Highlights of Colombia

Fantastic scenery, combined with Latin and Caribbean vibes, make Colombia one of the hottest destinations in Latin America.  From snow-capped mountains to white sandy beaches and from deep jungle to splendid colonial towns, this is one destination not to be missed.  The best time to go to Colombia is the dry season from December and March or in July and August.

The capital Bogotá is where most trips begin - a cosmopolitan city with many cozy cafes and interesting museums.  Don't miss the chocolaterias lining the beautiful colonial streets of La Candelaria, the Gold Museum and the fine views from the top of Mount Monserrate.

Bogotá is the hub of many trips into the country.  To the south you will find the beautiful colonial town of Popayan, nicknamed the White City for its beautiful white-washed houses.  it is a relaxed town with a large student population, many cafes, museums and galleries and a great Tuesday market.  Nearby Parque Puracé offers many waterfalls, lakes, trails and colourful sulfurous pools, as well as a variety of flora and fauna, including the Andean condor.

Cali is Colombia's liveliest city and known as the salsa capital of Colombia.  So put on your dance shoes, or, if you are after something a little quieter, enjoy the old Bohemian neighbourhood of San Antonio.

West of Bogotá lies Manizales, a friendly town in the midst of Colombia's coffee growing region.  Enjoy some great outdoor activities, including trekking through the wonderful landscapes.  Of course you can stop anytime and sample some of the world's finest coffee, including fair-trade brews.

To the east of Bogotá is the Salt Cathedral at Zipaquira, carved out of solid salt, which can house over 8000 people.  Get there via a set of twisting tunnels, en-route passing chapels which each depict a scene from the last days of the life of Jesus.

Villa de Leyva, in the Andean foothills to the east of the capital, is a wonderfully well-preserved colonial town of white-washed houses and cobblestone streets.  Wood-framed windows and balconies loaded with flowers are a true joy to behold.  Don't forget a visit to the traditional farmer's market which offer some great local food.

Turning northwest from Bogotá we reach the delightful town of Guatapé, in a gorgeous setting on a lake amidst beautiful rolling hills.  On weekends, the waterfront boardwalk gets busy with local vendors selling art, food and souvenirs.  Nearby El Peñón de Guatapé is reminiscent of Rio's Sugarloaf mountain and offers amazing views from the top.

From its drug-tortured past, Medellin has gone through an amazing revival and now boasts some of Colombia's finest parks, museums and architecture.  Nearby Santa Fe de Antioquia is the oldest town in the area with many narrow streets, colonial houses and a great daily market.

Reaching the Caribbean, you come to one of the finest colonial cities of Latin America, Cartagena.  A UNESCO heritage site, it is surrounded by thick walls and houses many old churches, monasteries, plazas and mansions.

From Cartagena you can visit the Rosario Islands for a day and enjoy the lovely beaches and some fine snorkelling, along with beautiful views of the blue waters of the Caribbean.  Alternatively, visit the town of San Jacinto or the Totumo Volcano, which, instead of lava, is filled with mud.

Far to the east of Cartagena, and not too far from the Venezuelan border, you can engage in a challenging 5-day trek through crystal-clear rivers, deep jungle and beautiful valleys, finally arriving at Ciudad Perdida, the 'Lost City'.  Rediscovered in 1975, it was built between the 11th and 14th centuries.  The only way to get there is on foot and its isolation and overgrown state affords it an air of mystery.

As a wonderful finale to your tour of Colombia, travel to the place where the mountains drop to the sea and visit Tayrona National Park, with its wild and unspoiled beaches, reached only by jungle trails.  A haven for wildlife and birds, this is the ultimate Caribbean get-away!

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Villa de Leyva, Colombia

Highlights of Myanmar (Burma)

Long shunned by travellers from the west, Myanmar is now open again to exploration.  The best time to visit Myanmar is between November and February.  Here are the highlights and some of the lesser known spots to discover in Burma.

The main attraction in Yangon (formerly known as Rangoon) is the Shwedagon Pagoda.  It and its surrounding temples and shrines attract an interesting mix of monks, pilgrims and travellers from around the world. Being covered in gold leaf, the main pagoda is the perfect place to visit at sunset.  During the day, markets, colonial architecture, a massive reclining Buddha and temples are sure to keep you busy in this bustling city.

The world's largest book is found at Mandalay, once the capital of Burma.  Another great place to watch the sunset awaits you here at Mandalay Hill, where you get beautiful views across the river and over the city.  An alternate spot for this is the two kilometre long 200 year old wooden bridge at U-Bein

Nearby is Pyin Oo Lwin (formerly known as Maymyo), an old colonial hill station where officers would escape the heat of the plains.  A clock tower, a church, country mansions and the botanical gardens all are remeniscent of days gone by.  These days it is a crossroads for traders from China, which is reflected in the colourful local market.

From Mandalay, cruise the Irrawaddy River to Mingun, where the world's largest (uncracked) bell, the world's largest (albeit unfinished) pagoda and ancient temples await exploration.  Enroute along the river, witness how this is one of the major trading and communication routes in Myanmar.

Going south along the Irrawaddy you will pass idyllic fishing villages, before you reach ancient Bagan, a breathtaking plain studded with over 3000 temples.   Shwezigon Pagoda, the 13th century frescoes and cave temple of Wetkyi-in-Gubyaukgyi and the Ananda Pagoda, one of the best preserved monuments in the entire city.  Explore the city by horsedrawn cart of by bicycle and enjoy another magical sunset from the lower terraces of one of the temples.

Atop nearby Mount Popa sits a shrine which can be climbed via the 777 steps for some wonderful views.  For the less energetic, Bagan offers many options to purchase laquerware and sand paintings.

Flying to Heho, a drive through picturesque hills brings you to Inle Lake.  Here you can take a canoe to Lin Kin village, famous for its floating garden in the lake.  People around the lake live in simple stilted houses and live of the fish from the lake, or grow food in floating gardens.  With luck you may visit one of the rotating markets but you will no doubt see the local fishermen employing their famous leg-rowing technique.  The lake is home to abundant bird life as well as to many places of worship and it makes for a great base to visit some of the tribal villages in the hills surrounding Inle.

If trekking is your thing, consider visiting the northwest of the country where you will meet hill tribes lost in time and stay in monasteries and schools.

South of Yangon lies the famous Golden Rock, a beautiful place of pilgrimage for Buddhists.  Legend has it that the boulder is held in position by a strand of Buddha's hair.  Spending a night here is one of Burma's most spiritual experiences.  Enroute from Yangon you can visit Bago (Pegu), home to a massive pagoda and one of the largest reclining Buddhas in the world.

For the less active, the coast of Myanmar has some of the most pristine beaches in Asia - white sand beaches lined by tall swaying palms invite you to relax, explore the hinterland by bicycle, or go out on a boat trip. 

Speaking of boat trips, if discovering remote places is your thing, a sailing trip through the islands off the Burmese coast does just that.  This is a trip back to days gone past in an archipelago virtually left untouched by modern life.

Wherever you decide to go in Myanmar, you will discover tranquility, hospitality and ethnic diversity.  Come and find out why this country is often called "The Golden Land".

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Ballooning over the temples in Bagan - Myanmar, the Golden Land