Medellin has been internationally defined by its criminal past as the drug capital of the world and the brutal internal war with the ruthless cartel run by Pablo Escobar. But Escobar is decades dead and the government is working aggressively to re-brand Medellin as a tourist and investment attraction, building…
Cartagena, a captivating mix of history, vibrant colours and laid-back way of life
It’s love. Cartagena, the vibrant, historic walled city on the Caribbean coast of Colombia. Half of me wants to shout it from the rooftops and tell the whole world. The other half wants to keep it quiet lest popularity spoils its charm. It was once Spain’s main port and gateway to the Americas for bringing in slaves and was the central bank of the Spanish colonial world repatriating looted gold back to the homeland. After being continually besieged by pirates and would-be invaders, the Spanish protected its most important city by building Las Murallas, a circle of thick stonewall. Today that wall, most of which still stands, provides visitors with an ideal platform for walking around the city never far from the ocean glistening in the sunshine.
Cartagena’s sleepy laid-back atmosphere, narrow streets and elegant, authentic
architecture make it a joy to simply mooch around. Set off walking without intent or purpose and you will find treasures at every turn. The city’s houses are painted a kaleidoscope of colours, the charming balconies often festooned with flowers and, at night, lanterns. Peek inside the huge wooden porticos and you will see fountains and statues; duck down an alleyway and there will be a tiny cafe, bar or little shop.
Visiting Santiago? Then sample fine wine at the easily accessible Matetic Winery
The Chilean capital, Santiago, is for many international travellers the entry point to South America and the crossroads for hundreds of internal links each week. This includes LAN and code-share partners flights from Australia. A brief stopover is the perfect opportunity to sample some of Chile’s fine wine at source,…