COLOMBIA LAW & CULTURE. Journey to Bogota, Medellín and Cartagena Full Program: March 6-14, 2018 (Short Program Options Available)

Transcription

1 LAW & CULTURE COLOMBIA Journey to Bogota, Medellín and Cartagena Full Program: March 6-14, 2018 (Short Program Options Available) Organized by CLE Abroad CST CLE Abroad is a division of Beyond Borders Travel

2 ITINERARY (Subject to Change) DAY 1 MARCH 6, 2018 Bogota (D) Morning Afternoon Participants arrive as a group to El Dorado International Airport, Bogota (BOG). You will be greeted by your CLEA tour leader and local Colombian guide, who will be with you for the duration of your time in Colombia. We are escorted to our bus and depart for our hotel. Check into the Hotel Sofitel Bogota Victoria Regia. This five-star hotel is within walking distance of many fine restaurants, bars, nightlife and music venues in the trendy northern end of Bogota known as Zona T or Zona Rosa. Prior to our evening s activities, you may choose to explore the surrounding area of Zona Rosa, relax at the hotel spa, or have a drink at a nearby bar. 8:00 pm Welcome Dinner and Live Music at Gaira Café, one of Bogota s best music halls co-owned by the famous Colombian pop singer, Carlos Vives. DAY 2 MARCH 7, 2018 Bogota (B,L) Complimentary breakfast is served daily in your hotel. 9:00 am CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND THE COLOMBIAN PEACE PROCESS This morning we visit the offices of Dejusticia, the preeminent NGO and Think-Do Tank working on issues related to Transitional Justice, Environmental Justice, Anti-discrimination, and Rule of Law in Colombia. We meet with the Directors of Dejusticia and enjoy presentation and panel discussion with resident experts on the current status of the Colombia peace accords. 10:45 am Depart for Monserrate, Bogota s best viewpoint. We climb over 10,000 feet on the Funicular railway, enjoying an impressive view of Colombia s vast capital city. Next we depart for our tour of Bogota s colonial center, La Candelaria and Plaza Bolívar, the hub of national and citywide government. We start at La Plaza de Chorro de Quevedo, the former lookout post and site of Bogota s founding in Walking the cobblestone streets of the colonial center, we see some of Bogota s best graffiti art and some may choose to taste the local Chicha, a traditional fermented corn beverage. Colombia s street art is known worldwide and both in Bogota and Medellin we will learn more about the thriving urban art scene. Next we visit the Banco de la Republic complex and see the famous Botero art collection, one of the most important art collections in

3 all of South America. This gallery houses the works of one of Colombia s most famous artists, Fernando Botero, along with masterpieces from Dali, Renoir, Chagall and Picasso. After a tour of the Botero Art Collection, we continue to Plaza Bolívar. Here we see El Capitolio, the home of Colombia s Congress, Edificio Liévano, and Catedral la Primaria, Bogotá s main cathedral, as well the Palace of Justice, the home of Colombia s Supreme Court. The nation s highest court consists of twenty-three magistrates, elected for individual terms of eight years. The Palace of Justice building was famously seized by Marxist guerillas in 1985, regarded as one of the lowest points in Colombia s long history of political conflict. A Special Jurisdiction for Peace was formed to process cases stemming from the conflict, based on many of the lessons from South Africa s Truth and Reconciliation process. 1:30 pm Lunch at Son de los Grillos for traditional Bogotano cuisine. 3:30 pm After lunch, we continue to the nearby Pre-Columbian Gold Museum for a guided tour, followed by a curated coffee tasting of Colombia s best, at the Museum Café. 5:30 pm Return to hotel, remainder of evening free. Dinner on your own. Suitable recommendations will be provided. DAY 3 MARCH 8, 2018 Bogota (B,L,D) 8:45 am U.S.-COLOMBIA RELATIONS: Legal and Diplomatic Perspectives Arrive for our briefing at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, the second largest U.S. Embassy in the world. We will be briefed by Political Officer Rebecca Daley for an informative discussion on Colombia s political systems, civil society in Colombia, private property rights, a review of U.S.-Colombia relations, and our Embassy s involvement in the ongoing peace process. 10:30 am Depart for optional activities. (Lunch included with both options.) OPTION 1: SALT CATHEDRAL On this Track, we visit the famous Salt Park and Salt Cathedral at Zipaquira. An underground Roman Catholic church and a common pilgrimage site, the Salt Cathedral is considered one of the most notable achievements of Colombian architecture. While a functioning church, it has no bishop and therefore no official status as a Cathedral in Catholicism. Time permitting, we also visit the museum of mining, mineralogy, geology and natural resources. OPTION 2: LOCAL SPORT While futbol (soccer) is the most popular sport in Colombia, residents of Bogota are fond of a traditional, sport known as Tejo. A portrait of pre-columbian origins, Tejo consists of throwing a metal disc at a board covered with clay set at a 45-degree angle. At the center of the board is the triangular target, typically combined with gunpowder to create a loud explosion on impact. This local pastime is customarily played while drinking beer, and some may find similarities with the American lawn games horseshoes or cornhole. To enjoy this local sport, we team up against associates at a leading Bogota law firm for a fun afternoon of sport and beer. 5:30 pm Return to hotel. Evening Live entertainment and Bogota Farewell Dinner at Andres DC.

4 DAY 4 MARCH 9, 2018 Medellín (B,L,D) Morning (Depart for Medellín via air, approx. 45 mins) Arrive Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE). On the way into Medellín, we visit the highlands of Santa Elena to learn about the Silletero tradition and importance of ornamental flowers to the people of Colombia. We enjoy a group lunch on a family-owned flower farm, authentic Antioquian style cuisine. Afternoon After lunch, we visit the Arvi National Park and ecological nature preserve, before descending (via Cable Car) to the city of Medellin. Medellín is known by many Americans as the former headquarters of drug baron Pablo Escobar. In recent years, Medellín has transformed from being one of the most dangerous cities in the world to an award-winning center for business and commerce in the New Colombia. Upon arrival to the city center we visit Botero Park and Gardel Square. Here we have time to a coffee break and an optional visit to the Museo de Antioquia. 4:00 pm Check-in at Park 10 Hotel in the popular El Poblado district. Remainder of afternoon free. Some may choose to take a stroll through El Poblado neighborhood. 8:00 pm Group dinner at Carmen, one of Colombia s most popular restaurants. DAY 5 MARCH 10, 2018 Medellín (B,L) 9:00 am Depart for our Graffiti Art Tour in the infamous, Comuna 13, one of many hillside neighborhoods in Medellin impacted by the conflict. Guided by a local street artist, we will learn how urban art has helped this community heal from many years of harsh violence waged between rebels, drug cartels and paramilitary groups. After our walking tour, we visit Casa Kolacho community center for a private Hip Hop concert. 1:00 pm Lunch and Lecture at the innovative social project, Via Cocina. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT LAW AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN COLOMBIA Canadian Brian Johnston started Via Cocina with the vision of introducing healthy and diverse foods to Colombians.

5 Brian s project kitchen has offered the Medellin community the chance to learn new cooking styles through weekly workshops and various community events. Many of Brian s student-participants have gone on to open their own cafes and restaurants. Over lunch, Brian will detail his community development and non-profit background, describe the challenges and processes including grey area legal requirements necessary for international cooperation donations and eligible tax exemptions in Colombia. 4:00 pm After lunch, we visit the Museo Casa de la Memoria (Museum of Memory), dedicated to the victims of the Colombian conflict. After our tour of the Museum, we meet with a panel of attorneys and social workers representing various victims rights organizations in Colombia. Evening Return to hotel. Dinner on your own, suitable recommendations will be provided. DAY 6 MARCH 11, 2018 Cartagena (B,L,D) Morning (Depart for Cartagena via air, approx. 1 hour, 15 minutes) Arrive Rafael Nunez International Airport (CTG). 12:00 pm Bag-drop at hotel, before enjoying our Cartagena welcome lunch at Juan del Mar. After lunch, depart for Walking Tour of Cartagena s colonial center. During the walk our guides will speak about some key locations featured in the works of the Colombian author Gabriel Garciá Márquez or Gabo as he is affectionately known. See the Teatro Heredia on Plaza de la Merced located 3 blocks west of the hotel. On to the Plaza Fernández de Madrid. The author recast this square as The Park of Evangels in Love in the Time of Cholera. We also see the Palacio de la Gobernacíon that served as the Arcade of Scribes in Love in the Time of Cholera. Continue to the Plaza de Santo Domingo where the cathedral s warped tower played a key part in the author s magical realism. In 1948, Gabo arrived in Cartagena penniless and spent his first night sleeping on a bench in the Plaza de Bolívar. Guided tour of the Inquisition Palace Cartagena De Indias Historical Museum. Plaza de la Aduana that was the setting for the gypsy fair in the opening of One Hundred Years of Solitude. The walking tour ends at the Camellón de los Mártires and the Torre de Reloj (clock tower) built in 1888 atop what was once the main entrance to the city or Boca del Puente. 3:00 pm Check into Hotel Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena. Located on the Plaza de San Diego, this former Santa Convento de Santa Clara

6 was the inspiration for Garcia Marquez s beguiling 1995 novella, Of Love & Other Demons. The hotel offers a variety of spa services in an elegant and tranquil setting, along with the largest pool in the historic center. 6:00 pm Live entertainment on the SoSpa Terrace. Hearty hors d oeurves & refreshments will be served. Spectacular ocean sunsets can be seen from the rooftop deck. DAY 7 MARCH 12, 2018 Cartagena (B,L) Today is reserved for select activities of choice. Lunch included with each option. Breakfast is served in the lobby level restaurant El Claustro. OPTION 1: BARRIO TOUR We travel to La Boquilla Fishing Village (15 minute drive.) From this beach town we will see the two very different versions of the city of Cartagena. Some of the poorest neighborhoods sit in the shadows of the luxury hotels and high rises that continue to be developed along the shoreline. Visit the community service project Fundacion La Vecina founded by Nathalie Reitman of Holland. This privately funded organization teaches English, computers, music, dance, art and much more to children in this impoverished community. This project also provides counseling to families in need, balanced meals for the children and support for other child care providers of those children not yet of school age. We will meet with the resident psychologist, a graduate of University San Buenaventura in Cartagena to discuss psychiatric Care in Colombia, her role at the Foundation and service to the community of Boquilla in general. Time permitting, we also visit the Arts Workshop at Project Madres-Cabeza de Familia y sus Cocos. The members of this organization produce all sorts of decorative and functional ware for sale to tourists and shops. This small enterprise allows single mothers to support their families and these strong women not only support their own but empower other women to form their own small businesses. Participants will have an opportunity to create a variety of souvenirs such as bracelets, key chains or necklaces right on the beach. OPTION 2: DAY AT THE BEACH We travel, via chartered boat (approx. 30 minutes), to Cartagena s most pristine beach, Agua Azul. Evening Dinner on your own. Suitable reccomendations will be provided. DAY 8 MARCH 13, 2018 Cartagena (B,L,D) 9:00 am PROPERTY RIGHTS IN COLOMBIA: THE INVESTOR S PERSPECTIVE Lecture by Colombian attorney Danilo Devis Pereira. 10:30 am Fortress Tour of Castillo de San Felípe de Barajas. Built in 1536 atop the Hill of San Lázaro, the fortress is well-preserved with beautiful views of the city and coastline. The site now serves as a location for many social and cultural events hosted by the Colombian government for visiting foreign delegations. 12:30 pm Group Lunch at the trendy Restaurante Interno, a restaurant staffed almost exclusively with female prison inmates. Inside you will find a hip Colombian vibe with locally sourced cuisine. Some of the staff trained with Michelin star chef Koldo Miranda, inspiring the female inmates to pursue culinary professions. Remainder of afternoon free. Suggested visit to the Getsemani bohemian arts neighborhood. See street art, visit some eclectic galleries, local artist studios and discover why Cartagena is becoming such a cultural hot spot. 7:30 pm Group Farewell Dinner and live show at Candé. Cocina 100% Cartagenera.

7 DAY 9 MARCH 14, 2018 Morning Morning activities depending on departure time. Return to the United States. In addition to the full program, March 6-14, travelers can select 1 or 2 program cities within our greater program. Should you select two cities, e.g., Bogota & Medellin, OR Medellin & Cartagena, then domestic air transfer, e.g., Bogota>Medellin, OR Medellin>Cartagena, is included at no additional charge. Travelers are still responsible for air to/from Colombia. Prices for each segment as follows. Short Program Options March 6-9, 2018, Bogota: 3 nights at Sofitel $2,325 in single; $2,010 in double March 9-11, 2018, Medellin: 2 nights at Park 10 $1,485 in single; $1,355 in double March 11-14, 2018, Cartagena: 3 nights at Sofitel $2,675 in single; $2,175 in double Full Program March 6-14, 2018 $5,285 in single; $4,325 in double * Please note: This is a Model Working Itinerary. All programs are customized with input from lead organization. There may be some changes, additions and/or subtractions to the Final Itinerary. All venues and artist s studios are subject to final confirmations. Be assured that any changes made will be done to enhance the total program, and to promote a smooth operation of the tour.

8 TRIP COST 9 DAYS AND 8 NIGHTS DOUBLE, PER PERSON: $4,325 SINGLE OCCUPANCY: $5,285 CUSTOM DESIGNED PROGRAM INCLUDES Itinerary design and coordination All domestic airfare (Bogota>Medellin, Medellin>Cartagena) 5 Star accommodations (standard room) All ground transportation throughout trip equipped with water Full time private tour escort Daily breakfast and meals as listed in itinerary (including tips) Entrance fees to museums and public buildings listed in itinerary Private music and dance performances excludes Airfare to/from Colombia Airline baggage fees Gratuities for guide and driver Meals other than listed on itinerary Individualized hotel expenses (mini bar, room service, laundry fees, etc) Trip cancellation insurance