Colombia

Cartegena

The ideal first stop on any trip to Colombia, Cartagena is loaded with history, culture, amazing food and brightly colored buildings. It's big enough to have anything you're looking for, but small enough to walk most of the city. If you don't want to walk, there's always a horse-drawn carriage. And spending the evening at a rooftop bar or tucked into the city walls, watching the sun go down over the Caribbean is a perfect way to wind down after a long day of city exploration.

Coffee Region

Yes, there is (a lot) of coffee here, but there's so much more to enjoy. You'll find some of the best hiking and biking in the country, including the spectacular Cocora Valley. Spend the day among snow-capped mountains and relax in hot springs at night. Photograph colorful orchids and the Andean condor. Visit vibrant villages, take a coffee tour, a cacao tour, a birdwatching tour, or all of the above. You could spend your entire trip in the "Zona Cafetera" and never get bored.

The Lost City  

It's day 3 of your trek into the jungle, and you're steps away from a hidden ancient city. Those steps are narrow and steep - and there are 1,200 of them - but they're all that stands between you and what remains of a city built 650 years before Machu Picchu. One step, then another, and soon you reach the first terrace. Catch your breath. Look around. Wonder at your surroundings and admire the people who traveled between remote mountain towns like this one on foot more than 1000 years ago.