Dear Serious Traveler,

Colombia was the first constitutional government in South America and founder of the Organization of American States (OAS). Culturally diverse, Colombia is also one of the world’s 17 biologically mega-diverse countries.

National symbols include: one of the most beautiful flowers in the world, the Cattleya Triane or Christmas Orchid; the largest emerald in the world, the Gachalá Chibcha (now in the Smithsonian); the national sport of tejo; the traditional sombrero vueltiao hat; the Paso Fino, a quick-stepping horse breed; and of course Colombian coffee, which has a protected designation of origin (PDO).

Our tour starts in Bogotá, Colombia’s impressive capital and travels north by coach through the flower growing region. Did you know the country is the largest producer and exporter of roses worldwide? After visiting the Salt Cathedral and the colonial town of Villa de Leyva, return to Bogotá. The rugged terrain requires a flight to the coffee producing plantations in the Central Andes Mountain Range, a UNESCO site. We complete our Colombian experience with 3 nights at the Caribbean city of Cartagena.

We’ve listed flights that we recommend from the U.S. and throughout the tour. We’ll be happy to help confirm them for you. Make your reservations now to assure your place in our carefully chosen boutique hotels.

Sincerely,
Gwen Erwood, President, Travel Concepts International

• Stroll the streets of Bogotá with its Spanish colonial architecture
• Visit the exquisite Gold Museum, known as one of the most important museums of its kind
• Marvel at the unique engineering of the saline rock-carved Salt Cathedral
• Step back in time in the colonial village of Villa de Leyva
• Learn about the Paso Fino at a horse-breeding farm
• Fly into the heart of the coffee growing region and visit a coffee plantation
• Hike or travel by horseback through the cloud forest of Valle de Cocora
• Enjoy the soft, warm breezes with two free days in the walled city of Cartagena looking out over the Caribbean Sea
• Delight in a cooking lesson with local chef in his seaside home