Freshly arrived from France, in the Drôme, after crossing the Atlantic, here I am in Colombia to join the Terra Colombia team. My suitcases have just been set down in Pereira, and it’s with a beautiful day in the coffee region that I take my first steps with the agency. I’ll take you with us!
Discovering a charming hacienda
Waking up early, we set off for the town of Armenia, from where we took a dirt road to the remote hacienda. The 2-hour drive is well worth it, as we discover the hotel and its tranquil natural surroundings, and are warmly welcomed as soon as we step out of the car by the staff, who serve us a fresh mandarin juice. We’re then treated to a buffet breakfast with a variety of dishes (fruit, yoghurt, cereals, brioche, bread, cheese, ham, etc.) and an à la carte dish (from fried eggs to pancakes) cooked by the hotel chef. The meal is hearty and there’s something for everyone. Surrounded by superb scenery andlocal birds, this breakfast is not only delicious for the taste buds, but also for the eyes!
Once we’ve eaten, we explore the house built of bamboo, clay and guaduas (a type of bamboo known as the largest Neotropical bamboo). The beautiful house, however, retains the typical style of houses in the coffee region. The mountains of the Andes on the horizon, the swimming pool, the works of art hanging on the walls and the books available make this place very charming. We’ve all been won over by this combination of rustic comfort and contemporary art.
Nature walk
After discovering this beautiful hacienda, we set off to explore its property accompanied by a specialist guide. Along the way, we discover banana trees, the bright colors of local flowers and a cocoa farm. We end our walk in a forest of guaduas. After a few minutes’ walk, we are surprised to discover a picnic table with refreshments. A much-appreciated finishing touch that made quite an impact!
Horseback riding in the Risaralda Valley
We then head off to a typical coffee-region hacienda in Pereira for a horseback ride. On the backs of the horses, we admire the landscapes of the Risaralda Valley. Halfway along the route, we stop for a gourmet picnic prepared with great care. The meal is served on a table covered with a traditional red-and-white-checkered tablecloth – kitschy, but we like it! Accompanied by a glass of wine, we continue to enjoy this privileged moment. We get back on our horses and finish our 2-hour ride.
What a beautiful day, with plenty of sunshine and much appreciated attention to detail! We’re sure you’ll love it too!
