Bogota

Bogotá, the most populous city in Colombia and one of the tallest capital cities in the world, is located on a high plateau in the Andes region. Called the “Athens of South America”, be prepared to face a vibrant city, home to pleasant locals and panoramic views, as can be observed from the Monserrate on a clear day. Ask your Bogota tour guide for a historic tour and get swept into the lively neighbourhood of La Candelaria, replete with museums, cathedrals, libraries and very importantly, fantastic dining joints. Colonial houses, cobbled streets and statues of famous South American leaders at the Plaza Bolivar provide a good background for a photo opportunity, as does the Casa de Nariño, the Presidential Palace. Of the mindboggling bevy of museums, the Museo del Oro or the Gold Museum and the Botero Museum are highly recommended. An hour’s drive away, the brightly lit Zipaquira Salt Cathedral built inside a salt mine also rate high on a sightseer’s list. Shoppers can hit pay dirt at La Zona Rosa, an area that also carries the distinction of being “nightlife central” for the city. Enjoy the unique flavour of Bogota further by taking a “Graffiti Tour”, tucking into the local cuisine or just absorbing the greens at the urban city parks that adorn the city.