Enclosed within a protective wall reaching up to 20 metres in width, the Ciudad Amurallada (or Walled City) is Cartagena's old beating heart. Packed with well-preserved colonial buildings, it's a pleasure to stroll through; its streets of colourful low-rise merchant homes marked by iconic balconies are now mostly walked by either tourists or students who attend classes at the University of Cartagena during the day and linger for meals and nightlife after school is out. Cafes in Plaza Aduana and Plaza Santo Domingo teem with patrons, forging an incredibly jovial atmosphere; the districts of San Diego and El Centro are two not to be missed. There is plenty of food and shopping to be had, with a mixed bag of world-class restaurants and street food hawkers and the incredibly photogenic palenqueras — women dressed in vibrantly coloured clothing selling fruit in the streets — images of whom have become emblematic of Colombia as a travel destination.

Lying on the former northern defence line of the city, this English-style public park is a beloved place for outdoor activities, be it a walk, a picnic or duck watching. Adorned with magnificent foliage and ponds, the park also serves as a backdrop to vibrant cultural events, most notably the Noorderzon Performing Arts Festival in August.

The famous composer Donizetti was born in Bergamo, and lived there from 1806 to 1815. An opera festival is dedicated to him and it takes place at the Donizetti Theater in Bergamo every year from September to December.