Colonia, Uruguay

Another great excursion that I got to experience was a trip to Colonia, Uruguay. This small, touristy city on the river was absolutely charming and was a great way to spend a cloudy Saturday! We arrived to Colonia by boat, which was about an hour ride on the river. While it was fairly cloudy outside, the boat ride was still smooth and it was nice to be able to enjoy the river while we were arriving at our destination. 

When we arrived, the tour guide showed us around the old town, which had been tossed back and forth between Spanish and Portuguese ruling many times in the past. There were many notable differences between Spanish and Portuguese reign, including architecture, artwork, and even crops that grew. The houses were very small, but incredibly charming. We even were able to experience one of the homes that had been remodeled to replicate exactly what one of these homes would have looked like when people were actually living in it. 

Throughout the cobblestone streets of Colonia, there were vendors selling homemade scarves, blankets, trinkets, and other items. While there were touristy stores as well, selling the typical souvenirs, there were also authentic, handmade souvenirs available, which was something that set Colonia apart from most areas in the bustling city of Buenos Aires. 

Overall, Colonia, Uruguay was a terrific way to get away from the business of the city and to experience another country. It was so interesting to me how different Uruguay and Argentina seem, even though the two nations are right next to each other. The charm and aesthetic of this city will certainly bring me back someday!