We will be stopping in Cartagena on our cruise in December. Not interested in shopping. We enjoy visiting places of historical interest, beautiful scenery, and maybe quaint, local market type places for the ambiance.

Where should we go? Also, prefer to go it alone, so any suggestions/recommendations for private tour guides would be appreciated.

Thanks.

The historic core is small enough, and safe enough, that you can wander freely and see the entire area on one day. I used the map in Lonely Planet, and never got lost, and did not need a guide.

Michael

Thanks, Michael. From what I've been reading, I know we are going to enjoy Cartagena.

No other suggestions?

Tomorrow's New York Times includes a travel magazine in addition to the travel section. The magazine has an article on Cartegena. You can probably read it today online.

Never mind the article -- it's just a nauseating suck-up to young "sophisticates."

yep- 4 pg online article at www.nytimes.com today

Thanks for the link to the article; interesting read.