Ten Day Colombia Itineraries

Our trip to Colombia was so much more than expected. The country is absolutely beautiful, the people are friendly and helpful, the history is interesting, and, above all else, it feels completely safe. Our travels took us to Bogotá, the coffee region (stunning), Medellín (beautiful and cosmopolitan), Cartagena (a big party town), and the Amazon jungle. Everything about this diverse country is interesting and the sites breathtaking.

Our Zicasso agent and her team were also first class. They listened, provided advice, and crafted a wonderful trip. And it didn't stop there. They were with us via WhatsApp throughout the trip, proactively checked us into internal flights, followed up with guides, and checked in regularly to ensure we had everything we could want. I would not hesitate to recommend them.

Our trip to Colombia was our third travel experience arranged via Zicasso. As was the case with our previous two trips, this one was managed nearly flawlessly from start to finish with the kind of attentive customer care we have become accustomed to with Zicasso and their partners.

The agent from our travel company went above and beyond in assisting us with all our planning, providing insights and recommendations only someone who has experienced Colombia fully can provide. She was very patient in helping us make adjustments to arrive at the perfect itinerary and then remaining in constant contact to ensure every minor detail was handled perfectly throughout our journey.

Our drivers and tour guides made sure we were greeted and escorted through each destination, from Medellín to Bogotá to Cartagena and our final destination on Isla Barú. While many friends expressed concern over our safety in Colombia, I can say we did not feel unsafe for a moment. The Colombia of today is no longer one riddled with crime and drugs, but rich in culture and charm.

We greatly enjoyed the thriving art scene of Comuna 13 and the nightlife of Medellín. Our hotel made us feel like we were in the middle of the rainforest, while just steps away from the bustle and excitement of the Poblado district. Our visit to a wonderful coffee plantation provided a full education on every step of the coffee-making process, from the berries on the tree all the way to a delicious cup, delivering a new appreciation for black coffee. I may only drink Colombian from now on.

Bogotá proved to be a modern city with an incredible food scene. Our agent arranged an amazing gastronomical tour for us one evening that catered to our dietary needs. We attended an amazing wedding on top of an old portside fort in Cartagena and enjoyed the charm of the old walled city before relaxing on a pristine beach off the coast, then heading home to tell everyone to hurry down to see all Colombia has to offer.

I can only say, Zicasso is the only way to plan your travel, whether alone or with a small group. For those considering Colombia, our in-country travel company carries my strongest endorsement.

We had a wonderful experience in Colombia thanks to Brian and his team at the travel agency. We traveled to Colombia for a destination wedding in Cartagena, and after several delightful discussions by FaceTime with Brian we decided to extend our vacation and travel to Medellin and Santa Marta as well. Drivers were there when we arrived at the airport and brought us quickly to the hotel. During the remainder of the trip, all connections and drivers were punctual and polite. After we flew to Medellin we were picked up by our guide who brought us to meet a sillatero (flower carrier) and to hear about the history of the flower trade in Colombia. We then went to a working farm where we learned how the flowers and food were grown and harvested. There was a clear intent to respect the people who were showing us their lives.We then went to Brian's resort outside of Medellin and it was beautiful and peaceful. We were so impressed with the commitment to sustainable approaches to the design, building, maintenance and plantings around the hotel. The food was outstanding, creative and delicious, using locally grown products. It was great to meet Santi, the third of the trio of the travel agency.Brian then took us on a tour of Medellin— Brian is a special guide, so intelligent and capable with a unique perspective as an American who chose to relocate to Colombia. We then took a salsa dancing lesson before finishing up with a terrific cooking lesson with Brian's wife who was lovely.During our stay at the resort we also did a rum tasting and a chocolate tasting tutorial which we enjoyed quite a bit. Finally, we flew to Santa Marta and were met by our co-guides. They were terrific guides, worked well together, and took us to some really cool spots in Tayrona National Park. They even improvised to give us a roadside fruit tasting tutorial which was really fun. Along the way, we enjoyed some in depth discussions with our guides, and we felt a personal connection with them when we said goodbye at the airport.

Overall, we would recommend the team from the travel company highly, for a personalized and flexible travel experience.

A long overdue review of our fabulous trip to Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena and our guide last month.

Our tour planner listened by phone weeks before our adventure to what my husband liked (and disliked) when traveling and what I liked (and disliked).  We shared with him ideas from Colombian friends for places to stay and restaurants to experience etc. and our tour planner incorporated much of that into our adventure after many e-mails.  We felt confident that when we would arrive all would be safe and in place and it was!

The best part was the private tours he arranged that were not your typical tourist group tours.  Instead we got to know the owners of a flower farm and coffee farm and the youth at Commune 1 in Medellin and had an incredible meal in a private home w an amazing host.   How inspiring it was to learn what Colombia has been through and where it is today and get to know people who proudly call Colombia home. We truly felt as if this was not only a vacation but a geography and history  lesson in a most relaxed fashion.

From the moment we were picked up at the airport by our tour planner's colleagues,the conversation and info flowed and Zicasso delivered a professional, knowledgeable guide who made our stay spectacular.  It was our first Zicasso adventure and certainly will not be our last.  Thanks again for listening and delivering a wonderful trip.