Tales from Colombia
…I’ve been dreaming about going back to Colombia since 2018 and I finally returned this April. With Cristina Consuegra and her team at Galavanta in charge, it made for a wonderful trip.
But also I was reminded of how vital it is to create strong relationships between trade partners and DMCs. Getting out there really gives you, the agent, an intimate understanding of what these experts can offer – and how they deliver it.
WANT TO KNOW WHAT WE GOT UP TO?
On our first day in Bogotá there was an unforeseen march in the middle of the city. The plans for that day, organised well in advance, were turned on their head. You’d think that this might derail things – or that the alternative activities would pale in comparison. Not in the least: I was so impressed with Galavanta’s flexibility and initiative under pressure.
Our itinerary worked like clockwork, only in a different format: lunch was booked in one of the city’s coolest new restaurants and we had a tour organised in a different area of the city. Even our private charter flight had been rearranged to suit our new schedule.
SO HOW DID THEY DO IT?
In Galavanta’s company, you realise quickly you’re interacting with professionals who have superior on-the-ground, local knowledge. First, that means access to a sizeable black book of the country’s best restaurants, bars and much more. But the magic is in their ability to tailor: that is to say, they’re not just the ‘best places’, per se, but the best for you.
Taking us to Sabai, for example, a low-key beach club in the Rosario Islands, was a hit. We all loved it! In case you’re wondering about that last-minute restaurant in Bogotá: it’s called Rio. And what a place. I won’t forget those pork ribs with guava barbecue sauce in a hurry. Afterwards, we had a drink with the head chef because, surprise surprise, she and our Galavanta guide, are friends.
It was during this chat that we really began to understand how Colombia’s national cuisine is continuing to be revived in a modern light. With a renewed sense of national pride, big-name Colombian chefs are returning from abroad to serve high-end cuisine that channels traditional recipes and the best-quality local produce.
The food, in general, was a real high note of the trip. Galavanta masterfully balanced variety and quality: we taste tested street food arepas (different in every region), lunched in trendy restaurants and explored markets full of fruits I’ve never tasted. My favourite bite? Bandeja Paisa, hands down. It’s a traditional dish from Colombia’s Andean region: a mix of beans, rice, avocado and pork belly that keeps you full for days!
… BUT IT WAS THE GUIDES I’LL REMEMBER MOST …
People like Angelina, the incredible art curator guiding us around Bogotá. She knew the artists, the jewellers, the shop owners. And her stories were something else – a real splash of energy and colour that kept us hooked. It certainly would have been a very different experience had we have toured on our own.
Then there was Nene, the rapper, who showed us around Medellín’s Comuna 13. Once Colombia’s most infamous neighbourhood, Comuna 13 is now a place of positive rejuvenation and Nene showed us a side no other tourists see. We uncovered creative, friendly people at every turn – not to mention vibrant street art and jaw-dropping break dancing.
Speaking of not following the crowds, most people visit the Coffee Triangle near Bogotá, but Cristina is adamant that the pretty pueblo of Barichara in Colombia’s verdant north is the better bet. After a few serene days there myself, I was convinced she was right.
Again, it was made possible through Galavanta contacts: the private villa we stayed in – once owned by a former president of Colombia – was spectacular. Without it, the accommodation would have been comparatively basic (thus putting many travellers off). Galavanta’s access to these special properties enables travellers to explore parts of the country that remain largely unvisited.
I could go on and on about this trip! Drop me a line if you’re keen to know more.