of the traditional Colombian way of life when coffee was king: enjoy stunning mountains views, large gardens, the outdoor swimming pool or perhaps walk on the hacienda’s nature path. (B)
Hacienda El Delirio, Armenia
DAY 4Armenia Sightseeing This morning your guide takes you to Hacienda Venecia, a coffee farm surrounded by abundant coffee plantations. The same family has lived at Hacienda Venecia for four generations, growing and producing coffee. Enjoy an educational coffee‐making tour where you will see all the steps necessary to produce the world‐famous Colombian coffee. At the conclusion of the tour, there is also a coffee tasting session so you can savor the aromatic and smooth coffee of the region. After lunch, return to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. (B, L)
Hacienda El Delirio, Armenia
DAY 5Armenia to Cartagena This morning you are transferred to the airport for your flight to Cartagena. You are met upon arrival and taken to your hotel. Cartagena is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a city with a wealth of character and well‐preserved colonial architecture that attracts affluent Latin Americans and Europeans. With restored mansions, horse‐drawn carriages and Old World‐style plazas, Cartagena is a perfect walking city. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore this colorful, romantic and vibrant Caribbean city, with its excellent cuisine and warm and inviting people. (B)
Sofitel Cartagena Santa Clara, Cartagena
DAY 6Cartagena Sightseeing After a morning at leisure, your afternoon tour has you discover the most important monuments of the city. Visit the 17th century Convent of La Popa; built atop a hill, you get a magnificent view of the city and the bay. Next, tour San Felipeʹs Fort, built in the 17th century to protect the city from marauding invaders. Then, strolling through the walled colonial city, stop at the colorful handicraft stores of Las Bóvedas where the local artisans display their ware. The last stop is the Convent of San Pedro Claver; named in honor of the Spanish‐born monk who was known as the “Apostles of Blacks”. The tree‐filled courtyard of the convent houses a wealth of religious and pre‐Colombian artifacts. (B)
Sofitel Cartagena Santa Clara, Cartagena
DAY 7Full Day Rosario Islands Excursion Today you have a full‐day excursion to the beautiful Rosario Islands archipelago.
In the morning, you are taken to the pier, where you board a motorboat for the ninety minute journey south. The Rosario Islands are a National Natural Park, and one of the most important coral reefs of the Caribbean Colombian coast.
Enjoy time to swim or snorkel in the beautiful crystal clear waters or laze in a hammock on the white sandy beaches. You return to Cartagena by boat, arriving by late afternoon with the remainder of the day at leisure. (B, L)
Sofitel Cartagena Santa Clara, Cartagena
DAY 8Depart Cartagena Today you are taken to the Cartagena airport for your departing flight home or on to your next destination. (B)
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Immerse yourself in the history and natural beauty of Columbia on this 8-day Independent Journey! Explore the underground salt cathedral in Zipaquirà, dip your toes in the crystal blue waters along the white sand beaches of the Rosario Islands, and stroll along the colonial town of Cartagena.
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