Spanish Language Immersion Tour – Colombia

We will have an orientation meeting to provide students with relevant information and useful tools to familiarize them with their host country and the program ahead.

Today we will take a guided bike tour of Cartagena. We will start by going through the historical center (the walled city), followed by Getsemaní, Manga and Bocagrande. The tour starts in the historical center where we will ride past all main attractions and landmarks. The tour goes on to Getsemaní, the neighborhood where Florentino Ariza lived, the main character from "Love in the time of Cholera", the worldwide known novel written by Nobel Prize winner Gabriel Garcia Marquéz. We will go across the Roman Bridge, towards Manga where we will pass the beautiful Villa Roman. This is the residence of the famous Cartagena family, Roman, who invented the soda "Cola Roman". We will then visit the cemetery of Manga, the oldest cemetery in Cartagena. We will continue riding on the seafront avenue all the way to Castillogrande in Bocagrande. Bocagrande is known as "Little Miami". Castillogrande was a former fortress built by the Spaniards to defend Cartagena. After visiting the "new city of Cartagena" we will finish our tour in the city center.

We will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.

Today we will visit the African corner of Colombia! In 1603, the Americas’ first liberated village was founded by Benkos Biohó, an escaped slave that hid with 36 other men and women. Until the sixties, there was no connecting road between the main road and San Basilio de Palenque. That's why the creole language, Palenquero, that is not spoken anywhere else in the world, was able to be preserved. The small village was declared World Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO. It has a fascinating history and it is the place where many Afro-Colombian styles of music and dance find their origin. We will meet our local tour guide, a Palenquero. We will visit the village and the cultural center, where we will learn about the history of Palenque.

We will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.

We will take a walking tour of "La Boquilla", an Afro-Cartagena village of fishermen. This will allow us to learn more about the history of this fishing village, dating from more than 250 years, with market cultural traditions, with the joy that characterizes the people of the Colombian Caribbean coast. This ethno- touristic tour is a walk through the streets, cobbled and sandy alleys, where important stops will be made, which mark the life of this afro village of fishermen. In the afternoon we will have the chance to enjoy an amazing trip in a wooden canoe with a local captain, through the mangrove natural tunnels (The Love, The Happiness, and Remember tunnels) in the Cienaga de Juan Polo Swamp. During this tour the local guide will explain more about the ecosystem of the Mangroves (flora and wildlife).

We will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant while we are here.

We will visit a local foundation and meet with local Colombians. Options could include a youth center or a local college.

We will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.

Bazurto is a unique marketplace where you can get champeta records, find urban artists, dancers, the most incredible fruits, and a variety of herbs and medicines. On top of that you can buy your ingredients for your cooking class. Gastronomy is an important part of the local culture and the Cartageneros are proud of their Caribbean cuisine. Apart from tasting it, what would be better than learning how to cook seafood, coconut rice and other specialties of Cartagena gastronomy? The Chefs will give us a presentation about the ingredients before they teach us how to prepare typical dishes. During lunch, we will discuss what we have just learned. The cooking class can be taken in a colonial house in the historical city center, in a beach restaurant at La Boquilla beach, or in the Academia de Artes Culinarias Le Gourmet.

We will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.

We will have the opportunity to participate in in a language class that will enhance our cultural understanding and linguistic skills.

We will experience a Cumbia Dance show. Cumbia is a popular genre of music from Colombia. It began as a courtship dance practiced among the African population on the Caribbean coasts of Colombia. It later mixed with Amerindian and European instruments, steps and musical characteristics. While here, we will also have the opportunity to participate in a dance class.

We will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant.

We will have the opportunity to participate in in a language class that will enhance our cultural understanding and linguistic skills.

Colombia is known for having some of the best coffee in the world. Today, we will have the opportunity to participate in a coffee tasting to see why it's the best.

The Rosario Islands are located approximately 40km (approx. 1 hour by boat) south-west of Cartagena. They consist of 27 islands and 20 hectares of coral islands and reefs. Some are swampy and consist mainly of mangrove and coconut trees. Explore the impressive, beautiful landscapes of Islas Del Rosario with its clear waters and gentle breezes. Get enchanted by dolphins and other mammals, which enrich the natural beauty of the islands. Today, the entire marine area, including the Islas de Barú and the Islas de San Bernardo are protected areas. There will be time for optional activities such as snorkeling, diving, kayaking, or hiking.

We will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.

We will enjoy a special farewell dinner in a local restaurant.

This evening we make the final entries in our Reflection Journal and share some of the most significant observations and perspectives that have taken shape in the course of our language immersion trip in Colombia and how these experiences may be most relevant for us all as we return home.

Our rewarding and enjoyable Spanish Language Immersion Tour in Colombia comes to an end as our Tour Director accompanies us to the airport on our final day.