What to Visit:

1. Bogotá: the capital of Colombia, offers a vibrant mix of culture, history, and outdoor adventures. Here are some things you can do while visiting. Wander through Bogotá’s historic center, filled with colorful colonial buildings, street art, and charming cobblestone streets. Don’t miss landmarks like Plaza de Bolívar, the Gold Museum, and the Botero Museum. Take a cable car or hike up to the top of Monserrate Mountain for stunning panoramic views of Bogotá. You can also visit the sanctuary and enjoy the restaurants and shops at the top. Indulge in delicious Colombian food at local restaurants and street vendors. Be sure to try traditional dishes like bandeja paisa, arepas, empanadas, and ajiaco soup. Explore the trendy Usaquén neighborhood, known for its Sunday flea market, charming colonial architecture, and upscale restaurants and cafes. Take a day trip from Bogotá to Zipaquirá to explore the Salt Cathedral, an underground church carved into a salt mine. It’s an impressive architectural and religious site. If you’re a nature enthusiast, consider a day trip to Chingaza National Park to hike, birdwatch, and admire the beautiful Andean landscapes. Remember to also take basic safety precautions while exploring the city, such as avoiding displaying valuables openly and using trusted transportation options. Enjoy your time in Bogotá!

2. Cartagena: Step back in time as you wander through the cobbled streets of Cartagena’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the colonial architecture, vibrant facades, and charming plazas. Don’t miss the imposing Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, a fortress with a fascinating history.

3. Medellín: Once synonymous with Pablo Escobar, Medellín has transformed into a dynamic metropolis known for its innovative urban renewal projects. Ride the cable cars to enjoy breathtaking views of the city, explore the vibrant street art scene in Comuna 13, and delve into the city’s complex past at the Museo Casa de la Memoria.

4. Tayrona National Natural Park: For nature lovers, Tayrona is a paradise on earth. Hike through lush jungles, swim in crystal-clear waters, and relax on pristine beaches framed by coconut palms. Keep an eye out for exotic wildlife, including monkeys, toucans, and iguanas.

5.The Amazon Rainforest: Embark on an unforgettable adventure deep into the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Explore the world’s most biodiverse ecosystem, encounter indigenous communities, and spot elusive wildlife such as jaguars, pink dolphins, and macaws.

6.The Coffee Cultural Landscape: Immerse yourself in Colombia’s coffee culture in the picturesque towns of Salento, Manizales, and Armenia. Take a guided tour of a coffee plantation, learn about the bean-to-cup process, and savor the rich aroma of freshly brewed Colombian coffee.

Where to Go

The best season to visit Colombia depends on the regions you plan to explore:

• Caribbean Coast (Cartagena, Tayrona): December to March and July to August offer sunny skies and dry weather, ideal for beachgoers and outdoor activities.
• Andean Region (Bogotá, Medellín): The climate is temperate year-round, but the dry season from December to March is preferred for city sightseeing and outdoor adventures.
• Amazon Rainforest: The dry season from December to March is optimal for exploring the Amazon, as rivers are lower, making wildlife easier to spot, and there are fewer mosquitoes.

Number of Days

To experience the essence of Colombia, a minimum of 10-14 days is recommended. This allows ample time to visit major attractions, immerse yourself in local culture, and venture off the beaten path for unique experiences.

Best Hotels

1. Casa San Agustin, Cartagena: Located in the heart of Cartagena’s Old Town, this luxurious boutique hotel combines colonial charm with modern amenities. Indulge in elegant rooms, a serene courtyard, and rooftop pool overlooking the city skyline.
2. The Charlee Hotel, Medellín: Set in the trendy neighborhood of El Poblado, The Charlee Hotel offers contemporary design, panoramic views, and personalized service. Enjoy spacious rooms, rooftop bar, and proximity to Medellín’s vibrant nightlife.
3. Hacienda Bambusa, Coffee Region: Experience rustic elegance at Hacienda Bambusa, a beautifully restored colonial estate surrounded by coffee plantations. Relax in cozy rooms, savor farm-to-table cuisine, and explore the lush landscapes of Colombia’s coffee country.
4. Reserva Natural La Pedregoza, Amazon: Immerse yourself in nature at Reserva Natural La Pedregoza, an eco-lodge nestled in the heart of the Colombian Amazon. Stay in rustic cabins, embark on guided jungle treks, and witness the unparalleled biodiversity of the rainforest.

Who to Contact for More Info

For more information and assistance in planning your Colombian adventure, reach out to the Colombia Tourism Board or local tour operators specializing in sustainable and responsible travel. They can provide valuable insights, recommend tailored itineraries, and ensure a seamless travel experience.

Colombia awaits with open arms, ready to enchant you with its beauty, warmth, and hospitality. Whether you’re captivated by its colonial charm, mesmerized by its natural wonders, or intrigued by its cultural heritage, a journey to Colombia promises memories to last a lifetime. So pack your bags, embrace the spirit of adventure, and let Colombia weave its magic on you.

¡Bienvenidos a Colombia! (Welcome to Colombia!).

Gastrodiplomacy is a means for governments to strengthen relations with other countries, consolidate their status, have greater influence abroad, but also as a means of territorial promotion and as support for promoting a political cause.

The term “Gastrodiplomacy” was coined by the Economist in 2002 in reference to the “Global Thai” program as the first official example of this strategy of convincing people to visit Thailand and helping to strengthen its relationships with others countries.

A particularly popular tool among Southeast Asian governments, given that these nations do not have the same geopolitical influence as other governments (such as countries that sit on the UN Security Council or the G7, for example), trying to carve out a space for themselves vital by other means.

This is why Gastrodiplomacy tends to target Western clients and countries where global power is traditionally concentrated. This tool often becomes a way to consolidate one’s status and influence abroad.

The Malaysian government has adopted a gastrodiplomatic approach in the United Kingdom with the “Malaysian kitchen for the world” As part of the initiative, Kuala Lumpur’s diplomacy organized a “Culinary Festival” at the University of Nottingham (the most popular among students in the Asian country). Behind the boom of the Malaysian cuisine, there is also the success in television talent shows of some famous chefsm, originally from Malaysia, such as Ping Coombes, winner of MasterChef 2014 and Syabira Yusoff, who won the 2014 edition of Bake off.

The association between Food and Identity, combined with the role of diplomacy as a tool for pursuing internal interests, invariably takes on a nationalist nuance. Last summer in Marseille, during an exhibition dedicated to the Mediterranean diet, offered a series of clichés about French agriculture and eating habits, without however ever moving away from Eurocentrism. The exhibition was unable to recognize the historical role of colonialism and the migrations of Muslims, Arabs and Jews in the formation of the Mediterranean diet.

In a different way, “Taiwan’s Global Food Initiative” demonstrates how Gastrodiplomacy can also become a tool of resistance to pressure from other nationalist powers. Taiwan has remained independent from China since 1949, but Beijing regards the island as part of its territory and has promised to “unify” it with mainland China. Since Taiwan is not in a position to confront China militarily, and giving space to nationalism could prove dangerous, has adopted a more cautious approach, using cuisine to gain international support for its cause

photo from: iStockphoto

Inside Villa Farnesina (€12; villafarnesina.it), there is just a handful of people admiring the murals by Raphael, while outside a grove of citrus trees is groaning with fruit. The Caffè Settimiano on nearby Via Garibaldi – where I stop off for my first Aperol spritz of the year – is full of mismatched vintage furniture, attracting equal numbers of Romans and blissed-out American students beginning a semester abroad.

Like other European cities, Rome now has a selection of hotels which aim to offer maximum experience at lower costs. At the newly opened CitizenM Rome Isola Tiberina, there’s no room service, nor are there minibars in the rooms. Instead, CitizenM has a pullout refrigerator drawer and will point you towards the nearest supermarket (there are drinks and food to buy in the lobby). In other ways, serious money has been spent to ensure staying here feels like a treat rather than a trade down. The hotel group likes designer furniture (the real stuff supplied by Vitra, rather than cheaper copies). It’s in a central part of the city, rather than the suburbs. Crucially, the beds are big and the bedding has experientially high-thread counts.

At these new style hotels, prices rise and fall with demand. The industry term is “dynamic” – you’ll get the best rates in low season or by booking far ahead, or when they’ve recently opened. CitizenM started in the Netherlands and there’s a tangible egalitarian Dutch ethos at play at breakfast: we’re encouraged to pick up our coffees from the counter and take our trays to a trolley in the corner after we’ve finished which fits with the “leave as you found it” feel of the place.

My first stop is near the hotel, Pasticceria Boccione on Piazza Costaguti, which is the oldest Jewish bakery in Rome, founded in 1815. There may not be a sign outside, but there’s always a queue for its pizza ebraica, a charred-looking, phenomenally delicious pastry, with candied fruits, almonds and raisins held together with dough. Afterwards, I wander, nip into churches, window shop for cassocks and vestments (Rome has many shops selling religious clothing) and stop off at Beppe e i Suoi Formaggi, a cheesemonger that also serves natural wine, on Via di Santa Maria del Pianto.

Visiting before the crowds in summer means that the queues for the Pantheon are short but, in fact, most of Rome’s joys – churches apart – aren’t behind walls. The city is studded with ancient remains, lovely in the late afternoon sun, but even more beautiful at twilight, when there are few tourists around. A five-minute walk away from the hotel, I come across the Portico d’Ottavia, built by Emperor Augustus circa 20BC, now with walkways where you can just wander between columns and ancient arches, while surrounded by houses and apartments.

Photograph: Marco Bottigelli/Getty Images

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2024/feb/18/rome-italy-why-spring-is-the-best-time-to-visit?utm_source=eml&utm_medium=emlf&utm_campaign=Email_Roundup22022024_UK&CMP_TU=mrtn&CMP_BUNIT=holys

The origins of the Venice Carnival trace back to the ancient Roman tradition of celebrating the onset of spring with feasting and revelry. However, it wasn’t until the Middle Ages that the Carnival in Venice began to take on its distinctive characteristics.

In the 11th century, the Carnival of Venice emerged as a public festival characterized by elaborate masks, sumptuous costumes, and extravagant parties. These celebrations provided an opportunity for people of all social classes to come together and indulge in merrymaking without the constraints of social norms.

The use of masks during the Carnival served several purposes. Firstly, it allowed people to conceal their identities and social status, enabling them to engage in activities that might otherwise be frowned upon. Additionally, masks provided a sense of anonymity, allowing individuals to express themselves more freely.

Throughout the centuries, the Venice Carnival evolved and flourished, becoming renowned for its opulent masquerade balls, intricate costumes, and lively street performances. The festivities reached their zenith during the 18th century, attracting visitors from across Europe who were eager to partake in the spectacle.

However, the Carnival of Venice faced periods of decline and suppression over the years. In the 18th century, the Venetian Republic sought to regulate the festivities, fearing that the excessive revelry was undermining social order. The Carnival was eventually banned by the Austrian government when Venice came under their control in the early 19th century.

It wasn’t until the late 20th century that the Carnival of Venice experienced a revival, with efforts made to restore and preserve its rich cultural heritage. Today, the Carnival continues to captivate audiences with its enchanting atmosphere, vibrant parades, and elaborate masquerade balls, reaffirming its status as one of the world’s most iconic celebrations.

When researchers returned and tabulated their numbers last year, they were overjoyed.

Bhutan, it turned out, was home to 131 royal Bengal tigers, a 27 per cent jump from 2015.

The survey was conducted with support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and was welcomed by conservationists, who have seen wild tiger numbers around the world plummet in recent decades.

The tiger is one of the world’s largest carnivores. It can weigh over 300 kilogrammes and reach up to 3.3 metres in length. This big cat once roamed Asia, from the eastern coast of Russia to the Caspian Sea.

However, since the beginning of the 20^th century, an estimated 97 per cent of the world’s wild tigers have been lost. There are currently around 4,500 remaining in the wild across Asia, making the tiger an endangered species. The royal Bengal tiger is the most numerous tiger subspecies, making up about half the wild population.

Tigers are not the only animals facing an uncertain future. Biodiversity is deteriorating worldwide at rates unprecedented in human history. Around 1 million species are being pushed towards extinction, and 25 per cent of plant and animal groups are threatened.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which was adopted in 2022, aims to halt that decline through a set of four goals, composed of 23 targets to be achieved by 2030.

These goals include 30 per cent conservation of land, sea and inland waters, 30 per cent restoration of degraded ecosystems, and halving the introduction of invasive species.

The implementation of the framework is expected to be a key topic of discussion when leaders gather next month for the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6), the world’s top decision-making body on environmental matters.

“The extinction of the Royal Bengal Tiger would be a tragedy not just because of its stunning beauty and cultural significance. Losing these magnificent creatures would disrupt the finely balanced ecosystem and biodiversity of the region that has thrived for millennia.”

Doreen Lynn Robinson, UNEP

Room to roam

As one of the world’s largest carnivores, tigers need vast swaths of forest and grassland to roam, hunt and reproduce. Bhutan is a particularly important habitat. It provides a link between tiger populations in Nepal and northeast India, helping to keep genetic diversity strong.

However, human population growth across Asia and sprawling development has resulted in an ever-shrinking tiger habitat, threatening the cat’s survival.

A top predator, tigers play an important role in maintaining diverse and healthy ecosystems. They keep wild ungulates, such as pigs and sambar deer, under control, which preserves vegetation.

“The extinction of the Royal Bengal Tiger would be a tragedy, not just because of its stunning beauty and cultural significance,” says Doreen Lynn Robinson, Head of Biodiversity and Land at UNEP.

“Losing these magnificent creatures would disrupt the finely balanced ecosystem and biodiversity of a region that has thrived for millennia.”

Human-tiger conflict

Commercial logging, agricultural expansion and other development have eaten away at Asia’s grasslands, resulting in less food for the wild ungulates on which tigers prey. As these prey approach communities and their crops for easy meals, tigers too are venturing closer to villages to find food.

Since 2016, hundreds of cattle in Bhutan have been killed by tigers, causing economic hardship for subsistence farmers and villagers. “Human-tiger conflict has been on the rise, affecting residents in various regions of the country,” says Tashi Dhendup, Head of Bhutan Tiger Center. “While tigers are thriving, they seem to exhibit a significant reliance on livestock.”

Climate change is also putting tigers in peril. Bhutan is strongly affected by planetary warming like other mountainous countries in the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region.

As average temperatures rise, glaciers in the north of the country are retreating and heatwaves, wildfires and droughts are spreading. This is forcing tigers to move closer to human settlements to find prey and water.

Through the Vanishing Treasures programme, UNEP is supporting tiger conservation and helping to improve the wellbeing of people who live in proximity to the big cats. That work is being done alongside the Bhutan Tiger Center and the Department of Forest and Park Services, Royal Government of Bhutan.

The programme has helped villagers set up community pasturelands surrounded by solar-powered electric fences to protect livestock from tiger attacks. The fencing also shields crops from wild pigs, which can wipe out entire fields and attract tigers.

The Vanishing Treasures programme is funded by the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It has also focused on restoring grasslands, which are home to many ungulates on which tigers pray. Since 2019, around 93 hectares of grassland have been revived, resulting in improved hunting grounds for tigers and reducing human-tiger conflicts.

Through the Vanishing Treasures programme researchers have also installed camera traps across Bhutan. Hidden discreetly in forests and other habitats, the traps have snapped rarely seen images of tigers in the wild. That has helped researchers and park rangers identify individual animals, estimate population sizes and better understand how tigers use the landscape.

“The Vanishing Treasures project has played a pivotal role in addressing some of the challenges we encounter in tiger conservation,” says Dhendup. “The insights we are gaining from this project […] are proving instrumental in advancing our goal of fostering a harmonious coexistence between our communities and these magnificent big cats.”

The Vanishing Treasures programme is working with the Bhutan Tiger Center to use scat sampling or fecal dropping sampling to undertake a genetic analysis of tiger populations. The information gathered from this research has proved vital for charting tiger habitats, mapping genetic diversity, and understanding landscape changes caused by nature loss and climate change. The data contributed to Bhutan’s recent national tiger survey.

“With our partners in the Vanishing Treasures programme, UNEP is working to not only lessen the impacts of climate change on tiger populations but we are also helping communities to both find solutions to human-tiger conflict and strengthen their resilience to climate change,” says UNEP’s Robinson.

The sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) will be held from 26 February to 1 March 2024 at the UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, under the theme: effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Through its resolutions and calls to action, the Assembly provides leadership and catalyzes intergovernmental action on the environment.

UNEP’s Vanishing Treasures programme, funded by the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, aims to generate maximum synergy between climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation by improving the adaptive capacity of mountain ecosystems while maintaining related ecosystem services, by protecting mountain flagship species that are key to ecosystem functioning and by promoting alternative livelihoods for local communities. In Bhutan, the Vanishing Treasure programme is implemented by the Bhutan Tiger Center in partnership with EURAC Research, the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, and GRID-Arendal.

Source: UNEP NEWS

By Richard Nomad

The most beautiful scenes in Africa were filmed by me in Namibia, South Africa and the highest mountain in Africa is Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. To make this video, I bought a Tamron 50-400mm lens to be able to film animals like lions‚ rhinos‚ cheetahs‚ giraffes‚ antelope, hippos, leopards, zebras‚ and elephants.. but I realized this lens is not enough while my friends on tour with me, they used very expensive lens which is Sony 200-600mm (professional photographer), so I asked to buy and use some slow footage from this super expensive device. Hope you enjoy the video. (This video I reposted after a mistake caused me to delete it over a year ago with almost 2 million views) I want to share with you my natural scenes from these Trips. Enjoy this video and Africa Music and don’t forget to watch ► How are Relaxation Films made? –    • Get to know RELAXATION FILM by Richar…   The content that I humbly record is the nature scenery, My footage is self-recorded and combined with the footage I bought when there wasn’t enough time to shoot them

Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, January 2024 – Charming hospitality in the heart of the Dolomites. The Faloria Mountain Spa Resort in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, enriches its 5-star accommodation with five new Tofane Suites and a Penthouse Suite designed by Flaviano Capriotti Architetti, the Milan firm of architects that in 2019 was in charge of the hotel extension project.  Flaviano Capriotti Architetti develops an aesthetic language that dialogues seamlessly with the previous extension and fits in with the surrounding landscape, where extreme attention to detail and a delicate balancing of Alpine inspiration and contemporary design create a well-defined sense of understated luxurythat is all about elegance and discretion. The materials selected are those typically used for the local architecture: Dolomia stone, brushed larch, wool felt upholstery, and blue-green majolica that picks up on the colour of Alpine lakes. All elements then reworked by Capriotti in a contemporary key to create rooms that ooze comfort and exclusiveness. Rich in details conceived to ensure a gentle welcome, the suites are in warm colours with a delicate homey feel, thanks to elements like the parquet, the larch panelling and bedheads in padded wool featuring classic botanical patterns of Alpine flora.

Developed on two levels, three Tofane Suites offer wonderful views of the most majestic group of mountains in the whole of Valle d’ Ampezzo. The Tofane Suites have a large living area with generous sofas and dining tables, two double rooms complete with walk-in closets and en-suite bathrooms with generous showers and freestanding bathtubs. Wood panelling and historic ceilings in larch have been recuperated and restored by Flaviano Capriotti Architetti and then integrated into new walls with details in charcoal-dyed oak and ivory fabric. Characteristics like the versatility and connection between the different zones becomes a central element that meets the needs of those wanting more space and privacy: these communicating suites can also be joined to make a single unit measuring more than 250 m2. 

Located in the central building of the hotel, from the Penthouse Suite you can admire the historic ski jumping ramp from the 1956 Olympics. Featuring double-height ceilings, it stands out for its understated contemporary style with walls and ceilings in larch and panelling in padded linen with traditional floral prints, as well as rich drapes in woollen cloth in the shades of sporting blue, the iconic colour of the “Faloria” brand. In the Penthouse Suite, furniture made to designs by architect Flaviano Capriotti dialogue with design pieces from some of the best-known brands made in Italy. The living area gives access to the large walk-in closer with a make-up area where the walls are covered in cloth in “Faloria” blue.

One of the details that adds personality is the research carried out into Alpine flora. The architect Capriotti has in fact selected from the Florae Austriacae atlas by the eighteenth-century botanist Nikolaus von Jacquin, 10 flowers typical of the Dolomites that have been reproduced on the padded bedheads and in other elements throughout the hotel. Botany has therefore become a sort of recurrent theme that also runs through the spa, public areas and restaurant to generate a visible legible storytelling inside the hotel. In this exclusive setting, guests can revive body and mind in the 1000 m2 wellbeing spa area, with its 25-metre semi-Olympic pool, calidarium, indoor and outdoor vitality pool, relaxation zone and fitness centre. To enjoy an exclusive culinary experience with views of the Alpine scenery, chef Giovanni Gagliardo offers a gastronomic journey into local tradition and Mediterranean culture. His cuisine focuses on ingredients from small producers in Cortina and the surrounding area with the aim of promoting less well-known and eco-friendly businesses. Guests at the Faloria Mountain Spa Resort will therefore experience a sensorial path linked to the natural identity of area, enjoying a cosy warm environment that will make them feel perfectly at home.