Surrender to a spectacular backdrop of sweeping countryside as you embark on a relaxing, air-conditioned motor coach drive from the pier to the historic city center of Cartagena.
Hey, it's better than some years back when you'd have been surrendering to gun toting drug smugglers!
During your trip, discover the fascinating history and culture of this picturesque seaport from your friendly guide and marvel at the ornate mansions at buildings of the famous "Manga" residential district.
Your guide will point out buildings and tell stories in a very thick accent. You'll understand him mostly, but your kids won't. They will, however, ask you where the Japanese comics (manga) are and you won't have a good answer.
... arrive at the Convento de la Popa, situated high on the hillside overlooking the city and harbor, and marvel at the breathtaking views that surround you in every direction. Over 400 years old, the Convento de la Popa is a monastery that was built on the age-old grounds where local Indians and fugitive black slaves used to meet, and is arguably Cartagena's top scenic destination.
This is the best scenic view on the trip. You'll really like it. The kids will like it for 3 minutes then be ready to go, need to use a restroom, or want you to buy them something.
Following your 20-minute visit...
There is no gift shop. If there were, it would be a 45 minute visit.
journey to the famous dungeons of Las Bovedas, which were originally built in the late 18th century as a means for storage despite the name, and sightsee and shop amidst the many handcraft boutiques and stores that now fill the area. After your 20-minute shopping spree
Lots of stalls with people selling cheap stuff, half made locally, the other half in China. Only 20 minutes because they are all small merchants and there's no kickback to the tours. Your kids will enjoy this and you'll buy them stuff.
embark on a 15-minute drive to the famed walled city and marvel at the plethora of colonial buildings and age-old fornications around every corner. Make your way to the modern residential area known as Bocagrande, home to vast array of hotels, shops, eateries, night clubs and art galleries, and snap a picture of the long stretch of sun-kissed sand and breathtaking blue water in the distance.
You're not actually going to get out an the fornications (which is what happens to a fortification after the pirates are through with it), just drive by these places while your guide continues in a thick accent. Enjoy explaining to your kids the difference between fornications and fortifications.
Finally, travel to the Pierino Gallo Shopping Center, and soak up the local flavor as you indulge in a bit of shopping amidst some of the finest gold, emerald and handcraft retailers in the city. After your hour-long visit, sit back and relax as you begin your 30-minute return trip back the ship.
These people do kickback to the tour operator, so you'll have plenty of time to spend money. Younger kids will be bored. Older girls will enjoy the shopping. Older boys will want to hear more about the fornications.
Seriously, a lot depends on your kids. Keeping in mind that I haven't been on any of these tours and are just interpreting, I'd tend to avoid any tour that has the word "shopping" in it unless you really want to shop. That's because all the tours have some shopping, so if they put it in the title that means there's a LOT of shopping.
I'd also stay away from any tour that has walking in the title. Same reason - they all have walking, those with walking in the title are close to a death-march.
Love the shirt Roger. Your freak flag looks great!
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AWEsome deal on the dress
