Colombia Signature: Coffee Region & Cartagena

Upon arrival by air to the Quindío Coffee Region, you will be privately transferred to your hotel. If you land at Armenia Airport (AXM), approximate transfer time is 45 minutes; if arriving into Pereira Airport (PEI), the transfer will take roughly 2 hours and 15 minutes. With its rolling hills, covered with green coffee plants and dotted with quaint, brightly-painted haciendas, this UNESCO listed landscape represents some of the most stunning scenery in Colombia. The adage that the journey is as important as the destination certainly applies to this region, as every twist and turn is rewarded with spectacular views and new perspectives. The coffee region is the rural heart of Colombia, where pastoral life continues as it has done for centuries, harvesting coffee and plantains as well as numerous other crops in the fertile land.

Coffee of course plays a pivotal role in the local economy and has molded the culture of the region. Its cultivation, harvesting and processing remain an important economic resource. The region is comprised of 3 Colombian departments: Caldas, Risaralda and Quindio. They run north-south along the central range of the Andean Mountains and are flanked to the east by the chilly snow-capped peaks of the Los Nevados National Park. Considering their relatively small size, the three departments are incredibly diverse, with altitudes ranging from below 1,000m (3,280ft) to over 5,000m (16,500ft). The geography, scenery, climate, flora and fauna are all reflected by these extremes in altitude variation.  In the space of just a few hours’ drive, the scenery can change from the rugged beauty and harsh temperatures of the towering mountain peaks to the sultry heat of the Cauca Valley. In the late afternoon, after settling into your room, join a hosted orientation walk of the haciendas grounds.

Embrace the beauty of the Coffee Region throughout your day at leisure. Enjoy a relaxing breakfast before heading out to explore the hacienda's grounds, or consider arranging an on-site activity (available for purcahse locally).

Following breakfast, meet your English-speaking guide and driver and begin the private transfer to Armenia Airport or Pereira Airport. The transfer to Armenia Airport takes approximately 45 minutes, while the transfer to Pereira Airport takes roughly 2 hours and 15 minutes. Board your flight with service to Cartagena. Upon arrival to Cartagena, you will be privately transferred to your hotel in Baru Cartagena. The transfer will take approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

The allure of the Caribbean coast is perfectly epitomized by Cartagena de Indias, often described as absurdly photogenic, and one of the most iconic destinations in Colombia. During your day at leisure in Baru Cartagena, you’re invited to kick back and relax. Sofitel Barú Calablanca Beach Resort creates a unique synergy between nature and architectural design. With LEED certification and drawing inspiration from the surrounding biodiversity, each detail is carefully considered using natural materials to evoke a feeling of luxury, which translates to relaxation, sophistication and fun à la plage.

After breakfast this morning, make your way to the hotel lobby and get set for the transfer to Cartagena. Founded in 1533 by Pedro de Heredia, Cartagena offers a wonderful insight into the life of the region through the 16th to 18th centuries by way of beautiful churches, atmospheric plazas and fascinating historical sites. Cartagena enjoys year-round tropical temperatures, and the historic old town and Getsemani neighborhood – with their dramatic colonial buildings – juxtapose strikingly with the nearby Boca Grande beach peninsula and its Miami-style, exclusive high-rise towers. Cartagena was the Caribbean gateway port of the Spanish. Here they stored the riches plundered from the interior before shipping them back to the Old World.

Explore the city throughout the day and prepare to experience Cartagena's vibrant day-to-night transformation. Daytime brings lively streets filled with vendors and locals, while nights light up with a different energy. As the temperature cools, Cartageneros take to bars, restaurants, and plazas. Younger residents dance to salsa beats, while their elders enjoy fine dining. This tour offers a taste of Cartagena's nightlife, starting with a cocktail at a sea-view lounge like Café del Mar. Then, enjoy a delightful dinner at a local restaurant, each with its unique charm. The night ends at a local bar, perhaps Cafe Havana, where salsa rhythms and local dances create an unforgettable atmosphere. After a night out enjoying vibrant Cartagena, you will be returned to your hotel.

This full-day experience takes in the most iconic sights in Cartagena. Carved from a colourful history rife with piracy, sultry Caribbean heat, with fusions of African, indigenous and European culture, Cartagena is a living museum. The historic centre with its imposing merchant's houses, blossom bedecked balconies and ornate churches, are all encircled by the city's ancient stone fortification. A walk through the famous clock tower entrance, on through the leafy Bolivar square and narrow-cobbled streets is a walk through the pages of history.

The old town is still however part of a modern Colombia, one of the city's main universities has its principal faculties located here, students rub shoulders with visitors and there is a vibrant commercial life here too. La Heroica (The Heroic city) with its 500 plus years of antiquity has a wealth of myths, legends and stories to enthral visitors. Wandering the picturesque streets of Cartagena is to step through the pages of a Gabriel Garcia Marquez novel watching history come to life.

Just outside the historic old town, the imposing San Felipe de Barajas fortress is one of the city's most distinctive landmarks. San Felipe is the largest Spanish-built fortification in the New World, and along with the ramparts and stonewalls was part of the city's defence against pirates. Built on a hill, construction began in 1536 and continued for some 200 years. The La Popa Convent sits in a privileged position and is the highest landmark in the city. The cool, flower-filled courtyard with its dominant stone columns lead out to a viewing platform. Inside the small chapel is the immaculate gold-plated and carved alter and ornate decoration dedicated to the "Virgin de la Candelaria". The convent still plays an important role in the life of the city's Catholics.

After an incredible week in Colombia, it is time to return home. Following breakfast, you will be privately transferred to the airport. Approximate transfer time is 30 minutes.