Travel Agent - July 7, 2008 - (Page 58)

CRUISES DYNAMIC DUO: BY SUSAN J. YOUNG Cartagena and Santa Marta, Colombia Although relatively close in proximity, these two destinations offer a world of differences IF THE HISTORIC OLD CITY OF CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA, IS THE DARLING OF CRUISE TRAVELERS taking a deep Caribbean voyage, Santa Marta is its more obscure, but endearing, sister. Although just 113 miles separate the two ports of call, the port destination personalities are quite different. We recently sailed to both ports on a Silversea Cruises’ voyage. Although many travelers have heard of Cartagena, few know about Santa Marta. “Cartagena has the name,” says Sigrid Scatliffe, a destination specialist in Silversea’s shore excursion department. “Yet, while Cartagena is often touted as the oldest city in the Western Hemisphere, surprisingly Santa Marta was actually founded before Cartagena.” Characterizing Cartagena as a tourism “gem,” Scatliffe also believes “it’s refreshing to have something new [as a destination for cruisers] like Santa Marta. I would hope Santa Marta gets more exposure, as it’s more laid-back and not as touristy as Cartagena.” Size-wise, Cartagena is a teeming metropolis of more than 1 million residents. In contrast, Santa Marta’s population is less than half that. Cartagena, boasting an extensive THIS PHOTO: Port of Santa Marta OPPOSITE TOP LEFT: Old City Cartagena na’s historic core is impressive, walled Spanish Colonial city “the city itself is a bit intimidatand multiple fortresses, is now ing,” acknowledges Ruth Turpin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. owner, Cruises Etc., Fort Worth, Santa Marta’s historic Colonial TX. “I always recommend taking core is a bit smaller, but the one of the cruise line tours or city is dramatically sandwiched making private arrangements in between the sea and the Sierra advance. Nevada mountain range. Susan J. Young “Once you are outside the From a tourism perspective, port, you will be surrounded by vendors and Cartagena evokes a bustling, cosmopolitan people wanting to take you somewhere or sell aura, while low-key Santa Marta exudes a you something,” Turpin says, “so I never recomworking-class atmosphere and a small-city feel. Some luxury guests on my cruise disliked Santa mend doing things without a guide.” On our organized Cartagena city walking tour, we still Marta for just that reason. Others disagreed. encountered many vendors dangling necklaces One cruiser said of Santa Marta: “This is where and hawking fake Rolexes and T-shirts. Our the real people live.” guide advised us just to smile, keep walking Both cities deliver history. But if your clients and simply say, “No gracias.” seek a cornucopia of well-developed tourism infrastructure, a port call at Cartagena is where they’ll enjoy world-class restaurants, shopping Colonial Cartagena and many day-trip experiences. In contrast, On our Silversea voyage, guests who wanted Santa Marta’s popularity is primarily as a vacaa city tour could pick from two options. We tion destination for many Colombians, for its selected the 3.5-hour “Exploring Historic nearby national parks and for ties to Simon Cartagena” tour, priced at $39 per person; it Bolivar, South America’s “Liberator.” included a 1.5-hour walking tour in the Old You’re likely to encounter fewer tourists and City. After viewing massive Spanish Colonial street vendors in Santa Marta. While Cartagecity walls, we disembarked our motorcoach, OPPOSITE TOP RIGHT: Dancers in a folkloric presentation in Santa Marta 58 | TravelAgent July 7, 2008 PHOTOS BY SUSAN J. YOUNG

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Travel Agent - July 7, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor Europe: History and a Scenic Landscape Define Normandy Pacific/Asia: Kuala Lumpur Offers Luxury Shopping and Hotels Hawaii: Honolulu’s Nightlife is as Dazzling as its Sunshine Canada: VIA Rail Offers a New Way to Enjoy the Great North Las Vegas: Hotels and Casinos Away From the Strip Florida: Hilton Daytona Beach Offers Budget-Friendly Packages Central & South America: Panama is Poised to Become a Hot Destination Mexico: The ME Cancún Targets an Upscale Clientele Caribbean: Maxim Opens a New Resort in Puerto Plata The Latest News and Notes from Dominica Cruises: A CLIA Study Offers Good News About Cruising Cartagena and Santa Marta Offer Two Different Sides of Columbia Cover Story: Wendy Goodenow Industry In Crisis: A New Report Offers a Gloomy Forecast for the Airline Industry Hotels: Prince Edward Island Celebrates Anne of Green Gables EZGuider: Vacation.com Launches a New Platform Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Opinion Consortia Can Be An Agent’s Best Friend MLT Expands Roles and Offerings Malaysia Continues Agent Push In the Spotlight Agent Access Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - July 7, 2008

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