Medellín City Tour, Medellín

The city of Medellín, located in central Colombia's Antioquia region, is a true global success story. Once plagued by cartel violence, over the past 20 years it has turned itself around to become a model of safety, boasting a mass-transit system second to none. 

This six-hour tour begins in Medellín's downtown with a visit to Plaza Botero, which features works by Colombia's foremost sculptor, Fernando Botero. The artist himself donated 23 of his iconic bronze sculptures, with pieces showcasing the exaggerated forms of everything from horses to cats to nude men, women, and even Roman soldiers. 

Then it's time for a ride on the city's iconic Metrocable, a system of gondolas that feature panoramic views of Medellín through their wraparound windows. At their highest point, it's possible to see out from over the working-class comunas in the northern hills of the city all the way to upscale shopping malls of the south. Many of the comunas that the Merocable serves have been the subject of community revitalization projects. The tour includes a visit to some of these rehabilitated neighborhoods to get a sense of the local lifestyle and see some graffiti street art. 

The final stop is the Botanical Garden, home to more than 4,500 types of flowers. This large 34-acre municipal garden boasts other attractive features including a lily pond, a butterfly enclosure, and an impressive Orchideorama—an orchid display whose giant wooden mesh support structures also filter rainwater to the thirsty flowers.