The Knoxville & Memphis Bar Associations invite you and your guest(s) to join our private delegation for a journey through Colombia's rich cultural heritage, complicated history, and present-day realities. Our carefully curated cultural exchange will go beyond tourist corridors by engaging local scholars, public officials, entrepreneurs, and artists offering a window to the Colombian way of life, political system,  art history, architecture, and religion. 

Our 5-night program begins in Bogota (BOG) and ends in Medellin (MDE). Our 6-night program includes one (1) night at the stunning Cannua Lodge in Maranilla. Extend your trip with 3 nights in historic Cartagena (CTG). Please Plan Air Accordingly. 

Pricing Packages are per participant based on Single Accommodations with 1  bed or Double Accommodations with 1 or 2 beds. Non-Members are welcome to attend this Knoxville & Memphis Bars program. 

Please note that this program will require high-intensity walking on uneven and sometimes hilly cobblestone streets and stairs where an elevator is not always available. Participants must be able to walk unassisted. 

CLE CREDIT ANTICIPATED. 

Itineraries are subject to change. All meetings & activities are subject to final confirmation, cultural calendars pending. CLE Abroad terms & conditions apply to this program.  

CLE Abroad, a division of Travel de Novo LLC, is a registered Seller of Travel (CST# 2140365-40). All customer funds are held in a trust account and safeguarded for the exclusive use of your program and related services.    

Please take note airfare is not included.  Our 5-night & 6-night programs begin in Bogota (BOG) and end in Medellin (MDE). Our 9-night program begins in Bogota (BOG) and ends in  Cartagena (CTG).  Suggested air will be sent to participants after the minimum number of participants is achieved.   Please Plan Air Accordingly. 

 Participants arrive at Bogota El Dorado International Airport (BOG).  Airport Transfers are included and you will be greeted on arrival and transferred to the hotel.

Check-in Sofitel Bogota Victoria Regia 

Cra 13 #85-80       

Bogotá, Colombia     

(+57) 601 646 6390    

Our hotel is within walking distance of many fine restaurants, bars, shopping and entertainment in the trendy area known as Zona T.  Prior to our evening’s activities, you may choose to explore the neighborhood, have a drink at a nearby bar or relax at the hotel.  

5:00 pm 

Welcome Reception / Meet & Greet inside our hotel. During our time in Colombia we are accompanied by resident journalist and Radio Show host, Richard McColl. As we traverse traffic in the Bogota metropolis, Richard will address topics including the Peace Process, Journalism, and Congressional/Presidential Elections. 

POLITICAL RISK AND THE NEW COLOMBIAN ECONOMY 

At dinner, we enjoy a discussion with the company of Sergio Guzman, an expert whose research and reporting informs foreign investors and corporate investments in Colombia. 

7:00 pm

Welcome Dinner at Huerta Cocteleria Artesenal situated just a short walk from our hotel. 

Complimentary breakfast is served daily from 6:30 am to 10:30 am  in the lobby level restaurant. The buffet offers traditional fare & local specialties, a wide array of fruits & juices, fresh baked goods prepared in-house, excellent coffee & omelets made-to-order.

We depart for Bogota’s historical and colonial center, La Candelaria and Plaza Bolívar, the hub of national and citywide government. 

Today we also visit Monserrate, Bogota’s best viewpoint. We climb over 10,000 feet on the Funicular railway, enjoying an impressive view of Colombia’s vast capital city. 

On our walking tour our guide will point out El Capitolio, the home of Colombia 's Congress, Edificio Liévano, and Catedral la Primaria, Bogotá’s main cathedral, as well the Palace of Justice, the home of Colombia' s Supreme Court.  The Palace of Justice building was famously seized by Marxist guerillas in 1985, regarded as one of the lowest points in Colombia’s long history of political conflict. 

A Special Jurisdiction for Peace was formed to process cases stemming from the conflict, based on many of the lessons from South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation process.

We may also see La Plaza de Chorro de Quevedo, the former lookout post and site of Bogota’s founding in 1538. Walking the cobblestone streets of the colonial center, we see some of Bogota’s best graffiti art and some may choose to taste the local Chicha, a traditional fermented corn beverage. Colombia’s street art is known world-wide and both in Bogota and Medellín we will learn more about the thriving urban art scene. 

Time permitting, we visit the Banco de la Republic complex and see the famous Botero art collection, one of the most important art collections in all of South America. This gallery houses the works of one of Colombia’s most famous artists, Fernando Botero, along with select masterpieces from Dali, Renoir, Chagall and Picasso. 

Group Lunch at Testigo en La Candelaria. At lunch we are joined by local attorneys.

Visit the enthralling Gold Museum. This museum contains the largest collection of pre-Columbian artifacts in the world. Also on display are pottery, stone, shell, wood and textile artifacts from indigenous cultures depicting the societies who lived in present-day Colombia before the Spanish conquest of the Americas.

Later in the afternoon we deliver in-kind donations to the Casa de la Madre y el Niño (Mother & Child Foundation).  At this renowned adoption agency, we get a glimpse of a reality and life of Colombian children inaccessible to the average tourist.    

Return to hotel, remainder of evening free. Dinner on your own. 

Morning   HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE COLOMBIAN PEACE PROCESS

Lecture with Senior Consultant, Clara Leal Patarroyo. An esteemed Political Scientist and Human Rights attorney, Clara’s work experience includes supporting the Presidency of the Republic, the United Nations in Colombia, the Colombian Family Welfare Institute, and numerous cooperation agencies, non-profit entities and academic institutions related to victims of internal armed conflict, transitional justice and peacebuilding; public management, public policies, social projects, institutional strengthening, alliance building, international cooperation and corporate social responsibility. This meeting will take place in the Heliconia conference room located inside the hotel on the lobby level past the Reception Desk. 

Today we depart for the marvelous Salt Cathedral in Zipaquira, an approximate 40 minute drive. This converted salt mine, underground church & pilgrimage site, is considered one of the most notable achievements of Colombian architecture. While a functioning church, it has no bishop and no official status as a Cathedral in Catholicism. 

1:00 pm

Group lunch at Andres DC de Chia before returning to Bogota. 

Afternoon Local Sport: Tejo 

While futbol (soccer) is the most popular sport in Colombia, residents of Bogota are fond of a traditional sport known as Tejo. A portrait of Colombian origins, Tejo consists of throwing a metal disc at a board covered with clay set at a 45-degree angle. This local pastime is customarily played while drinking beer, and some may find similarities with the American lawn games horseshoes or cornhole. 

8:00 pm 

Bogota Farewell Dinner.

Morning Hotel check-out and depart for the airport. Group departs for Medellín. Flight time is approximately 40 minutes. This domestic flight is included in the cost of your trip.  Upon arrival in Medellín we board our motor coach. Traveling towards Medellín, we see the highlands of Santa Elena to visit a family-owned flower farm. We learn about the Silletero tradition and importance of ornamental flowers to the people of Colombia. 

11:30 am LATAM Flight LA 4040 departs BOG for Medellín’s Jose Maria Cordova International Airport (MDE). This domestic flight is included in the cost of your trip.  

Group lunch in Santa Elena, Antioquian style cuisine.

After lunch, we drive through the Arvi National Park and ecological nature preserve, before descending (via Cable Car) to the city of Medellín. 

Medellín is known by many Americans as the former headquarters of drug baron Pablo Escobar. In recent years Medellín has transformed from one of the most dangerous cities in the world to a hub for digital nomads and an award-winning city for innovation in the New Colombia. 

Afternoon

Upon arrival at the city center we visit Parque Berrío and Botero Park. At Botero Park we see Botero’s famous statue garden before viewing the extensive hometown artist's collection in the Museo de Antioquia. Time permitting, we enjoy a coffee break before heading to our hotel in the popular El Poblado district.

Check-in at Hotel Click Clack 

Cra. 37 #10A 29, El Poblado

Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia

+57 320 4170006

Evening 

Dinner on your own. 

 Morning Meet in the hotel lobby and depart hotel for a Graffiti Art Tour in Comuna 13, one of many hillside neighborhoods in Medellin impacted by the conflict. Guided by a local, we will learn how urban art has helped this community heal from many years of harsh violence waged between rebels, drug cartels and paramilitary groups.  

Following our visit to Comuna 13, we return to El Poblado.

Afternoon 

Visit the Museo Casa de la Memoria. This powerful exhibit is dedicated to victims of the Colombian conflict. 

Return to our hotel. Free time for lunch and shopping in the city center.   

Evening Medellín Farewell dinner inside the Hotel with guest speaker. 

Entrepreneurship and Digital Nomad Life in contemporary Medellín. At dinner we are joined by special guest Ginger Gentile for a discussion on Entrepreneurship and Digital Nomad Life in contemporary Medellín. Ginger is a native New Yorker and graduate of Columbia University who has lived in Latin America for over 15 years. Her experience varies from directing films to running a Digital Business & Workshops in Medellin that assists local startups in raising capital. Her conversational talk will answer any questions you have about expats, digital nomads and why so many Americans are immigrating south of the border.

Morning Hotel Check out and depart for Cannúa Lodge nestled in the heart of the Antioquian mountains. 

Vdz Gaviria KM 7+200

Maranilla, Antioquia, Colombia

(+57) 311 609 9237

Nestled in the heart of the Antioquian mountains is Cannúa Lodge.  Upon arrival, we enjoy a light lunch at the Lodge. Fresh menu with multiple options to suit any palate. Try some fresh fruit smoothies or fruity cocktails.

3:00 pm  Afternoon Awakening: Coffee & Chocolate Tasting Workshop.

Remainder of the Afternoon reserved for R&R and time to enjoy the sprawling property. 

*Private Walking Tour or in-room Massage Services available upon request & for an additional fee*

8:00 pm Delicious, wholesome dinner inside the Lodge.   

**For those NOT continuing to Cartagena, you may want to extend your stay in this peaceful paradise known as Cannúa Lodge. Contact team@cle-abroad.com for more information and to reserve your extra room night(s). ***Airport transfers are included and will be provided by Cannua Lodge.***

###FOR THOSE DEPARTING MEDELLIN TODAY, YOUR AIRPORT TRANSFERS ARE INCLUDED AND WILL BE PROVIDED BY OUR HOTEL  PICKUP TIMES AT THE HOTEL WILL BE COMMUNICATED BY YOUR GUIDE IN COLOMBIA BASED ON YOUR DEPARTURE FLIGHT TIMES.###

 *Departure day for some. Airport transfers for your departure flights have been pre-booked by CLE Abroad and organized by Cannua Hotel. Your pickup time will generally be 4 hours prior to your flight departure time. Please alert team@cle-abroad.com about any flight changes that may occur prior to or during the trip. Please communicate directly with the hotel reception about any changes to your flight plans that occur on the day of departure.

Morning 

Breakfast is served at our Lodge 7am-10am. Optional early morning Yoga. Please sign up with the front desk.

For those continuing to Cartagena Hotel check-out and depart for MDE airport. 

12:34 pm Avianca Flight AV 9282 departs MDE for Cartagena.  Flight time is approximately 1 hour. This domestic flight is included in the cost of your trip.  Arrive Cartagena (CTG) and transfer to our hotel.

Lunch in Cartagena. 

Afternoon  

Check-in Ananda Boutique Hotel 

Calle Del Cuartel 36-77

Cartagena, BOL

130015

(+57)5 664 4479 

4:30 pm 

Depart hotel for our Walking Tour of the Getsemani bohemian arts neighborhood. Once an area of Cartagena avoided by tourists and locals alike, here we see street art, eclectic galleries, and discover why Cartagena is becoming such a cultural hot spot.

Evening 

Return to hotel. 

Remainder of afternoon/evening free. Dinner on your own. 

Breakfast is served daily in the hotel.  8:30 am  Depart for our Barrio Tour of lesser visited Cartagena neighborhoods.  

SOCIAL MOBILITY AND SUPPORTING CARTAGENA YOUTH

As part of our Barrio Tour, we engage with founders of the Tú Vales Foundation. 

Community Elders have been invited to participate in our discussions. 

12:00 pm 

Return to hotel/Cartagena city center to enjoy our Group Lunch. 

3:30 pm 

Afternoon Walking tour of Cartagena’s walled city and historic center. During the walk our guide will highlight some key locations featured in the works of the Colombian author Gabriel Garciá Márquez or "Gabo" as he is affectionately known.

Plaza Fernández de Madrid was recasted as The Park of Evangels in Love in the Time of Cholera. We also see the Palacio de la Gobernacíon that served as the Arcade of Scribes in the same novel. Plaza de la Aduana was the setting for the gypsy fair in the opening of One Hundred Years of Solitude.

We see Plaza de Santo Domingo where the cathedral's warped tower played a key part in the author's 'magical realism'. In 1948, Gabo arrived in Cartagena penniless and spent his first night sleeping on a bench in the Plaza de Bolívar. 

5:30 pm Rooftop sunset cocktail, before returning to the hotel. 

Evening Dinner on your own. 

Morning Today is reserved for free time/leisure/shopping.  Suggested options include traveling via boat to one of Cartagena’s most pristine island locales, Isabela Beach or Rosario islands, or staying on the mainland to visit La Papa monastery and the Castillo de San Felípe de Barajas. Built in 1536 atop the Hill of San Lázaro, the fortress is well-preserved with beautiful views of the city and coastline. 

Lunch on your own, afternoon at leisure. 

Evening 

Aguardiente & Colombian Rum tasting.

Group Farewell Dinner.

Independent  morning activities depending on departure time.  Airport transfers for your departure flights have been pre-booked by CLE Abroad and organized by Hotel Reception. Your pickup times will generally be 3 hours prior to your flight departure time. Please alert team@cle-abroad.com about any flight changes that may occur prior to or during the trip. Please communicate directly with the hotel reception about any changes to your flight plans that occur on the day of departure.

Please Note:  This is a “Working” Itinerary. There may be changes, additions and/or subtractions to the Final Itinerary. All venues and meetings are subject to final confirmations. Be assured that any changes made will be done to enhance the total program, and to promote a smooth operation of the tour.