Colombia

Balmy tropical beaches, colourful colonial cities and friendly faces make Colombia a hot new holiday destination - as Marie Claire's Jess Wood discovers

Balmy tropical beaches, colourful colonial cities and friendly faces make Colombia a hot new holiday destination - as Marie Claire's Jess Wood discovers

Cartagena de Indias

South America s hottest destination offers tropical beaches, colonial cities and as Jess Wood discovers on honeymoon a uniquely Latin warmth.


Cartagena de Indias

South America s hottest destination offers tropical beaches, colonial cities and as Jess Wood discovers on honeymoon a uniquely Latin warmth.


Jess Wood in Hotel La Passion

La Passion is a seven-room arty boutique gem hidden behind high walls. Run by a suave French film producer, the restored 18th century townhouse feels like a stage set, overflowing with art and global treasures ranging from Andalusian light fittings to a wooden canoe swinging from the central atrium.

Hotel La Passion courtyard interior

Now there's a view to wake up to! The scene from Jess's balcony at Hotel La Passion (lapassionhotel.com).

Jess and Si sightsee

Newlyweds Jess and Si get all romantic in Colombia's beautiful countryside

Mango stall

Jess says, 'I'd been told that if you offer a Colombian a beer or a fruit juice, they ll take juice every time and as we stood at another small roadside bar, I realised it was no exaggeration! The locals are pulping, blending and sucking down smoothies like it s going out of fashion.'

Colombia's Isla Mucura

The Punta Faro resort on the beautiful Isla Mucura, part of the San Bernardo archipelago, a cluster of islands two hours away from the mainland. 'Boarding a tiny boat, you can speed away from Cartagena s marina into the clear emerald waters,' says Jess. Heaven.

Cartagena de Indias

Cartagena is a pretty jewel of a colonial town on the Caribbean coast. 'Strolling down an open walkway lined with palm trees, we were hit by a wall of that famous Colombian heat,' says Jess.

Si and Jess kick back in the pool

Jess and Si take some time out to relax - all that sightseeing can be hard work...

Hotel La Passion courtyard

The stunning courtyard at Hotel La Passion. 'We'd eat a blissful breakfast there every morning homemade bread with mango marmalade and frothy fresh lulo juice served by one of the lovely local boys who make up the staff,' says Jess.

Hotel La Passion pool

'We lazed on Hotel L Passion's secluded blue-tiled roof terrace, looking out over the rooftops and taking dips in the pool - bliss!'

Cartagena de Indias

'Cartagena is Colombia's most beguiling destination,' says Jess. 'Its cobbled streets are lined with stuccoed buildings in rainbow of colours from saffron to cornflower blue.'


Jess Wood takes in Colombia's coast

Si and Jess need another sit down - being a tourist can be tough!

Beach by moonlight

Moonlight strolls make the perfect end to a perfect day.  'But the most memorable thing about Colombia isn t its beaches (or even the amazing mangoes), says Jess: 'It s the sheer friendliness of the people.'

Jess and Si relax on their Colombian break

Si and Jess let it all sink in - and vow to return to cool Colombia soon!

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