Pre-Cruise in Cartagena! 

August 11-13, 2025

​

Includes: 

• 2 Nights at 5-Star Sofitel Hotel 

• Airport Transfers and ground transportation on tours 

• Transfer to Ship 

• Breakfast daily at hotel 

• Some meals as indicated in itinerary 

• Entrances to all sites listed 

• Bilingual Tour Guides 

• 24/7 Concierge Support 

• 2 Tour Leaders 

• Colombian Travel insurance for each client 

​

Not Included: 

• Alcohol or food not listed in itinerary 

• Optional tips for guides or drivers 

• Flight to Cartagena 

​

Pricing: 

Double Occupancy: $1849 per person 

Single Supplement: $699 per person 

​

​

ITINERARY
 

AUGUST 11: Arrive in Cartagena and private transfer to hotel. 

Coffee Baptism with Honey 

Round Trip Transportation • Entrance to the cafe and guided tastings • Souvenir of the experience • Apron • Diploma 
 

Think you know coffee? Here in Colombia, it’s more than just a quick pick-me up to get you through the day. It’s part of social interaction, our workplace life, and is likely what the world knows most of Colombian cultural identity. Colombia’s coffee plantations are the largest exporter of Arabica beans globally, so we like to think we bring a little bit of Colombia into homes around the world. Have your Coffee Baptism at a “Temple of Coffee” owned by Colombia’s most awarded coffee plantation. We will pick you up at your hotel and bring you to this Temple where you’ll have your opportunity to appreciate the many nuances of coffee in much the same manner as wine-tasting. In fact, the brothers who now run the plantation are the 3rd generation of this family-owned business were inspired to develop these experiences as they toured and tasted their way through the vineyards of France. Your coffee baptism is designed to awaken all your senses. First, you’ll learn about coffee production here in Colombia, what is involved in harvesting and processing this glorious crop. Next comes how to appreciate all of coffee’s “organoleptic” qualities: scent, taste, mouth feel and more, no different than testing fine cognacs. Now for your sensorial awakening as you begin to discern distinct aromas and flavors. Hone your new talents now with cuppings of 3 different coffees from their plantation.

​

AUGUST 12 

Cartagena Historic Walled City Tour 

Round-Trip Transportation • Bilingual Guide • Bottled Water • Entrance to All Sites on the  Route • Medical Assist Card/Insurance 

​

Your guide will meet you at your hotel to take you on a tour to discover Cartagena’s colonial past. You’ll walk through the winding streets of this exquisite, historic city, surrounded by a 16th-century wall the Spaniards built to defend the city against enemy attacks. You’ll have an opportunity to walk atop this historic wall and experience the heart of Cartagena in the lively streets of its Old Town.  

​

Your guide will also introduce you to sites of incredible history and local culture, like the massive 16th-century Castle of San Felipe de Barajas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Colombia’s Seven Wonders. There’s the Palace of the Inquisition and opportunities to stroll through picturesque plazas, past colorful houses with flowered balconies, artisan shops and cafés. There are opportunities to visit additional museums and historical sites, like the Convento de la Popa that sits on the highest point of Cartagena, a 30-minute hike.  

​

Rum & Chocolate Tasting Experience 

Round-Trip Transportation • Bilingual Host • Rum & Chocolate History and 4 Tastings • Medical Assist Card/Insurance 

​

We’ll pick you up from your hotel and take you to the city’s top-rated bar to team up with the best mixologists for a special rum & chocolate tasting experience.  The most treasured booty for any good pirate during those seafaring times wasn’t a treasure chest of gold, but a fine bottle of rum. Today, this caramel-colored liquor  continues to keep the locals happy, as rum is the national liquor of Colombia. The rum taster will talk you through the ingredients, distillery process, and a brief history of the glorious spirit. Then you’ll enjoy 4 special rums, accompanied by specifically paired chocolates -- the “food of the gods” -- to sample.  

​

AUGUST 13

Tasting Menu 5-course Lunch with Pairing 

This evening, you'll enjoy a 5-course tasting experience inside an award-winning gay owned restaurant. Both chef/owners are members of the LGBT+ community.  Throughout the evening, you will go on a gastronomic tour of the Colombian Caribbean, including a round of appetizers, three cold dishes, three hot dishes, two desserts, and petit fours with coffee or tea. 

​

The restaurant was born out of an experimental lab, a 4-year research initiative focused on giving visibility to the gastronomic culture and biodiversity of the Colombian Caribbean through exploration trips. The Chefs set out to teach people that the food of  this region is much more than fried fish, coconut rice and fried plantain. The cuisine of the Colombian Caribbean is the product of a crossbreeding of cultures that arrived in the Caribbean hundreds of years ago: Spanish and European, African, Syrian, Lebanese, but also indigenous people who inhabited the territory long before, and that together made their contributions to what today is known as the Colombian Caribbean cuisine. 

​

Transfer to ship. 

​

ACCOMMODATIONS

Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena 

2 nights • Superior Room • Breakfast 

​

The Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena is a historic luxury hotel where tradition and modernity meet. Its walls, which once served as a shield, harmonize with colonial balconies and republican buildings, evoking the splendor of bygone eras. After a massive renovation in 1995, the hotel opened its doors to reveal a magical space filled with history and luxury. 

​

With 125 finely decorated rooms, the hotel's spaces are reinvented and innovative, creating a tropical palace where walls and ceilings retain the historic charm of this 17th century Colombian building. Combining colonial and republican architecture with modern comfort, the hotel pays attention to every luxurious detail, making every stay an unforgettable experience. Guests can also enjoy exquisite international gastronomic proposals fused with local flavors in the hotel's colonial-style restaurants, surrounded by a magical tropical atmosphere. 

​

The Superior Room at Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena is an elegant and comfortable option for those seeking an unforgettable stay in the city. This room features 34 square meters of space, a King-size bed or two twin beds, and is perfect for couples or business travelers seeking a relaxing and private space. 

​

Relax on your balcony or terrace and enjoy stunning views of the hotel's pool or garden, while indulging in the softness of our luxurious Sofitel MyBed™ linens. You'll also find a  refreshing shower, an LCD TV, a Bose® SoundDock® sound system, complimentary  Wi-Fi, a pillow menu, and a Nespresso® coffee machine. Overall, our Superior Room is  the perfect choice for those seeking a unique and luxurious experience in Cartagena.