Colombia is the coffee lover’s Mecca. Colombia produces ten percent of the world’s Arabica beans, exporting ninety percent of that so the world can enjoy the rich taste of Colombian coffee. Even the aroma itself is satisfying. Visiting Colombian coffee plantations can also be an immensely satisfying experience. Coffee, the region’s most important export, is helping draw tourists to Colombia. They may come for the coffee, but they are captivated by the beauty of the land, the diversity of the culture, and the hospitality of the coffee growers of Colombia.
In the 1990s, coffee prices dipped precipitously. Farmers faced the loss of their farm land, livelihood, and way of life unless they could find other avenues of income. Resourceful farmers began sowing a far different crop. Tourists became their best cash crop. Perhaps borrowing the idea from Italian agriturismo, Colombians offered visitors the chance to stay at their homes, experience the rural life, and of course, taste the rich fruits, or beans, of their labor. Coffee fincas, as they are known, are tremendously popular with foreign tourists and even visitors from Colombia’s busy cities.
Most of the coffee grown in Colombia is produced on small farms such as these, but visiting larger plantations can also be a fabulous experience as well. You can travel to Bogota, explore the way of life in neighboring towns and learn about the coffee growing process – perhaps sampling a little of the delicious brews made from mild Arabica beans. After a full day of exploration and traveling around the region, you return to your luxurious accommodations to enjoy rest and relaxation.
Take the time to visit the premiere coffee-growing regions of Armenia, Montenegro, Salento, and the Cocora Valley. Discover that Colombia is far more than coffee beans; travelers can visit the Congress Palace, the Cardinal’s Palace, cathedrals and churches, and the world-famous Gold Museum and Fernando Botero Museum that displays the incredible and diverse art of the region. Drink in the history and culture of this remarkable country; it is as rich as its famed coffee.
Colombia is becoming a premiere tourism locale because of the complexity of the country’s past and the optimism for its future. It is a country rich in culture, heritage, and promise. Just as you can see the process of a seed becoming a cup of the world’s finest coffee, you can see Colombia blossoming into a world class destination.
By: Enid Glasgow
Posts Tagged ‘Fernando Botero’
Visiting Colombian Coffee Plantations
November 21st, 2009Flowers, Sculptures And Dangers Of Medellin
November 4th, 2009
Medellin is the second Colombia’s largest city, the capital of the Antioquia Department, founded in the year 1616, 1538 meters above the sea level. In past, it was considered as one of the planet’s most dangerous cities, the city of “sikarios” (teenager bands) and drug trafficking organizations.
However, culture and arts have changed its image a lot, mostly thanks to the world famous Colombian artist and sculptor Fernando Botero. Medellin became the place for “Botero city”, with a 30 thousand sq. m square where a museum, sculpture park, galleries, art studios and recreation zones can be found. According to the sculptor, the main aim of the project is to show the other side of Medellin as the culture and art centre, and not as Escobar’s homeland. According to the artist, the initiator of the “city’s” project was the mayor of Medellin, who suggested creating a new architectural and cultural complex on the basis of the old Antioquia museum. Botero also commented that the museum can compete not only with the best Latin American exhibitions, but also with similar complexes in the other countries.
The city, however, is populated with 3 million of friendly and cheerful people that have the reputation of the real fun-loving artists.
Medellin also offers a lot to see: Basilica de la Candelaria, Basilica Metropolitana (built in the beginning of the XX century, the largest brick church in South America), Pueblito Paisa – the exact copy of a typical local village with numerous handicraft shops, Plaza La Macarena, Plaza Botero, with lots of Fernando Botero’s works displayed there, Museo de Antioquia as well as a university, two stadiums (local football team is the leader in the national championship) and of course well-known Botanical Garden with its famous collection of orchids.
Another thing that marks Medellin the flower centre is the annual Feria De Las Flores – festival of flowers held here in the end of July and in the beginning of August. For two weeks, you can participate in truly festive events, such as various concerts, flower exhibitions, horse and old car parades as well as a beauty contest. To participate in it, people must prepare in advance. Women dress white blouses and black skirts adorned with flowers while men put on national costumes with black hats, take machetes and travel bags. This colourful holiday is opened with a parade of caballeros stalking on their horses through the whole city. Desfíle de Silleteros is the festival’s culmination, when thousands of local people walk along the slopes carrying flowers in their hands, forming a real sea of colourful bouquets and national flowers. Another local well-known event is the International Festival of Poetry that takes place in the middle of June.
As for the region’s nature, it is famous for its Aburrá Valley occupied with the Medellina city districts. The valley has a wonderful climate and warm weather, perfect for summer vacations.
By: Tatyana Kogut