...Just back from
Colombia
Leave your preconceived ideas and misconceptions behind and Colombia will exceed all expectations. Our Director of Sales, Sarah Parker, visited this South American jewel for the first time and discovered a country bursting with energy, full of soul and shaking off the shackles of its somewhat chequered past.
Cool Capital
Capital city Bogota is fast becoming South America’s ‘next capital of cool’, as it was recently dubbed by Forbes magazine. And with its burgeoning restaurant and art scene it’s easy to see why. I stepped out on to the streets with engaging local art specialist Angelina for a day exploring the city, meeting with collectors and artists.
Lunch was at à la mode restaurant Prudencia in colonial La Candelaria, where white bean hummus was followed by lomo de res (beef tenderloin) and an oyster-mushroom aioli.
“Colombia is strikingly diverse – cosmopolitan cities juxtapose with savannah wetlands, and lush green coffee plantations sit up against snow-capped mountains.”
Sarah Parker
Caribbean Cartagena
The walled old city of Cartagena, on Colombia’s north coast with views of the Caribbean Sea, is one of the best-preserved colonial towns in Latin America. I spent a day walking the cobbled streets of the historical centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, admiring the iconic plazas, cathedrals and colourful houses, learning about Spanish colonisation and pirate sieges.
As night fell, I put on my dancing shoes and learnt to salsa with the locals. I also experienced a rum tasting with the fascinating Noah, a chemist and historian, and highly recommend dinner at stylish Lobo de Mar to savour squid ink croquettes and pork belly risotto.
Medellin On The Up
I found Medellin, known as The City of Eternal Spring due to its idyllic climate and vivid green landscape, a delight. This city has left its drug-related violence firmly in the past and transformed itself with quirky cafes, designer boutiques and trendy neighbourhoods.
Medellin is the birthplace of Colombia’s iconic artist Fernando Botero and it was a pleasure to wander around Plaza Botero gazing at his voluptuous sculptures. A highlight was a walking tour of Communa 13 with local rapper Ciro who engaged us about the barrio’s complicated past while showing us the progression of the community. I found it moving to see the strength of a new generation channelling their energies for positive change.
Mountain High
High in the cloud forest of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the world’s second highest coastal mountain range, is Casa Galavanta, a lodge that allows a rare disconnect from the modern world.
Sunrise yoga surrounded by nature at 1,500 metres above sea level and daily treks lasting for six to eight hours left me with a sense of calm and rejuvenation. Bird lovers are in for a treat here with 628 bird species to be found in this biodiverse region.
Three days on safari in Los Llanos (The Plains) was a real highlight, with its flooded grasslands, lush forests and wild rivers. Corocora is a luxury tented wildlife camp in a private 9,000-hectare reserve home to capybaras, puma, jaguar, giant anteater and more than 200 bird species. It’s also a natural habitat for the infamous anaconda.
The best way to experience Corocora is on horseback. The Llaneros ponies may be slight in stature but they certainly punch above their weight.
"Lasting memories include riding with the wonderful Don Alvero and his incredible team of Llanero (Colombian cowboys) and herding cattle through the wetland savannah."
The Verdict
Colombia is a country with a complicated past but a very bright future. It’s certainly true that it’s seeing a sharper rise in visitor numbers than any of its neighbours right now. Its landscapes alone are reason enough to visit: Andean peaks, tropical beaches, vast open plains and dense rainforests sitting 3,000 feet above sea level.
Throw in one of South America’s prettiest colonial towns, remote coffee fincas high in the mountains, and a city-wide renaissance in food, art and hospitality, and it’s easy to see what the fuss is all about.
The collection
Far Flung Treats
We've waded through a plethora of new openings to bring you a round-up of the hottest hotels making a splash in far-flung lands, from Australasia to Myanmar and the Amazon.
Booking with Bailey Robinson means access to the finest travel experiences. When planning your holiday we do all the hard work – in-depth research and meticulous organisation. You can be confident in the individual care for your holiday from your dedicated and experienced Personal Travel Designer and Concierge.
Insight
Go Green in Costa Rica
The review
Islas Secas, Panama
