The Centro Histórico (Historic Center) in Cartagena, Colombia, has for years been a prime place for hoteliers to introduce ever-more-luxurious small hotels set in landmark-status, Colonial-era buildings. Larger properties like the Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa and the Sofitel Santa Clara (set in a former convent and monastery, respectively) may be the grande dames of the…
Category: Colombia
The Joys of the Colombian Hot Dog
A hot dog is not always just a hot dog. In Colombia, it’s more like a meal, thanks to the great variety of meats and toppings available. I first discovered this when I was visiting Medellín a few years ago and sampled one of these creations as a late-night meal after going to a club.Now,…
Cartagena’s Colorful Public Transportation
Where ever I go, I’m always interested in seeing the local means of transportation — to me, it’s a good indicator of the destination’s personality. In Cartagena, the public buses are an especially colorful sight (although plans to create a Bogotá-style public bus system may eventually diminish the population of these lively vehicles).
Music in the Air in Cartagena
The warm Caribbean breezes, historic architecture, and horse-drawn carriages lend an undeniable elegance to Cartagena’s historic city center, known in Spanish as the Centro Histórico or Ciudad Amurallada (walled city). Add a few string instruments, perhaps a piano or two and a bevy of talented classical musicians from around the world, and you’ve got quite…
Convent Life: Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa, Cartagena Colombia
Soon after arriving in Colombia, I checked into a nunnery. Of course, it hadn’t actually served its original role in a number of years. I was invited to stay as a guest at the Hotel Charleston Santa Teresa during Cartagena’s fourth annual International Music Festival, and I must say it’s quite an impressive place. Set in…
Italian-Colombian Flavor in Cartagena
Today yielded yet another good lunch in the historic center of Cartagena, Colombia. We headed to Plaza de Armas, a cozy restaurant and wine bar that specializes in local variations on Italian cuisine and seafood. The front area is a comfy lounge where wine is the name of the game, but we took a table…
Lunchtime in Cartagena
Just got back from a tasty lunch at Mila, a stylish, small restaurant in Cartagena’s historic district. I savored two delicious carimañolas — fried yuca stuffed with feta cheese — accompanied by a mouthwatering frozen grape juice. This eatery also stocks an array of sandwiches, wraps, fresh bread and very tempting desserts. A good place…
FLIGHT REVIEW: Avianca Economy Class, 2010 (Airbus A330)
The tail of an Avianca Airbus A330. Photo: LatinFlyer.com An Avianca A330 at Bogota El Dorado Airport. Photo: LatinFlyer.com A boarding gate at the Avianca domestic terminal at Bogota’s El Dorado Airport. Photo: LatinFlyer.com I’m headed to Cartagena, Colombia, today, and already the experience of flying Avianca is proving a bit different from most airlines….