None of these tours replace a walking tour or a citytour (following tours do not relate to the history of the city)
a) On the tracks of Gabriel García Márquez (2 hrs)
Gabriel García Márquez (1927-2014), affectionately known as Gabo, is one of the most important authors of the 20th century. In 1982, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature for his novel “One Hundred Years of Solitude”. When he died in April 2014, the President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos, described him as the “greatest Colombian that has ever lived”. Gabriel García Márquez invented a literary style that is called magic realism and many of his novels are set in Cartagena. During our walking tour through the city center, the tour guide will show us the places where some of his novels took place. Furthermore, the biography of the Colombian journalist and author will be explained in details.
b) Tour with an art expert (2-5 hours)
Together with our art expert, Rosana Lombana (daughter of Hector Lombana, one of the most famous artist of Cartagena that made a number of impressive sculptures) we will visit the modern Museum of Arts of Cartagena, as well as different art galleries, where you will have the possibility to acquire art pieces. Moreover, we will visit the workshop of a local artist, where you can appreciate technique, creativity, style and artwork.
c) Tour about literature and history with the poet Pedro Blas (1,5 hrs)
Together with the famous poet Pedro Blas, we will discover the city center and the Getsemaní neighborhood. We will focus on the history of the city, as well as its literature and poetry. Pedro Blas was born in 1949 in the Getsemaní neighborhood, which had been an example of social struggle for centuries. He was awarded with the national Poetry Prize Jorge Artel for his book Rumbos in 1993. Discover Cartagena’s poetry and literature and, above all, get to know Pedro Blas, a really extraordinary person.
d) Tour with an anthropologist (1,5 hours)
An anthropologist will explain the socio-geographic and socio-demographic backgrounds of the country. We will learn more about the geography, politics, history, infrastructure, culture and sociology of Colombia, as well as their connection and interplay so that we can understand why Colombia has been experiencing a huge boom lately.
c) Tour with an architect (1,5 hours)
Cartagena‘s architecture is known all over the world. It is characterized by two architectural styles: the colonial style with balconies made of wood and cassette windows and the republican style with columns and roundarchs made of stone. The architect who leads us through the narrow and colorful alleys, will explain all of the special characteristics of the monuments, churches, convents and private houses, and he will call our attention to small details of the Romanic, Moorish, colonial, military and international style that we would have never distinguished otherwise.
f) Tour of the San Pedro Claver Sanctuary-Museum (1,5 hours)
Linda Zurek, an industrial designer with 15 years of experience in the design field and 13 years working for the tangible and intangible heritage, is the cultural director of Asoárabe Cartagena de Indias. Member of ICOM Colombia chapter, she is a museographer and currently the Coordinator of the San Pedro Claver Sanctuary Museum, a work of the Society of Jesus in Colombia.
The talk and the tour in San Pedro that she offers us represent the three axes that keep alive the intentions and the vision and mission of Pedro Claver at present: the pastoral part in the church of San Pedro, the social work with the AfroCaribe Foundation and the artistic part with permanent and temporary exhibitions of important local and national artists in the museum of San Pedro.
g) Tour with a professional photographer (1,5-3 hours)
There are two different options for this tour:
Option 1: You are the photographer and a professional photographer will advise you. He knows Cartagena very well and is professional in shooting sights, streets and buildings. We recommend this tour between 4-6 pm, the blue hour. You will take pictures with your own camera. Our expert advises you from all angles.
Option 2: You are the model and the professional photographer will shoot pictures of you (and your partner or family) using the best backgrounds in the best light. The photographer will use his camera and you will receive a WE-Transfer link with all the pictures the following day.
