The Style and Beauty Doctor
Beauty & Health

5 Reasons to Visit Medellín, Colombia

Last week I was invited to Medellín as part of a press group asked to report on Colombia Fashion Week. I knew I was going to enjoy the fashion shows, but I also fell head over heels in love with Medellín and would highly recommend a visit. Here’s why…

1. The fashion. Fashion is big business in Medellín. Over 30,000 people attended Colombiamoda runway shows last week! Obviously I visited during a time when people were on their fashion A-game, but Medellín (which can rightfully be called one of the fashion capitals of South America) is a great hub for inspiration. I found myself adopting some of the fashion trends I saw there—elaborate bib necklaces, bright colors, bold prints—plus eco-conscious fashion brands are quite rampant. Since new trade agreements are on the way, we can expect to see a lot more from the country.

Bernaveu. Image via planb.com.co

2. The food. Sorry vegetarians, many of the typical dishes you’ll find in Colombia aren’t exactly tailored to you. But for carnivores, this place is meat heaven. I had the most succulent grilled chicken (drenched in butter *Homer Simpson drool*) at a restaurant called Bernaveu in Medellín while I drank cerveza and watched fútbol on the big screen.

Then there was the delicious traditional Colombian breakfast at Triada which included blood sausages, buñellos (fried dough balls that can be served as is or filled with meat or cheese), and chocolate con queso (yep, hot chocolate with cheese).

I also enjoyed Mystique, a molecular gastronomy restaurant where you can watch as the chef designs your food. The lobster ravioli (ravioli de longosta) was pretty tasty as were the assortment of desserts. The other people in my group seemed to have really enjoyed the ceviche de pescado.



buñello stuffed with goat cheese

And of course you cannot go to Colombia without having a cup of coffee. I had a traditional cup at Triada that was served with mint as well as a latte at a little shop a few blocks away (sorry, I forgot the name and didn’t have 3G/wifi at the time to check in on Foursquare), but I also had some café con leche at Juan Valdez.

Another typical Colombian hot drink I tried was chocolate con queso (hot chocolate with cheese). I’m of the “cheese on anything is good” variety, so I had to indulge. The cheese added to the hot chocolate didn’t alter the flavor of the cocoa, but I was told the surprise is when you get to the end of the cup. I didn’t want to chew the cheese that settled at the bottom of my cup so I settled on not being surprised…lol. Still a fun experience though.

3. The people. OMG. Every single person I came across in Medellín was extremely charming. One thing I loved is that after you say gracias to anything, they reply with con mucho gusto (with much pleasure/it was my pleasure). Sure it’s English translation is not as appealing, but I felt so high class any time someone said it…lol. Everyone I encountered with my 70% Spanish speaking self was very patient and agreed to speak slowly so I could follow along with the conversation…lol.

Not to mention the reaction I got when I was at the Plaza Mayor (think Lincoln Center at NYFW). Countless people stopped me to ask to take my picture (I swear it was my big Chaka Khan hair…lol) which NEVER happens here in NYC…lol. Even random people I encountered outside of Colombiamoda were all smiles and very friendly.

Oh—this is of course not to go unmentioned. The women in Medellín? GORGEOUS. Sure it’s no secret there are a section of them who opt for enhancements via plastic surgery, but I saw a ton of beauties there. Good thing I’m secure with myself or I could have easily come home with a bigger booty and smaller boobs. Oh, and some lypo on my thighs. lol

4. The weather. Medellín is known for it’s permanent spring—yep it’s moderate weather year-round there. I was told it can get cold at night, but found I didn’t really need a jacket. People were saying it was warmer during Colombiamoda than it normally is, but thankfully it was a drier heat. Humidity can be such a downer so I’m glad we didn’t encounter any of it…lol.

5. The shopping. The shopping! I stayed at the Hotel Royal Medellín and the Santa Fe mall was just a hop, skip, and a jump away. This HUGE mall hosts more than 400 stores ranging from fast fashion faves like Zara and luxury brands like Carolina Herrera. I promised myself I didn’t need to buy anything during my trip, but came home with bags filled with accessories. SMH.

There was also an entire NYX Cosmetics store in the mall.

All in all I was very impressed with Medellín and would definitely return again to be able to see more of Colombia outside of fashion week. When I told family and friends I was going on this trip, they were worried about my safety having heard the hundreds of stories about the city’s past with drugs and violence. I honestly felt safer in Medellín than I do in parts of NYC (and I’m a native New Yorker smh). Much of this new beauty and safety can be attributed to former mayor and now governor Sergio Fajardo. I always knew there had to be something special about this place because anyone I met who was of Colombian descent in NYC was always happy when they could return home. Now I see exactly why ;)

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25 Comments

  4. Andrea
    August 5, 2012 / 5:23 pm

    Um, Danielle, I think you definitely repped us well down in Colombia, so I bet some of those folks who met you are probably plotting to come to the US!! I’m sure that between you and Michelle Obama, they are pretty excited…

    Don’t change a thing!!

    Oh, and next time you go to South America, hit up Peru, it is the TRUTH!!

    Reply
    • Danielle
      Author
      August 5, 2012 / 10:47 pm

      Awww—thanks, Andrea…lol.

      One of my friends is from Peru—I’d love to visit! I need to travel to all the other countries in SA :)

      Reply
  7. @juancamiloviana
    August 7, 2012 / 3:32 pm

    RT @colombiatravele: Top 5 reasons to visit #Medellin incl “extremely charming” people and “permanent spring” weather http://t.co/DT2ILVhk @StyleNBeautyDoc

    Reply
  9. @ViajesChapinero
    August 8, 2012 / 3:52 pm

    RT @colombia_travel: [En] Top 5 reasons to visit #Medellin incl people and “permanent spring” weather http://t.co/eydgZXHu @StyleNBeautyDoc #ColombiainLondon

    Reply
  10. @YiiYii_W
    August 8, 2012 / 4:13 pm

    RT @colombia_travel: [En] Top 5 reasons to visit #Medellin incl people and “permanent spring” weather http://t.co/eydgZXHu @StyleNBeautyDoc #ColombiainLondon

    Reply
  11. @cristi96gaviria
    August 8, 2012 / 4:33 pm

    RT @colombia_travel: [En] Top 5 reasons to visit #Medellin incl people and “permanent spring” weather http://t.co/eydgZXHu @StyleNBeautyDoc #ColombiainLondon

    Reply
  12. @nanansepulveda
    August 8, 2012 / 9:37 pm

    RT @colombia_travel: [En] Top 5 reasons to visit #Medellin incl people and “permanent spring” weather http://t.co/eydgZXHu @StyleNBeautyDoc #ColombiainLondon

    Reply
  17. @HOTELLACAVA1
    September 19, 2012 / 12:43 am

    RT @colombia_travel: [En] Top 5 reasons to visit #Medellin incl people and “permanent spring” weather http://t.co/eydgZXHu by @StyleNBea …

    Reply
  20. @LuzhnarO
    September 19, 2012 / 4:06 am

    RT @colombia_travel: [En] Top 5 reasons to visit #Medellin incl people and “permanent spring” weather http://t.co/eydgZXHu by @StyleNBea …

    Reply
  24. @KolorHotel
    September 22, 2012 / 11:12 am

    RT @colombia_travel: [En] Top 5 reasons to visit #Medellin incl people and “permanent spring” weather http://t.co/eydgZXHu by @StyleNBeautyDoc

    Reply

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