ou expect certain things when entering the walls of UNESCO World Heritage Cartagena de Indias for the first time: cobbled alleys, massive fortifications, Spanish colonial architecture and Caribbean flavors. And it certainly has all that … and then some. But what struck us more than anything was its striking array of vine-based flowers climbing seemingly over every wall, tree and stately facade.
Here are three ubiquitous flower varieties to be on the lookout for.

​Bougainvillea
The small flowers of this see-it-everywhere climbing plant are generally white, each cluster of three surrounded by three or six bright, paper-thin petals in a range of colors: magenta, purple, red, orange, white and yellow.

Morning GloryTrue beauties, Morning Glories have funnel- or cone-shaped blossoms in white, red, blue, purple and yellow. Each leaf — having a similar paper-thin consistency as Bougainvillea — has a heart-shaped profile.

Hibiscus
Hibicus flowers stand out for their large size. They are large and trumpet shaped with five or more petals. Colors come in a range of hues: white, pink, purple, red, orange, peach and yellow.

Why Cartagena goes crazy for Kola Román. By Allie Wist.

In Cartagena's Old City, heat presses into alleyways and sunlight streams over cobblestones. People move languidly and salty ocean breezes slip past handsome colonial buildings. Ducking the high-noon humidity, city dwellers seek respite in cool bakeries. There is a saying here that goes something like this: "All a man needs are pan y Kola Román."

Bread and Cartagena's beloved, omnipresent soda. Despite its frivolous appearance—tapered glass, flashy logo, crayon-pink hue—Kola Román is deeply embedded in the rituals and identity of Colombia's Caribbean coast.

“It's become knitted into our society,” says Sergio A. Londoño Zurek, a descendant of the Kola Román founder and the keeper of his family's archives. “This is an important part of our culture, and an important part of Cartagena.”
​
In 1834, while on his way to Peru, Manuel Román was shipwrecked off the coast of Colombia. Saved by local fishermen, he made his way to Cartagena, where he fell in love and decided to stay. In the colonial city center, Román opened Laboratorio Román, a pharmacy that introduced Colombians to the European fad of flavored carbonated waters around the turn of the 20th century. At the time, soda was considered a remedy meant to heal everything from fatigue to indigestion. The pharmacy sold Dry Kola, ginger ale, and a “champagne” soda called Kola Román, which was originally sourced from the United States. But in 1934, Henrique Román, Manuel's grandson, redeveloped the recipe into the vanilla-flavored soda that today can be found everywhere from beachside stands to high-end restaurants in the Old City.

Here, along the coast, Colombians drink Kola Román straight or mix it with beer in a cocktail called refajo. Some even cook with it in dishes like platanos ententación: plantains simmered in soda with clove and sometimes whole vanilla beans. At Casa Román, the family's lush, Moorish-style mansion, Sergio's mother, Teresa Margarita Zurek Román (Manuel's great-great-granddaughter), cooks a platter of radiant platanos—sticky, salty-sweet tropical comfort food brightened with the vanilla-scented fuchsia fizz. "For me," says Sergio, "this flavor tastes like home."​

​In this episode of DW Travel, join bookseller Martin Murillo Gomez on a stroll through the colorful streets of his Colombian city. Runtime: 3 min.

​With its cobblestone streets and ornamented buildings, Cartagena has what is arguably the best-preserved colonial center in the Western Hemisphere. In this short film from Jungles in Paris, locals give their perspective on Colombia's most beautiful city. Runtime: 2 min.

I guess this must be a day of bests because this article also caught my eye. I love "bests" and anything that promotes safety, acceptance, and inclusivity is just fine with me; thanks again CNN Travel.

Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel, Edinburgh.  A Kimpton Hotel? Enough said...they are a fabulous brand and are huge supporters of the LGBTQ+ community.  If you  have yet to experience a Kimpton please make a point to do so; they have properties around the world and my clients L O V E them.

The West Hollywood EDITION, West Hollywood.  As I understand it from the article nearly 40% of West Hollywood's population identifies as LGBTQ and this is where we find the location of EDITION.  A welcoming atmosphere with accoutrements that one expects  from a luxury boutique hotel including stunning views  of Los Angeles. Check.

Myconian Naia, Mykonos.  I love Mykonos and I am always seeking  great properties there. This boutique property overlooks Mykonos and the Agean Sea, is adult only with an infinity pool and gourmet restaurant. Sold.

The Maritime Hotel, New York City.  I typically stay in Brooklyn however this darling property is on my list for the next visit to NYC; a stay in the Meatpacking District, a view of the Hudson River and a five minute walk to the High Line. Done. 

The Zetter Townhouse, Marlybone, London.  You can stay in a room, you can rent a townhouse...love the choice of options at this property. I also adore the neighbourhood especially The Monocle Cafe; a must.

Hotel ME Sitges Terramar, Sitges, Spain.  This is a Melia hotel and I have always enjoyed my stays with this brand.  Sitges is a lively, vibrant community with great beaches, nightlife and shops.  It also hosts a world-famous horror film festival. Why not.

W Amsterdam, Amsterdam. It's a W Hotel,  and it's in Amsterdam.  Need I say more?  Okay...its location in a former telephone exchange is a great blend of old and new, a rooftop pool with a view of the city and I am dying to experience the Tea Room. Yaas.

I swear these articles all just fell into place. I was contacted by an organization to see if I would be interested in reading and passing along some travel insurance research information - especially in a Covid-19 world - to my travellers.  As the saying goes...forewarned is forearmed.  I have always advocated the importance of travel insurance and will continue to do so...the need for insurance has always been great and will be even moreso now.  You can learn more about Consumer Advocate (the organization that contacted me) and you can read the article here - Best Travel Insurance Based on In-Depth Reviews. 

I love to be inspired. Whether through people, books,  nature, theatre.... I love to have something to look forward to and travel has played a large role in my life in that respect. I am seriously guilty of where to next?
I'm keeping inspired by thinking about and sharing the still-amazing places and people that await discovery in our big, beautiful world.  A la Lone Ranger of course.

Stay healthy everyone,