The Creative soul’s guide to Cartagena, Colombia

I have recently spent 5 days and nights indulging in what is one of the truly authentic creative towns of the world. A colonial walled town, small enough to walk from one extreme to the other in 15 minutes is densely packed with musicians, dancers, artists… and creative restaurants galore… One night, after leaving La Vitrola restaurant, an amazing fish restaurant, with beautiful décor, a live latin band, and fish dishes to die for, we were strolling along towards our hotel and a duo of guitar and voice started walking behind us… they serenaded us with the most beautiful tunes all the way to Santa Clara Hotel, at no request. Every where you look and at all hours of day and night there are people performing on squares centered by cathedrals or streets lines with different colored colonial doorsteps and balconies. Aside from La Vitrola, we ate wonderful fish everywhere we went, especially at El Santissimo and 8-18. Santa Clara is one of the many it places to stay in Cartagena. Santa Clara is one of two larger stunning hotels. I strongly recommend Santa Clara, with its gorgeous pool, garden with 3 resident toucans flying about, and outstanding service make the experience enchanting. The other larger hotel I recommend is the Santa Teresa, with rooftop pool overlooking a colonial Cathedral – spectacular. Cartagena is known for incredible boutique hotels, all colonial mansions with 8 or so suites, made into hotels. I visited a few that are remarkably beautiful and romantic: Casa Pestagua, Agua and LM. The incredibly creative and talented Colombian fashion designer Silvia Tcherassi is even building her own boutique hotel and spa there, opening soon. Beware: do not get into the tourist trap of going on a tour of the Islands (Islas del Rosario)… they are cheesy and not worth losing a day for. If you can afford it, the only way to visit the islands is with a private boat that takes you to Cholon, a rustic and enchanting island where you sit in chairs in the water and eat fresh seafood caught in front onf you from the ocean and tastefully prepared. There is a guy called Lucho who has a private boat and can take you there. His number is: +57-311-655-7508. As the sun sets, go for a drink at Café del Mar, stroll atop the city’s wall and end the night at either Café Havana or Mister Babilla for salsa dancing into the early hours of the morning...