Four Seasons Bogota and Casa Medina have designed a series of events for guests to grasp Bogotá’s identity, and to immerse through their senses in moments and places that are essentially Colombian. Among them, private city tours and trips to key cultural landscapes, culinary and wellness sessions, and signature experiences.
Cuisine and Spirits
A cocktail-making class of the most popular handcrafted drinks of Castanyoles – Casa Medina’s restaurant – is available with a previous reservation, under the guidance of the Hotel’s skillful bartenders. Cooking classes are also offered for adults, focused on Colombian dishes with native ingredients; and for kids, a series of easier, fun recipes, led by Four Seasons chefs. As Colombian as it gets, there is coffee-tasting too. The house encourages guests to schedule a session with expert baristas in alliance with Tropicália, its coffee roaster house ally, to bring the best specialty coffees coming from a number of small local farms.
Wellness
There is always a way of having a retreat, even without much time. Yoga and Pilates are excellent ways of relaxing by connecting body and mind through breathing, stretching, and finding a peaceful rhythm. Guests can book a session to work on physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayamas), and meditation exercises.
On the other hand, the magic of a birth chart reading is one of the experiences offered at the two Four Seasons properties in Bogota. Understanding the influence of the stars on people's lives and personalities can be fun and interesting.
Finally, to chill, laugh, and move the body in an energizing therapeutic way, guests can schedule a salsa class with a professional teacher, without leaving the Hotel. As with coffee, fruits, sweetness, and beautiful sights, salsa is an important part of the country’s soul, so learning the basic steps over drinks and local food bites is a perfect choice.
Things to Do
Visitors can book a market tour to Paloquemao, one of the biggest and most colourful farmers markets in Bogota, located on the west side of the city, with around 1200 stalls and 50 years of existence, and where people can find dozens of types of fruits, vegetables, fish, dairy, flowers, spices, preserves, pickles, traditional snacks and Colombian dishes such as tamales, lechona, arepas, and pandebonos, to name just a few.
The Hotels also offer a private tour of the Zipaquirá Salt Cathedral located in the municipality of Cundinamarca, 30 miles (48 kilometres) north of the capital. The Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church built 200 metres (650 feet) underground using the tunnels of a salt mine with deposits formed 250 million years ago. It is one of the main tourist attractions of the Cundiboyacense region for the type of construction it entails and being an icon of Catholic devotion.
A private tour to Guatavita lagoon can be booked as well. This sacred place, situated on the northern outskirts of the city, is the site of the El Dorado legend that encouraged Spanish conquistadores to travel to these lands in the search of gold and other treasures. The lagoon and its surrounding area are also an ecological reserve and its waters are used to sail and ski, so it is both recreational and symbolic.
On the historic side, a private tour of the city is a great option as well. The visit includes iconic places in the colonial neighbourhood of La Candelaria such as Monserrate, the Gold Museum, Plaza de Bolívar, the Botero Museum, and antique houses and shops.
And because the capital brings foods from different regions of the country, a chef’s tour is an appealing option for guests travelling by themselves or for groups. A Four Seasons licensed guide (and foodie) will take them to delicious spots that showcase local dishes from modern downtown to the historic old town.
Signature Experiences
The Four Seasons helicopter journeys are unique experiences that can transport guests in minutes to the magic of the historic town of Zipaquirá, or the heritage towns of Villa de Leyva and Barichara. This is certainly an opportunity to see some of the most beautiful landscapes of the country and to hear the story of their inhabitants.
A trip to a coffee plantation is another exceptional signature adventure that will leave visitors with a wonderful memory of Colombia. La Trinidad coffee farm, just two hours away from Bogota, will allow them to learn about the harvesting process, methods of preparation, and tasting skills, enjoying very pleasant flavours and aromas along the way and a pretty view of the region.
For Bookings
All Four Seasons experiences include transport, translation of the language if needed, and full coordination of logistics. They can be booked at +576013257901 or at reservations.bih@fourseasons.com
