The moment we confirm a Journey with our clients, they receive a basket of books on their destination AND a reading list which may also include music play lists, and movie suggestions on their destination. Explore the Real Macondo.
Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude captured the world’s imagination with its lush storytelling and mythical town of Macondo. With Netflix bringing new life to this literary masterpiece, there’s no better time to experience the country that inspired it. Explore environments and landscapes that reflect the magic, mystery, and history woven into Márquez’s enduring work. Gabriel García Márquez’s novel “The General in His Labyrinth.” “Mompox doesn’t exist,” Mr. García Márquez wrote, “we sometimes dream about her, but she doesn’t exist.” There is nothing directly related with the author in the city — no statues or plaques — but the area, and particularly the river, heavily informed his writing. He once said in an interview: “I traveled the Magdalena River 11 times, back and forth, I know every village and every tree on that river.”
Mompox: The Forgotten World of Magical Realism. Hidden along the Magdalena River, Mompox feels like a town where time stands still — a place of quiet streets, historic manors, and stories whispered through the breeze. This UNESCO World Heritage Site inspired much of Márquez’s magical realism, particularly in The General in His Labyrinth and One Hundred Years of Solitude. He once described Mompox as a town where “nothing happens, but everything happens,” capturing its dreamlike, timeless essence. A private day trip to Mompox offers an unforgettable experience. A day trip with private plane transfer to explore the town with a local guide who will reveal its history and lasting influence on Gabo’s work. Stroll through ornate churches, colonial courtyards, and picturesque riverside streets before enjoying a traditional lunch.
Begin your Journey in Cartagena, where I spent 3 glorious, hot days last spring! Includes 3 nights in luxury accommodations in Cartagena. Private plane day trip to Mompox. Advance itinerary customization and restaurant reservations, as well as 24/7 in-country support.
Arrival into Cartagena from the U.S. Cartagena can be easily reached via nonstop flights from U.S. gateways such as New York, Miami, Atlanta and Ft. Lauderdale, as well as connecting service via Bogotá and Panama City. Cartagena is without a doubt the crowning jewel of the Caribbean and is Colombia’s top destination. This stunning 16th-century Spanish fort city is superbly preserved with cobblestone streets filled with colorful colonial homes whose terraces overflow with lush bougainvillea flowers. Here, the climate is warm and tropical, so a leisurely three-night stay is often our recommendation.
Meet our team of private driver and English-speaking guide who will welcome you just outside Customs for your private transfer to your five-star boutique hotel in the heart of the old city – we have a few favorites and will help you choose the best fit for your travel style.
After some time at leisure to settle in and have lunch meet your guide for an introductory walk around the historic center of Cartagena. The colorful streets are made for exploration on foot, and as you walk around your guide will bring the history and legends of Cartagena to life as you stop at various important landmarks including the Clock Tower and the monument to Don Pedro de Heredia, founder of the city in 1533. Your guide will also point out some notable museums you may wish to visit during your stay, including the Gold Museum and the Museum of the Inquisition.
Evening at leisure, but we’ll be happy to make advance dinner reservations for you, Cartagena has a long list of Top Restaurants of the World.
Next day- fly privately to explore Mompox, officially Santa Cruz de Mompox, a town and municipality in northern Colombia in the Bolivar region. Santa Cruz de Mompox, often abbreviated to Mompox, is a picturesque little town nestling on the banks of Colombia’s Magdalena River. Known for its rich colonial heritage, cobbled streets and tranquil atmosphere, Mompox is a must-see destination for history and culture lovers.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city offers an immersion in the past, a vibrant cultural scene and enchanting landscapes. A magical town on an island in the middle of the Magdalena River, exuding history, romanticism, and nostalgia in every corner, especially along the Calle Real del Medio, or Main Royal Street, the most important of all streets and the one that concentrates the most captivating architectural sites.
In colonial times, the town was an important trade center thanks to the navigability of the Magdalena River and its remoteness from the Caribbean Sea, which enabled it to remain free from the attacks of pirates and corsairs. While military constructions reflected in bulwarks and walls grew in Cartagena, a classic, Sevillian-style religious architecture flourished in Mompox and remains today as evidence of those good times.
Founded in 1540 by Alonso de Heredia, Mompox played a crucial role during the colonial era. The town served as a refuge for the Spanish and a transit point for treasures en route to Cartagena. Its past prosperity is reflected in its well-preserved architecture, with churches, squares and colonial mansions bearing witness to its historical grandeur
The city is dotted with magnificent churches, each with its own unique history and architecture. Among the most noteworthy: Church of Santa Bárbara: Located in the main square, this 17th-century church is famous for its octagonal bell tower and intricately carved wooden balconies.
Church of San Francisco: Known for its white façade and Baroque interior decorations. Church of San Agustín: Another architectural gem, characterized by its frescoes and religious works of art.
A tour of Mompox is also a review of history and the fervent Holy Week celebrations that are still maintained, beginning with the processions of the week following Ash Wednesday. Momposinos are friendly and happy but preserve their ascetic character when it comes to celebrating Holy Week, the time of year when the influx of tourists is greatest.
Stroll along the river bank, look for the colonial white building with yellow poles, this majestic house is located in the historic center of Mompox, Bolívar, with an unparalleled view of the Magdalena River. Legado de la Marquesa is one of the four houses that make up the famous Portales de la Marquesa and, as its name suggests, it was the residence of the marquisates that originated in colonial times in Santa Cruz de Mompox. Café 1700 is inside, a lovely place to sit, the thick white walls keep the interiors cool, relax with a café helado.
Mompox is renowned for its crafts, particularly gold and silver filigree. This technique, inherited from Arab goldsmiths, has become a symbol of Mompox expertise. Craftsmen create meticulous works of art in filigree, a technique that involves twisting and soldering fine metal chains to form intricate designs. This tradition has been carried on for generations and represents a priceless cultural heritage. Visitors can watch demonstrations in local workshops.
A walk along the Magdalena River is a must. The banks of the river offer magnificent views, especially at sunset. The small fishing boats and colorful houses create a peaceful and picturesque atmosphere.
Visit the Mompox Cemetery. The municipal cemetery is a peaceful resting place and a remarkable example of colonial funerary art. The tombs, adorned with detailed carvings and wrought-iron crosses, tell the story of the town through the centuries.
Discover the local cuisine. Momposina cuisine is a blend of indigenous, African and Spanish flavors. Dishes not to be missed include queso de capa (cheese in layers), butifarra (spicy sausage), dulce de limón and corozo wine, not forgetting the unmissable arepas de huevo (egg-filled corn cakes) typical of the department of Bolivar.
Return to Cartagena, head for the island boutique resort with a private beach on the island of Barú, one of the iconic spots on the Caribbean coast, with white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Six bungalows on a private island… just you, the sea and the discerning staff! Wake up overlooking the Caribbean Sea in your rustic beach bungalow.
Why go to Latin America? If you love colorful colonial architecture, gastronomic hotspot cuisine, off the beaten path gems. Music, dance, natural beauty, street art…it’s still relatively undiscovered.
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