Adios, Colombia

Colombia bills itself el país de la belleza – the country of beauty. The South American nation features astounding biodiversity and cultural heritage, and topography ranging from the majestic Andes and the Amazon rainforest to the Caribbean coast. My second and more extensive visit to this country has only confirmed the impression left by my first: that Colombia rewards those willing to look past is reputation, revealing a place of extraordinary warmth, resilience, and richness at every turn. Some of the cafes that serves good Colombian coffee: And now for the food and accommodations during my visit: Two memorable meals in Medellin were…

Guatapé

Guatapé is a town located 79 kilometres from Medellin. The town is a major tourist attraction – especially for El Peñón de Guatapé , a rock formation that borders a lake with an exposed vertical face over 200 meters high and visible from throughout the surrounding countryside. Visitors can scale the rock via a staircase built into one side, a path that includes more than 708 steps to the top. The town is also known for its houses decorated with colorful bas-reliefs called Zócalos. Guatapé sits by the vast, man-made Peñol-Guatapé Reservoir.

Medellín

The Andean metropolis of Medellín has written a new narrative since the death of Pablo Escobar in 1993. Instead, visitors will discover a proud, progressive city that’s taken strides toward innovation with a modern metro and cable-car system that connects downtown with hillside barrios and beyond. Not to mention, the expansive collection of outdoor sculptures by Fernando Botero – with 23 at Plaza Botero and at Parque San Antonio, which included El Pajaro, which was damaged by a bomb in 1995.