Cartagena. Most beautiful city in Colombia, fabled jewel of the Caribbean. Founded in 1533, Cartagena de Indias has been witness to almost six centuries of love, war, death and commerce. Its massive fortress walls, Las Murallas, were built by Spanish conquistadors to stop English pirates from stealing the gold, silver and emeralds that Spain had already plundered from South American natives. Its ancient heart is protected from development (as a World Heritage Site), and I can’t wait to walk the cobbled streets, tiny parks, and ... (more)