Cartagena, on Colombia's Caribbean northern coast, will play host to the world-famous Hay-on-Wye literary festival.
Speakers include Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa, the British Booker Prize-winning novelist Ian McEwan and art historian Simon Schama, and Canadian novelist Michale Ondaatje, author of "The English Patient."
Cartagena's tropical heat and friendly locals make a change from the festival's birthplace in the Welsh mountains, as festival founded Peter Florence told the Associated Press. "The parties in Cartagena are lavish and joyful. There's something thrilling about dancing with new ideas in your head all day, then dancing with the world's hottest women all night."
The walled colonial city, where Gabriel Garcia Marquez spent much of his time, has hosted the annual festival for the last five years. It was established in honor of the Colombian author, because he couldn't travel to attend the Welsh version.
The festival runs from January 28 to 31. For more information, or to buy tickets, click here.
