Our journey came to an end in the magical city of Cartagena, where we spent our last day exploring the charming and picturesque Old Town. The colorful colonial buildings were beautiful. We walked around the Old Walls and enjoyed the stunning sunset over the Caribbean Sea.
Founded in 1533, Cartagena was one of the most important ports in the Spanish empire. Its strategic location made it a key point of transit for gold and other riches, which were then shipped back to Spain. This wealth attracted pirates, who frequently attacked the city. To protect itself, Cartagena built a series of walls and fortifications that still stand today. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and wandering its cobblestone streets is like taking a step back in time to the days of Spanish colonialism.
While walking we stopped at the bar El Baluarte San Francisco Javier, with a fantastic terrace overlooking the city. Although the bar had the appearance of a typical tourist trap, it turned out to be really good, with reasonable prices and good service
Did you know that Cartagena was founded in 1533 and was the main port for the Spanish conquest of South America? It was also a major center for the slave trade during the colonial period. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Old Town is a perfect blend of Spanish, African, and indigenous cultures.
After a beautiful day in Cartagena, we spent the night at the Intercontinental Hotel Cartagena. The hotel was really nice and we were upgraded to the executive room. The view from the window was spectacular.
In the morning we enjoyed the hotel pool for a while, and in the afternoon headed back home via Bogota and Paris. We had a 24-hour layover in Paris, and it was a wonderful way to end our trip. Layovers are the perfect opportunity to add a new city to your itinerary, and you never know what hidden treasures you might discover.