Essential Colombia

This hotel is in a prime location, surrounded by the main industrial areas of the city, in a more developed urban area of Bogota. Salitre Plaza shopping centre and Gran Estación are close to the hotel and guests will find restaurants, bars, nightlife, shops and public transportation links in the vicinity. Facilities include a lobby with a 24-hour reception, hotel safe and lobby bar, as well as a business centre with conference facilities, 2 restaurants, a cafe, WLAN Internet access, 24-hour room service, a laundry service, and a car park.

Visit the well preserved historical colonial quarter of La Candelaria. There will be an opportunity for photographs at Plaza de Bolivar, the main square of Bogota. 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 are located here. After, visit the famous Gold Museum where the world's greatest collection of pre-Hispanic Indian gold crafts is displayed. Then transfer to Monserrate where you will go up the hill on a cable car. In Monserrate you will be able to appreciate an amazing view of Bogota, it is also a site of pilgrimage for Catholics.

As you drive out of Bogota you are presented with a panoramic view of the city and the vast plateau of the northern area of Bogota. You will arrive to the small town of Zipaquira where you will take an underground tour to discover the famous Salt Cathedral.

Experience the extraordinary architecture and engineering of this remarkable underground mine. The cathedral was carved inside an active salt mine formed 250 million years ago, under the Halite Mountains. Here you will find 14 small chapels that represent the Stations of the Cross and Jesus Christ's crucifixion, a sanctuary and a main cathedral. Although this is a popular tourist destination to be visited, this is also a place of pilgrimage for the local community.

This opulent hotel enjoys a privileged location on Avenida El Poblado, in the middle of the city's main centres for shopping, business, recreation and entertainment. It lies within a few paces from the metro station and within 3.1 km from Olaya Herrera Airport. The enchanting Plaza Boteto and the Museum of Antioquia are to be found in the vicinity. This magnificent establishment boasts luxurious facilities and exceptional services. The accommodation options range from standard and twin rooms, suites, junior suites and great suites, the latter featuring jacuzzi. The units are delightfully appointed offering unmatched luxury and comfort complemented with state-of-art amenities. Guests will revel in exquisite Mexican, Italian and international cuisines, as well as American specialties and Argentinian barbecue served at the in-house restaurants. Patrons may tone up at the gym, plunge in the heated pool or pamper themselves at the spa and beauty room.

This tour takes you to the most important sights of the "City of Eternal Spring" - Medellin.

Explore downtown Medellín and the historical centre. Listen to local musicians play the traditional "Guasca" music while visiting the Parque Berrio. Stroll through the hustle and bustle of downtown Medellin to the famous Botero Plaza with an exhibition of the Colombian artist Fernando Botero, whose sculptures have become a landmark of the city.

Take the Metro Cable up to Santo Domingo, which was once a notorious area of gang violence in Medellin. The cable car was constructed to make the inner city more accessible to people from the outskirts, and allows visitors a glimpse into the lives of the marginalized population. While enjoying the spectacular view you learn more about the transformation of Medellin from one of the most dangerous cities in the world into a fascinating melting pot of cultures with possibly the friendliest and warmest people in the world.

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.

This luxurious hotel enjoys a stunning setting in Cartagena de Indias. The hotel boasts close proximity to a broad range of attractions in the area. Guests will find themselves within easy access of Santo Toribio Church, Puerta del Reloj and San Pedro Claver Church and Convent. San Felipe de Barajas Castle, and Simon Bolivar House and Museum are also located nearby. This stunning hotel enjoys a mesmerising design. The interior is superbly appointed, offering a luxurious setting in which to unwind. The guest rooms are eloquently designed, combining traditional and contemporary styles. The hotel offers unrivalled, personalized services and exemplary facilities, to ensure an unparalleled experience for every type of traveller.

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.

The tour begins with a visit to the "Convento de la Popa", where the city's highest point is located and you can enjoy the best view of the beautiful city of Cartagena. This convent was built in the 17th century by the Augustinian Monks. Initially it was just a small wooden chapel, but later it was replaced by a strong construction which still remains.

Continue with a visit to the "Castillo de San Felipe". This castle was built by the Spaniards in the 1600s and it is the greatest and strongest fortress ever built in a Spanish colony. Located at the top of San Lazaro hill, its purpose was to protect and guard the city's landward side from any attack or invasion. This fortress provides a complex system of tunnels connected with strategic points to distribute provisions and facilitate a possible evacuation. Additionally, the tunnel's architecture was built so that any noise would echo along them, in order to make internal communications easier and hear even the slightest sound of the enemies approaching.

Afterwards, a walk through "Las Bovedas" is included. These 23 vaults were built in the 18th century and they are considered the last major colonial construction made within the city walls for military purposes. The vaults were used as storerooms for munitions and provisions by the Spaniards, and later on, they became jail cells. Nowadays, they are used as crafts markets where you can find handicrafts, antiques, galleries, jewelry, clothing and souvenirs, among other things.

Then, you will visit the "Iglesia y Convento San Pedro de Claver"; this convent was founded in the early 17th century by San Ignacio de Loyola. The name of the church was given in honor to San Pedro Claver, a Jesuit priest who spent his life ministering to the enslaved people brought from Africa. This baroque church has an imposing stone facade and inside there are fine stained-glass windows and a high altar made of Italian marble. You will also find a beautiful cloister surrounded with trees, a museum and the place where San Pedro Claver lived and died.

Passengers will pass by the main square called "Plaza de Bolívar". In this beautiful plaza you will find many trees and a statue of the most important leader of South America's Independence movement, the liberator Simón Bolívar. Initially it was used for military parades; however, after 1610 it was called "Plaza de la Inquisición", because the Inquisition Palace was located on the west side of the plaza. Then you will pass by the "Plaza de la Proclamación", where the town gathered to support the declaration of independence on November of 1811.

The tour then continues to the "Plaza de San Pedro de Claver", a small plaza named after the saint that fought to help the slaves that came from Africa and were sold in the city. Next, you will visit the "Plaza de la Aduana", the largest and oldest square where the important governmental and administrative buildings were located in the colonial times.

Afterwards, visit the "Plaza de los Coches". A triangular plaza surrounded by the old city wall, houses with Spanish colonial architecture and buildings with colonial arches at ground level. This arcade walkway is known as "El Portal de los Dulces", a whole street full of stands that sell typical Colombian sweets. There you will also find the main entrance to the inner walled city, which was originally called "Boca del Puente". This gateway was complemented years later with a Republican-style clock tower, which is known as a symbol of Cartagena.

At the end of the tour, you will visit the "Plaza Santo Domingo". This plaza is full of life and entertainment and it is a perfect place for social interaction and relaxation while enjoying the open air restaurants that are located there. You will also see the church of Santo Domingo, a beautiful colonial church with a stunning facade.

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.