Off to Colombia (Student Tour)

Arrival in Bogotá. In the Colombian capital you meet both of the dilapidated colonial grandeur and the seething vitality of a modern metropolis.

Introductory lecture about the transformation of Colombia since the 80's until 2002 with a local expert speaker. Enjoy a unique ride in classic cars from the 60's to the Sactuary of Mount Monserrate. Lunch will be at Santa Clara restaurant with a traditional Ajiaco (potatoes and chicken stew). Visit to the emblematic Gold Museum and coffee time at "Café Pasaje" followed by a walking tour through the "Carrera septima", a very representative street of Bogotà's downtown.

In the morning visit to the José Marti public school to see how the system of public education works. Continue to visit the underground Salt Cathedral if Zipaquircá, a unique place where the miners carved the rocks to make a tribute to their Catholic faith. Lunch at local restaurant.

Flight to Armenia and visit the Hacienda La Morelia, a unique coffee farm. Experience an interaction with the coffee pickers and have lunch with them. Visit the plantation and enjoy a tasting of the Colombian "arabiga" coffees. Dinner at the hotel.

Half day visit to the Cocora Valley National Park, home of the national tree "the wax palm", an endemic protected tree. Finish the tour with a visit to the colourful colonial town of Salento.

Morning at leisure. After check out, lunch will be at Rancho El Eden Restaurant. Fligh to Medellín. Visit to the Antioquia Museum with impressions of Colombian art.

1,5 hour drive to the colonial village of Santa Fé. On the way pass a huge tunnel and cross the river Cauca via the historical West-bridge. Enjoy the exuberance of the Antioqueños, the colours and smells. After arrival get to know the village on a walking tour. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. Early in the afternoon return to Medellín.

Visit to the “comuna numero uno”, one of the most dangerous neighbourhoods of Medellín in the 80’s. At “Biblioteca España”, listen to a lecture about the influence of drug lord Pablo Escobar. Walk through the narrow streets and imagine how once people felt. Guests will be hosted in one of the private homes for lunch. In the afternoon visit to Itagui, centre of the textile industry with the original Blue Jeans factory of an international brand. Dinner at a restaurant in walking distance.

Morning at leisure. Optional: Half day excursion to visit the Botanical Garden in Medellín. In the afternoon flight to Cartagena.

City tour through Cartagena including visit to the monastery of La Popa and the San Felipe fortress. In the afternoon enjoy a private cumbia, vallenato and champeta music dancing desslon. Transfer to Café del Mar attending a lecture about Gabriel Garcia Marquez by a university professor. At the exit of the place, horse carriages will be waiting for a ride through the beautiful illuminated and narrow streets of the old city. Dinner at El Santisimo restaurant.

Drive to San Basilio de Palenque, the first independent settlement of African slaves in South America. A local will guide the visit to the place while telling the myths of the town. Lunch at a private farm, where guests can walk around and learn how to cool the typical stew of the coast. In the evening enjoy a bay tour on a private yacht along the illuminated skyline. Disembark at restaurant Club de Pesca for a Farewell cocktail and dinner.

At the agreed time transfer to the airport for individual homebound flight.