Bogota, Colombia - The Commissioner of International Slow Pitch Softball,  Manuel T. Ferrero III, visited Bogota, Colombia to bring ISPS events to the South American country.

Escorted by officials from the Mayor's office, the National Tourism Board - ProColombia, and the Bogota Convention Bureau, Commissioner Ferrero was able to visit sports complexes, potential host hotels, and experience local culture.

The first stop was a visit to the ECOPETROL sports club where Commissioner Ferrero toured the grounds and complex.

ECOPETROL is a private sports club that features a softball field with event space and a restaurant on site.

It is centrally located with a guarded gated entry for security and privacy.

Plenty of parking space and event space for awards ceremonies and managers' meetings.

Director Fredy Jaramillo was gracious to join the ISPS Commissioner for the tour of the facility.

ISPS also had the honor to visit and tour the SALITRE SPORTS COMPLEX.

The SALITRE, locally known as UNIDAD DEPORTIVA EL SALITRE, is a full complete sports complex.

It is the official training facilities for the Colombian Olympic athletes for almost every Summer Olympics sports.

It features an official softball field and baseball field which could both be used for ISPS events.

Director Paez accompanied Commissioner Ferrero on the tour of the sports complex.

The largest and most complete in Colombia and considered one of the best in all of South America, the BOGOTA BOTANICAL GARDENS is a place not to miss.

Located next to the SALITRE SPORTS COMPLEX, the BOGOTA BOTANICAL GARDENS features some of the rarest plants from Colombia and around the world.

Also many native plants including some of the tallest palm tree species on the planet.

Learn about the MALOCA House and the special way of entering the sacred structure.  Very interesting stuff.

You may also get the chance to become one with nature and learn how to love and care for the planet through special nature ceremonies.  You may just make a new plant friend.

Make sure you schedule enough time to wander the grounds and get lost in the beauty, as the tour had to be cut short due to a tight itinerary.

It is definitely a must when in Bogota.

ISPS Commissioner Ferrero was able to visit various potential host hotels including SHERATON, DOUBLETREE, COSMOS, BOGOTA PLAZA, NH COLLECTION HACIENDA ROYAL, EK HOTEL, HILTON GARDEN INN, HYATT PLACE, GRAND HYATT.

The visit also included a tour of PLAZA DE LA CONCORDIA where they sampled exquisite Colombian cuisine and watched a folkloric dance performance.

After all the food and dance take a stroll through the local indoor market and you'll find artisanal art, fruits, and more from around Colombia.

La Candelaria is where Bogota began.  It is the oldest part of the city and a must for anyone visiting Bogota.

La Candelaria consists of many narrow streets full of street art and graffiti.  A great stop to update your Instagram full of amazing photos.

Take a Graffiti tour or explore on your own.  This is a magical place in Bogota.

In continuing the tour of Bogota, Commissioner Ferrero took a tour of the popular ZONA T (T ZONE).  Zona T is named for the T-shaped street located in the center of the area.

Famous for great nightlife and high-end restaurants and nightclubs.

The tour continued to ANDRES D.C. where Commissioner Ferrero was honored.  More amazing food and atmosphere in ANDRES D.C. where each floor is a depiction of the levels of INFERNO from DANTE's book THE DIVINE COMEDY.

The coconut lemonade is superb!  The food is first class! 

The most interesting and informative coffee class in all of Bogota.

Learn from the masters themselves about the differences in coffees.  See different brewing techniques and get to taste (and critique) different coffees and learn about their own uniqueness.

Commissioner Manuel T. Ferrero III attended the course and graduated as an official San Alberto Master Coffee Expert.

Colombia is no longer the same country from the past.  Guerilla Wars and drug lords have been replaced with Art, Food, and Culture open to the world.

The warmth of the people.  The beauty of the country.  And the uniqueness of the culture makes Colombia an amazing destination to host ISPS events.

Stay tuned for more as we plan events in Colombia starting in 2022.