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Holiday Hotspot – Bogota Colombia
Bogota, the capital of Colombia, boasts that its days as a no-go zone are behind it. With a population of 8 million, it is not only the country’s biggest city but one of
the largest in Latin America. It also is one of South America’s highest capital’s sitting at an elevation of 8,600 feet. A city of high-rise buildings standing next to colonial churches; a city of universities, theatres and shantytowns. It is a mixture of influences, Spanish,
n Salt Cathedral Zipaquira Bogota.
English and Indian; a city of great wealth and material well being and abject poverty. Certainly, Bogota is architecturally and culturally rich, and the La Candeleria quarter is home to some of South America’s great cafes and bars. Museo del Oro features more than 34,000 pieces of gold, including pre-Colombian pieces. While the museum includes seven stories, the top floor showcases the largest collection of gold and the world’s biggest uncut emerald. Located inside a twostory colonial home, Museo Botero features more than 120 pieces by Colombian artist Fernando Botero. The collection includes drawings, paintings and sculptures. Plaza de Bolivar in the heart of the city plays host to the Capilla del Sagrario, a late 17th-century chapel. Nearby Catedral Primada is the largest church in the city. Although the neoclassical structure dates to 1823, the site played host to the original 1539 church. The cathedral also features one of Latin America’s
For our best deals call 0044 28 9038 1111 or visit www.mooneyhotelgroup.com biggest organs and holds the remains of the city’s founder, Gonzalo Jimenez de Quesada. This public space also features a bronze statue of Simon Bolivar and theatrical street performers. One of Colombia’s most popular tourist attractions, the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira haunts its visitors, because of its utterly unusual circumstances. About 30 miles from Bogota, this Roman Catholic church is located some 650 feet n Colombian Artis underground, t Fernando Bo tero. built within the confines of a salt mine’s tunnels. Visitors will see the cathedral’s the salt mine walls -- there are Stations of the Cross, and 3 even statues made entirely naves representing the birth of salt. Hilton Bogota is loand baptism, life and death, cated 25 minutes from El Doand resurrection of rado International Airport in Christ. the city’s financial district Many of the orna- and what is considered the mental details and “new” downtown. The hotel carvings have been features 245 well-appointed made directly into guestrooms, 13 suites, and a
contemporary executive floor, which will cater to business travelers from around the world. One of the defining features of this hotel is the elegant atrium lobby which offers many options for guests, including the hotel’s signature restaurant, a Café with regional delicacies, a four-level bar and lounge, an executive lounge and a quartet of small meeting rooms.www.hilton.com Destino Bogota is a division of Via Colombia Travel Services, a full service travel company that specialises in providing customers with absolute support in planning support. For itinerary details visit www.destincolombia.com Avianca departs London daily to Bogota with onward connections to Cartagena www.avianca.com Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster with Q Radio in Northern Ireland and Travel Editor for River Media newspaper titles across the island of Ireland. www.robertwalshe. com