Black Tomato’s hot travel pick: The rising star of South America- Colombia

It wasn’t all that long ago that Colombia was topping the world’s no-go list; but in a new era of stability the outstanding natural beauty of this rough diamond is finally attracting the loving attention it deserves.

The walled city
Cartagena’s ancient buildings conceal a hedonistic appetite to party. To blend in with the locals: eat late and don’t step out on the town until the small hours. Our tip? You’ve probably heard of Café del Mar but you may not know that it originated here in the Caribbean rather than the Balearics. Take the twisting stone stairs of the old walled city to reach the citadel for sunset drinks accompanied by a legendary sunset.

Trek the glaciers of the northern Andes
If winter sports are your thing, it’s time to take on the snow-capped heights of the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy park within the Cordillera Oriental mountain range: its craggy rock formations, waterfalls, lakes, glaciers make this one of the world’s most visually varied and exciting trekking locations.

Your private Caribbean paradise
Thaw out from your mountain escapades and lay back onto the idyllic sugar-white Caribbean beaches of the tropical Parque Nacional Tayrona. These are some of the world’s clearest waters and quietest beaches in the Caribbean- make the most of the stunning landscapes before discovering the life aquatic with a scuba diving expedition.

A slower pace of life on the Amazonian waterways
Check in to the tiny upstream village of Puerto Nariño to spend relaxing days fishing for Piranhas amidst passing traffic of pink Amazonian dolphins. In the evening, fill yourself up on a bowl of Sancocho (traditional Colombian stew) just as the local fisherman bring in their catch of the day.

Colombia is just one of the incredible unusual destinations that Black Tomato can take you to. Make your next trip something entirely unique: Imagine the stories you’ll bring back home...