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Construction on this fort was started after Sir Francis Drake’s attack on the city in 1586. It began as a small fortification and after 150 years of construction, with the help of slave labor and a Dutch engineer, it eventually became the largest Spanish fort built in the Americas. Seen from below, it looks like a massive pile of stones covering a hill. We walked to the top, saw how it commanded entry into the city by land as well as sea and walked back down to wander through it endless tunnels which served as supply routes.

We navigated our way through the throng of souvenir sellers and stood in front of the statue of Don Blas de Lezo, one of the most famous Spanish naval officers in history and honored here for saving the city in 1741 from a British attack. In his forty year naval career, he fought the British, the Dutch and the Genoese and along the way, he lost a leg, an arm and one eye. The British, prompted by their desire to increase their colonial empire, attempted to take over Spain’s possessions in the Americas. Deciding against attacking Havana, they directed their attention toward Cartagena and the ensuing sixty-seven day battle became known as the Battle of Cartagena de Indias. Under the leadership of Admiral Edward Vernon, the British amassed a fleet of 186 ships with 7,000 sailors plus 18,000 infantrymen. Colonial soldiers from the United States were also sent accompanied by Lawrence Washington, George Washington’s half brother, who would later name his country estate Mount Vernon after the British Admiral. This armada represented 25% of the British navy and can be considered the largest massing of troops and ships prior to D-Day. Facing this British juggernaut was Don Blas de Lezo with six ships and fewer than 6,000 men. Even though he was badly outnumbered, he was fighting on his own turf with uninterrupted supply lines and could depend on the extensive series of fortifications. However, his greatest advantage was his brilliance as a strategist and taking a page out of Sun Tzu, he understood the weaknesses of his enemy. He correctly predicted the British troops would eventually die from tropical sicknesses leading to their humbling defeat and Spain’s American possessions free from British take over. During this battle, de Lezo lost his other leg but it would be the plaque that would finally kill him and he died in Cartagena in 1741.

This heroic defeat of the British contributed to releasing the energies of the people and the next fifty are called Cartagena’s “Silver Age”. Cartagena was the economic center and maintained its distinction as the wealthiest Spanish colonial city. Ciudad amurallada, inside the walled colonial city, the wealthy citizens continued to build their graceful mansions and contributing to the cultural development, they refined their lives with universities, theaters, libraries and literary societies. People flocked to the city creating a surge in population and Cartagena became the center for political activities when the Spanish Viceroy moved there permanently.
Returning to the city, we thanked Nico for our tour and I asked him to sign my tour book in which he was mentioned. We then took time out for a siesta as coming from the cool mountain air of the hinterlands, we were not yet ready to confront Cartagena’s hot, sticky humidity. We were hoping that by late afternoon it would cool down. We had just arrived, did not know, and could only hope. The chic time to come to Cartagena is December through February when the tropical climate is enjoyable and the evening breezes have cooling potential. We were there in June and would soon find out the breeze was off blowing somewhere else, leaving behind humidity so dense we could hold it in our hands and stroke it with our fingers.

We had an overview of the city and now it was time for Donald and me to see Cartagena on our own.

La Popa translates into “stern hill” and this five hundred foot high mound, the highest point in Cartagena, reminded someone of the back end of a ship. The Augustinians built the monastery in 1607, commandeering the ground that had once been sacred to the Calamari Indians and from this vantage point, the church played a role in the defense of the city. We visited the chapel to the Virgin of Candelaria, the patron of the city. She is portrayed holding baby Jesus in one hand and holding a candle in the other. The Virgin of Candelaria was first worshipped in the Canary Islands and when transported to the Spanish colonies, she was readily adopted. The Caribe Africans upon converting to Catholicism conflated her with their own goddess, Yoruba. She is credited with saving the city from pirates and disease. On her feast day, February 2, she is dressed in a fancy gown and leads a candlelight procession down the hill into the city. Upon request, one can see the collection of these gowns. We spent time admiring the renovated courtyard enclosed by a two story loggia with gracefully curving Romanesque arches. An old well in the middle of the courtyard is surrounded by potted tropical plants and some of the most beautiful bougainvillea we have ever seen, thick roots with vibrant colors. Stepping to the edge to enjoy the panoramic view of the city below, I found a moment of silence. The air was mute, not carrying up the sounds of the city below, or music, or even the songs of birds. However, this is Cartagena and soon the stillness and tranquility was interrupted by the cries of the hawkers, senorita you buy, you look, where are you from? Most of these people seemed to be selling the same merchandise and I found it ironic that the local people were trying to sell the white man tourist the same beads and trinkets the white man had sold them five hundred years ago. From the monastery, we looked down on the fort of San Felipe, the next stop on the tour.

When it comes to a luxurious way to travel there is nothing quite like a cruise ship. By taking a voyage on one of the following vessels, you’ll be able to experience opulent services and amenities while relaxing in total comfort.

For your truly lavish cruise holidays, why not select Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 ship? Measuring some 1,132 feet long and with 14 decks, there’s certainly plenty to see and do, whether it’s indulging in high-end cuisine at the Queens Grill restaurant or watching a play at the 1,000-seater Royal Court Theatre.

Other features include a cinema, onboard gym and library, while there are also five swimming pools.

A range of suites and rooms are available on the ship, but for a truly sumptuous seafaring experience, you may want to book the Grand Duplex. This 2,249 sq ft two-level suite comes with a complimentary bottle of champagne on arrival, personalized stationery and a bouquet of flowers.

The ship runs a number of itineraries and departs from cities throughout the world; however, typical excursions that leave from Southampton include trips to New York and voyages around northern Europe, calling in at ports such as Hamburg and Oslo.

Cunard’s most recent ship, the Queen Elizabeth, also offers cruisers a sense of luxury. While she only entered service in 2010, the vessel recreates the glamour of high society in the 1930s and 40s, with its private members’ club-style bars and the two-tier Britannia dining room, which features a dazzling art deco chandelier.

During your voyage, you can have a range of beauty treatments at the spa, have a flutter at the casino and view the works of Picasso and Dali in the art gallery.

Stay in the Grand Suite and you’ll be able to enjoy priority boarding and receive daily fresh fruit. Booking here also allows you to benefit from complimentary 24-hour room service, while a butler and concierge will be able to attend to your every need.

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas also offers everything you need for your luxury cruise holidays, including a casino, spa and nightclub. There are 2,700 guestrooms, although you may find one of the 28 ultra-modern loft suites makes for a more comfortable stay.

The ship’s entertainment facilities are split into seven distinct ‘neighborhoods’. These include a youth area, which offers a nursery service and activity centre for children, and a pool and sports zone, which incorporates mini-golf, whirlpools and a zip-line.

Book a voyage on the Norwegian Epic and you’ll find the facilities it offers equal to that located in any bustling modern city.

Indeed, you’ll be able to visit a bowling alley during your time at sea, see some live music at the jazz club, take in a theater show or watch a stand-up comedian perform. You can also sample a wide range of cuisine while onboard, with everything from Italian and Chinese eateries to pizzerias and American-style steakhouses on offer.

However, it is perhaps the ship’s luxury suites that make it really stand out. Book the Deluxe Owner’s Suite and you’ll have a private balcony, king-size bed and a fully-equipped bathroom that comes with a shower and whirlpool tub.

Among the ship’s typical itineraries are voyages around the Caribbean, taking in destinations such as St Thomas and the Bahamas, and excursions through the Mediterranean, stopping off at cities including Naples and Barcelona.

Alternatively you may want to select MSC Cruises’ Fantasia ship, which embarks on cruises to the Mediterranean all year round.

Shops, a 4D cinema and hydro-massage pools are just some of the facilities at your disposal while you sail, although for a really luxurious cruise you may want to become a member of the MSC Yacht Club. Doing so will you give exclusive use of an a la carte French restaurant and the services of a concierge.

And as it is the first cruise ship in the world to have a floor made from Swarovski crystals, you can be sure of being able to enjoy a truly top-class holiday while onboard.