Cruisin’ with FROGS —
from Barranquilla to Cartagena
Mindy Nash, FROGS Board member
Group photo in CaliIn June of 2025, a group of adventurous travelers embarked in Barranquilla on a riverboat cruise aboard the AmaMelodia and, over the next several days, explored towns and villages along the Magdalena River. The first ports of call were Nueva Venecia and Santa Bárbara de Pinto, followed by a few days in historic Mompox, a UNESCO World Heritage site for its preserved colonial architecture. The cruise continued through the picturesque towns of El Banco, Magangue, and Calamar, stopping for daily excursions before concluding in the vibrant city of Cartagena.
Exploring the WetlandsOur band of travelers went on historic walking tours, explored the Ciénaga de Pijiño—a wetland filled with mangrove forests and diverse wildlife—and La Mojana, another wetland formed at the confluence of 3 rivers, one being the Magdalena. Some of the tour highlights included a Cumbia folk dance performance, a hands-on silver jewelry-making workshop, and birdwatching.
Traditional Cumbra Dance
Our group enjoyed their final day of the cruise in Cartagena, exploring the colonial architecture of the Walled City, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Getsemaní neighborhood with its colorfully painted houses. As the sun set over Cartagena, our adventurers enjoyed a lovely farewell dinner and marked the close of their Colombian adventure.
Jewelry-making WorkshopPre-tour postscript: Some intrepid travelers opted for the pre-tour of 5 nights in Cali and 3 nights in Barranquilla, relaxing pre-cruise and exploring the city sights, and in Cali, stopping by the giant cat sculpture in the Gato de Tejada Park, and the unique experience of feeding hummingbirds.
Hummingbird FeedingThroughout their journey, our travelers enjoyed the utmost comfort and luxury of a riverboat cruise, returning to the ship after touring villages or exploring wetlands to enjoy fine dining, cultural performances, and those incredible panoramic river views!
Evening view of the shore from the Riverboat
Credit and thank-yous to Cynthia Siegel and Cliff Burke for photos and tour details.
Group photo at Gato de Tejada Park, Cali
Upcoming Tours in 2026
FROGS Tours are arranged to benefit FROGS
France: AVIGNON TO LYON — Rhône River Cruise, April 12-19, 2026. 8 days / 7 nights aboard the Riverside Ravel. This tour is designed for travelers seeking leisurely sightseeing and an unhurried pace. Enjoy warm sunshine, exquisite food and wine, and unforgettable sights on this enchanting Rhône River journey. Go to the webpage for more information.
Guatemala: The Lost World, November 15-24, 2026. Discover the heart and soul of Guatemala, where colonial charm, Maya Heritage, and jungle wonders await. Embark on an extraordinary journey to Guatemala's most captivating treasures, thoughtfully created by GeoNatura Tours for the discerning traveler. Information will be posted to the FROGS website soon, or you can view the promotional brochure here.
For more information about these tours, please reach out to Kathy Trichel, travel chair, at 703-919-7705 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or our travel partner, Cruisin' with Cynthia and Howard L.L.C., at 561-596-7426 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
FROGS Travel Program
The travel program arranged to benefit FROGS began as a way to allow members and Green Spring staff an opportunity to expand their knowledge by exploring gardens and landscapes in other parts of the world. The trips have offered access to some of the finest guides and experts in their fields while providing a tax-deductible donation to FROGS. Tour groups are typically kept small, usually with a maximum of about 16-20 travelers. Past tours have traveled to Costa Rica, the Netherlands (Holland), France, Northern Italy, Colombia River Cruise, Iceland, and San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. All tours are arranged to benefit FROGS.
