It takes time to get there – one of those upside-down never-ending journeys which are often the precursors to worthwhile travel experiences. First you have to make your way all the way from Bogota to the bodaciously monikered Bucaramanga. From there, you’re a 3.5 hour drive along the breathtaking Chicamocha Canyon to get to the sleepy yet vibrant town of Barichara, set against the backdrop of the mountains. But the long hours on the road are soon forgotten. Barichara is probably the prettiest town in Colombia – and that’s saying something in comparison with Cartagena itself, a veritable mirage by the sea.

Make your way slowly through town to your hotel, bumping along next to the local rickshaws, which go rattling up the hills and down the cobblestoned streets, themselves as colourful as the brightly painted doorways and shutters on the colonial-era buildings.

There are no big chain hotels in bohemian Barichara and that’s definitely part of the charm. Instead you can stay in the wondrous Casa del President, or the fabulous Yahri, a carefully curated collection of private villas, each thoughtfully decorated with beautiful terraces and privileged views.

Just make sure to give yourselves enough time to soak it all in. There are the quiet, sun-dappled cobblestone streets and piazzas to explore on foot, the colonial architecture with its vibrant colours standing out against white-washed local stone and red-tiled roofs. There’s the beautiful surrounding countryside, a adventure playground with excursions ranging from trekking, rock climbing, mountain biking, white-water rafting and paragliding.