The city of Cali, Colombia, is experiencing a renaissance, thanks to its title as the country’s capital of salsa dancing. Cali, home to just over 2 million people, brims with salsatecas, or salsa clubs, to suit any style or age, as well as salsa-savvy residents who graciously share the fun. The genre first arrived in Colombia around 1930, when sailors brought salsa from the Caribbean back to Cali, and Caleños made it their own. “Cali salsa has a unique flavor. The dancers make it work by really moving, picking up their feet, and putting their mark on the music,” says Luz Aydé Moncayo, an award-winning salsa dancer who runs the studio Son de Luz, in the working-class Alameda neighborhood. Dance lessons with Moncayo start at about $10 an hour. Once you’ve mastered the basic 1-2-3 step, take a taxi across the Cauca River to the gritty Juanchito neighborhood, known for its cavernous clubs reminiscent of those in 1940s mobster films. Bow-tied bouncers guard the doors at Changó, where red leather banquettes surround a dimly lit dance floor. Share a bottle of aguardiente (anise-flavored cane spirits) as you watch couples spin, and then get on your feet. Or head over to Tin Tin Deo, a more bohemian salsateca closer to the city center. Here, all sorts of dancers, from pairs in sequins and silk to students swaying with their own style, take to the floor. On Sunday afternoons, don’t miss the viejotecas or “old folks’ dance clubs,” a Cali institution. The liveliest is Poliactivo, located behind the bus station. It’s open to all ages and features salsa classics from the 1960s and 1970s. Ask someone here to dance, and you might also get a lesson in the city’s salsa history. —Annie Murphy Photo by Cristian Delvalle. This appeared in the May/June 2010 issue.

When the temperature rises and the Caribbean beckons, a day trip to a nearby island beach is a must. Catch an early-morning tour boat to Isla de Baru, where you can snorkel with iridescent blue fish. Feeling adventurous? Hire a fisherman to cross the bay to the island of Tierra Bomba, where white-sand beaches face Cartagena’s modern Bocagrande strip. After a morning in the sun and sea, replenish your energy with a whole fried red snapper and icy Aguila beer, served to you on the beach. —Milena Damjanov Photo by Juan Vinasco. This appeared in the March/April 2011 issue. 

Wake up, pour a cup of hot coffee and sit on the bluff watching the surrounding nature stir to life. Small birds darting around through the tall grass let you know the ground is heating up, warm air lifting the small flying bugs from their shelter. Larger birds gathering to fly in lazy circles let you know thermals are forming and it's time put on your gear. And when round little puffs of clouds start to form in the sky, you know it's time to step off that cliff for an amazing day of flying. Bucaramanga is a lively city and one of the best places in the world to learn how to fly. Get in touch with Richie Mantilla at http://www.colombiaparagliding.com/ if you want a fantastic instructor. Classes are taught year round, and typically take 10 days to get earn an international certification. Once the course if over, there are options to hang around and fly as much as you want.

The signature dish of Salento, Colombia, is trucha con patacones— trout with mashed, fried plantains—and the most delicious version in town can be found at El Rincon de Lucy. The cozy, family-run eatery serves huge, inexpensive set meals with the star attractions accompanied by soup, rice, beans, cheese, eggs, arepas, fresh juice, and desserts. The basic elements stay the same, but matron and chef Lucy routinely tweaks the dishes, which keeps customers returning day after day. Located in the Zona Cafetera, or coffee-growing region, Salento draws Colombian tourists each weekend, when its streets fill with foods tents and music. Most of the food stalls serve the town’s signature dish, but my wife and I opted for paper-thin, crispy patacones with cheese, beans, tomatoes, and onions one Sunday night. While we delighted in the nachos, we experienced one of the auspicious occurrences that occasionally happen when traveling. A man approached us from across the tent, beaming and welcoming us to his country in broken English. He was all smiles and gestures, pointing to his family who waved enthusiastically. Then he told us not to pay for our meal. We protested, of course, thinking he was offering to pay, but he cut us short—he had already paid for it before coming to our table. We were astonished, humbled, and grateful at the generosity and goodwill toward strangers. It was the most memorable of many moments of hospitality and graciousness we experienced throughout Colombia.

Sitting in the square having a coffee is a great way to people watch in Cartagena. There seems to be something happening behind every wooden shutter of every building as well as in the street. I was struck by how friendly the local people were to the tourists who are gradually overtaking their community. Several Botero and other sculptures grace the walled city of Cartagena, which is a UNESCO Heritage Site. I was struck by the three images of the the Colombian woman I saw from my cafe vantage point in the plaza: the Botero statue, which was very seductive, the fruit stand woman, who was past her prime in physical beauty, but still was a striking presence. Her elbow mimicked the pose of the Botero statue and her demeanor reflected strength and pride. Finally, the third woman, napping on the sidewalk in the oppressive heat, oblivious to the historical context surrounding her and that she might represent some aspect of womanhood.

Every Sunday for the last 35 years, Bogota has closed about 75 miles of city streets to regular traffic. The streets fill with bikers, runners, skaters, walkers, food vendors and other hawkers. Open spaces offer free yoga and aerobics classes. It's a hugely popular event and people from all over the city participate. Bike rentals and tours are available from Mike Ceasar at Bogota Bike Tours which is conveniently located in La Candelaria.

Cerro Monserrate is an enormous hill that rises from close to the city center of Bogota. There's a church and some tourist shops and restaurants but the reason to make the trip is the spectactular views of the city. The top is accessible by hiking trail or by riding either an aerial tram or a funicular.

Extra straps for the colorful woven bags that seemingly everyone in Colombia owns, found here in the coastal town of Santa Marta. These are all handmade, sturdy as hell and sold off a beachfront blanket for the equivalent of about US$10 (less if you have the energy to barter).

Colombian-born fashion designer Silvia Tcherassi’s first hotel is set in an 18th-century colonial mansion. There are just seven rooms, but each is unique and includes bedspreads and pillows with Tcherassi’s touch of texture and whimsiness. From $400. 57/5-664-4445. Photo courtesy of Tcherassi Hotels.

This is an absolute must if travelling to Bogota, Colombia. Built 200 meters down one of the worlds largest salt mines, this cathedral is dedicated to the safety of the miners. The lighting below is incredible with 14 small chapels representing the stations of the cross. Truly incredible.

Cartagena is full of surprises. While on a recent visit to the Colombian coastal city, I was fortunate enough to stumble upon a collection of prolific street drawings tucked away on a clandestine street in the city’s Getsemani neighborhood. These drawings, I later learned, were different depictions of Pedro Romero—a revolutionary war hero during the early 18th-century uprising against Spain. Romero’s true depiction is unknown, so in memorium, various artists gathered on this street to pay an aesthetic tribute to the late martyr.

I arrived in overcast Bogota very early. My hostel was located in the La Candelaria neighborhood of downtown Bogota. The architecture of the old houses, churches and buildings has Spanish Colonial and Baroque styles. It houses several universities, libraries and museums. I was able to drop off some of my gear at the Hostel and had a few hours to explore before I could check in. The streets were uncommonly empty due to winter holiday and the early hour. I headed towards Bolivar Square taking in the bright colors of the homes. Bolivar Square is the heart of the historical area in Bogota. The square is surrounded by the Palace of Justice, the National Capitol, the Lievano Building, and the the Primary Cathedral of Bogota. Upon my arrival, I realize I have been rewarded for getting an early start. The square normally jam packed with people is empty. I notice a man sitting on a ledge by himself. This is the shot I want! I need to catch the moment quick before my cover is blown. I shot this with my iphone and wasn't expecting much. The photo really captures the early morning ambience I felt my first morning in Bogota. I spent the next month in Colombia and was able to take many more photos, capturing the diversity of the people and landscape. At the end of the day, my first photo that early morning in Bogota was clearly my favorite.

That church hiding back there in the clouds is Cerro Monserrate, one of the most famous (and highest-altitude) landmarks in Bogotá. Perched atop one of the highest mountains ringing the city, the church and refugio are one of the most popular sites for tourists and locals alike. On weekend mornings, the route up the mountain -- yes, you can walk -- is packed with people in sneakers, making their pilgrimage up to Bogotá's highest restaurant. On sunny days, it offers a spectacular view of the entire city -- on cloudy days like this one, it looks just as haunted as I imagine it to be. Photo taken from the Plaza Bolívar in the historic La Candelaria district.

For an authentic Colombian meal, head to La Puerta Falsa Tamales, a small café that’s been in business since 1816 in the heart of Bogota's La Candelaria historic center. I stummbled upon this place and was immediately drawn in by the delicious pastries, candies and desserts in the window. The place also had a great deal of historic character. I later learned that it's a local favorite. The waitress suggested Ajiaco Santafereno, one of the most popular traditional dishes of Colombia. It's a soup filled with pieces of chicken, large chunks of corn on the cob and two or three kinds of native potatoes. It was absolutely delicious and a must have on a visit to Colombia. One thing to keep in mind about this café, they don't speak any english and the menus are in spanish, so go in with an open mind and a hearty appetite.

About 30 minutes north of Bogota by bus, Andres Carne de Res is not to be missed! The eclectic art and decor give it the atmosphere of being at a surreal carnival. Delicious steakhouse by evening with fantastic cocktails and unusually friendly servers, it morphs into a dance party that lasts all night. Just be sure to check their hours before you go, it's only open certain nights of the week.

My most recent trip was to Colombia and I loved every minute of it!! If you haven't yet, visit it soon before the secret gets out and hoards of tourists flock to it. Just beware of the crocodiles in Tayrona National Park ;)

Leaving the skyline of Cartagena behind a wall of sea spray from the motorboat that propelled us toward Isla Del Piratas was one of the best things that ever happened to us during our journey in Colombia. Broken Spanish aside, booking the voyage was effortless and a day trip to this island is an absolute must-do if visiting Cartagena. Once the tall city buildings fade into the distance, the waters turn the most amazing shades of blue and green. Akin to a deserted island (where you somehow happen upon a good margarita), the natural and raw beauty of Isla Del Piratas (Rosario Islands Archipelago) was simply captivating. My husband found this pelican to be amusing, keeping watch on a wooden post for hours on end. If you're looking for heaven on earth in a vacation, I think we found it.

I was now alone with simply one of the most majestic views I've ever seen. I just stared in amazement for several minutes reminding myself to breathe every now and then. It seemed ridiculous to want to close my eyes and attempt to control my breath in meditation, but after a few minutes of clearing my mind then slowly opening my eyes to that spectacular view, I think I may have experienced a brief glimpse of Nirvana. http://www.kaleidoscopeofcolor.com/galleria/colombia-2012/ © 2012 Skip Hunt