Monserrate is a dramatically high mountain over 3,152 metres (10,000 feet) high that dominates the city centre of Bogotá. You can reach the top on foot, but be warned that it won't be the easiest trek of your life because of the altitude. Alternatively, take the cable-car or the funicular. They will safely deliver you to the church with a shrine devoted to El Señor Caído with astonishing views over the city. If you are superstitious, be warned: Colombians believe that couples who visit Monserrate together will never get married.

The National Museum of Colombia is housed in a sprawling 19th century prison built in the style of a fortress. Without a doubt, this is the biggest and oldest museum in Colombia. Permanent exhibitions will introduce you to over 20,000 archaeology and ethnography samples from Colombian treasures dating from 10,000 years BC, up to twentieth century indigenous and Afro-Colombian art and culture. Fine art lovers must not miss the chance to see paintings by masters Débora Arango, Fernando Botero, Enrique Grau, Ignacio Gomez Jaramillo, Santiago Martinez Delgado, Alejandro Obregón, Omar Rayo, Andrés de Santa María and Guillermo Wiedemann.

The EKŌ-House - since 1993 a centre for Japanese culture - consists of a Buddhist temple (the only Japanese temple in Europe), Japanese gardens, a traditional house with tearoom and, since 1999, another building including a library and an international kindergarten. The most important function of the EKŌ-House is the cultural exchange between East and West: Japanese citizens cultivate their traditions and allow local citizens the unique opportunity to participate.

If the weather allows, make some time for the beach - Blackpool's impressive stretch of sand that runs along the coast invites holidaymakers for a picnic, amusing donkey rides, sunbathing and swimming (during the summer). The beach is very clean and well-kept.