Today the group will be accompanied by resident journalist & Radio Show host, Richard McColl. As we traverse traffic in the large Bogota metropolis, Richard will address topics including the Peace Process, Free Speech, Journalism, Rule of Law, and the upcoming Congressional/Presidential Elections.  We ride the Funicular railway over 10,000 feet to the top of Monserrate and enjoy impressive views of the city followed by a visit to the Gold Museum. We explore the colonial city center on foot with a stop at the Palace of Justice followed by lunch. Our afternoon continues with a lecture on THE COLOMBIA PEACE PROCESS, TRANSPARENCY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC JUSTICE  with a visit the offices of Dejusticia, the preeminent NGO and “Think-Do Tank” in Colombia. 

Our morning begins with an exciting lecture U.S.-COLOMBIA RELATIONS: Diplomatic Perspectives at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, the second largest U.S. Embassy in the world. We continue to the Salt Cathedral in Zipaquira, a converted salt mine, underground church and pilgrimage site. Our group lunch is at the "must-see" Andres DC de Chia restaurant. An optional afternoon activity is time to play Tejo, a tradition of Pre-Columbian origins.  This local pastime is customarily played while drinking beer, and some may find similarities with the American lawn games horseshoes or cornhole.   Remainder of afternoon and evening free.

Today our group flies from Bogota (BOG) to Medellin (MDE) on an Avianca flight coordinated by CLE Abroad.  En route to Medellín, we visit the highlands of Santa Elena to learn about the Silletero tradition and importance of ornamental flowers to the people of Colombia.  We enjoy a group lunch on a family-owned flower farm, authentic Antioquian style cuisine.  After lunch, we drive through the Arvi National Park and ecological nature preserve, before descending (via Cable Car) to the city of Medellin. We check-in to our hotel located in the popular El Poblado neighborhood with the remainder of afternoon free to relax or enjoy an optional stroll & bar crawl to Parque Lleras.   Group dinner and full course tasting menu at Carmen, one of Colombia’s most highly rated restaurants. This new age Colombian cuisine will not disappoint. 

This morning a local artist takes us on a Street Art Tour in the vibrant Comuna 13 community filled with incredible public art, music, street performers & vendors selling tasty local snack . After our walking tour, we continue to Casa Kolacho community center for a Hip Hop & graffiti arts demonstration. We wrap up the morning with a visit to the Museo Casa de la Memoria, dedicated to the victims of the Colombian conflict.  Lunch at the creative social project Via Cocina with Founder Brian Johnston. This home & project kitchen offers workshops and training focused on healthy cooking styles and guidance for opening a business of ones own. Over lunch Brian will discuss COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN COLOMBIA  as well as his non-profit background and setting up a social enterprise in Colombia.   After lunch, we return to El Poblado for a Coffee Chat surrounding SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN COLOMBIA. We are joined by young Colombian entrepreneurs sharing their experiences with Colombia’s education system, real estate, business, environmental sustainability in the context of Medellin’s international, fast growing and innovative economy.  Remainder of afternoon and evening free.

Today we make a day trip outside of Medellin to visit a local coffee farm and hacienda to learn about coffee production from a family living and breathing coffee for over 4 generations.

Lunch will be a family style meal in the countryside.

Return to Medellin with time to relax before our final dinner with those who will not continue with the group to Cartagena.

For those continuing to Cartagena, we depart Medellin (MDE) for our 1 hour flight to Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG). From the airport we drop our bags at our hotel and depart for our welcome lunch at Juan del Mar.   After lunch we continue to our hotels located in the historic city center.  After check-in and a brief rest, depart for Walking Tour of Cartagena’s colonial center. Our guide makes the best use of our time highlighting notable locations featured in the works of Gabriel Garciá Márquez as well as other historic sites and architectural gems. Time permitting, Sunset Cocktail at Café del Mar before returning to hotel.  Group Dinner at Restaurante Interno, a dining hall situated inside a local prison and staffed almost exclusively with female inmates. Inside we will enjoy high quality, locally sourced cuisine while supporting the families of these prison inmates. This popular restaurant has inspired some female inmates to pursue culinary professions after release. 

**For those returning to the USA today, optional morning activities are on your own.  Airport transfers to be arranged depending on flight departure times.**

This morning we board our bus and depart for Castillo de San Felípe de Barajas. Built in 1536 atop the Hill of San Lázaro, the fortress is well-preserved with beautiful views of the city and coastline.  Lecture and discussion on WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN COLOMBIA with Patricia Guerrero, founder of La Liga de Mujeres Desplazadas (League of Displaced Women) which advocates for the rights of internally displaced Afro-Colombian and indigenous women and children. La Liga has worked to document and prosecute countless cases of violence against women and forced displacement in Cartagena, including lawsuits filed with the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights. This lecture will take place at Folklore Café. Following the lecture, we see the Inquisition Palace Cartagena Historical Museum followed by lunch. Remainder of afternoon & evening free.   

On our last full day, please take as much free time as desired for shopping, R&R, or independent sightseeing and people watching. Optional activities include visit to one of Cartagena’s most pristine beaches, Bendita Beach.  Lunch on your own.  

Join an afternoon walking tour of the Getsemani bohemian arts neighborhood. Once an area of Cartagena avoided by tourists and locals alike, here we see street art, eclectic galleries, and discover why Cartagena is becoming such a cultural hot spot. We continue to Bar Arsenal for Aguardiente & Colombian Rum tasting with local rum expert, Abraham Dau. Following the rum tasting, we return to hotel. Group Farewell Dinner at Candé. Cocina 100% Cartagenera.