Anybody been to Cartegena?
May 22nd, 2002, 04:43 AM
#2
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Cartagena was an important port city in the Spanish colonial days and the inner city retains the architecure from that era. It is a great area to wander around in, with nice small squares, outdoor cafes, etc. There are also a number of forts in and around the city from that era. <BR><BR>About a mile from the old city is a modern beachfront, lined with mid and high-rise hotels. However, the beach itself is just so-so, the water is murky, not the nice aqua found in many places of the Carib.<BR><BR>Obviously, the viloence that Colombia has had seen in recent years has held back its tourism industry. Cartagena has actually been spared from this violence, but the travel warnings are in effect for the entire country.<BR><BR>I went there on vacation a couple of years ago, and really liked it (I like Spanish colonial cities in general).
May 24th, 2002, 02:29 PM
#5
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Unfortunately I've heard that the cruise ships are now bypassing Cartegna because of problems. We were there for a week more than 20 years ago and twice recently on cruises.. The Old City..is a joy.. it was a neglected walled area and people moved in and slowly and quietly have restored the area. When we were there two years ago there were lovely art galleries there. The Dungeons are tourist and fun..lots of great shopping and hassling by local vendors. There is a Monastary on the hill and the fort...(climbed to the top twice)..named after a soldier who kept defending the fort despite loosing an arm and a leg.. We took a tour of the city the last time we were there and many of the same restaurants that I remembered fondly. I would love to go back for a week....
