This trip takes you to two of Colombia’s most important cities – Bogota and Cartagena. You will experience the culture of this Latin American country that has strong African and European influences. Get ready to explore beautiful architecture, amazing cuisine, and wonderful people. Colombia welcomes you!
Due to the global COVID-19 Pandemic there are travel restrictions around the world. Please become familiar with the restrictions and the requirements for travel to Colombia and for entry back into the United States. These requirements are periodically updated, please check the below websites for the most recent requirements.
The tour begins with a demonstration of African music and dances held at the Palenque House of Culture. Here dancers wear costumes of African heritage and dance champeta and other rhythms of heritage, while a teacher explains the meanings of the movements and origins of each dance, as well as the representation of each rhythm and the instruments used.
We continue with the Palenqueras women's braid hairstyles workshop. Here, we have the opportunity to do a hairstyle or see the hairstyle of a Palenquera under the instructions of a local woman, while explaining how African slaves brought seeds hidden in their braids, or how the founders of the town were devised to braid the map of the route to Palenque without their masters perceiving it.
Later, we head towards the boxing workshop. Palenque is the birthplace of four world boxing champions, the most famous is Kid Pambelé. During this tour, we will have the opportunity to learn about the influence of this sport that has become a flagship in Palenque and Cartagena, the history of important characters, and also receive a brief boxing class.
Then, we visit Rafael Cassiani, master of the marimbula and composer, very famous in the musical culture of Colombia, co-founder of the current Drum Festival. He has worked with personalities like Carlos Vives and Joe Arroyo, and composed great musical successes, despite being illiterate.
Afterward, we go to a ritual of physical, emotional, and spiritual healing that takes place in the Traditional Medicine Center of Palenque, where prayers are made and medicines and plant-based drinks are made, as well as elements to protect against " mal de ojo". Also, you will learn about the beliefs, religions, and superstitions of the Palenqueros.
We finish with a brief tasting of typical sweets made from coconut, yams and/or cassava; and a Palenque language workshop (mix of African languages, Spanish and Portuguese)..png?fit=crop&crop=entropy&w=600&h=400&auto=format)
Private service with Spanish-speaking driver, English-speaking guide and private English-speaking sommelier.
The distilled emblem of the Caribbean and Colombia is the rum, due to its notes that go from citrus spices to sweets, which makes a perfect pair of harmony with the chocolate.
In the wine cellar of the Restaurant 1621, share the notes and sensations of this union and discover the Colombian chocolate with different percentages of cocoa.
Note: Includes 3 different rum glasses and a display of 3 percentages of Colombian chocolate, flavors will vary from bitter to sweet..png?fit=crop&crop=entropy&w=600&h=400&auto=format)
Ceviche is a very typical dish in many Latin American countries. Although depending on the country the recipe varies and even the name, in all of them the main ingredient is fresh fish. We can find ceviche made of shrimp, fish, octopus, squid, lobster, and crab, although there are also recipes with vegetables or fruits. Cartagena is well known for its Caribbean cuisine and the shrimp ceviche or shrimp cocktail as it is locally known is an iconic and inevitable dish in the daily life of Cartagena.
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The Rosario Islands are located about 30 miles away from the city. An archipelago formed by coral reefs with small white sand beaches, and clear Caribbean waters that invite you to appreciate the diverse marine life. These small islands have been protected by the authorities since 1977, when they were declared a National Park. The park’s coral reefs, mangrove habitats and lagoons support more than 1,300 different species in nearly 500 square miles.
The day starts at your hotel where you will be picked up and transferred to the port. The boat usually departs at 9:00 am. You will head out from the port into open water for a 60 minute ride approximately to the island. Upon arrival you will disembark and have time to explore the island or just to relax.
You can sit on the small beach and rest, enjoy a walk around the island, sign up for a diving course in the coral reefs, swim or relax with a massage session. The hotel has a beach front bar and snacks can be purchased throughout the day. You will be arriving back to Cartagena between 4:00 and 4:30 pm.
Novotel Bogotá Parque 93 has elegantly styled rooms with light parquet floors. It is located 3 blocks from Parque del la 93, famous for its gastronomic and nightlife offer.
Hotel Intercontinental Cartagena de Indias
With our privileged location in waterfront Bocagrande, one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in the city, InterContinental Cartagena is blocked from the beautiful bay of Castillogrande and five minutes from the old city. The hotel's infrastructure is part of the mixed complex that includes the renowned Nao shopping center. Enjoy a break in the beautiful pool with a privileged view, a comfortable, quiet atmosphere, and excellent drink service.
Colombia 
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