See: Medellin was one of the most violent cities in 1991. You can see the transformation process very well in Medellin. During these two decades we have worked as a city to build more infrastructure, create more jobs, and to be more inclusive. So we have built, for example, escalators (seen to the left) in a neighborhood that is in a mountain, and that’s a way of transportation not like the escalators you see at the mall.”

Taste: Of Medellin’s many dining corridors, Barrio Provenza is said to be the trendiest. The streets are neatly divided by running creeks and lush green bamboo forests and there’s a definite bohemian vibe seen through the street art and diverse restaurant patrons. Think hipsters, backpackers and glamorous jet setters. In Carrera 37, also called Via Primavera, try the paella at the Ole Ole Spanish restaurant; or head two streets north to Mu Ribs on Carrera 34 for what are said to be the best ribs in town.

Experience: “We also have a museum, Casa de la Memoria, where you can learn about what happened in Colombia, because our conflict is the oldest conflict in South America; more than 50 years. So it’s very important to know what happened, not to repeat the story, and to understand,” says Botero Fernandez.

Medellin City Tours offers a 3-hour Street Art Tour in the city’s vibrant barrios. (photo credit: Medellin City Tours)

Day2:

Voted as South America’s Leading City Break Destination 2016 by the World Travel Awards, last year alone, the city welcomed more than 260,000 international visitors, of which, says Botero Fernandez, “30 percent…were from the United States. It’s our biggest market.” There are many draws to visiting Medellin says Botero Fernandez, there’s “culture, nature, you can go to museums, you can enjoy gastronomy, shopping…we’re very good at shopping in Medellin.”

See: “This area was very complicated years ago, but now it’s full of graffiti; young people show the visitors what happened in their neighborhoods; it’s a very interesting culture to experience,” says Botero Fernandez.

Medellin City Tours offers a 3-hour Street Art Tour that takes guests to the city´s most lively barrios on a fully narrated tour with a professional local guide. There, they’ll discover some of Medellin´s most colorful urban art and have free time to walk around and take photos. Tickets cost $11 pp. Commission is available.

Taste: Medellin is blooming with a variety of farmer’s markets, such as Mercados Campesino (seen to the left). Every Sunday morning from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the open air of Parque Presidenta (alongside Dann Carlton Hotel) and Cuidad del Rio (behind the Modern Art Museum), visitors can find merchants selling everything from fresh veggies, breads and spices to sauces and other fresh treats. And for those looking for a to-go snack there’s fresh empanadas, tamales, chorizos and arepas.

Try: Birdwatching at Nutibara Hill. This recreation area and natural lookout just south of downtown Medellin offers 360-degree views of the city. At the top visitors will find Pueblito Paisa, a replica of an Antioquian village.

Silleteros carrying their silletas decorated with flowers depicting the silletero’s history, land, and culture for The Medellin Flower Fair in August. (Photo credit: Medellin.travel)

Experience: “We have a very special heritage that is called the silletero culture; and it is a culture that comes from the people from Santa Elena, that is a part of Medellin in the countryside. These people’s ancestors carried a chair made of wood on their backs with different products, groceries and now it has evolved to flowers. Today we have The Medellin Flower Fairin August. It’s a beautiful event. On the last day we have the silletero parade, where 500 silleteros parade 1.5 miles [through the city streets],” says says Botero Fernandez.