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Bogota
Colombia: Enjoy An Andes Vacation Experience
Carnaval
De Barranquilla - High Dose of Excitement
Cartagena, Colombia - 4 Ways To Visit
Before Leaving Home
Colombia
Travel Advice For Visitors
Colombian
Coffee - The Best in The World
Take
Spanish lessons and visit Colombia
Travel
the Colombia Coast the Green Way with Las Pleyades (Santa Marta)
Traveling
to Medellin, Colombia
When
Colombia Calls, You Travel - Colombia Travel Information
Take
Spanish lessons in Colombia by Roger Johnson
It's a reasonably safe bet to
assume, when you are considering where to go for your next holiday, Colombia
wont be the first destination that springs to mind! Forty years of civil
unrest, tales of drug cartels, kidnapping and violent crime, have
destroyed this beautiful country's credibility as a tourist destination.
However,
many regions are now safe to visit due to President Alvaro Uribe Valez,
who has taken a hard line approach to the "guerillas" and
pushed them away from major cities out into the more remote areas.
Colombia has much to offer the intrepid traveller. It is the only country
in South America, with both Caribbean and Pacific Ocean coastlines. It
has an extensive Amazonian region. The pretty coffee growing areas of
Quindio are attracting more visitors, as are the nearby Andean areas.
Cartegena
on the Caribbean coast is probably the most famous destination for
visitors. This spectacular former Spanish colonial port was featured in
the motion picture "Romancing The Stone", which starred Michael
Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny De Vito. The town is famed for its
fortifications, walled city, beautiful colourful houses with overhanging
balconies, churches and monasteries. Evidence of its colonial past can be
found everywhere. The town has safe, clean beaches, good hotels and
inexpensive restaurants.
To the
north of Cartegena, on the delta of the Magdelena river lies the city of
Barranquilla. It is the capital of the Department of Atlantico and
Colombia's fourth largest city.
Each
February Barranquilleros celebrate their month long Carnivale, which
occurs immediately before Lent. Typical events include, parades, street
parties masquerades, colourful costumes and circus. There are special
celebrations for children and the Gay community are well
Further
north along the Caribbean coastline lies my own favourite Colombian
destination Santamarta. This town has beautiful beaches, good hotels and
restaurants and a real vibrancy. There is always something to catch your
attention in this fascinating place. The nights pulsate with rhythmic
latin music and artisans and street vendors offer their wares until the
early mornings.
There
are boat trips to nearby Playa Blanca, where it is sometimes possible to
see fishing nets being hauled back to the beach teeming with the days catch.
A tourist police presence is reassuring, as is the fact that the beaches
are cleaned daily. There is a civic pride here which can be found lacking
in other towns.
Another
popular destination is Medellin, the capital of the Antioquia Department.
Known as "The City of Eternal Spring" due to its year long mild
climate, it is a very attractive city, with clear blue skies and
wonderful sunsets. It is Colombia's second city with 2 million
inhabitants and lies in the Aburra Valley at 5000 feet above sea level.
Medellin once had a fearsome reputation as one of the most dangerous
cities in the world. Much has changed now however and Medellin is no more
dangerous than cities of equivalent size in the USA or Europe. The local
people are known as Paisas and are friendly, helpful and courteous. In
early August Medellin holds the Festival of Flowers. This is the most
important festival of Antioquia where flower carriers, veteran cars and
horses parade through the streets.
As in
all tourist destinations basic security needs to be observed. Most
visitors to Colombia however, never see any trouble and experience no
problems. They have an exciting, enjoyable holiday and many are surprised
by just how friendly and courteous the people are.
As
with almost all Spanish speaking destinations, a knowledge of the
language, however small, will be a real help and will really enhance your
experience.
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