Vamos Colombia Tour Blog

Art galeries en Bogota

2011-05-15T06:46:00.000-07:00

Enjoy this article by my friend Mark Chestnut on the Macarena neighborhood in Bogota.

La Macarena: Exploring Art Galleries and Restaurants in Bogota's Artsy, Bohemian Heart

Artistic Bent: La Macarena district in Bogota is a hub for art and creativity.

BY MARK CHESNUT

Decades ago, the hilly neighborhood called La Macarena was one of Bogota's most upscale places to live. It later become less than desirable, but in recent years has been reborn as one of the city's hottest up-and-coming magnets for lovers of art and cuisine.

I spent a couple enjoyable afternoons in La Macarena during my recent visit to Bogota, wandering the shady, peaceful streets and peeking into the growing number of art galleries. Here are a few top choices for browsing and dining in La Macarena.

Art Galleries

Alonso Garcés is the oldest art gallery in Bogota's La Macarena district.

Alonso Garcés Galería, Carrera 5 #26-92, La Macarena. Tel. +57-1-337-5827. The largest and oldest of the galleries in La Macarena, Alonso Garcés opened in 1977 in an abandoned church. The current exhibit features the a video work by Colombian artist Clemencia Echeverri. www.alonsogarcesgaleria.com

Galería Mü is billed as Bogota's first gallery dedicated solely to photography.

Mü, Carrera 4A #26-29, L. 202, Casona de San Miguel, Tel. +57-1-282-0496. Opened in February 2011 and billed as the city’s first gallery to focus solely on photography, Mü is owned by a U.S. expat and his Colombian wife. An interesting variety of work fills the walls here, and through June 11, the gallery is hosting the work of six emerging photographers during FotoFest 300. www.galeriamu.com

Mundo, Carrera 5 #26A-19, Torres del Parque, La Macarena. Tel. +57-1-232-2408. This art gallery, which has its own magazine, is also participating in the FotoFest 300 photography exhibition through June 11. www.galeria-mundo.com

Valenzuela Klenner Galería, Carrera 5 #26-28. Tel. +57-1-243-7752. This multilevel venue has contemporary exhibits that tend toward political and social statements. Recent exhibitions include Unlikely Savages, which features the work of seven artists who "question the continuity of the savage paradigm in relation to Latin America and the ideologies of dominion and violence that support it." http://vkgaleria.com/

Shopping

Kolectivo, Carrera 4A #26-30, La Macarena. This small shop mostly stocks women's clothes, but also has items like messenger bags, wallets and cell phone cases, all made from recycled newpapers and magazines. If you're looking for a bag whimsically decorated with an image of the award-winning Trans Milenio public bus system, you've found the right place.

Soluciones, Carrera 5 #26-31, Torres del Parque, La Macarena. Tel. +57-1-243-7613. It may look like a convenience store from the outside, but don’t be fooled. Inside — in addition to grocery items — you’ll find creative and artsy gift ideas, including art books and Mexican Day of the Dead items, tea bags named after “heroes and villains” from history and hot-pink busts of national historical figures including Santander and Bolivar. http://almacensoluciones.com/

Restaurants

La Frontera, Carrera 4A No. 26A-05, La Macarena. Tel. +57-1-281-1653. This well-regarded venue serves Mexican cuisine in a Bohemian atmosphere.

La Gloria is one of the hard-to-miss restaurants in Bogota's La Macarena district, thanks to its hot-pink facade.

La Gloria, Calle 26A #4-38, La Macarena. Tel. +57-1-479-3704. Belgian and French flavors influence the cuisine at this restaurant, which is hard to miss thanks to its bright pink façade.

Te Encantaré, Calle 26A #4-12 La Macarena. Tel. +57-1-286-0809. This “aphrodisiac” restaurant, bathed in sumptuous red décor, features creative dishes supposedly designed to inspire passion.www.restauranteteencantare.com

www.latinflyerblog.com

Vamos Colombia Tour takes you to Barranquilla Carnaval March 3-14, 2011

2011-02-21T18:25:00.000-08:00

Barranquilla Carnaval 2011 set to begin soon

2011-02-21T18:10:00.001-08:00

The 2011 edition of the world famous and UNESCO-recognized Barranquilla Carnaval is soon upon us! The highlights are on the weekend of March 5-8, 2011, just before the start of Lent.
The vastly improved website can be found at:
http://www.carnavaldebarranquilla.org/

The schedule can be found at
http://www.carnavaldebarranquilla.org/Programacion

Information about the many kinds of traditional Colombian dance and rhythms that are found at the Carnaval can be found on the website:
http://www.carnavaldebarranquilla.org/DanzasExpresiones

Vamos Colombia Tours will be happy to help you enjoy the Carnaval in luxury and with all the amenities.

www.vamoscolombiatour.com

Cartagena Music Festival, January 2011

2011-02-21T18:00:00.000-08:00

Check out the series of blogs from the Cartagena International Music Festival in January 2011 posted on the website of Americas Quarterly.

http://www.americasquarterly.org/node/2086

The official website of the music festival is here: http://www.cartagenamusicfestival.com/

Slate visits the Most Beautiful Undiscovered River in the World - In Colombia!

2011-02-21T17:50:00.000-08:00

Slate magazine (online) has discovered the most beautiful undiscovered river in the world, and, yes, it is in Colombia! (shhh - don't tell!)

Check out

The World's Most Beautiful River

The first hidden wonder of South America.

By Joshua Foer
found here: http://www.slate.com/id/2282933

It is part of Slate's World of Wonders 2011 series, found here:
http://www.slate.com/id/2282843/landing/1/
Which is it? It is the Cano Cristalis in the Serrania de la Macarena national park. Of course it is not really a secret but it is just a bit out of the way. Well worth the trek, however. More info can be found in Colombia's adventure magazine:
http://www.revistaviajesyaventura.com/7maravillososparques/nacionales.html

Wall Street Journal Discovers Colombia, Feb 2011

2011-02-21T17:46:00.000-08:00

The Wall Street Journal discovers Colombia! Check out their article "Navigating Through Colombia" from Feb 11, 2011.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704422204576129983333333792.html

FICCI: Cartagena International Film Festival 2011

2011-02-21T17:31:00.000-08:00

The ever more popular and well organized Cartagena International Film Festival is set to get underway February 24-March 3, 2011. It will feature films from Colombia as well as all over Latin America and the world. The country of Mexico is features as the country of honor this year.

The Colombian film "Los Colores de la Montaña" (The Colors of the Mountain) will be shown on the opening night of the 51st annual Cartagena Film Festival.

The film, which is directed by Carlos Cesar Arbelaez, has also been nominated for the Official Fiction Competition.

From the website: http://ficcifestival.com/int_peli.php?id=167
Sinopsis
Director Carlos César Arbeláez avoids falling into the all-too-easy trap of preying on our natural protective instincts and resorting to emotional manipulation in this, his first feature film, which offers a moving, but credible portrait of the Colombian conflict through the eyes of three children from La Pradera, a village in the Antioquia mountains. In the foreground we watch as the children lose their ball in a minefield, while the real tragedy unfolds in the background when the villagers find themselves trapped in enemy crossfire.

The closing night is an animated film, Chito y Rita. From the website's summary:
Sinopsis
A wonderful feature animation for adults that tells the epic story of Chico, a young pianist with big dreams, and Rita, a beautiful singer with an extraordinary voice. Set in Havana of the Forties, the bolero sets the tone for what Fernando Trueba describes as a homage to Cuba, its people and its music, and a tribute to love stories and filmmaking. Some 70 musicians and actors were involved in the making of Chico & Rita, including acclaimed Cuban musicians like Bebo Valdés, who retires on this high note having passed the milestone of age 90. Fruit of the successful collaboration between director Fernando Trueba and the artist Javier Mariscal, Chico & Rita has received excellent reviews from critics and musicians the world over. “Love is a song you will never forget” is the tagline of this movie which bagged first prize at the Holland Animation Film Festival.

The main website is found at http://ficcifestival.com/index.php

Congratulations to Mr. Tourism Colombia 2010

2010-11-23T16:45:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Alejandro Villamil on his new title of Mr Colombia Tourism 2010.

A competition of over 20 contestants took place in the well known tourist resort of Melgar, Colombia.

Our very own spokesmodel and guide Alejandro was the wining contestant and was named Mr. Tourism 2010. We are proud to say "we knew him when" and wish him congratulations on continuing success.

Clients of Vamos Colombia Tour already know what a wonderful person he is.

2010-11-22T18:59:00.000-08:00

This article was on the newspaper and I hope you enjoy as much as I am my Colombian friends do.

"THE WASHINGTON POST.

Medellin, Colombia, from drug violence to tourist destination

GALLERY

Art and a good time in Medellin, Colombia

Medellin, Colombia's second-largest city, features a bustling nightlife, museums, an aquarium, cable cars and more.

» LAUNCH PHOTO GALLERY

By Nancy Trejos

Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, November 19, 2010; 10:57 AM

At 7 p.m. on a Friday, the patio of Basilica, a Peruvian-Asian restaurant on one of the most prized street corners in Medellin, Colombia, is bustling. Young men in polo shirts and blue jeans are passing around a bottle of rum at the bar, and women in miniskirts and stilettos are being seated at tables marked "Reserved." Sushi chefs are busily making California rolls against a fake waterfall backdrop, their movements almost in sync with the Lady Gaga and Madonna tunes reverberating all around.

As the night wears on, the party spills out onto the sidewalk and into the street, which is closed off by police barricades. Young boys accost the revelers, hawking everything from chewing gum to bracelets. ("Una fresa para la princesa?" asks one, offering me strawberry-flavored Trident. "A strawberry for the princess?") A bar outside the restaurant Barcelona is selling "political shots," including the Hugo Chavez, an arguably toxic mix of vodka, creme de cafe, tequila and soda.

At the Parque Lleras, the park in the square, partyers drink Club Colombia beer as vendors entice them with empanadas and other street food. But there's no need for BYOB, because the many open-air bars surrounding the park are literally giving the drinks away. When my friend Daphne and I order two caipirinhas at Barcelona, the waiter insists that we take advantage of the three-for-one drink special.

Daphne and I observe the mayhem from the patio, comforted by the presence of police officers on several blocks.

Not long ago the mayhem on Medellin's streets was controlled by notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar. In the 1980s and '90s, Medellin was the largest cocaine producer in the world, and Escobar guarded his empire so ferociously that the city became one of the most dangerous in Latin America.

Escobar is long gone, brought down by police in a 1993 gun battle as dramatic as his life. In the past decade, new parks, museums, libraries and hotels have opened in Colombia's second-largest city. Cable cars have been extended up to a mountain with a new nature preserve. Famed sculptor and painter Fernando Botero, a Medellin native, donated more than 1,000 of his works, plus pieces from his personal collection of contemporary art, to the Museo de Antioquia. Last year, Spirit Airlines launched nonstop flights from Fort Lauderdale to Medellin.

That's not to say that the city doesn't struggle to maintain the progress it has made in recent years. Violence has not been wiped out, as gangs compete for territory in parts of the city, making some neighborhoods off-limits. The U.S. State Department issued an updated travel warning last week, saying that violent crime is up in some major Colombian cities, including Medellin.

But Colombia is no longer the pariah of Latin America. Kidnappings have decreased. And the epicenter of the drug war seems to have moved north.

Though I've visited Colombia before - my father is Colombian and I have lots of relatives there - I'd never been to Medellin. But when Daphne and I decided to spend 21/2 weeks traveling through Colombia, we couldn't resist checking out the country's most notorious city. On our way from Cartagena to Bogota, we decided to make a stop in the City of Eternal Spring.

Upstairs, downstairs

I'm afraid to look down. We're on our way to Parque Arvi, a new ecological playground on a mountaintop, riding in a cable car that soars high above the slums that Escobar had built along the side of one of the mountains that ring Medellin.

The cable cars were originally built to connect Medellin's poorest neighborhoods to the rest of the city, but they've drawn tourists with their spectacular views. In February, the city extended the original cable car line from Santo Domingo Savio, which has struggled with drug violence, to Parque Arvi. Santo Domingo is the site of one of the many libraries that former mayor Sergio Fajardo had built to revitalize neighborhoods throughout the city. Designed by architect Giancarlo Mazzanti, theblack three-building complex stands out on the mountain slope.

Toward the end of the 15-minute ride, we go from traveling on an incline above houses to gliding in a straight line above a forest. We feel like characters in "Return of the Jedi." Where are the Ewoks hiding?

The Parque Arvi station is made of wood to blend in with the trees. So far, only one of its six planned parks is open to tourists and residents. A shuttle bus takes us to Piedras Blancas (White Stones), where we can canoe, zip line or go horseback-riding. There are barbecue huts, restaurants and bars along the way.

The bus drops us off in front of the recently opened Piedras Blancas Hotel, which, like the cable car station, was built mostly of wood to fit in with the landscape. We take a hike along the trail that leads from the hotel down to a lake, reading signs along the way that announce what kinds of insects we might expect to see. Not too keen on insects, we skip the butterfly museum at the end of the trail in favor of a leisurely walk around the grounds, following a group of schoolchildren on a class trip.

When the altitude (we are about 8,200 feet above sea level) starts getting to us, we hop back on the cable car, joined by a family of six.

"How beautiful that forest is," exclaims Doralba Lopez, a Medellin resident, to her grandkids. It's their first visit to Parque Arvi. Before the cable car was built, residents would have to take a bus up the mountain through dangerous neighborhoods.

At the bottom of the mountain, we hop on the subway to the Museo de Antioquia. Paisas, as residents of Medellin and the surrounding Colombian state of Antioquia are known, are even prouder of being from Antioquia than they are of being from Colombia. So it comes as no surprise that their museum highlights the works of native sons and daughters, however obscure. I am captivated by a 1929 self-portrait by Eladio Velez. You can see every vein in his hand.

But since this is Botero's homeland, I'm most curious about his work. My favorite is not one of the many bronze statues that dot the Plaza Botero across the street but his painting "Death of Pablo Escobar." There's the infamous drug lord, standing on the roof of a house, his shirt unbuttoned, with a gun in his hand, his eyes closed as a barrage of bullets mows him down.

That's the duality of Medellin: It's a place that can produce both a great artist and a criminal mastermind. I thought of what a British journalist friend who lives and works in Medellin had told us: "Paisas represent the best and worst of Colombia."

Party hearty

It's midnight Saturday, and we're in Barrio Colombia, a neighborhood that reminds me of New York's Meatpacking District. It's the site of warehouses-turned-nightclubs where bouncers check IDs and make you wait in long lines for no apparent reason.

At Kukaramakara, a band onstage belts out Colombian singer Shakira's World Cup song. Blue and white balloons drop from the ceiling and the crowd goes wild, jumping up and down and singing along. Lights flash and the dance floor gets smoky.

I'm talking to a German tourist named Torsten Baurlen. He lives and works in Mexico, which is now as notorious as Colombia was years ago. "I like it here," he says. "The people are charming."

The band ends its set and the deejay plays the Black Eyed Peas' party anthem "I Gotta Feeling." Once again the crowd starts jumping. Torsten and I can't help joining in.

Paisas are known as many things: hard workers, skillful entrepreneurs, formidable beauty pageant contestants - and party animals in good times and bad. After one night of clubbing, I could understand why our British journalist friend called Medellin dizzying.

For a more traditional Colombian experience, we head to El Suave, a dark, hidden two-story salsa club that even our cabdriver has a hard time finding. Coming along are my two 20-something half-nieces, who have lived in Medellin for years. At the club, each table is required to order at least one bottle of liquor. Most people are drinking either rum or aguardiente, the anise-flavored national liquor. In honor of our host city, we order a small bottle of Medellin rum.

We sit timidly at our table as men come up every few minutes and politely ask us to dance. My niece Jenny takes one of them up on the invitation and they hit the dance floor, their hips gyrating. This is a place for serious salsa dancers, and Daphne and I choose to watch rather than participate. Watching salsa dancing is just as entertaining as dancing it.

At Mango's, perhaps Medellin's most popular nightclub, I feel as though I've walked into a Texas bar. The club is designed to look like a ranch, and there's John Wayne and Coca-Cola paraphernalia all around. The faucets in the bathroom are shaped like horses' heads. Onstage, go-go dancers flash their ample bosoms, barely hidden beneath skimpy tank tops (Medellin is also known for its many plastic surgeons), alongside shirtless men with six-pack abs. The deejay is spinning American club hits, interspersed with the occasional reggaeton tune. A group of American guys starts chatting us up. This seems more meat market than Meatpacking District. By 4 a.m., we decide we've had enough. Medellin does not want to say good night, but we do.

What lies beneath

Paramilitaries once controlled the town of Guatape, a two-hour bus ride from downtown Medellin. Pablo Escobar had a country home there, as did many other drug lords.

Now you can take the train to the Caribe metro station and hop on a bus to Penon de Guatape, a large rock formation beside a reservoir built by the Colombian government. (The U.S. State Department urges caution when traveling by bus outside urban areas, but we felt safe and weren't the only foreign tourists on our bus.)

There are no real stops along the way. The bus just stops whenever someone hails it, and it doesn't stop stopping even when it's packed. Along the way, we see horses, cows and lots of food stands, some with chorizos hanging out front. A cow holds us up at one point when it decides to cross the road - very slowly.

When we arrive, we're swarmed by locals offering us donkey rides to the foot of the rock, but we prefer to walk. Along the way, we meet David Leonard, an Australian music producer visiting his friend Michael Lawless, who lives and works in Bogota. Lawless, originally from Australia, has visited Medellin numerous times. "When I came here eight years ago, there were no restaurants," he said. "Now there are tons."

We climb up nearly 650 steps wedged in a vertical crack that runs to the top of the rock. Standing at the summit, we stop thinking about how sore our legs are going to be the next day. The panoramic view of the man-made lake beside the rock, with its many islands, is extraordinary. We spot a hotel with a pool on one of the islands and wish we could spend the night there.

The climb has made us hungry, so we take a cab from the base of the rock to Guatape, a delightful little town with houses painted purple, blue, pink, yellow and other happy colors. The lower half of every building sports zocalos, woodcarvings that depict horses, flowers, llamas and other animals.

We have lots of choices for lunch, although the several restaurants with outdoor seating along the lake all offer similar menus. The one constant is the bandeja paisa, a staple dish of Medellin that includes arepas (corn cakes), rice, beans, avocado, fried plantains, chicharron (pork rind), fried egg and either ground beef or steak. We opt for lighter fare: the trout, a Guatape specialty.

Next up is a motorboat cruise of the lake to see Escobar's house. Our captain, Eudoro Diaz, tells us that we are cruising the largest artificial lake in Colombia and shows us the lakeside homes that belonged to Escobar's rivals. Then he points out La Manuela, Escobar's house, named after the drug kingpin's daughter. All that's left is a bombed-out shell that was looted after Escobar's death by people who believed that he'd hidden money in the walls. Although he shows tourists Escobar's former home, now government-owned, Diaz doesn't much like talking about the drug lord. Medellin is trying to forget that part of its history, he says.

Floating on, we arrive at a metal cross atop the steeple of a submerged church. When the lake was created in 1978 to provide water to Medellin, the town of Viejo Penol had to be flooded. We stop at Puerto de la Cruz, a restaurant and museum on an island near the cross, to look at pictures of the former villagers, who were moved to Guatape.

The cruise over, we head back to the center of town to catch our bus. With an hour to spare, we lounge on the patio of a restaurant next to the bus stop and watch children play in the town square.

Back on the bus, one of the passengers, a Miami resident, tells us he'd paid $150 for a round-trip ticket from Fort Lauderdale to Medellin. "That's less than what I spend one night in Miami," he says. "I'm thinking of coming back next month."

So am I."

As you can see many people are coming to discover and enjoy Medellin and the new Colombia.

New Hard Rock Cafe in Medellin

2010-09-02T18:39:00.000-07:00

Bret Michaels, an American singer, actor, director, screenwriter, producer and reality television personality first gained fame as the lead vocalist of the glam metal band Poison. Currenly the star of the reality television show Rock of Love and Celebrity Aprentice 3, Bret will be coming to Medellin on the 20th of October for the grand opening of the Hard Rock Cafe located on Avenida Poblado across from Oviedo Mall.Bret, who has been suffering for heart problems since may of this year was recently see hosting the Miss Universe padget and is said to be in good condition following his surgery.The Hard Rock Cafe was founded in 1971 by Americans Peter Morton & Isaac Tigrett. In 1979, the cafe began covering its walls with rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia, a tradition which expanded to others in the chain. Currently, there are 149 Hard Rock locations in 53 countries. This will be the second Hard Rock Cafe in Colombia with the first one opening in Bogota on the 1st of October 2001 3 more cafes are on their works at Cartagena, Cali and Barranquilla

Bogota Theater Festival 2010 Opens to Great Acclaim

2010-03-21T12:12:00.000-07:00

The 2010 edition of the biennial Theater Festival in Bogota, Colombia is underway. Officially called:

"XII Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro de Bogota"

it has its own youtube and facebook pages:
http://www.youtube.com/festivaldeteatrobog

http://www.facebook.com/pages/XII-Festival-Iberoamericano-de-Teatro-de-Bogota/79745145817#!/pages/XII-Festival-Iberoamericano-de-Teatro-de-Bogota/79745145817?v=wall

and of course its website

http://www.festivaldeteatro.com.co

The above pictures are from the newspaper El Espectador and from the festival's flickr album.

Gay Parade at Carnival in Barranquilla, 2010

2010-02-15T22:23:00.000-08:00

These pictures are from the gay parade held a week before the main Carnival parade in Barranquilla, Colombia. It features many transgenders, including both drag and transexuals.

Carnival in Barranquilla, Colombia, 2010

2010-02-15T22:12:00.000-08:00

The Carnaval in Barranquilla, Colombia, celebrating Mardi Gras, got off to a great start. These pictures from El Heraldo newspaper tell it all.

Readers of Lonley Planet vote Colombia #3 top destination for 2010

2010-02-09T23:52:00.000-08:00

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/colombia/travel-tips-and-articles/42/18633

Lonely Planet has certainly promoted Colombia as a rising star in travel, and its readers clearly feel the same.

What Lonely Planet has to say: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/colombia

New York Times readers pick Colombia as #2 world destination in 2010

2010-02-09T23:41:00.000-08:00

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/travel/2010-places-to-go.html

In a poll of readers asking what destinations were top choices for visiting in 2010, Colombia ranked 2nd in the entire world as far as responses go, out of 1,532 responses. The NYT itself ranked it one of the top choices as well, noting:

26. Colombia
Unfairly or not, Colombia is still known for its cocaine cartels and street violence, but cool-hunting travelers are calling it Latin America’s next affordable hot spot.

Bogotá, its capital, has emerged as a role model of urban reinvention. Starting in the late 1990s, the city underwent a breathtaking transformation. Sidewalks, once used mainly for parking, are now lined with bicycle paths and tree-shaded cafes. An innovative bus system zips residents across the traffic-congested city. And museums and restaurants have opened in its historic center, including the refurbished Museo del Oro, which houses pre-Columbian treasures.

Getting there is affordable, too. JetBlue recently began nonstop daily service to Bogotá from Orlando, Fla., joining other carriers including Delta.

Meanwhile, the picturesque coastal city of Cartagena, a Unesco World Heritage site, which has been experiencing a tourism surge in recent years, gets even more stylish. The latest addition is the Tcherassi Hotel + Spa (www.tcherassihotels.com), a seven-room boutique hotel designed by Silvia Tcherassi, a Colombian fashion designer. It has even prompted some travel bloggers to call Cartagena the next Buenos Aires. — Denny Lee

Colombia Recognized as Top Emerging Destination

2010-02-06T18:04:00.000-08:00

http://www.wanderlust.co.uk/article.php?page_id=3178

Wanderlust Travel Awards 2010 Top Emerging Destination
By Wanderlust team
Discover which emerging destination scooped top prize in this year's awards
Wanderlust Travel Awards 2010

Wanderlust Travel Awards 2010

Top Emerging Destination

Colombia

This new category rewards countries that received fewer visitors – and therefore votes – than those in the main country category, but which wowed those who did visit. Top of the pile was Colombia, the Latin American nation whose wild beaches, colonial cities (including Unesco-listed Cartagena), archeological sites and rolling coffee plantations are fast erasing outdated stereotypes of drugs and crime.

In-the-know favourites Madagascar and Bhutan follow close behind. Best known for all-inclusive luxury resorts, The Maldives were a surprise in this category – but for snorkellers and divers there are truly few better spots on earth.

Ranking %

1 Colombia

2 Madagascar

3 Bhutan

4 Maldives

5 Israel

6 Mongolia

7 Libya

8 Iran

9 Rwanda

10 Uzbekistan

France Endorses Colombia for Safe Travel

2010-02-03T23:21:00.000-08:00

According to Dinero.com, France has upgraded its advice for travelers to Colombia. The article (original in Spanish), translated by Google is as follows:

France improved, for Colombia, the warning that makes its citizens traveling to different places in the world, better known as the "travel warning", adding to Santa Marta, Barranquilla, the area between Bogota, Tunja, and Bucaramanga, and the three provinces of the Coffee Region: Quindio, Risaralda and Caldas, to the list of cities in which it has not set restrictions.

The places listed are in addition to Cartagena and San Andres, which already appeared in that category, said the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Luis Guillermo Plata, upon thanking France "for translating, into action, the progress that has been the country's security.

At the second level, ie, those which it is recommended to visit with proper precautions, is preserved: Cundiboyacense region, with its departments and capital, Bucaramanga, Pasto, Leticia, Medellin, Cali and Popayan. On this last point, the Minister said that these places also provide security to tourists, saying "we will persist to pass the green rating in response to their reality."

The Minister Emphasized the improvement in the travel warning that, since 2008, has been playing Colombia, a result, he said, "a judicious job of security, and which undoubtedly the new image influences you in the world today, the country".

"Do not forget that until two years ago, most of the map of Colombia appear in red on the warnings for French travelers." Significantly Today things have changed and we are confident that this is a continuous process of improvement, "said Silver.

For his part, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Oscar Rueda Garcia, spoke about the impact that these events have on tourism, it said, many travelers have very present these issues before making any travel decisions. After Spain, France ranks second in number of passengers arriving in Colombia from Europe, with 2.2% of the total. Between January and November 2009, over 27,000 French visited Colombia, a 7.3% increase over the same period in 2008.

Friends have a great time in Colombia!

2010-01-09T17:20:00.000-08:00

Our friend Dave from California recently returned from a trip to Colombia that included stops in Bogota and Cartagena. He had a great time and described it as follows:

"Colombia is a beautiful, friendly country. The people are amazingly friendly, happy to see Americans, and I never felt unsafe anywhere I went.

Bogota is beautiful, clean, and interesting. The people who run the High Park Hotel could not have been nicer. The Botero Museum may have been the highlight.

Cartagena was the high point of the trip. The hotel was charming as could be, the staff were wonderful, the city is spectacular, and I will remember many of the meals for a long time. The food was great! Cartagena is world class!

Walter knew all the places, and was immediately available by phone or e-mail when I had questions.
Colombia is a great destination. I can recommend it without reservations. Walter is the one with the reservations!

Thanks Walter!!!"

Carnival in Colombia

2009-12-19T13:45:00.001-08:00

Join me in Barranquilla, Colombia, to experience Carnival, a unique UNESCO Heritage-recognized event of humankind's cultural patrimony, or as I prefer to call it, an incredibly fun party!

Packages for the independent tour (hotels, domestic air flights, and parade tickets) start at $1190 (double occupancy).

If you prefer to go with a group, join me on the 10 day tour that includes the Barranquilla Carnival, as well as nearby Cartagena and cosmopolitan Bogota.

If you have additional time, consider continuing on with me to Peru and Machu Picchu.

Contact me directly for any additional info!

Walter Rey
415 637 2660
Walter@VamosColombiaTour.com
www.VamosColombiaTour.com

Direct Flight from US to San Andres island in Caribbean to start in June 2010

2009-12-12T10:21:00.000-08:00

According to RCN (Colombian news):

Starting June 2010, Spirit Airlines will operate a direct flight from Fort Lauderdale, USA to the island of San Andres (in Colombia).

The announcement was made by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Oscar Rueda Garcia, who said this is an opportunity for the island to capture the U.S. market. According to him, 10 years ago there was no direct flight from that country to San Andres.

The Deputy Minister, together with aviation authorities and the governor of the department, met in Miramar, Florida with the airline's president, Ben Baldanza, to define aspects of the new operation.

source:
http://www.rcnradio.com/noticias/econom/10-12-09/nueva-ruta-rea-san-andr-s-fort-lauderdale

Halloween in Bogota - Celebration in Style!

2009-11-03T22:26:00.000-08:00

Bogota goes all out to celebrate Halloween with great costumes, parties and festivities - everyone dresses up! The pictures are from Teatron's Halloween party (the largest gay club and bar in Bogota - it was completely packed with literally thousands of Bogota's hottest guys!)

If you like a great party in a fun atmosphere, you will love Bogota on Halloween! Vamos Colombia Tour offers a great package for Bogota and Colombia on Halloween or any time of year.
www.vamoscolombiatour.com

To see more pictures from Halloween, check out the pictures on facebook.

Schedule for Bogota Music Celebrations 2010

2009-11-03T22:08:00.000-08:00

From Colombia Reports:

Bogota authorities determined the dates for the festivals to be held in Bolivar park the coming season. Apart from 2010's edition of Rock Al Parque, there will be festivals focused on salsa, jazz, hip hop and world music.

The country's biggest festival, Rock Al Parque, will be held from June 23 and June 29. The 2010 edition is the festival's 15th anniversary and more than 60 bands are expected to perform.

From August 22 until August 30, the park is reserved for next year's edition of Salsa Al Parque. This year's edition of this salsa festival wll be focusing of Colombian composer and singer Joe Arroyo this year.

Jazz Al Parque, planned between September 7 and September 13, will offer jazz concerts and workshops.

Hip Hop Al Parque, despite unrest the past year, will go on and is scheduled for October 13 until October 18. The concert is the biggest hip hop event in Colombia and will not just show the country's best rappers, but also have dance demonstrations and the Second Encounter of Hip Hop Formation Houses.

The only festival that hasn't had its date set is Colombia Al Parque, a festival focused on Colombian culture, but this year with great emphasis on the traditional cultures of other parts of the world.

Bogota 8th most Techie city in Latin America

2009-10-30T23:05:00.000-07:00

According to a report in Colombia Reports, based on an article in El Tiempo:

Bogota is the 8th most technologically advanced city in Latin America, according to a study by Motorola and Convergencia Research.

Bogota was 8th out 150 Latin American cities, with Sao Pablo (Brasil) in first place followed by Chihuahua and Merida (Mexico). Medellin is the second most technologically advanced city in Colombia.

The study ranked cities according to infrastructure, services, commitment to reducing the digital divide and use of information technologies and communications between citizens, businesses and public institutions, El Tiempo reported.

Colombia has 2,746,816 internet subscribers according to the Commission of Regulation of Communications. There are 774,066 subscribers in Bogota (28 per cent of the national total).

Bogota provides public internet through 70 interactive portals around the city. 30,970 people have so far signed up for the city's digital literacy program.

Avianca and Taca to combine forces

2009-10-25T23:13:00.000-07:00

Two prominent airlines in Latin America are merging forces, although they will keep their separate identities, it seems. TACA focuses on Central America with flights to North and South America (especially Peru). Avianca is centered in Colombia. Together, they will provide great connections and travel possibilities for those wishing to get to Colombia, and to get around Latin America as well.

According to Routes Online:

Avianca, the national carrier of Colombia and TACA, which has a tri-hub strategy with its hubs based in Lima, San Jose and El Salvador has announced plans to merge from next year.

The merger will see the coming together of two of the largest carriers in the Latin American market.

The move will create cost synergies from cost savings from the operational side of the business with procurement and employee numbers working in Aircraft, Ground Staff, Fuel, Airport Charges and Customer Services. The fleet and networks of the two carriers will be largely complimentary.

TACA has three hubs, operating 31 aircraft with a mainly short/medium haul range, including A319/A320/A321 and E-190, where as Avianca operates 46 aircraft with larger aircraft such as their B767-300 ER and A330-200, it also has 12x B787 on order.

Avianca operates 2111 weekly frequencies from Bogota, whereas TACA from its three hubs operates 806 weekly services. In terms of their network, TACA currently operate 36 destinations whereas Avainca operates 43, however there is crossover on only 9 destinations, including Buenos Aires, JFK, Washington Dulles and Mexico City.

The merger will see TACA gain access to Avianca long haul destinations in Europe, notably Barcelona and Mexico which gives TACA passengers access to these large hispanic VFR markets from any TACA destination, on the same ticket, this also creates extra feed into the Avinca long haul routes. The merger will also help the combined carrier compete with LAN on these lucrative European markets, which given its presence across several countries in Latin America allows it to feed high volumes of domestic traffic to its International network.

The merger will lead to the combined airline being one of the largest carriers in Latin America.

Note: The above route maps may not be current, and are for illustrative purposes only.

UNESCO recognizes two Colombian festivals as cultural heritage

2009-10-25T22:58:00.000-07:00

According to Colombia Reports,

Colombia saw two of its most important festivals added to the UNESCO list of intagible cultural heritages; Popayan's holy week and Pasto's black and white carnaval.

The two festivities are added to the 90 other officially recognized intagible culture heritages from around the world.

Already on the list were Barranquilla's world famous carnaval and the culture of San Basilio de Palenque, a town in the north of Colombia, famous for its afrocolombian music and dance.

UNESCO's own website describes the two events as follows:

Pasto's Black and White Carnaval:
Arising out of native Andean and Hispanic traditions, the Carnaval de negros y blancos (Black and White Carnival) in San Juan de Pasto in south-western Colombia is a great celebration lasting from 28 December to 6 January each year. The celebrations begin on the 28th with the Carnival of Water − the throwing of water in homes and on the streets to initiate a festive mood. On New Year’s Eve, the Old Year’s parade takes place, with marchers carrying satirical figures representing celebrities and current events, and culminating in a ritual burning of the passing year. The main days of the carnival are the last two, when people of all ethnicities don black cosmetics on the first day, then white talcum on the next to symbolize equality and integrate all citizens through a celebration of ethnic and cultural difference. The Black and White Carnival is a period of intense communion, when private homes become collective workshops for the display and transmission of carnival arts and a wide range of people come together to express their views of life. The festival is especially important as the expression of a mutual desire for a future of tolerance and respect.

Popayan's Easter Week:
The Holy Week processions in Popayán are one of the oldest traditions in Colombia, practised since the colonial period. From the Tuesday to the Saturday before Easter, between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m., a series of processions take place. The five processions, devoted to Mary, Jesus, the Cross, the Laying in the Tomb, and the Resurrection respectively, follow a two-kilometre route through the town centre. Each procession is set around reliquary floats, or pasos, which are created and assembled according to complex rules. The reliquary floats are adorned with ornate, flower-decked wooden statues, most of which date from the late eighteenth century and depict the Easter story. The route is flanked on either side by worshippers carrying candles and wearing special clothing. The processions are remarkable for their artistic quality (gilding, cabinetwork), sounds and smells (incense). Preparations, which last for a whole year, follow instructions passed down to children from age five, and from generation to generation. The processions have their own vocabulary and expertise, and the roles and responsibilities of each individual are precisely allocated. Some inhabitants of the town, who have formed a general assembly to protect the tradition, act as the organizers and work with the authorities and various bodies. The processions, which attract many visitors from around the world, are a major factor contributing to social cohesion and the local collective psyche.

NYT features Villa de Leyva

2009-10-24T21:44:00.000-07:00

With the headline "Villa de Leyva, a Graceful Window on Colonial Colombia", the New York Times Travel Section of October 25, 2009, features a very nice article on Colombia's favorite colonial town the time forgot, Villa De Leyva. It is one of several articles that focus on Latin America.

Check it out!
http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/10/25/travel/25explorer.html?em

New video of first time visitors to Colombia: "Shooting Colombia"

2009-10-08T23:13:00.000-07:00

Check out this great new video documenting the eye-opening experience of international visitors in Colombia for the first time. In the words of the website for "Shooting Colombia":

About Shooting Colombia

This was a journey into the unknown and, the untold. Armed only with cameras, 12 people from different nationalities, backgrounds and walks of life agreed to take part in an experiment, to experience the true Colombia. Told to leave their pre-conceptions at home they documented the truth exactly as they saw it. Witness the unimaginable places, the characters and the experience of a lifetime as they saw it.

This is their story.

http://www.shootingcolombia.com/

Bogota Film Festival 2009 - 26th year

2009-09-30T22:53:00.001-07:00

The 26th edition of the Bogota Film Festival features many international films, including a tribute to India.

Check out

http://www.bogocine.com/xxvi/

Tourism Up in Colombia Once Again

2009-09-30T22:46:00.000-07:00

According to Colombia Reports:

Colombian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism announced that tourism to Colombia increased 9.2% from January to August 2009, compared to the same period in 2008.

819,613 foreign tourists arrived in Colombia between January and August, 2008, while 894.742 foreign visitors came to the country in the same period in 2009. On the other hand, more than 460,000 foreign travelers are expected to set foot on Colombian soil during the upcoming cruise season, which is 22,8% more than last year.

According to economic newspaper Portafolio, the Colombian association of travel agencies perceives a significantly increased income in the first semester of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, in spite of the 8% decrease in global tourism.

"We have perceived the same increase announced by the Ministry (of Trade, Industry and Tourism), which shows that the (travel) agencies continue to benefit, while airlines and hotels consider us their allies when it comes to the merketing of their tourist product, Mario Alfredo Nassar, a coordinator for the Colombian syndicate of travel agencies, said.

Tourism to Colombia started to soar as the security improved in and around the country's tourist destinations like Cartagena, Bogota and Medellin.

Video Metro Bogotá

2009-09-25T17:01:00.001-07:00

See the new plan for the metro in Bogota

New Intermational Flights to Colombia

2009-09-24T22:25:00.000-07:00

This picture has nothing to do with international flights, but is more interesting than another airplane.

From Colombia Reports:

Colombian Aviation authorities granted 20 new international routes permissions to Colombian airlines in an attempt to bring the ticket price down and boost international trips, newspaper La Republica reported Wednesday.

The permission, which will make the airlines less dependent on domestic flights, was granted to Avianca, Aires and Aero República.

Aires will add weekly flights from Bogota to New York and back, and daily frecuencies from Barranquilla, Cali, and Cartagena to Fort Lauderdale in Florida. It will also fly the Bogota-Sao Paulo, and Rionegro-Mexico City frequencies, with Boeing 373-700 aircrafts.

Aviaca will fly Bogota-Orlando-Bogota everyday, and Bogota-San Jose (Costa RIca)-Bogota. It will also add frequencies from Bogota to Sao Paulo, Fort Laudrdale, Los Angeles, New York, Washington, Aruba, and Curaçao.

Aero Republica will add the fequencies from Bogota to Santo Domingo, Aruba, San Jose (Costa Rica), Panama, Sao Paulo, and Miami.

The report says that Colombia aviation authorities are brokering a bilateral agreement with Dubai for new direct flights between the two countries.

Bogota is one of the world's sexiest affordable destinations

2009-09-20T23:17:00.001-07:00

Travel and Leisure, noted travel magazine, has pronounced Bogota one of the world's sexiest affordable destinations (and the "nest Buenos Aires"). Of course we always knew it - just check out any Shakira video!

http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/worlds-sexiest-affordable-destinations-2009/11?label=worlds-sexiest-affordable-destinations-2009

Here is what they have to say:
Bogotá, Colombia

Why Go Now: With its flourishing culinary and nightlife scenes, plus new flights from the United States on JetBlue, Delta, and Continental, Colombia’s capital is set to become the next Buenos Aires.

The Details: Bogotá’s historic center is La Candelaria, where the recently reopened Museo del Oro now houses a 6,500-piece collection of pre-Columbian gold coins and other works of art. And at the nearby Fernando Botero Museum, you’ll find more than a hundred sculptures and paintings by the artist. Just down the street, the 43-room Hotel de la Ópera (doubles from $215, including breakfast) occupies a pair of elegantly restored Republican-era town houses. In the Zona Rosa district, the Sofitel Bogotá Victoria Regia (doubles from $340) is a 102-room property near the city’s art galleries. Bogotá’s restaurant scene is booming—try Italian Gigi Trattoria (lunch for two $25) for house-made pastas and Club Colombia for regional classics such as corn empanadas and ajiaco, a hearty chicken-and-potato stew.

T+L Tip: On the edge of town, the restaurant Andrés Carnes de Res (dinner for two $90) puts on all-afternoon feasts of grilled steak.

Vamos Colombia Tour has a youtube channel now

2009-09-20T15:40:00.000-07:00

Check out all the Vamos Colombia Tour videos, most introduced by Walter, on the Vamos Colombia Tour youtube channel

http://www.youtube.com/user/WalterVamosColombia

where you can also see the most recent video,

New video with Walter at Bogota Gay Pride

2009-09-19T23:49:00.000-07:00

Check out Walter at Bogota Gay Pride, with a video of the underwear fashion show at one of the gay pride events during pride week in Bogota. Now on the youtube page of Walter of Vamos Colombia Tour.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk9u8aWY2Uk

Gold and Coffee: 10 Day Escorted Tour in Bogota and the Coffee Growing Region, Colombia

2009-09-12T12:37:00.000-07:00

For more details, including the daily itinerary, check out
http://vamoscolombiatour.blogspot.com/2009/09/gold-and-coffee-10-day-escorted-tour-in.html
and our facebook page for the trip:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/event.php?eid=135715701766

Gold and Coffee: 10 Day Escorted Tour in Bogota and the Coffee Growing Region, Colombia

2009-09-07T16:38:00.001-07:00

Vamos Colombia Tour, LLC is offering our latest trip: 10 Days of Colombian Beauty and Flavor in October, 2009 (escorted by Walter Rey)

Escorted 10 Day Tour
Detailed Daily Itinerary
October 22-Nov 1, 2009

Double Occupancy $1979, plus airfair to Bogota
Single Supplement $400

www.VamosColombiaTour.com

Thursday Oct 22 - Bogota
Arrive in Bogota; Welcome dinner.

Friday Oct 23 - Bogota
9 am. On an included city tour we visit the highlights of Bogota, including: La Candelaria neighborhood and Monserrate for a great view of the city.
La Candelaria is the historical colonial center of Bogota, and contains many political, recreational and historical sites. We will visit the Donacion Botero Museum, the Biblioteca Luis Angel Arango, La casa de Marques, and the Plaza de Bolivar. We will then explore the one-of-a-kind Gold museum where there is a rich display of our pre-Colombian indigenous gold artifacts in many forms. There are some very good restaurants and coffee shops to enjoy as we stroll around, including a delicious French-Colombian bakery.
3 pm. Back to hotel, relax. Dinner is on your own. For special dinner, we recommend the following high-end restaurants (reservations required): Leo Cocina y Cava (gourmet Colombian, very upscale) , Donostia (Spanish-Colombian, with emphasis on fresh ingredients), or Itanos (Italian-Colombian). We can assist you with transportation arrangements.
10 pm. Optional evening at the bars. We will help you with arrangements.

Saturday Oct 24- Bogota Environs
9 am. Tour through the picturesque countryside of green rolling hills and small towns. An all day tour of the Sabana of Bogota. This includes the traditional towns of Calera with the great Mercado , Sopo with it great and only Alpina creamery where we can taste the sweets of the milk products with a Swiss twist. Guatavita where the legends tell us about the Indigenous Cacique who bathed in the lake wearing gold on all his body. Zipaquira has the well known cathedral carved out of the underground salt mines. We will end up at Chia for a 6:30 pm. For dinner at Andres Carne de Res which defies description. Dinner here is a uniquely Colombian fiesta, including full dinner, live music and entertainment. Dancing always ensues, so bring your shoes!

Sunday Oct 25 - Bogota
Free day. Sunday in Bogota offers many options which you can explore during this free day, including the treasure-filled Sunday market in Usaquen (known for crafts and antiques); bicycling through the major city streets closed to car traffic; strolling though the botanic gardens; or brunch buffet filled with Colombian delicacies in an aristocratic setting (Club Colombia followed by shopping in the upscale northern boutiques and designer stores).
Additional optional half day trip: 11 am we drive to the lovely town of Subachoque, to visit an orphanage that takes in and cares for children with HIV while trying to place them with families followed by lunch at a lovely hacienda restaurant in the farming community outside of Bogota. Will be returning around 4pm.
We suggest a lighter fare dinner at Crepes and Waffles.

Monday Oct 26 Coffee Region (Armenia city, Quindio department)
We will be flying to Armenia, principle city of the Zona Cafetera, or Coffee Region. We will stay at an old hacienda on a coffee plantation or farm, which has been restored with period antiques and modern amenities. We visit Recuca, a working coffee farm where the visitor can experience the history and production of coffee, including harvesting the beans right off the plant, and then sitting for a tasting of the local product.

Tuesday Oct 27 Coffee Region
We visit one of the highlights of the region, the picturesque town of Salento, with its beautifully painted main square and attractive streets containing crafts, shops and cafes. From there it is a short drive to the Cocora Valley, home of Colombia’s national tree, the Wax Palm, rising from the green hills into the fog above, making for an incomparable sight.

Wednesday Oct 28 – Coffee Region
Free Day. As an option, spend time relaxing at the Santa Rosa de Cabal natural hot springs for a warm bath in a beautiful natural setting. A dip in the pool at the hacienda is an inviting alternative.

Thursday Oct 29 Coffee Region
Free day. Some options include a ride down the river on a balsa raft, a visit to the natural gardens with a butterfly encounter, or visiting other quaint and traditional towns, for example Manizales, famed for its beauty.

Friday Oct 30 – Fly to Bogota
Relax in the morning at the hacienda, and return to Bogota in afternoon.

Saturday Oct 31 - Bogota
Free Day We can provide additional suggestions for shopping or other activities.
Evening Halloween party at Teatron

Sunday Nov 1 Bogota; tour ends
Return to USA

Jazz Festival in Bogota September 2009

2009-09-03T22:23:00.000-07:00

As reported in Vive.in (with pictures of Colombian musicians taken in Barranquilla for Carnaval)

Inaugurated in 1988, the Jazz Festival of the Teatro Libre in Bogota has been positioned as one of the earliest and most prestigious in Latin America. Since then, with the exception of 1993, has taken place annually.

As has become customary, during the month of September, the Festival will offer seven to eight concerts of solo artists and groups from diverse areas: Latin America, United States, Europe, Africa and, of course, Colombia.

Similarly, during the Festival are conducted workshops conducted by guest artists. Besides promoting and developing jazz in Colombia, has given rise to various festivals in other cities. Throughout its history, the Festival has invited more than 37,000 spectators

This year's festival will feature artists from the likes of Brad Mehldau U.S., who with twenty albums, eight of them leading by more than ten weeks, the list of Billboard magazine's jazz, has become one of the most surprising and interesting jazz pianists today.

It will also be after twelve years, the saxophonist Kenny Garrett, flagship of the acoustic jazz tradition.

One attraction is in Havana Report, which comes from Cuba, yet the sound of Afro-Cuban jazz, which the pianist Ernan Lopez-Nussa part.

And among many other artists from Italy Luigi Bozzola, will come with all that load of acid jazz, with its strong core of the acoustic explorers of all persuasions, integrating the new generation of musicians that guide modern jazz in that country.

Since 3 September, the Free Theater opens its doors to present an entire show of the best jazz and continue its tradition within the scene of festivals of this type.

BRAD MEHIDAU (USA)
Auditorio Leon de Greiff
Thursday September 3, 2009

REPORT HAVANA (Cuba)
ZAPEROCO (Colombia)
Free Theater Chapinero
Friday September 4, 2009

KENNY GARRETT (USA)
Auditorio Leon de Greiff
Sàbado September 5, 2009
Buy tickets ...

DUO Bozzolo (Italy)
MARIAZU (Colombia)
Free Theater Chapinero
Thursday September 10, 2009

JORGE EMILIO FADUL & THE CARIBBEAN PARADISE ORCHESTRA
Free Theater Chapinero
Friday September 11, 2009

To view all programming visit http://www.festivalinternacionaldejazz.com/
Original article in Spanish at:
http://bogota.vive.in/musica/bogota/conciertos/agosto2009/EVENTO-WEB-FICHA_EVENTO_VIVEIN-5930167.html

Delta-Avianca Code Sharing to Resume

2009-09-03T22:05:00.000-07:00

Travel to Colombia may get even more convenient with codesharing restarting between Delta and Avianca (the Colombian airlines). This will permit travelers to fly from many US cities to several Colombian destinations with just one ticket and without having to recheck bags on the connections.

Check out
http://airlineroute.blogspot.com/2009/08/delta-avianca-codeshare-resumes-07sep09.html

Tourism in Colombia on the Rise Still 2009

2009-09-02T22:06:00.000-07:00

From the Colombia Reports website:

Colombia's Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism expects the country to receive 2.8 million visitors in 2010, a record figure representing an increase of 15 percent over 2008.

This projected rise is based on the proportional increase of arriving travelers listing recreational and business purposes for travel in Colombia.

According to the Ministry, Argentina is one of the countries generating the highest number of visitors to Colombia, ranking 6th in the world in the period from January to June 2009. In the same period, Colombia received more than 638,000 visitors, a growth of 10.3 per cent over the same period in 2008.

Favorite Colombian destinations of tourists, in order of importance, are: Bogota, Cartagena, Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla and San Andres. Destinations that have grown most in the first half of 2009 compared with the same period in 2008 are Medellin (33.5 per cent), Bucaramanga (27 per cent), and Santa Marta (14.4 per cent).

The figures for January-June 2009 have reinforced the growth trend observed earlier this year, when official reports of the World Tourism Organization marked a growth in tourist arrivals of 7.5 per cent during the first two months of the year, contrasting with a 7.7 per cent decline of tourism worldwide.

Tourism is currently Colombia's third largest export, behind oil and coal, according to Minister Luis Guillermo Plata.

Barranquilla Jazz Festival, 2009

2009-09-01T23:29:00.000-07:00

Barranquilla will celebrate the biggest International Jazz Festival in Colombia with world-class artists ranging from Latin Jazz, Salsa, Flamenco, Colombian Jazz and Jazz-Fusion. Barranquijazz takes place September 9 to 13, 2009.

There will be several Jazz Festival in Colombia next week but Barranquijazz is the most important of all, followed by the Medellin Jazz Festival.

What began as a project of some music lovers in 1997 turned quickly into one of the annual highlights of Barranquilla. The world's biggest jazz and Latin jazz artists have attended Barranquijazz.

This year the Caribbean city will host Mark Walker (United States), Papo Vazquez, Dave Valentin, Omara Portuondo and his orchestra (Cuba), Jaume Vilaseca quartet (Spain) and Rik Mol (Netherlands) among others.

Music lovers can enjoy the jazz vibes at the Teatro Amira de la Rosa, Plazoleta Teatro Amira de la Rosa, Plaza de la Paz, University del Norte, stadium Romelio Martinez and the Salon Jumbo del Country Club.

For more information and the whole program, check out http://www.barranquijazz.com/

Bill Gates gives US$1 million to Medellin public libraries

2009-08-25T21:45:00.000-07:00

Colombia Reports now reports:

http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/5575-bill-gates-gives-us1-million-to-medellin-public-libraries.html

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awarded the Medellin public libraries with US$1 million for providing computers and internet access to citizens in 34 libraries throughout the city.

The EPM Foundations Network of Public Libraries (NPL) is located throughout Medellin in some of the city's most marginalized communities. The libraries have become cultural centers "for accessing knowledge, learning and also as areas of community action and pride," Clara Patricia Restrepo, executive director of the EPM Foundation, said.

The majority of NPL's guests are from low-income communities who do not have a computer at home, like Hugo Patiño. The 50-year-old cook, who came to Medellin in 2007 after violence displaced him from his home in northern Colombia, had never used a computer before. But through courses at the public library, he learned how to create cost estimates, keep books and to promote a business online. Now Patiño is inspired to open his own restaurant.

The NPL has more than 500,000 visitors per months. "Their work is a stunning example of how a country can use the power of public libraries and technology to transform people's lives," Deborah Jacobs, director of the Global Libraries initiative for the foundation, said.

The EPM Foundation will use the money to expand their services on its web portal and to develop information and communication technology training programs.

Colombia Tourism on the rise, according to Dinero Magazine (Spanish), as Reported in Colombia Passport website (English)

2009-08-22T11:02:00.000-07:00

The article from Passport Colombia website (which is mostly an English translation of the original article in Spanish from Dinero magazine) says:

More tourism for Colombia

Posted by Albeiro Rodas on 8/21/09

Tourism to Colombia grew 10 percent during the first semester of the year, while in the world it fall 8 percent, according to Cotelco, the Colombian Association of Hotels. The statement was done by Jaime Alberto Cabal, president of the hotels’ association and published by Dinero Magazine. More than 60 thousand foreign visitors have entered the Colombian territory during the first six months of 2009, much more than last year at the same period.

According with Cabal, the Administrative Department of Security of Colombia (DAS), the entity that coordinates the entries of foreign visitors, reported the increase in the number of foreign visitors to the country.

The 36 percent of foreign tourists came from United States and Venezuela, according to DAS. Foreigners enter Colombia by airports, sea ports and roads.

In contrast, the global financial crisis reduced the number of visitors around the world. It is sure that the position of Colombia – four hours by plane from Miami and ports in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean – made Colombia a cheaper destiny for American and Latin American travelers.

According with Jaime Alberto Cabal, Colombia has increased the construction of hotels and the international image of the country on the press is most better. He said that in 2009, the hotel sector will receive 700 million of dollars in investment, much more than what it got in 2007 (550 million dollars).

The construction of new sites for tourism like thematic parks, new centers and beautifying of the cities, played an important factor in the attraction of foreign visitors.

Alberto López Valderrama, president of Corferias, reported to Dinero that the hotel sector grew in Bogotá 14.8%, Antioquia 9,1%, Bolívar 8,5%, and Valle 8,3%, among other regions.

It was exposed also the problem of the pirate hotels (tax evaders) that evade annually about 300 thousand million of pesos.

The most visited Colombian regions during the first semester of 2009 were San Andrés Islands, 70,2%; Norte de Santander, 60,4%, the Coffee Axes, 45% and Bogotá, 59,9%.

Venezuelans were very attracted by Colombia during the last six months not only by the tourist plans, but also the possibility of business and investment in the country.

By other part, 183 tourist cruises visited the historical city of Cartagena de Indias like the Dawn Princesa with 2,100 passengers.

(photos by Vamos Colombia tour)

www.vamoscolombiatour.com

Colombia Ministry of Tourism Announces Photography Competition "Reveal Colombia"

2009-08-22T10:49:00.001-07:00

The Spanish language announcement and a (more or less) English translation below.

The cite (in Spanish) is
http://www.mincomercio.gov.co/eContent/NewsDetail.asp?ID=7258

Ministerio de Comercio Industria y Turismo

Concurso Nacional de Fotografía “Revela Colombia”

El 27 de septiembre de cada año, se conmemora en todo el planeta el Día Mundial del Turismo, cuyo objetivo principal es fomentar la sensibilización entre la comunidad internacional respecto a la importancia de turismo y su valor social, cultural, político y económico.

Colombia, como estado miembro de la Organización Mundial del Turismo, a través del Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo ha decidido invitar a todos los colombianos y extranjeros que hayan tenido una experiencia turística en Colombia, a participar en el Concurso Nacional de Fotografía Turística “Revela Colombia”, con el fin de mostrar y compartir la diversidad de atractivos turísticos visitables y semblanzas culturales con los que cuenta Colombia. Ver flash

Objetivos del concurso

Dar a conocer la gran diversidad de atractivos turísticos visitables a lo largo de todo el territorio nacional.
Fomentar la actividad turística dentro del territorio nacional y elevar la competitividad en el sector.
Promover el desarrollo del turismo sostenible y responsable a lo largo del territorio nacional.

¿Quién puede participar?

Pueden participar todos los colombianos y extranjeros, residentes o no en el país, mayores de 18 años.

¿Cuántas fotografías puedo mandar?

Cada participante puede presentar hasta tres (3) fotografías, por cada tema:

Paisajes urbanos, monumentos, arqueología y arquitectura.
Gente, costumbres, gastronomía, artesanías, ferias y fiestas folclóricas.
Paisajes naturales, flora y fauna.

¿Lugar y fecha de entrega de fotografías?

El material debe entregarse hasta el día 16 de septiembre de 2009 en un sobre sellado en cualquier punto de Servientrega desde donde se realizará el envío que no tiene ningún costo.

Para los participantes no residentes en Colombia que no puedan enviar sus fotografías en físico, se habilitó un correo electrónico concurso@mincomercio.gov.co y una línea de atención + 57 (1) 427 9000 donde se les explicará la mecánica del envío de las imágenes de forma digital.

Bases del concurso pdf

Punto 1. Solo participarán fotografías inéditas que hayan sido tomadas en Colombia entre los años 2006 y 2009, que presenten escenarios turísticos visitables del país, sus productos, atractivos naturales, culturales, religiosos o sociales (se entiende por atractivo turístico visitable un espacio geográfico, escenario o atractivo turístico natural, cultural o arquitectónico, así como festivales, ferias o fiestas que se localicen o realicen dentro del territorio nacional en donde se encuentren los atractivos y los servicios turísticos que posibilitan la permanencia del turista, que cuentan además con infraestructura que facilitan el acceso a dicho atractivo).

Punto 2. Cada participante puede presentar hasta tres (3) fotografías, una por cada tema:

Paisajes urbanos, monumentos, arqueología y arquitectura.
Gente, costumbres, gastronomía, artesanías, ferias y fiestas folclóricas.
Paisajes naturales, flora y fauna.

Los participantes deben tener en cuenta que los atractivos fotografiados deben ser visitables (remitirse al punto 1 de este documento).

Punto 3. El participante deberá diligenciar completamente el documento de los Términos y Condiciones que se podrá descargar al final de esta página, en el cual especificará el lugar donde fueron tomadas las fotografías y/o el atractivo fotografiado, así como el año de realización de la fotografía.

Punto 4. Los participantes residentes en Colombia deberán enviar, a través de los puntos autorizados de Servientrega o por otro medio a la dirección Carrera 13A N° 87-33 de Bogotá, un sobre sellado que deberá contener un (1) CD marcado con el seudónimo elegido por el participante, con las imágenes en archivos digitales, numerados y organizados como se indica a continuación:

Una carpeta, llamada BAJA con las fotografías en baja resolución,
Una carpeta llamada ALTA con las fotografías en alta resolución,
Y el documento impreso de términos y condiciones debidamente diligenciado.

Las personas residentes fuera de Colombia interesadas en participar en el concurso deberán enviar sus datos al correo concurso@mincomercio.gov.co con el nombre completo, nacionalidad, documento de identidad, lugar de residencia (país, ciudad y dirección exacta de contacto) número de teléfono y correo electrónico para contactarlo. A vuelta de correo recibirán las instrucciones para poder enviar sus fotografías por medio de un canal digital dispuesto para este fin.

Punto 5. Los participantes deberán entregar las mismas fotografías en baja y alta resolución dentro de las siguientes especificaciones:

Baja resolución: Las fotografías deberán estar en la carpeta BAJA. Estas imágenes deberán tener un tamaño de 1.024 pixeles en su lado más largo y deberán estar a 150 dpi.
Alta resolución: Las fotografías deberán estar en la carpeta ALTA. Estas imágenes deberán tener un tamaño mínimo de 2.000 pixeles por su lado más largo y deberán estar a 300 dpi.

Punto 6. Los archivos en alta y baja resolución deberán estar nombrados de la misma forma bajo los siguientes parámetros:

1_Seudonimo.jpg - Corresponde al tema 1. Paisajes urbanos, monumentos, arqueología y arquitectura.
2_Seudonimo.jpg - Corresponde al tema 2. Gente, costumbres, gastronomía, artesanías, ferias y fiestas folclóricas.
3_Seudonimo.jpg - Corresponde al tema 3. Paisajes naturales, flora y fauna.

Ejemplo: En caso de que un participante concurse únicamente dentro del tema 3. Paisajes naturales, flora y fauna, deberá nombrar su foto de la siguiente manera: 3_elturista.jpg en donde el número 3 corresponde a la categoría 3. Paisajes naturales, flora y fauna y “elturista” a su seudónimo.

Punto 7. Del material recibido, un comité compuesto por fotógrafos, periodistas, publicistas y funcionarios del Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo seleccionará 99 fotografías finalistas (33 por cada categoría). Estas fotos serán publicadas en el Portal Oficial de Turismo www.colombia.travel a partir del día 29 de septiembre.

De las 99 fotografías finalistas se seleccionarán las 3 mejores fotos (1 por categoría), escogidas por el Jurado Oficial del concurso, las cuales serán clasificadas de la siguiente forma: primero, segundo y tercer lugar. Dichas fotos serán retribuidas por el Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo de la siguiente forma:

1er. puesto: $10.000.000 de pesos.
2o. puesto: $6.000.000 de pesos.
3er. puesto: $3.000.000 de pesos.

La mejor fotografía y el nombre del autor de la misma serán publicadas en un periódico de alta circulación nacional el día domingo 27 de septiembre de 2009, Día Mundial del Turismo.

Términos y condiciones

Punto 1. En el concurso, no podrán participar funcionarios ni personas vinculadas bajo contrato de prestación de servicios al Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo, así como empleados, administradores de la empresa contratada para la organización del concurso, parientes ligados con los anteriores dentro del primer y segundo grado de consanguinidad, segundo grado de afinidad o único primero civil. En caso de verificarse que uno de los ganadores se encuentra trabajando bajo estos vínculos, se entregará el premio respectivo al participante que ocupe el siguiente lugar.

Punto 2. Los participantes declaran y garantizan que todas las fotografías son de su autoría. Los participantes aceptan y garantizan que mantendrán indemne al Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo, así como a la empresa contratada para la realización del concurso, respecto de cualquier reclamación por parte de terceros que aleguen tener algún derecho sobre el material presentado.

Punto 3. La participación es gratuita. Solo se recibirá el material en los puntos oficiales de recepción del concurso mencionados en este documento.

Punto 4. Durante el tiempo de realización del concurso, ninguno de los organizadores o jurados mantendrá comunicación directa con los participantes. Si los participantes necesitan asistencia técnica, podrán acceder concurso@mincomercio.gov.co y una línea de atención + 57 (1) 427 9000.

Punto 5. La mención y premiación de las fotos ganadoras se hará en la ciudad de Armenia, en el marco de la clausura de “Turismo Compite”. Los premios deberán ser reclamados por los ganadores con su documento original de identificación. De no poder reclamar personalmente el reconocimiento, lo podrás hacer bajo poder notarial a un tercero o bajo poder autenticado ante un notario, dentro de los 15 días hábiles siguientes a la fecha de divulgación de los ganadores.

Punto 6. De no realizarse todos los trámites necesarios para la entrega de los premios en el término señalado, se entregará el premio respectivo al participante que ocupe el siguiente lugar.

Punto 7. Si los ganadores del primer, segundo y tercer puesto de la convocatoria se encuentran fuera de la ciudad de premiación, los gastos de traslado a dicha ciudad o los trámites notariales que se generen, correrán por cuenta del beneficiado.

Punto 8. Las fotografías enviadas y los nombres de los concursantes pasarán a ser parte de un banco de imágenes y podrán ser usadas por el Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo con fines de promoción, divulgación y publicidad, sin límite territorial, con una duración indefinida y en cualquier medio sin previo aviso o ni compensación económica alguna.

En caso de hacer uso de las fotografías, el Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo o cualquier tercero, otorgará los respectivos créditos al autor de la fotografía (derechos morales). Con el sólo hecho de enviar las fotografías para participar en el concurso, los participantes aceptan estos términos y condiciones.

Punto 9. Los participantes declaran que son los titulares de los derechos morales de autor sobre las fotografías; en tanto que los patrimoniales pertenecerán al Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo, bajo una licencia de uso sobre ellas, de acuerdo a lo señalado en las leyes 23 del 1982 y 44 de 1993 y lo conculcado el Código Penal en lo pertinente.

Teniendo en cuenta que los derechos patrimoniales de las fotos enviadas pertenecerán al Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo, deberá entenderse que la retribución de que trata el punto 7 de las bases del concurso, es un incentivo a los derechos morales o de autor.

Especificaciones técnicas

Punto 1. Cada participante podrá concursar con máximo tres (3) fotografías.

Punto 2. Sólo se admiten imágenes digitales. Las fotografías impresas, negativos o diapositivas escaneadas serán admitidos siempre que cumplan con los requisitos técnicos especificados en el punto 5 de las bases del concurso.

Punto 3. La base temática es un lugar turístico visitable, por lo tanto no se recibirán fotografías realizadas en estudio o composiciones que no muestren el contexto original de la imagen. Se aceptan cortes, manipulaciones básicas de color, contraste y nitidez. Podrán participar fotografías en color o blanco y negro. No se tendrán en cuenta las imágenes con manipulaciones no convencionales tales como: fotomontajes, textos insertados digitalmente, marcas de agua, marcos o bordes digitales, etc.

Punto 4. Las fotos recibidas se evaluarán bajo los siguientes criterios:

Calidad fotográfica.
Buena composición.
Manejo de la luz.
Escenarios turísticos.
Forma de trasmitir el producto o atractivo turístico.
La forma cómo trasmiten sensaciones.

Advertencia

Las fotografías que no cumplan con las bases y especificaciones mencionadas en este documento, no se tendrán en cuenta.

Por favor, lee detenidamente las bases del concurso y los términos y condiciones antes de enviar tu foto.

Si no estás de acuerdo con todas estas bases, términos y condiciones de uso, por favor, abstente de participar en este evento.

Selección de ganadores

Para definir a los ganadores, se conformará un comité que preseleccionará las 99 mejores fotografías del concurso.
El comité estará compuesto por fotógrafos profesionales, guías de turismo, editores web y profesionales del sector turístico.

De estas 99 fotografías, el Jurado seleccionará las tres mejores fotografías que obtendrán compensación económica de la siguiente manera:

1er. puesto: $10’000.000 de pesos.
La foto ganadora será publicada el día 27 de septiembre de 2009, Día Mundial del Turismo, en la primera página de un diario de amplia circulación nacional.
2o. puesto: $6’000.000 de pesos.
3er. puesto: $3’000.000 de pesos.

Adicionalmente a los tres primeros premios, las 99 mejores fotografías serán expuestas dentro del marco del evento “Turismo Compite”.

El evento de premiación también se realizará dentro de la clausura de “Turismo Compite” en donde se hará entrega del premio a los tres ganadores.

Fechas

Apertura del concurso: 3 de agosto de 2009.
Fecha límite para recepción de trabajos: 16 de septiembre de 2009.
Preselección: 17-20 de septiembre de 2009.
Selección: 21-23 de septiembre de 2009.
Proclamación de los ganadores: 25 de septiembre de 2009.

Jurados

El concurso "Revela Colombia" contará con un reconocido jurado que escogera a los ganadores:

Sr. Luis Guillermo Plata, Ministro de Comercio, Industria y Turismo.
Sr. Oscar Rueda, Viceministro de Turismo.
Sr. Ricardo Cifuentes, Coordinador Grupo de Promoción, Viceministerio de Turismo.
Sra. Nubia Stella Martínez, Vicepresidenta de Turismo, Proexport Colombia.
Sr. Juan Ricardo Rodríguez, Director Académico de la Especialización en Fotografía, Universidad Nacional de Colombia.
Sr. Amalio Rigoberto García, Subdirector del Centro de Desarrollo de la Imagen "Zona Cinco".
Sr. Javier Sandoval, Fotógrafo y Diseñador Gráfico, Universidad Nacional de Colombia y Universidad de Barcelona, España.

Premios

Las 99 mejores fotografías serán expuestas dentro del marco del evento “Turismo Compite”.

El evento de la premiación se hará dentro de la clausura de “Turismo Compite” en donde se hará entrega del premio a los tres ganadores.

La foto ganadora del primer puesto será publicada el día 27 de septiembre, Día Mundial del Turismo, en la primera página de un diario de amplia circulación nacional.

1er. puesto: $10"000.000 de pesos.
2o. puesto: $6"000.000 de pesos.
3er. puesto: $3"000.000 de pesos.

ENGLISH VERSION:

Ministry of Commerce Industry and Tourism
National Photography Competition "Reveals Colombia"

On 27 September each year, is commemorated around the planet on World Tourism Day, whose main objective is to promote awareness among the international community about the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic.

Colombia as a member state of the World Tourism Organization, through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism has decided to invite all Colombians and foreigners who have had an experience of tourism in Colombia, to participate in National Photography Competition Tourist " Reveals Colombia ", in order to show and share the diversity of tourist attractions to visit and cultural profiles with counts Colombia. View flash

Objectives of competition

* To publicize the diversity of tourist attractions visited along the entire national territory.
* To promote tourism within the country and increase competitiveness in the sector.
* Promote the development of sustainable and responsible tourism throughout the country.

Who can participate?

Open to all Colombians and foreigners, residents or not in the country, over 18 years.

How many photos can I send?

Each entrant may submit up to three (3) photos for each item:

1. Urban landscape, monuments, archeology and architecture.
2. People, customs, cuisine, crafts, fairs and folk festivals.
3. Natural landscapes, flora and fauna.

Place and date of delivery of photos?

The material should be delivered until September 16, 2009 in a sealed envelope Servientrega anywhere from where it sent it has no cost.

For participants not residing in Colombia that can not send your photographs into physical, was enabled an email concurso@mincomercio.gov.co and a hotline + 57 (1) 427 9000 where they were explaining the mechanics of sending the images digitally.

Contest Rules pdf

Item 1. Only participate unpublished photographs that have been taken in Colombia between 2006 and 2009, to present tourism scenarios visited the country, its products, natural, cultural, religious or social (the term tourist attraction visited a geographical space, or appeal stage natural tourist, cultural or architectural, as well as festivals, fairs or festivals that are located or conducted within the country where they are the attractions and tourist services that facilitate the stay of tourists, also have their own infrastructure to facilitate access to that attractive).

Item 2. Each entrant may submit up to three (3) photographs, one for each topic:

1. Urban landscape, monuments, archeology and architecture.
2. People, customs, cuisine, crafts, fairs and folk festivals.
3. Natural landscapes, flora and fauna.

Participants should be aware that photographed attractions must be visited (refer to point 1 above).

Item 3. The participant must completely fill the paper with the Terms and Conditions which can be downloaded at the bottom of this page, which indicate the location where the photographs were taken and / or photographed attraction, and the year of implementation of the photograph.

Item 4. Participants should send residing in Colombia, through authorized points Servientrega or by other means in the direction Carrera 13A No. 87-33 Bogota, a sealed envelope must contain one (1) CD marked with the pseudonym chosen by the participant, with the images as digital files, numbered and organized as follows:

* A folder called LOW with pictures in low resolution,
* A HIGH folder named with the pictures in high resolution,
* And the paper form, duly completed terms and conditions.

People living outside Colombia are interested in participating in the contest should send their data to email concurso@mincomercio.gov.co with full name, nationality, identity, place of residence (country, city and exact address of contact) number telephone and email contact information. By return mail will receive instructions to send your photos via a digital channel provided for this purpose.

Item 5. Participants must submit the same pictures in low and high resolution within the following specifications:

* Low Resolution: Photographs must be in the LOW folder. These images must have a size of 1,024 pixels on its longest side and must be at 150 dpi.
* High resolution: Photographs must be in the folder HIGH. These images must have a minimum size of 2,000 pixels on its longest side and must be 300 dpi.

Item 6. Files in low and high resolution must be appointed in the same way under the following parameters:

* 1_Seudonimo.jpg - Applies to item 1. Urban landscape, monuments, archeology and architecture.
* 2_Seudonimo.jpg - Applies to item 2. People, customs, cuisine, crafts, fairs and folk festivals.
* 3_Seudonimo.jpg - Applies to item 3. Natural landscapes, flora and fauna.

Example: If a participant contest only under item 3. Natural landscapes, flora and fauna, must name your photo as follows: 3_elturista.jpg where the number 3 corresponds to category 3. Natural landscapes, flora and fauna and "elturista" his pseudonym.

Item 7. The material received, a committee composed of photographers, journalists, publishers and officials of the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism will select 99 finalists photographs (33 in each category). These photos will be published in the Official Tourism Portal www.colombia.travel from September 29.

Of the 99 finalists will be selected photographs the best 3 photos (1 per category), selected by the official jury of the contest, which will be classified as follows: first, second and third. These photos will be paid by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism as follows:

* 1st. place: $ 10,000,000 pesos.
* 2nd. place: $ 6,000,000 pesos.
* 3rd. place: $ 3,000,000 pesos.

The best picture and name of the author thereof shall be published in a newspaper of national circulation high on Sunday 27 September 2009, World Tourism Day.

Terms and conditions

Item 1. In competition, officials may not participate or related persons under contract to provide services to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism as well as employees, managers of the company contracted to organize the contest tied with previous relatives within the first and second degree of consanguinity, second degree of affinity or only the first civil. If verified that one of the winners were working under these links will present the award corresponding to the participant who occupies the next place.

Item 2. Participants represent and warrant that all photographs are of his authorship. Participants agree to hold harmless and ensure the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, and the company contracted to carry out the contest for any claims by third parties who claim to have some claim on the material presented.

Item 3. Participation is free. Only receive the material in the official points of reception of the contest mentioned in this document.

Item 4. During the time of completion of the contest, organizers or any of the jurors keep direct communication with participants. If participants need technical assistance may qualify concurso@mincomercio.gov.co and a hotline + 57 (1) 427 9000.

Item 5. The mention of the photos and award winners will be made in the city of Armenia in the framework of the close of "Tourism Compete. The prizes must be claimed by the winners with their original documents. Unable to personally claim the recognition, you can do under power of attorney to another person or under power authenticated before a notary, within 15 working days from the date of disclosure of the winners.

Item 6. If not done all the necessary arrangements for the awards in the period mentioned, the respective prize is being awarded to the participant who occupies the next place.

Item 7. If the winners of the first, second and third in the summons is outside the city award, the costs of transfer to that city or notary procedures that are generated, be borne by the beneficiary.

Item 8. Photographs sent and the names of the contestants will become part of an image database and may be used by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism for advocacy, dissemination and publicity, without territorial limit, for an indefinite period and any means without prior notice or no financial compensation.

If use of the photographs, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism or any third party, give the respective credits to the author of the photograph (moral rights). In fact only send the photos to enter the contest, participants agree to these terms and conditions.

Item 9. Participants declare that they are the owners of moral rights on the photographs, while the property will belong to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, under a license to use them, according to the laws as stated in 23 of 1982 and 44 of 1993 and violated the criminal code as appropriate.

Given that the economic rights of the photos sent belong to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, should be understood that the pay is section 7 of the competition rules is an incentive to moral rights or copyright.

Technical Specifications

Item 1. Each participant can compete with up to three (3) photographs.

Item 2. We will only accept digital images. Printed photographs, negatives or slides scanned will be admitted provided they meet the technical requirements specified in section 5 of the competition rules.

Item 3. The basic theme is a tourist site visited, therefore will not be received photographs taken in studio or compositions that do not show the image's original context. Accepted cuts, basic manipulations of color, contrast and sharpness. May take photographs in color or black and white. Not taken into account images with unconventional manipulations such as photomontages, digitally inserted text, watermarks, digital frames and borders, etc..

Item 4. All photos received will be evaluated under the following criteria:

* Photo quality.
* Good composition.
* Management of the light.
* Scenarios tour.
* Method of conveying the product or tourist attraction.
* The way convey feelings.

Warning

The photographs do not comply with the bases and specifications referenced in this document should not be disregarded.

Please carefully read the contest rules, terms and conditions before submitting your photo.

If you do not agree with all these bases, terms and conditions of use, please refrain from participating in this event.

Selection of winners

To define the winners, will be formed a committee to pre-select the 99 best pictures of the competition.
The committee shall consist of professional photographers, tour guides, web publishers and tourism professionals.

Of these 99 photographs, the jury will select the three best pictures will get compensation as follows:

* 1st. place: $ 10'000 .000 pesos.
* The winning photo will be published on 27 September 2009, World Tourism Day, on the first page of a newspaper of national circulation.
* 2nd. place: $ 6'000 .000 pesos.
* 3rd. place: $ 3'000 .000 pesos.

In addition to the three first prizes, the 99 best photographs will be exhibited as part of the event "Tourism Compete.

The awards event will also take place within the close of "Tourism Compete" where will present the prize to three winners.

Dates

* Opening of the contest: 3 August 2009.
* Deadline for receipt of entries: 16 September 2009.
* Screening: 17-20 September 2009.
* Selection: 21-23 September 2009.
* Proclamation of the winners: 25 September 2009.

Juries

The competition "Reveals Colombia" will feature a renowned jury will choose the winners:

*
Mr. Luis Guillermo Plata, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism.
*
Mr. Oscar Rueda, Deputy Minister of Tourism.
*
Mr. Ricardo Cifuentes, Advocacy Group Coordinator, Deputy Minister of Tourism.
*
Ms. Nubia Stella Martinez, Vice President of Tourism, Proexport Colombia.
*
Mr. Juan Ricardo Rodriguez, Academic Director of the Specialization in Photography, National University of Colombia.
*
Mr. Amalio Rigoberto Garcia, Deputy Development Center of Image Zone Five.
*
Mr. Javier Sandoval, Photographer and Graphic Designer, Universidad Nacional de Colombia and Universidad de Barcelona, Spain.

Awards

The 99 best photographs will be exhibited as part of the event "Tourism Compete.

The event of the awards will be made within the close of "Tourism Compete" where will present the prize to three winners.

The first-place winning photo will be published on 27 September, World Tourism Day, on the first page of a newspaper of national circulation.

*
1st. place: $ 10 "000,000 pesos.
*
2o. place: $ 6 "000,000 pesos.
*
3rd. place: $ 3 "000,000 pesos.

FILM AND PARTY FOR THE OPENING OF CICLO ROSA 2009, Gay Film Festival in Bogota, Colombia

2009-08-15T14:26:00.000-07:00

From the press release for the opening night of the film festival, which turned out to be rather controversial!

FILM AND PARTY FOR THE OPENING OF
CICLO ROSA 2009
• On Thursday August 13 at 8:00 pm Theatron will be in the
Official Opening of Cycle Rosa 2009, an event that will begin with the
projection of the film Otto, or how to do it with the dead, and will end with a gay/LGBT themed party.
• The film, by the controversial German director Bruce LaBruce, who has received
major awards at festivals in Montreal, Toronto and Milan will
start a week of short films, feature films and documentaries on
LGBT issues, which will then travel from Bogota to Medellin, Cali,
Barranquilla, Pereira and Popayán.
On Thursday August 13 at 8:00 p.m. in Theatron, the renowned nightclub in the
gay Chapinero sector in Bogota, will open to welcome you to the ninth edition of
Cycle Rosa, and audiovisual displays about academic issues and LGBT rights.
The opening of this exhibition is in the lobby of the site, which is set as a sexshop --
fetish objects are displayed as a tribute to the themes of this year, including leather, masks and fantasies common to all human beings, without distinction among
gender or sexual orientation.
The inaugural film, Otto, or how to do it with the dead, is the latest film by Bruce LaBruce, who was already seen in
Colombia in the movie The Raspberry Reich. In the film opening this Ciclo Rosa 2009, a young
zombie named Otto appears on a remote highway. It has no idea where it comes from or where it is going. After hitchhiking to Berlin and to occupy an abandoned amusement park, in begins
to explore the city. Soon it discovers an underground film director, Medea Yarn, who
begins to make a documentary about him with the help of his girlfriend, Hella Bent, and her brother Adolf, who uses the camera. Meanwhile, Medea is trying to finish Up with Dead People, a
political-porno-zombie movie epic on which he has been working for years.
The Ciclo Roda is an initiative of alternative theaters Kayman, with support from the Mayor of
Bogotá through the Ministry of Culture, Recreation and Sport, Fundación Gilberto Alzate
Avendaño, the District Government Secretariat, the Instituto Pensar de la Pontificia Universidad
Javeriana, Ministry of Culture and the Embassy of Israel.
Cinemas
www.ciclorosa.com

CASA ENSAMBLE, 13 to 19 of August
Value of Ticket: COL$ 6,000
Features: 1:00 - 3:00 to 5:00 and 7:00 p.m.
Avenida Carrera 24 (Park Way) No. 41 - 69
Tel 368 92 68 - 360 - 369 04 35
CINEMATECA DISTRICT (PROJECTIONS IN FOUNDERS HALL), 13 to August 19
Value of Ticket: COL $ 3500
Functions: 12:30, 7:30 p.m.
Calle 22 No. 5-85, Auditorio Universidad Central
Tel 283 58 79
GILBERTO ALZATE FOUNDATION AVENDAÑO, 16 and August 17
Value of Ticket: COL$ 3500
Functions: 12:30, 3:00, 5:15, 7:15
Calle 10 with Carrera 3
Tel 282 94 91
MUSEUM OF MODERN ART BOGOTÁ, 13 to August 19
Value of Ticket: $ 4,000
Features: 1:00, 3:00, 5:00, 7:15
Calle 24 No. 6-00

Pictures from Barranquilla Carnaval in Colombia

2009-08-15T11:38:00.000-07:00

From Barranquilla Carnaval 2009

For a complete slideshow of Barranquilla Carnaval pictures, check out our galleries:
Flicker/Yahoo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vamoscolombiatour/sets/72157622047963646/

and Google/Picasa:
http://picasaweb.google.com/vamoscolombiatour/BarranquillaCarnaval2009#slideshow/

Cumbia from Carnaval, Barranquilla, Colombia

2009-08-12T21:52:00.000-07:00

Hundreds of dancers parade for blocks while performing professional level cumbia and other dances, accompanied by live music, while in traditional costumes and with a big smile! It is an enchanting sight as part of the Carnaval festivities in Barranquilla, Colombia. Join us next year for a front row seat!

Check our our trip in 2010 that includes the Carnaval in Barranquilla Colombia!

http://vamoscolombiatour.blogspot.com/2009/08/colombian-carnaval-and-machu-picchu-13.html

Colombian Carnaval and Machu Picchu 13 day tip

2009-08-10T23:47:00.000-07:00

AMERICAS TRAVEL and VAMOS COLOMBIA TOUR invite you to join us on an exciting journey to Peru and Colombia.

Peru - Colombia

13 Days Escorted Tour

February 12 - 24, 2010

The perfect combination to enjoy the best of Peru and Colombia, from ancient civilizations to cosmopolitan settings, from mystical encounters with the glorious past, high in the mountains, and in the enchanting Caribbean.

Barranquilla, Colombia, Colombia's "Golden Gate"; it's carnival features traditions dating back to the 19th century.

Cartagena, Colombia, has the largest (and best restored) walled colonial city surviving on the continent, combined with the gorgeous blue waters of the Caribbean.

Bogota, Colombia, has a thriving nightlife. Bogota also surprises visitors with its culture, including the famous Gold Museum, one of the largest pre-Colombian collections in the world.
Lima, Peru, takes you to the heart of the latest trend in international cuisine, with many new gourmet restaurants featuring the latest in modern Peruvian food.

Cuzco, and the Sacred Valley, in Peru, will introduce you to the ancient and modern worlds of the Inca civilization, from the beautiful ruins to the popular markets.

Machu Picchu, Peru, is heralded as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, a fascinating and spiritual destination that leaves a lasting impression on all who visit.

This 13 day trip includes 2 countries and 7 flights (domestic and international, all included in the 1 low price), with hotel, tours and some meals.

Only $3995 per person
Single Supplement $550.00

Price includes: International and domestic flights and transportation throughout the tour ~ Hotel accommodations, based on double occupancy ~ Daily breakfast and meals specified in the itinerary ~ Transportation in air-conditioned bus with driver and English-speaking guide ~ Visits mentioned in the itinerary with guides and entrance fees.

Price does not include: Optional Tours ~ Extra baggage charges ~ Gratuities and personal expenses ~ Trip Cancellation / Interruption Insurance ~ Airport Departure Taxes in South America

ITINERARY

Fri 12 Feb ~ USA to Barranquilla, Colombia
Depart USA in morning, arrive same evening, transfer to hotel.

Sat 13 Feb ~ Barranquilla
Attend Carnival parade. (B)

Sun 14 Feb ~ Barranquilla Â– Cartagena
Morning bus departure to Cartagena, transfer to hotel. Guided sunset walking tour old city; evening at leisure (B)

Mon 15 Feb ~ Cartagena
Day at leisure in Cartagena; optional Rosario island day tour. (B)

Tue 16 Feb ~ Cartagena Â– Bogota
Flight to Bogota, transfer to High Park hotel (B)

Wed 17 Feb ~ Bogota
Guided day tour of Bogota: Candelaria, Monserrate and Botero and Gold Museums. (B,L)

Thu 18 Feb ~ Bogota
Half day tour : Zipaquira, Salt Cathedral; dinner optional at famed Andres Carne de Res (B)

Fri 19 Feb ~ Bogota Â– Lima, Peru
Flight to Lima, Peru, transfer to hotel Casa Andina Miraflores Centro. Half Day Lima city tour (B)

Sat 20 Feb ~ Lima
Day at leisure (B)

Sun 21 Feb ~ Lima to Cuzco
Flight to Cuzco, transfer to hotel, afternoon city tour including nearby ruins (B)

Mon 22 Feb ~ Machu Picchu
Full day excursion (B,L)

Tue 23 Feb ~ Sacred Valley
Full day excursion (B,L)

Thu 24 Feb ~ Cuzco to Lima to USA

To register for Peru & Colombia 2010, please follow these steps:
1. Fill out and sign the Registration Form (available upon request).
2. Review and sign a copy of the Terms and Conditions.
3. Fax or mail these documents to AMERICAS TRAVEL with your deposit.

AMERICAS TRAVEL
348 Hayes Street, San Francisco, CA 94102-4421, USA
Fon: 415-703-9955 ~ Fax: 415-703-9959
www.americastravel.net
cesar@americastravel.net

VAMOS COLOMBIA TOUR

www.vamoscolombiatour.com

415-637-2660
walter@vamoscolombiatour.com

PROTECT YOUR TRAVEL INVESTMENT !

TravelGuard Essential - We recommend the purchase of the TravelGuard Essential policy, TravelGuard includes protection against Trip Cancellation or Interruption up to the total Trip Cost; $500 Trip Delay; $10,000 Medical Expenses; $100,000 Emergency Medical Transportation, $500 Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Baggage & Travel Documents; $100 Baggage Delay; Free Lost Baggage Tracking; Travelguard Assistance, LiveTravel 24-hour hotline for emergencies; Live Messaging to relay email or phone messages; Emergency Cash transfers; and pre-trip Travel Advisories. Purchase your policy at the time of deposit to lock-in pre-existing condition coverage.

Latin Americas Travel, Inc., dba AMERICAS Travel . . . .. .. . . . CST 2064111-20

Gay Film Festival in Bogota Aug 13-20, 2009

2009-08-08T15:46:00.000-07:00

Bogota's gay film festival, called "Ciclo Rosa" features gay and LGBT films from around the world in various languages.

The films are from such countries as France, Mexico, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Czech Republic, Portugal, Argentina, Israel, Switzerland, United States and Brazil.

It takes place August 13 to 19, 2009, at various locations around the city of Bogota, Colombia. After that, it moves to other cities in Colombia. This is the 9th year of the festival.

Detailed information can be found (in Spanish) on the website:

http://www.ciclorosa.com/

Daily events at Medellin Flower Festival 2009

2009-08-02T23:41:00.000-07:00

Below is a list of events at Medellin's annual flower festival, or Feria de las Flores.

The event take place July 29 to August 9.

http://www.feriadelasfloresmedellin.gov.co/

The following events take place daily:
* Bonsai exposition - San Diego shopping center (all day)
* Classic cars exposition - Premium Plaza shopping center (all day)
* San Alejo folkloric market - Parque Simon Bolivar (all day)
* Display of flowers - Pueblito Paisa (all day)
* Flower and butterfly exposition - Plazoleta shopping center (all day)
* Decorarte | decorative art exhibition - Museum El Castillo(9AM - 6PM)
* Folkloric fair - Unicentro shopping center (all day)
* Towns of Antioquia present themselves (the highway below Pueblito Paisa)

Events on a day by day basis:

Friday July 31

* Flower growers explain the silletas or flower arrangements - Los Molinos shopping center (12AM - 6PM)
* Official inauguration of the flower festival - governmental district Alpujarra (6PM - 1AM)
* Flower festival super concert with Silvestre Dangond, Iván Villazón, Felipe Peláez, Son de Cali, Maelo Ruíz and Grupo Galé - Atanasio football stadium (6PM - late)
* Fireworks - governmental district Alpujarra (8PM)

Saturday August 1

* Children's parade of flower arrangements - Carrera 82, La Floresta (10AM)
* Zona Que Suena, local bands perform - outside Parque Explora (10AM - 7PM)
* Cabalgata (horses to participate are for rent) - Carrefour Las Vegas (1PM)
* Marching band festival - Southern Bus terminal (1PM - 9PM)
* 4th International Women's Soccer Tournament (4PM - 9PM)
* Concert Colonbeat - Parque Norte (8PM - late)
* Concert Rachael Starr & Nadia Ali - Forum even center (9PM)

Sunday August 2

* Flower tour on San Pedro cemetary (8AM - 7PM)
* Cross country motor race - Pueblito Paisa ( 9AM - )
* Children's Cabalgata - Parque Pies Descalzos (2PM)
* Marching band festival - Southern Bus terminal (1PM - 9PM)
* Popular Music Festival (Los Visconti de Argentina, Arelys Henao, Los Relicarios, El Duelo Revelación, Otto Bermúdez & Jhon Castillo - Carlos Vieco Theater (2PM - 9PM)
* Music festival with Carajo, Cadena Perpetua, Tr3sdecorazón, Don Tetto, Johnie All Stars - Club Palmahia (3PM - 8PM)

Monday August 3

* Classical music and dance - Parque de los Pies Descalzos (6PM - 12PM)
* Salsa party - Carrera 70a / Calle 43 (7PM)

Tuesday August 4

* Jazz performances - Parque de los Pies Descalzos (6PM - 12PM)
* Salsa party - Carrera 70a / Calle 43 (7PM)

Wednesday August 5

* Fauna photography competition - Santa Fe zoo (9AM - 5PM)
* Folkloric jewelry exhibition - El Tesoro shopping center (11AM - 9:30PM)
* Colombian music - Parque de los Pies Descalzos (6PM - 12PM)
* Orchid, flower and parrot exhibition - Botanic Garden (7PM - )
* Tango performance - Medellin University Theater (8PM)

Thursday August 6

* Horse exhibition - Aurelia Mejía Colliseum (10AM - 12PM)
* Music festival with Claudia Diez, Tono 40, Luisito Muñoz, Los Corraleros del Majagual - Pueblito Paisa ( 4PM - 12PM)
* Fashion show - Junin shopping street 5PM - 6PM)
* Salsa concert - Parque Juan Pablo II (8PM)
* Tango concert - Hotel Nutibara (9PM)

Friday August 7

* Downhill motor race - Cerro de las Tres Cruces (9AM - )
* National car tuning festival - Parque Juan Pablo II (11AM - 11PM)
* 52nd flower arrangers parade (all day, all over)
* Bullshit and lies festival (serious!) - Monterrey shopping center (7PM - )
* Vallenato festival with Peter Manjarres, Silvestre Dangond, Pipe Peláez, Jorge Celedón & José Luis Rodríguez - La Macarena (7:30PM)
* Bailoteca (cumbia and porro) with Billo´s Caracas Boy & Los Melódicos - Parque Juan Pablo II (8PM)
* Viejoteca (cumbia and porro) - Club Palmahia (8PM - late)
* Exhibition of winning flower arrangements - Plaza Mayor (6PM - late)

Saturday August 8

* Exhibition of winning flower arrangements - Plaza Mayor (all day)
* National car tuning festival - Parque Juan Pablo II (11AM - 11PM)
* Local bands perform - Carlos Vieco Theater (12AM - 9PM)
* Classic cars parade (all day, all over)
* Cheerleading competition - National University (all day)
* Dance performance - Lido Theater (7PM)
* Vallenato party with Silvestre Dangond, Jorge Celedón, Los Gigantes del Vallenato & Pipe Peláez - Parque Juan Pablo II (8PM)
* Flower festival party with Silvestre Dangond, Iván Villazón & Felipe Peláez - Pabellón Amarillo exhibition center (8PM)

Sunday August 9

* Marching band competition - Parque de la Floresta (9AM - 8PM)
* Chivas y flores (decorated traditional buses) - (all day, all over)
* National car tuning festival - Parque Juan Pablo II (11AM - 11PM)
* Gospel festival - Parque de los Deseos (1PM - 10PM)
* Cultural displays of Antioquia culture - Los Molinos shopping center (2PM - )
* Orchest festival - border Medellin / Enigado (3PM - 9PM)

Medellin's Flower Festival Video

2009-08-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

This catchy video featuring the group Piso 21 singing a pop song honoring Medellin's Flower Festival gives one a good idea of the festive atmosphere this time a year in Medellin.

Vamos Colombia Tours plans a tour to the event next year in 2010. Pictures of Medellin are below the video.

Cocuy Mountains of Colombia Featured in New York Times

2009-08-01T11:43:00.000-07:00

For the second week in a row, Colombia is featured in the New York Times Sunday travel section, this time with an article on El Cocuy National Park, a "secret" in Colombia's Andes mountains. Not so secret any more!
The article notes that the area is both safe and free of tourists - perfect for a mountain climb meant to get in touch with nature. In fact, the articles calls it the "South America’s undiscovered gem of mountaineering."

http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/travel/02explorer.html

Macarena Neighborhood in Bogota featured in New York Times travel section

2009-07-26T22:04:00.000-07:00

Bogota, Colombia was again featured in the travel section of The New York Times the weekend, this time focusing on the up and coming neighborhood of the Macarena. This is one Vamos Colombia Tour's favorite little corners of Bogota. The NYT appears to feel the same way.

The article is at

http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/07/26/travel/26surfacing.html?ref=travel

The article focuses on its new and hip restaurants, galleries and bookstores, and notes that many foreigners are attracted to the area, as it continues to come up in stature.

We noticed in our visits that the area is full of old stately homes and buildings that need just a bit of restoration and are quite attractive. The neighborhood is also well situated behind the bullring and close to the Candalaria historic and touristic district, as well as the National Musuem. Good job NYT in this find!

These pictures are Vamos Colombia Tour's photos of the neighboord, including a fancy appartment building, a formal historic looking house, and the nearby park. All pictures were taken from the viewpoint atop the nearby Colpatria Tower (an office building with viewpoint open to the public).

Bogota Event a True Experience of Gay Pride

2009-07-12T13:22:00.001-07:00

Welcome to the new readers and the return followers of the Vamos Colombia Tour blog!

I must tell you that I was amazed, impressed and very proud of the work that my fellow Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) friends are doing in Bogota, Colombia.

AL ROSA VIVO

Bogota, Colombia hosted a great Gay Pride celebration in June, 2009.

The theme of the Pride parade was: “Discrimination based on sexual orientation and sexual identity is not a game. We come from a family and we are a family.”

The public events took place over a period of several days, culminating in the Sunday Pride Parade (June 28, 2009).

I also was able to attend several events such as:

The Supervisor of Chapinero (the LGBT neighborhood in Bogota) is Blanca Ines Duran (pictured here with Walter Rey). She is an out and proud lesbian who is organizing our community at different levels. She has been in this position for a year and she presented her report to the community in a very creative way. She used one of the biggest gay club of Bogota, which was previously a theater, and presented a true multi-media presentation: a mix of video and live theater to present her report.

The place was packed and she informed us of the several campaigns for the Chapinero area, ranging from the reduction of noise, the campaign against parking violation, to education of the community and police on respect and behavior toward LGBT people. She also clearly made a point of including everyone, gay men, lesbians, transgender, and straight – noting that we all are working together for a better world. From what I have seen, she is doing a great job!

The Chapinero area also had a big stage in the center of he district, at a well known public park called “the park of the Hippies.” They presented shows during the three nights prior to the parade.

Some of them were informative, educational or just fun. They had a runway show were 8 designers were participating for best design outfits for the transsexual community. The outfits looked great at the fashion show (as did the transgendered models). They had a DJ contest, as well as the participation of several groups such as the gay radio station of Bogota, which can be accessed through the internet.

http://www.eledenradio.net/

The parade itself went down the principle boulevard of Seventh Avenue (Carrera Septima) for about 30 blocks. (From Parque Nacional to Plaza Bolivar in the Candelaria district). At the end in the heart of the histric old city and downtown there was another big stage was welcoming all to celebrate.

There were several floats and a great turn out of people. We all marched with pride. What it was different at this pride event from others in the world is the energy of the people. Having been to several gay pride parades in the world (including such welcoming places as San Francisco, New York, Sydney and Vancouver), I can say that I had never seem such strong energy and pride among the participants. I was very happy to be a part of it and by my presence add a little grain to it.

Still it is interesting that most of the people on the parade were young as many of the over-40 community were out of the city for the long weekend holiday (which coincided with the event) or just were not comfortable in the public environment.

The closet doors are heavy but slowly opening. I believe that is why is so important that everyone who is able (that means you!) can join us in future parades. Just being present sends an important message to the LGBT community and the city and country of Colombia and a whole. The mainstream press is starting to get the message and change is swiftly on the move in Colombia!

Vamos Colombia Tour continues to promote Colombia as a Gay and Lesbian travel destination and we would like you to join us. Currently we are preparing the 2010 calendar – it is sure to include nest year’s gay pride. If you would like a change from your local gay pride celebration, or perhaps would like to experience gay pride in a location where it is truly making a difference, then join us!

More pictures can also be found at:

http://vamoscolombiatour.blogspot.com/2009/07/more-pictures-from-bogota-gay-pride.html

and

http://vamoscolombiatour.blogspot.com/2009/07/bogota-gay-pride-parade-2009-exceeds.html

Colombia and Bogota are the new kids on the block in gay travel. Find out why everyone who goes has an unforgettable time!

Walter Rey
Vamos Colombia Tour
check us out on the web: www.VamosColombiaTour.com

Vamos Colombia Tours prepares for new Calendar for 2010

2009-07-05T23:11:00.001-07:00

Vamos Colombia Tour introduces are three newest friends, William, Daniel and Alex, seen here in the hills of Sylvania, outside of Bogota. Behind them are fields of "Tomate de Arbol" a delicious Colombian fruit. Look for them in our next 2010 calendar, coming soon.

Video of Bogota Gay Pride Parade, 2009

2009-07-05T20:36:00.000-07:00

Vamos Colombia Tour brings you a bit of the Bogota, Colombia Gay (LGBT) Pride Parade of 2009. This clip will give you an idea of the energy and fun that the tens of thousands of participants exhibited throughout the afternoon.

For information about travel to Colombia, check out our website:
www.VamosColombiaTour.com

More pictures from Bogota Gay Pride Parade, 2009

2009-07-05T20:21:00.000-07:00

Bogota, Colombia Gay Pride (LGBT) Parade, 2009. More pictures to set the scene.

For more information about travel to Colombia, check our our website,

www.VamosColombiaTour.com

Bogota Gay Pride Parade 2009 Exceeds All Expectations!

2009-07-05T13:29:00.000-07:00

The Gay Pride Parade (in Bogota, Colombia) that marched down the heart of the downtown of the city, 7th Avenue, and ended in the Plaza Mayor, the seat of government of the city and the country, exceeded all expectations as a political, cultural and social event in the fast-changing cosmopolitan city of Bogota.

Floats from LGBT rights organizations, as well as clubs and other businesses the cater to the gay community spread the word of gay pride to the onlookers from all walks of life - gay, lesbian, straight, questioning or just plan curious. All classes of persons mixed in the fun in the peaceful march which became a party as the music energized the mostly younger crowd which sang and chanted in unison as the parade made its way through the wide boulevard that became a smaller street in the more historic downtown. Traffic was stopped for quite a while as the crowd overflowed into other lanes and streets. At the end, a rally sent the message of the right to safety, protection and to live proudly as members of the LGBT community as the institutions of Colombia society, the capital, the Supreme Court, and the Cathedral, stood around, as if a natural part of the scene.

Surely this was the largest gay pride event in Colombian history, and one of the largest in Latin America as well. The Colombian LGBT community has much to be proud about as the Supreme Court in this past year has recognized same sex relationships as worthy of the same rights as those of opposite-gender ones. Gay people have achieved much attention in recent years in Colombian life and society, although the local paper reported the next day that there had been threats as well. No violence was in evidence, although many revelers did not linger in the main plaza (or did not attend the rally altogether) perhaps due to the unusual nature of having a gay pride event in front of the seat of power of the country. Colombia is a historically conservative and traditional country. Clearly, things are changing - how fast remains to be scene, but the combination of recent legal developments, combined with one of the best and largest gay pride events on the continent certainly puts Colombia well on the map of LGBT life!

Fore more information about travel to Colombia, check our our website,
www.VamosColombiaTour.com

Gay Pride Events in Bogota, Colombia 2009

2009-07-05T13:00:00.000-07:00

The city government of Bogota, Colombia, and in particular the district of Chapinero (which even was previously dubbed "Chapi-gay" for the large LGBT population there) sponsored a super-impressive fair and group of events which took place in a public park in the heart of the district during the week leading up to the gay pride parade at the end of June, 2009.

The Alcadeza (district leader) for Chapinero, Blanca Inez Duran H., with Walter Rey of Vamos Colombia Tour, celebrating gay pride in Bogota, Colombia, 2009:

Vamos Colmbia Tour Celebrates Gay Pride in Bogota with IGLTA party

2009-06-27T11:19:00.000-07:00

Gay Pride has come to Bogota Colombia with a bang!
Friday, June 26, 2009, Vamos Colombia Tour hosted a gay pride party in Bogota, Colombia, to celebrate with guests, friends, supporters, sponsors and others in the travel industry. The event also served to introduce IGLTA (International Gay Lesbian Travel Association) to the community in Bogota, Colombia.

VCT thanks its sponsors for the event for making it possible, as well as all who attended. The event was held at the High Park Hotel, Bogota's only hotel dedicated to the LGBT community. As you can see in the photos below, models demonstrated some of Bogota's home-grown fashions which are made locally with the gay community in mind.

The owners and a guest at High Park Hotel, Bogota, Colombia, with Walter Rey (in tie) of Vamos Colombia Tour:

Gay Pride Events Begin in Bogota, Colombia

2009-06-20T23:29:00.000-07:00

This being June, Bogota, Colombia is hosting its share of gay/lesbian pride events, in anticipation of the parade to be held Sunday June 28, 2009.

Vamos Colombia Tour, an IGLTA member, attended a party hosted by Bogota's gay radio program this past week in Bogota. The event was held at Teatron , the largest gay club in Bogota which holds several thousand people (yes that is what we meant to say) on several floors including a roof top terrace.
Info on the event in Spanish at
http://www.planb.com.co/evento-foro/fiesta-aniversario-eden-radio/4394.aspx

More info as it develops

check out info on Bogota's gay pride at
http://www.myspace.com/sungaybogota

Gay Pride in Bogota, Colombia, 2009

2009-06-14T12:40:00.001-07:00

Gay Pride arrives in Bogota Colombia in June of 2009, and Vamos Colombia Tour is there!

The theme is "Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity is NOT a Game"

This year's gay pride parade promises to be a big as ever, and the LGBT community in Colombia has a lot to celebrate. In the past year, the courts in Colombia have expanded gay rights (including the right to give benefits to your same-sex domestic partner in a civil union), and the gay community has had more exposure than ever. Of course this exposure always comes with a backlash in the form of homophobia and at times violence. This is why having such events as a gay pride parade which is sponsored in part by the city and which goes through the heart of town and ends at the main city plaza with a rally is so important.

While we in the US and other countries are fighting for the right to marry, those in Colombia are still fighting for basic rights, and making great progress. Participating in Bogota's gay pride parade is an act of courage for many in Colombia still coming out and raising awareness in the general population.

Vamos Colombia Tour caters to the LGBT community and believes in promoting the rights of the LGBT community at home and abroad, including of course in Colombia. For this reason we have a tour that allows visitors to be in Bogota for the Gay Pride celebration.

As well, Vamos Colombia Tour is hosting a party on the weekend of gay pride to celebrate with our guests as well as fellow members of the LGBT travel community (including current and future IGLTA members) and larger gay community in Colombia. If you are in Bogota on Friday June 26, we hope you can join us for the party which is at the Hotel High Park, Carrera 4, #58-58, in the Chapinero district of Bogota.

Check back here for updates on the gay pride celebration in Bogota, Colombia, 2009.
The parade itself is Sunday, June 28, 2009.

Info on events can be found here, and also at:
Colombia's gay guide:
http://www.guiagaycolombia.com/index.htm

Sungay which benefits Colombia Diversa has a myspace page with information:
http://www.myspace.com/sungaybogota

Updates on gay rights in Colombia are on the website of Colombia Diversa, one the main gay rights organizations in Colombia:
http://www.colombiadiversa.org/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

They also have a Facebook page:
http://eu-es.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6828846835&ref=share

An opinion piece (in Spanish) by a lesbian from Bogota appears on the website of vive.in, a mainstream entertainment and news website from El Tiempo, Bogota's principle newspaper.
http://bogota.vive.in/blogs/bogota/un_articulo.php?id_blog=3617441&id_recurso=450017791

The Bogota government even recognizes the LGBT community as part of the diversity of the city, and mentions the gay pride parade on this page:
http://www.culturarecreacionydeporte.gov.co/portal/node/113

Special Deal: Bogota and Cartagena only $1,349 for 9 days

2009-05-25T11:44:00.000-07:00

BOGOTA and CARTAGENA

9 DAYS, including Gay Pride Colombia

$1,349 (Double)

$1,695 (Single)

June 24 to July 2, 2009

Partially escorted

Cartagena, Colombia, has the largest (and best restored) walled colonial city surviving on the continent, which combined with the gorgeous blue waters of the Caribbean makes thisÂ UNESCO World HeritageÂ site an unforgettable vacation spot.

Bogota, Colombia, has the thriving gay life, including a large gay pride parade in June, as well as over 80 bars and clubs. Gay Colombians even have the option of a same-sex civil union with legal benefits, and the city government supports the annual pride parade.

Bogota also surprises visitors with its culture, including the famous Gold Museum, one of the largest and most impressive pre-Colombian collections in the world.

This 9 day trip includes round trip airfare from Bogota to Cartagena, hotels, tours and some meals.

As a courtesy to our guests a free 1-hour professional massage will be available in Bogota for you.

Itinerary

W Arrive in Bogota; Check in High Park (gay) hotel (optional massage available)

Th Guided day tour of Bogota: Candelaria, Monserrate, Botero and Gold Museums. (B,L)

F Free Day; Optional (not included) ½ day tour to Salt Cathedral in Zipaquira. Dinner at Andres Carne de Res (B)

S Day at leisure in Bogota. Evening includes dinner and entrance to Theatron nightclub. (B,D)

Su Gay Pride parade in Bogota and related activities. Starting around noon (B)

M Fly to Cartagena. Guided sunset walking tour of old city; evening at leisure (B)

T Day at leisure in Cartagena; optional Majagua Island and beach day tour. (B)

W Back to Bogota; Dinner with local family optional (B,D)

Th Return to USA

Price is per person depending on room occupancy, and does not include airfare to Colombia.

For more information and reservations, please contact Walter Rey at
walter@vamoscolombiatour.com or 415-637-2660

www.VamosColombiaTour.com

VAMOS COLOMBIA TOUR, LLC

CST# pending

$1,349 Double Occupancy

$1,695 Single Occupancy

Cost is per person

We reserve the right to substitute hotels or local tours if absolutely necessary.

Gay kiss-in in Bogota, Colombia May 2009

2009-05-23T12:18:00.000-07:00

The Colombia website vive.in reported that first 'FlashMob' took place in Bogota, Colombia, in which members of the LGBT community were invited to kiss on the corner of Jimenez Avenue with Seventh Avenue, a major intersection in the city. About 20 couples showed up to participate, along with the media.

The event took place at 6 in the evening, with peaceful demonstration that began with couples holding hands. After about 15 minutes, the kiss-in began, which created a lot of attention from the passers by, who were not quite used to such a demonstration in a public place in the traditional city.

The presence of the media made public viewing difficult, so the group formed a human chain circle around the gay couples (which included men and women) who then continued to kiss on the street.

Lina, one of the people behind this call for mobilization, said the goal is simply to demonstrate that they are visible and part of society and therefore have equal rights.

Published on May 22 2009

The original Spanish article can be found at:

http://bogota.vive.in/porlaciudad/bogota/articulos_porlaciudad/mayo2009/ARTICULO-WEB-NOTA_INTERIOR_VIVEIN-5256787.html

and it includes a view in Spanish. The article reads as follows:

Tras varios días de convocar personas a través de facebook para realizar el primer 'flashmob' gay de la ciudad, en el cual miembros de la comunidad LGBT eran invitados a besarse en la esquina de la Carrera Séptima con Avenida Jiménez en contra de la homofobia, finalmente el momento llegó y cerca de 20 parejas mostraron a los bogotanos que el espacio público también es de gays, bisexuales, lesbianas y transgeneristas.

Aunque estaba previsto comenzar a las seis de la tarde, uno de los tradicionales desfiles del 'septimazo' retrasó la manifestación pacífica y comenzó a sacar el tema de las manos. Hacia las seis y quince, luego de haber presenciado ya un beso entre dos hombres, los organizadores y autores de la convocatoria intentaron controlar la situación, pero cada vez se tornaba más difícil gracias a la curiosidad de la gente que acudió masivamente a ver el primer beso gay multitudinario en un espacio público.

Después de entrevistas, presencia de varios medios de comunicación y un desorden que parecía impedir el objetivo, se logró improvisar un círculo con la ayuda de una cadena humana y parejas de hombres gays y mujeres lesbianas se besaron en plena calle y frente a los ojos de transeúntes unidos por la causa o simplemente ansiosos de morbo.

Lina, una de las personas detrás de este llamado a la movilización, aseguró que el objetivo es simplemente hacerse visibles y demostrar que son parte de la sociedad y, por ende, tienen los mismos derechos.

Vamos Colombia Tour Blog

Art galeries en Bogota

Enjoy this article by my friend Mark Chestnut on the Macarena neighborhood in Bogota.

La Macarena: Exploring Art Galleries and Restaurants in Bogota's Artsy, Bohemian Heart

Vamos Colombia Tour takes you to Barranquilla Carnaval March 3-14, 2011

Barranquilla Carnaval 2011 set to begin soon

Cartagena Music Festival, January 2011

Slate visits the Most Beautiful Undiscovered River in the World - In Colombia!

The World's Most Beautiful River

The first hidden wonder of South America.

Wall Street Journal Discovers Colombia, Feb 2011

FICCI: Cartagena International Film Festival 2011

Congratulations to Mr. Tourism Colombia 2010

Medellin, Colombia, from drug violence to tourist destination

New Hard Rock Cafe in Medellin

Bogota Theater Festival 2010 Opens to Great Acclaim

"XII Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro de Bogota"

Gay Parade at Carnival in Barranquilla, 2010

Carnival in Barranquilla, Colombia, 2010

Readers of Lonley Planet vote Colombia #3 top destination for 2010

New York Times readers pick Colombia as #2 world destination in 2010

Colombia Recognized as Top Emerging Destination

France Endorses Colombia for Safe Travel

Friends have a great time in Colombia!

Carnival in Colombia

Direct Flight from US to San Andres island in Caribbean to start in June 2010

Halloween in Bogota - Celebration in Style!

Schedule for Bogota Music Celebrations 2010

Bogota 8th most Techie city in Latin America

Avianca and Taca to combine forces

UNESCO recognizes two Colombian festivals as cultural heritage

NYT features Villa de Leyva

With the headline "Villa de Leyva, a Graceful Window on Colonial Colombia", the New York Times Travel Section of October 25, 2009, features a very nice article on Colombia's favorite colonial town the time forgot, Villa De Leyva. It is one of several articles that focus on Latin America.

New video of first time visitors to Colombia: "Shooting Colombia"

About Shooting Colombia

Bogota Film Festival 2009 - 26th year

Tourism Up in Colombia Once Again

Video Metro Bogotá

New Intermational Flights to Colombia

Bogota is one of the world's sexiest affordable destinations

Vamos Colombia Tour has a youtube channel now

New video with Walter at Bogota Gay Pride

Gold and Coffee: 10 Day Escorted Tour in Bogota and the Coffee Growing Region, Colombia

Gold and Coffee: 10 Day Escorted Tour in Bogota and the Coffee Growing Region, Colombia

Jazz Festival in Bogota September 2009

Delta-Avianca Code Sharing to Resume

Tourism in Colombia on the Rise Still 2009

Barranquilla Jazz Festival, 2009

Bill Gates gives US$1 million to Medellin public libraries

Colombia Tourism on the rise, according to Dinero Magazine (Spanish), as Reported in Colombia Passport website (English)

The article from Passport Colombia website (which is mostly an English translation of the original article in Spanish from Dinero magazine) says:

More tourism for Colombia

Colombia Ministry of Tourism Announces Photography Competition "Reveal Colombia"

FILM AND PARTY FOR THE OPENING OF CICLO ROSA 2009, Gay Film Festival in Bogota, Colombia

Pictures from Barranquilla Carnaval in Colombia

Cumbia from Carnaval, Barranquilla, Colombia

Colombian Carnaval and Machu Picchu 13 day tip

Gay Film Festival in Bogota Aug 13-20, 2009

Daily events at Medellin Flower Festival 2009

Medellin's Flower Festival Video

Cocuy Mountains of Colombia Featured in New York Times

Macarena Neighborhood in Bogota featured in New York Times travel section

Bogota Event a True Experience of Gay Pride

Vamos Colombia Tours prepares for new Calendar for 2010

Video of Bogota Gay Pride Parade, 2009

More pictures from Bogota Gay Pride Parade, 2009

Bogota Gay Pride Parade 2009 Exceeds All Expectations!

Gay Pride Events in Bogota, Colombia 2009

Vamos Colmbia Tour Celebrates Gay Pride in Bogota with IGLTA party

Gay Pride Events Begin in Bogota, Colombia

Gay Pride in Bogota, Colombia, 2009

Special Deal: Bogota and Cartagena only $1,349 for 9 days

Gay kiss-in in Bogota, Colombia May 2009

Publicado el 22 de mayo del 2009