Colombia is a diverse country full of culture, lush natural landscapes, innovative art, modern & traditional design and cuisine. The people of Colombia are so kind and welcoming that one feels at ease right away.

I just returned from Colombia where I immersed myself in a cultural tour. I will take the next few weeks to go over all the different cultural aspects of Bogota that I encountered as one blog post will not do Colombia Justice.

I would like to begin with the Botero Museum in Bogota. Even though a small museum, the Botero Museum is a gem!

The Botero Museum is housed in a colonial mansion in the historic La Condelaria district of Bogota. The collection consists of 123 paintings by Fernando Botero and 85 pieces of his own collection of other noted international artists such as Picasso, Chagall, Lucien Freud, Calder and others.

The mix of the colonial architecture along with the modern art is spellbinding. Several floors await one with a courtyard in the middle surrounded by plants and a fountain that bestow a relaxed feel to one gazing and appreciating the stunning art.

I came away from Bogota with a sense of the history and culture that makes me want to return and explore the other parts of this dynamic country!