Best of Colombia

After a relaxed breakfast, you start your private sightseeing tour (approx. 6 hours) in a private car with your English or German-speaking private guide and visit the old town of La Candelaria with its colonial houses and palaces. You will also visit the Plaza de Bolivar with its flanking colonial architecture and the cathedral. There is also time to stroll around and enjoy a coffee or tea in one of the cafés. A wonderful atmosphere! Afterwards, we head up to the Cerro de Moneserrate with VIP access, where you can enjoy the panoramic view of the city in the Andes. Lunch in a selected restaurant.

The highlights of the afternoon are the privately guided visits to the legendary Gold Museum, with the world's largest pre-Columbian gold collection, and the visit to the Museo Botero. The works on display are all donations from Fernando Botero, Colombia's most famous contemporary artist. His work is known for its large, exaggeratedly voluminous figures. In addition to his works, his art collection is also on display.

After breakfast, head out into the countryside in a private car with your English or German-speaking private guide. Today's tour begins with a panoramic drive to Zipaquirá, Colombia's salt mining capital, just 50 kilometres north of Bogotá. Zipaquirá is famous for its salt cathedral, which was built in an active salt mine and houses the largest underground cross of all time. The cathedral is a place of pilgrimage for the locals. Even if you don't come for religious reasons, the salt cathedral is worth a visit for its spectacular architectural achievement, its size and the mystical lighting alone.

You then stroll through the colonial old town of Zipaquirá, many of the buildings date back to the 18th century.

Lunch in an authentic restaurant included.
Return to Bogotá in the afternoon.

The coffee is calling! Private transfer in Bogotá to the airport, then a short domestic flight takes you to the coffee region of Colombia, Armenia. You will spend the next few days at the Hotel Bio Habitat, surrounded by lush plantations and beautiful nature. The architecture is modern and simple, the suites have floor-to-ceiling windows, a large terrace and wonderful views of the surrounding mountains. Master suites are also equipped with an outdoor jacuzzi.

On arrival, you will be met by the local English-speaking tour guide and taken to your hotel. Our tour guide will help you with the registration formalities (check-in) at the hotel.

The Coffee Triangle is a fitting name for the "Zona Cafetera", Colombia's most important coffee-growing region. The region is shaped like an inverted triangle and consists of three departments: Caldas, Quindío and Risaralda. Its spectacular natural beauty makes it one of the most beautiful destinations with lush green valleys, exotic wildlife and a mild climate. This is the perfect place to relax and unwind while savouring the freshest coffee you've ever tasted.

3 nights in the Bio Habitat Hotel, double room Aviarios Master with balcony/terrace/forest view incl. breakfast – Details about the hotel

Excursions in a natural paradise, private tour with English-speaking guide in a private car: Visit the traditional village of Filandia with its well-preserved colonial streets and houses as well as the typical "fondas" (restaurant bars), where you can sample the local schnapps of the region. Then head to the Quindío viewpoint, from where you have a marvellous view of the coffee triangle.
Drive to the beautiful Cocora Valley in the department of Quindío. This majestic valley is home to the wax palm, Colombia's national tree and the tallest palm species in the world. These palms can grow up to 60 metres high and live for more than 120 years. Be amazed by the natural beauty and diversity of the flora and fauna in the valley. On arrival, you will be welcomed with a typical cocktail, the "Canelazo". You will then visit the cloud forest, where a guide will explain the importance of protecting and preserving this beautiful ecosystem. The tour continues with the "Ritual de la Palma", where you plant a wax palm tree in the park yourself. Next, you will visit the town of Salento, where the Bahareque culture, a Latin American half-timbered house, is well preserved. Beautiful balconies made of colourful wood characterise the 19th century buildings, especially along Calle Real, the main street, which is lined with restaurants, bars, craft shops and souvenir shops.

A typical lunch with smoked trout in the Cocora Valley is included.

Private coffee tour with an English-speaking tour guide in a private car to the Hacienda San Alberto about an hour outside Armenia. San Alberto has been producing top-quality coffee since the early 1970s. You will take a private tour of the beautiful hacienda and learn more about the coffee process from start to finish. You will be familiarised with the coffee bean germination process, visit the coffee nursery, walk through the coffee plantations and visit the processing plant. You will then learn to appreciate coffee for yourself: During a coffee tasting, you will learn to recognise the characteristics and qualities that make a good cup of coffee.

After breakfast, private transfer to the airport, domestic flight via Bogotá to Cartagena, the pearl of the Colombian Caribbean coast. Reception by your local English-speaking tour guide, private transfer to the hotel. The Sofitel Santa Clara is located in a building constructed in 1621 as a monastery. It also served as a charity hospital, prison and medical school before becoming a luxury hotel in 1995.

2 nights at the Sofitel Santa Clara, Deluxe Room incl. breakfast – Details about the hotel

After breakfast, private tour with your English-speaking tour guide in a private car: The tour begins with a visit to the Convento de la Popa, where the highest point of the city 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. Originally it was just a small wooden chapel, but this was later replaced by a strong structure that is still standing.

The tour continues with a visit to the Castillo de San Felipe. This castle was built by the Spanish in the 16th century and is the largest and strongest fortress ever built in a Spanish colony. It is located on the summit of San Lázaro Hill and was intended to protect the land side of the city from attacks and invasions. This fortress has a complex system of tunnels connected to strategic points to distribute supplies and facilitate a possible evacuation. In addition, the architecture of the tunnels was designed to echo any sound within them to facilitate internal communication and to hear even the faintest sound of approaching enemies.

A tour of Las Bóvedas is then on the programme. These 23 vaults were built in the 18th century and are considered to be the last large colonial structure built within the city walls for military purposes. The vaults were used by the Spanish as storage rooms for ammunition and provisions, and later became prison cells. Today, the old walls house an artisan market where you can browse for handicrafts, antiques, jewellery, clothing and souvenirs.

At the end of the tour, you will visit the Iglesia y Convento San Pedro de Claver. The baroque church has an imposing stone façade and houses beautiful stained glass windows and a high altar made of Italian marble as well as a beautiful cloister surrounded by trees.

Crazy Salsa - Private dance lessonsIn the late afternoon: private excursion with your English-speaking tour guide for private dance lessons with a teacher. Dance and music are an integral part of Cartagena's life, culture and history. The rhythm can be felt everywhere in the streets of the city, and the best way to absorb the culture is to take a dance lesson. Get ready to feel the beat and move with the rhythms of the Caribbean coast. Our dance instructors invite you to learn the basic Latin American moves and feel the sensuality and flavour of Cartagena.

After breakfast, private transfer to the harbour and boat trip (together with other guests) to Barú. Welcome to the Caribbean coastal paradise! The Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort is a distinctive and exclusive treasure on the Colombian coast, with an exquisite design that blends seamlessly into this rare oasis of nature. The gentle breeze, breathtaking views and soft white sand surrounded by turquoise waters are a true solace for the soul. An ideal place to unwind!

4 nights at the Sofitel Barú Calablanca, Luxury Room incl. breakfast – Details about the lodge

You have the days at leisure.

Check out and boat trip (together with other guests) back to Cartagena.
Private transfer to the airport and domestic flight back to Bogotá.

In the evening you will fly back to Frankfurt with Lufthansa.

Arrival in Frankfurt in the morning.