Plotting a Journey to the Southern Hemisphere…Details: Flight SFO-Cartagena 13h16m.

Weather: The month of November is characterized by essentially constant daily high temperatures, with daily highs around 87°F throughout the month, exceeding 90°F or dropping below 84°F only one day in ten.

Accommodation in Cartagena de Indias, two options:

ANANDA BOUTIQUE HOTEL Ananda in Sanskrit means “bliss,” which is why this hotel transmits a spirit of luxury and comfort in perfect harmony. This elegant, intimate colonial-era mansion is a balm to the senses. Its central court area is a haven of tranquility, and its terrace bar & lounge is cosmopolitan and exotic. 24 bedrooms. Private restaurant. Cocktail bar. Swimming pool. Jacuzzi. 24-hour room service.

QUADRIFOLIO BOUTIQUE HOTEL Intimate and quiet elegance characterizes this hotel, where pleasure gratifies all the senses. Eight tropically themed junior suites. Dreamy and romantic courts and terraces. Private restaurant. Bar. Swimming pool. Roof top terrace, with Jacuzzi. Room service 24 hours. With a wonderful staff, you will feel as if you are residing in your private house.

Travel to Rosario Islands

Accommodation in Rosario Islands: SAN PEDRO DE MAJAGUA BEACH RESORT Located in Isla Grande, in the Rosario Islands, just 45 minutes from Cartagena by speedboat, set sailing from a private pier; this resort has 17 comfortable bedrooms, 7 suites, 7 deluxe and 3 standard bedrooms. These bedrooms are designed and decorated according to the environment of the spectacular Nature Reserve of the Rosario Islands and San Bernardo. Visitors have at their access 2 small beaches of crystalline water, PADI dive center, outdoor room massage, ecological walks, kayaking through the lagoons of the island, visit to San Martin de Pajarales aquarium (except on Monday), beach bar, restaurant specializing in seafood. Internet service in the WI FI area.

Cartahegna Suggested Activities: PRIVATE WALKING TOUR THROUGH THE WALLED CITY: A walking tour around the Walled City visiting the most representative streets, squares, monuments and museums. Tour starts from hotel, visiting: San Pedro Claver church and cloister, Palace of the Inquisition, Gold Museum of Zenú Culture, Santo Domingo church, Santo Domingo and San Francisco Javier bastions and other emblematic points of the Old City.

PRIVATE CITY TOUR BEYOND THE RAMPARTS: Private guided tour to two of the most impressive monuments of colonial Cartagena’s heritage. San Felipe de Barajas fortress is a key part of the city fortifications. Full of tunnels, passages and ancient military resources, it is located beyond the walled city. La Candelaria church and cloister, on top of La Popa hill, represents a very important piece in the Spanish colonial baroque religious architecture, also offering a 360° view of the city landscape.

SALSA CLASS: Learn your first steps to salsa dance, with a private teacher, in the salon of a Colonial Mansion, just for our clients.MODERN LATIN AMERICAN ART PRIVATE TOUR: Accompanied by a knowledgeable guide of local and international art; visit the Museum of Modern Art of Cartagena de Indias, located in an old galley store of the sixteenth century in the old city. View the permanent collection, composed of works by prominent contemporary American painters, from the 50’s to modern times and the seasonal exhibition. In addition, a private visit to the atelier of a Colombian artist based in Cartagena, who will interact with guests to talk about his work. Finally, the two most well known art galleries of the city will welcome you in private to share their recent collection.

PRIVATE CARIBBEAN CREOLE COOKING CLASS (Intensive and cheerful Caribbean Creole cuisine course): In the kitchen of an exclusive boutique hotel in the old city, visit can also include a dip in the swimming pool. Meet and cook with the chef and his team who instruct guests how to work with the local tropical products and prepare a Cartagena’s typical menu. The class is framed with a menu composed of starter, a great main course with two accompaniments and a dessert. The cooking class is “seasoned” with tropical cocktails. In the end guests enjoy the dishes they have cooked in a casual dinner served at the chef´s table accompanied by a selection of wines married with the menu. Detailed recipes are given to the guests after the class.

Cartagena features a rich fusion cuisine, combining ingredients from its African, Spanish and Indigenous roots as well as the food brought by Arabic and Spanish immigrants. Its local cuisine is mainly composed by seafood dishes, like fish and shellfish and accompanied with coconut rice, fried plantain and salad. The city has numerous  restaurants inside and outside the walled city. Arabic, Cuban, Italian and traditional Colombian restaurants can be found in the modern and historic areas representing the diversity and the flavors brought about by immigrants and inhabitants of the city.

PRIVATE CANOE JOURNEY IN THE MANGROVE FOREST: Enjoy an exceptional tour in the mangrove forest on board a typical canoe. There you will paddle between the vegetal tunnels and the swamp with a chance to admire local and migratory bird species, especially at sunset and dawn.ROMANTIC SUNSET SAILING TOUR, exclusively for a couple: Exclusive and romantic journey on a private sail boat to enjoy the sunny afternoon and sunset in a relaxing cruise along the Bay of Cartagena de Indias with spectacular views of the Old City. Wine and  appetizers served on board and musical entertainment.

 Reserva para mí, por favor!