This add-on covers the price difference for an extra day of fun in Colombia including lunch, dinner, and a day trip to San Basilio de Palenque. Jowan is the best.
Hello, my name is Jowan (Jo-Ann). As a former athlete, I had the opportunity to travel and experience parts of the world through sport from a young age. These were some amazing and unique opportunities, but I wasn’t truly afforded the time to experience the cultures and people around me. These snippets of exposure only fueled my wanderlust for travel as I got older. The passion I had for movement lead me to take a leap of faith in 2012 to move to New York and become a personal trainer. Living amongst and working with so many people from around the world, I have found myself craving to indulge in as many cultures as I possibly can. In the many conversations with my clients about travel I have found that when they go on vacation, they either never leave the resort or they are doing all of the things and come back exhausted. Over the past few years I have wanted to create intentional experiences when traveling that blends access to personalized movement, local foods, culture and the right amount of rest so that your vacation is an extension of your life and not a vacation from it.
Travel with me?
E-mail: jowan.ortega@gmail.com
Are you someone who enjoys working hard and playing just as hard? If so, come along on a 6-day getaway to Cartagena, Colombia that will hone your health and wellness practice, along with showing you the city’s famous sites and gastronomic delights. Jowan will help you strengthen your fitness journey, all while partaking in the local culture. Enjoy a Caribbean cooking class, guided city tour, Rosario Islands cruise, and sunset kayaking adventure. With free time to explore and group dinners at some of the hottest spots in town, you’ll leave Cartagena motivated to continue your movement routine, longing for your next adventure. Book now, and start planning an epic journey to Colombia’s beating heart.
Cartagena welcomes you with open arms! This city has been crowned as the indisputable queen of the Caribbean, and considering it’s where architectural and urban heritage mingle like no other place in the world, with the vibes of African legacy and indigenous remnants, it’s a well-deserved title! The Old Town, one of the best-preserved in the region, showcases a series of remarkable works of colonial architecture that accommodate, among other things, bars and restaurants which offer exquisite gastronomic experiences. Therefore, it's not surprising that the city has been named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Upon arrival, we’ll take our transfer from the airport to the hotel and have ample time to get settled. Explore the city, rest from your travels, and breathe in the new start that’s coming your way.
At 8:00 pm, you’ll meet up with the group at Juan del Mar. Located in the San Diego Plaza, the heart of the walled-city, Juan del Mar is a local favorite. Enjoy a menu that blends together the taste of Caribbean cuisine with the roots of Mediterranean gastronomy. From starters to dessert and unlimited wine, you’ll have everything you need for the perfect evening to get to know your group and kick this trip off right!
Rise and shine! It’s our first full day in Cartagena and you have a choice of how you want to start your day. You can get your blood pumping with a personalized 1:1 session with Jowan or have a leisurely start to your day before indulging in a delicious breakfast spread at the hotel. From here, you’ll have ample free time explore the city at your own pace with more time for a 1:1 with Jowan.
At 4:00 pm, we’ll meet back up with the group and see all the major sites on a guided city tour! Discover the stories, beauty, and culture of the iconic city of Cartagena with a tour through the historic center and its most popular streets, passing through the monumental stone walls and fortifications. Visit the colorful neighborhood of Getsemaní, where you’ll enjoy local fruits and beverages, and walk the tunnels and bastions of the renowned San Felipe Castle. Enjoy an inspiring tour where you'll learn about the colonial period, the influence of the city on the Afro-Colombian community, and why Cartagena is known as the 'jewel of the Caribbean'.
After our tour, we’ll come together with a local chef and uncover the secrets of authentic Caribbean cuisine. Enjoy a traditional drink, explore the fresh ingredients that you’ll use, and learn how to prepare a four-course menu that’ll delight your palate and surprise your guests when you cook for them at home. This is an experience for foodies and lovers of Colombian traditional cuisine. The best part? We’ll get to indulge in all the food we prepare!
Start the day in the gym with your group and refuel with a delicious breakfast spread to prepare you for an incredible adventure ahead. You’ll spend the entire day on the water while you cruise around the pristine Rosario Islands! Feel the thrill of the sea and don't be afraid to jump from the boat! Enjoy the best gastronomic flavors of the Colombian coast during a traditional lunch, and loosen up to the Caribbean vibes. Get ready for an afternoon on the beach, sailing, and swimming in one of Colombia's most idyllic archipelagos.
Once you return to the hotel, you’ll have some free time to freshen up before a dinner in town. Spend a great night at Casa Cruxada, a complex and rich nightclub with different environments to choose from. Start with a three-course dinner at Ocasus, a restaurant with a wood-fired oven, grill, and tiki bar. After dining on an exclusive patio and enjoying Caribbean music, go up to the second floor to find Osteria Alta, an electronic music nightclub where you can have an unforgettable party with one of the best electronic DJs in the city. Dance until the sun comes up!
We have a stellar schedule for you to enjoy today! Start the day focused on fitness with an opportunity to get in a 1:1 session with Jowan. With ample free time to explore, you can grab a bite to eat at a local cafe for lunch and pick up souvenirs for your loved ones back home.
At 4:00 pm, we’ll reconnect with the group and enjoy a unique kayaking adventure by paddling in the idyllic waters of Cartagena. As the refreshing sea splashes from all directions, admire the incredible landscape embellished by the island of Tierra Bomba, which you'll see from the beaches of Castillo Grande. After basking in the Caribbean warmth, return just in time to experience an unforgettable sunset aboard your kayak.
We’ll return to the hotel to freshen up then head back out for a delicious dinner.
It's our last full day of the trip, so we're going to live it up one more time in celebration of our adventures. For today, we've got a day trip planned to San Basilio de Palenque, the first free town in South America. As you may have guessed, there's an immense amount of history to explore here. Stroll through the city streets and simply enjoy learning about the music, traditions, and culture that makes San Basilio de Palenque so unique. We'll also grab lunch while there, giving us a chance to sample the amazing local cuisine. Afterwards, we'll head back to the hotel and head to a farewell dinner. Here, we can reflect on a great trip together and align our health and wellness goals for the return trip home. Grab a drink and toast to a successful fitness retreat with new friends and new experiences!
It’s been a stellar five days in Cartagena, but unfortunately, it’s time to say goodbye. After breakfast, pack up and take your transfer to the airport to catch your flight. We hope you had an unforgettable experience and wish you luck on your health and wellness journey.