I am posting this message for a friend, Karen Claypool, a language
teacher at Center for the Creative Arts High School.  I have been on a
trip to Germany and to our sister city of Hamm with Karen Claypool in
2004.   The trip was outstanding in all respects.  She has two more
vacancies to fill on this Columbian trip to the Bogota area and thought
there may be some individuals interested in this visit.  I will also be
going on this trip with my wife, Nancy.

 

Bill Prince

 

Friends,

 

Three or four weeks ago I returned from a week-long trip to Colombia -
my first trip - and it's my new passion!   What a beautiful country!
What friendly people!   What exciting experiences!   And I'm eager to
experience it all over again. . . with YOU!

 

I hooked up with a travel company there who arranges for Colombian high
school students make school and family visits in the US and helps
university students find short-term employment here.   It's owned by an
American who is married to a Colombian and has lived in the country over
30 years.   He and I together have planned a trip that we both think
will be grand, and I invite you to be a part of it.

 

For several years Colombia was a rather iffy destination for Americans,
but the political situation has improved significantly in the last five
years, and it's now fine for travelers.  Probably much safer than
visiting New York City, Chicago, or Los Angeles (or some areas of
Chattanooga).

 

Anyway - below are the trip specifics.   I have purchased 18 seats on
the flights and now have only two remaining.  So in the event you'd like
to travel, please let me know ASAP. . . it's first come; first-served
with the spaces.   I'll need a check for $800 when you book with the
balance due the week before we travel.

 

Indiana and Kentucky friends/relatives:  if you want to go, you're
welcome to stay at my house before and afterward.

 

Trip dates:  June 19 - 27   

Cost:  $1595, which includes all the below and more:

 

*round-trip air fare Atlanta to Bogota   (direct Delta flights)

*lodging in 4 or 5-star hotels in Bogota and charming colonial inns
elsewhere (double occupancy -

    extra charge for single room)

*a short homestay (2-3 days) with English-speaking Colombians eager to
have American guests

*all ground transportation in Colombia

*most meals  (all breakfasts; all but three or four lunches and dinners)

*tram to Mt. Serrate, with the best view in all of Bogota, followed by
lunch in the exquisite and lovely

    San Ysidro Restaurant

*visits to Bogota's Central Park and Botanical Gardens (beautiful!
impressive!)

*visits to the Museu del Oro (Gold Museum) and the Museu Botero (where
you'll not only see Boteros;

    you'll see Picassos, Klimts, vanGoghs, and many more masterpieces)

*a hike in a cloud forest

*trip to Villa de Leyva, a beautiful area 100 km from Bogota, including 

    the Salt Cathedral in Zipaquirra

    Nuestra Senora de Chinquiquira

    Tinjaca Requira

*a visit to Tibasosa, chosen a few years ago as Colombia's most
beautiful town (I can see why!  It's

    breathtakingly lovely) and Paipa, which will include

    *two nights in Punta Larga, a wonderful, quaint, and charming
colonial hotel

    *a visit to hot springs and a professional massage

    *a wine tasting   

    *great shopping opportunities for Colombian art and handcrafts

    *wonderful foods

*free time for shopping, enjoying cafes, hanging out, getting
manicures/pedicures (dirt cheap!),

    drinking mojitos, having another massage, sampling empanadas, or
doing whatever you'd like

*my services as guide and trip hostess plus the services of Daniel
Skillings and Claudia Villamil

    from Primavera Camping Tours in Bogota  (You'll like them!)

 

and of course NO trip to Colombia would be complete without

 

*a party, Karneval style, where you can dance to your heart's content to
lively salsa and merengue music

   

 

For more information, call 265-1417 or email me at the above address.

Please feel free to forward this on to anyone you think might be
interested.

Note:  this trip is for adults.   School-aged travelers must be
accompanied by their parents.

 

Not included:  passport, transportation to and from Atlanta airport,
hostess gifts, a few meals (about three lunches and dinners).    

 

Hope you'll decide to travel with me!

 

Karen Claypool

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265-1417

 

 

 


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