Home & Away with Robert Walshe
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Holiday Hotspot – Cartagena Colombia
market is Colombia’s greatest attraction. The tropical climate is typiColombia is one the world’s cally Caribbean with an coolest places to visit in 2015 average temperature according to US business mag- of 28 degrees C all year azine Forbes. The countries round. A leisurely half“stable “government“made day walking tour of the it safe and a new breed of old town works wonderhoteliers and operators are fully as a small history making creating luxury eve- lesson combined with rywhere. Colombia has it all some stunning architecfrom pristine coastlines, pic- ture and a stop-off for a turesque cobblestone streets refreshing ice-cream to in Cartagena, exotic Amazon keep you cooled down. rain forests, seven UNESCO The official entrance World Heritage sites, the to the town is through buzzing metropolis of Bo- Puerta del Reloj (Clock bia. n Cartagena Old Town Colom gota and some of the world’s Portal), which comes out most vivacious people. onto Plaza de los Coches .Cartagena founded over 500 (Carriages Square). to Plaza de Aduana, Parque years ago as gold and slave From there you will walk de Bolivar, Museo del Oro and newly restored Santo Domingo Church, in front of Plaza Santo Domingo. The square was recently decorated with the sculpture Mujer Reclinada a gift from the renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero. For nightlife join the crowds at Bazurto Social Club a lively hotspot where locals dance together under an enormous glowing red fish to live champeta music. Cartagena has a wonderful selection of n Carribean Sea Cartagena Colombia.
For our best deals call 0044 28 9038 1111 or visit www.mooneyhotelgroup.com restaurants, with a recent surge of new eateries opening up around the old city and in neighbouring Getsemaní. “Marea” by Rausch, with a stunning waterfront location in the Convention Center near the old city is seafood centric www.mareabyrausch.com Another highlight “Salou” near the sea wall on the n Radisson Carta western edge gena Infinity Po ol. shows a heavy Peruvian influence. www.saloucartagena. salon; an infinity outdoor pool com Radisson Pavilion a 233- with ocean views; classes on room beachfront resort is lo- Caribbean culture; Colomcated on “La Boquilla Beach” bian cuisine; marine life; and with spectacular sea views. local crafts. The hotel is also Guestrooms are contempo- minutes from the Cartagena rary in design with a modern de Indias Convention Centre Caribbean flair, offering five and downtown Cartagena distinct room types from and near popular landmarks standard rooms to deluxe such as the Fortress of San master suites. The resort’s Felipe de Barajas, Cartagena offers complimentary, high- Gold Museum, the Vaults, the speed, wireless Internet ac- Heredia Theatre, La Aduana cess; a business centre; the Square. www.radisson.com Ocean Pavilion Spa & Gym Destino Cartagena is a divifeaturing a state-of-the-art fit- sion of Via Colombia Travel ness centre and a full-service Services, a full service travel
company that specialises in providing customers with absolute support in planning support. 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