Cartagena

Official name, Cartagena de Indias, though known mostly by just Cartagena. A large city situated on the northern Caribbean coast of Columbia. Originally settled in 1533 by Pedro de Heredia, it became a major port during the Spanish Colonial period.
With its growing wealth, it became an object of interest to the many pirates of the time. After a ransom was paid for the city to Francis Drake in excess of $200 million US in today's market, the Spanish government paid for defenses to be built. With the construction of city walls and a massive fort, it became much harder to capture and plunder the city.
Being part of the Spanish colonies, Cartagena followed the practices of the motherland. One unfortunate issue was The Inquisition. People were brought up on dubious charges out of revenge and paid dearly for it. The Palace of Inquisition is located in the old city on a bucolic square. Inside it has been converted to a museum featuring the equipment used to extract confessions. Most seem QUITE painful.
Along the beachfront on a peninsula jutting into the harbor entrance is a forest of new high rise buildings. These gleaming towers of white with blue windows and balconies could be along Miami's famed beachfront. This is where the wealthy in Columbia either live or have a vacation home.
Back in the old town, traditional architecture is still the predominate theme. There are still some of the old colonial mansions surrounded by gardens that have been in the same family for generations. Many more modest houses fill the blocks. Open door ways to shops show men playing checkers in the cool breeze by the opening. Donkey drawn carts are a common site in the old city a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I only had one day to explore the city, since I was on my cruise. The city's beat is definitely Latin in nature and vibrant. The colorful flowers cascading over balconies of the colonial town home would make Monet weep with joy. The tanned svelte men in small swimsuits would raise the temperature ANYWHERE! So call Damron Vacations and experience where the 21st Century blends with the 16th. Were tall concrete and glass towers are the backdrop for a colonial mansion whose caretaker rode a donkey to work. Don't forget to look for Juan Valdez, and pick up some REAL Colombian coffee.