Bogota & Villa de Leyva Holidays

Bogota, the capital city of Colombia was founded in 1538 and offers more than its reputation might suggest.  Home to cosmopolitan restaurants, excellent museums and a well preserved colonial quarter, it is an eclectic mix of the old and new. Certainly worth a visit  is the Spanish colonial district of La Candelaria with pretty flower covered courtyards and fine architecture. The nation's most famous museum, the Gold Museum, is located here showcasing the world's largest collection of gold artefacts. Within the historic centre, don't miss the Botero Museum. Housing one of Latin America's most important international art collections with work by Fernando Botero himself as well as many other world-renowned artists. To take in spectacular views of the city head to the Monserrate Mountain which is accessible by cable car.  In the northern districts of Zona Rosa and Usaquen, you can find a variety of excellent restaurants, nightlife, parks and shopping centres.

Just 3 hours north-east of Bogota, you'll find one of Colombia's most charming towns, Villa de Leyva. This white-washed town is home to one of the America's largest main plazas, some of Colombia's best preserved colonial architecture and features cobblestoned streets and picture postcard alleyways. It has said the to be frozen in time, having changed very little since the town was first founded by the Spanish. Nearby, visit the "El Fosil" museum, home to the fossil of a 120-million year old Kronosaurus. The underground Salt Cathedral is also another highlight situated just over an hour away from Bogota in the mountain town of Zipaquira, easily visited on the way to Villa de Leyva.