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MEDELLIN

Medellin is known as ‘The City of Eternal Spring’. Being in a tropical zone, it doesn’t have seasons of the year, but it can have everything except severe winter in the course of a day.

It is on the same latitude as Lagos, Nigeria, and the southern point of India. However, the high altitude of 1495 meters (4,905 feet) produces a pleasant, even temperature range throughout the year.

Everything grows quickly here, no doubt because of the tropical storms (aguaceros) which usually last only a few hours, but are very intense.

Because of this climate Colombia is a major producer of cut flowers, especially roses, with 90 per cent of its production going to the USA.

THE FAMOUS FESTIVAL OF THE FLOWERS

In this setting it is not surprising that Medellin’s biggest festival is the Festival of the Flowers, which is held from 1 August through 7 August every year.

In addition to parades by the silleteros – the people of Antioquia who make large shields and floats of flowers in the surrounding villages – there are horse shows, veteran car parades and all sorts of theatrical events and musical concerts.

TUTUCAN A TOP TOURIST SITE

If you have a day or even a half day you can visit TUTUCAN, Rio Negro, a family park in a beautiful natural setting containing a traditional Paisa village. ‘Paisa’ is the name for people from the Department (state) of Antioquia.

Tutucan is administered by Comfama, a large social welfare organization that is supported by the government. It’s about 45 minutes by bus from downtown Medellin.

For a great day out GUATAPE is very popular. It’s roughly a two – hour journey by car. The famous and mysterious PIEDRA is on the way, about 30 minutes before the ‘Lake District’ of GUATAPE itself.

AN EASY TRIP TO THE MOUNTAINS

A bit further way, but well worth the visit, is JERICO up in the mountains. It’s a real old country town, the center of a beautiful farming area. It has some wonderful scenery and the journey takes you through some pretty countryside.

In Jericho you can ‘walk in the clouds’, which often sweep across the town like a fog.  Jericho is well - known for the traditional craft of making carriels, colorful all-leather bags which are worn over the shoulder.

It is also famous for its Festival de Las Cometas, which is held every August. Jericho is around three hours by car, bus or shared taxi from Medellin.

A GREAT CHOICE FOR A VACATION

If you have a lot of time (and money) you can visit CARTAGENA on the Caribbean coast. This is great for a stay of three days or more. It’s twelve hours from Medellin by road, but only about an hour by air. It’s our nearest beach. Really!

A cruise liner entering Cartagena harbour

Cartagena is a principal centre for cruise ship vacations in the Caribbean, together with MIami. The cruise ship industry is growing every year . The port of Cartagena will receive 193 cruise lships this season.  For many tourists the ancient walled city of Cartagena is their first sight of Colombia.