A land of diverse landscapes, cultures and attractions, the South American nation of Colombia is every bit a tourist’s dream. The only country in the region with two ocean coasts, Colombia offers visitors the opportunity to explore Caribbean beaches, tropical jungles and snow-capped mountain peaks. In addition to its impressive terrains, the country is also home to age-old archaeological sites, historic towns, and vibrant cities where a diverse mix of Spanish, African, European and Middle-Eastern influences are reflected the food, architecture and fascinating ethnic traditions.
Once considered one of the world’s most dangerous cities, Medellin has since shed its bad reputation and is now more commonly referred to as “The City of Eternal Spring”, treating residents and visitors to consistently warm temperatures. Medellin is located in Aburra Valley and surrounded by seven hills that provide excellent views of the city. Back in town, visitors can experience the work of world-famous artists such as Fernando Botero in local parks and plazas, wonder at the beautiful display of Christmas lights during the festive season, and celebrate as the city is overrun with colour during the 10-day Feast of Flowers festival.
Armenia, the capital of the Department of Quindío in the Andino region of Colombia, is a relatively small, slow-paced city with a certain quirky, ramshackle charm. The city makes an excellent base for exploring a territory that UNESCO declared a World Heritage Site in 2011: the Coffee Culture Landscape of Colombia. This region is famed for its coffee and banana plantations, its quaint terracotta-roofed farm houses, and its picturesque mountainous landscapes dotted with an impressive array of cultural attractions as well as an abundance of fascinating plant and animal life. The city itself is of course a coffee lover’s paradise with some lovely coffee shops and a number of theme parks and estates designed to educate visitors about coffee culture. Other popular tourist highlights include an excellent museum housing an impressive collection of artifacts from the pre-columbian Quimbaya civilization and some wonderful botanical gardens.
