Cuba’s turbulent past and defiant political stance have imbued it with an undeniable mystique - but beyond its historical intrigue, there’s plenty more to discover and enjoy about this unique travel destination. The island is like one of its ubiquitous vintage cars - shabby but chic, erratic and unpredictable, and ultimately loveable. Fine cigars, salsa dancing, Afro-Latin beats - all these things and many more contribute to Cuba’s one-of-a-kind flavour. Highlights include the glittering capital city, Havana, where you can dance the night away in salsa clubs, or marvel at the crumbling beauty of colonial buildings on a stroll through town; the laid-back little town of Vinales, surrounded by tropical landscapes studded with bulbous limestone karsts; the terracotta buildings of historical Trinidad; and picture-perfect beaches at Varadero, and on the islets of Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Largo del Sur.
As the capital of Cuba, Havana is a remarkably vast, sprawling metropolis. The city’s compelling history is reflected in the astonishing diversity of its architecture, its multicultural inhabitants, and its exotic and eclectic cuisine. The Old Town remains a remarkably well-preserved colonial centre. It is characterised by an exquisite hotchpotch of architectural styles, of opulence and decay, socialism and capitalism, the past and the present. Imperial mansions have been converted into modern tenement buildings, government agencies find homes in eighteenth-century convents and the nostalgic classic American cars for which the city is known share Havana’s lively streets with the latest models of BMW and Mercedes. While the UNESCO-funded restoration programme has introduced a modicum of modernity into the city, Havana has managed to retain its wonderfully quirky cultural heritage, its unique character, and its undeniable charm.
Las Terrazas is a small community that was originally founded as an eco-village in 1968. Today it has evolved into a burgeoning and vibrant community with many artists, workshops and open studios, as well as a well-visited activity centre. Nestled amidst 5 000 hectares of a forest nature reserve in the Sierra del Rosario Mountains, the area is rich in plant and animal life. Due to its unique location on the site of Cuba's earliest coffee plantation, the town has been named a protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike, numerous footpaths and trails crisscrossing the lush area make the profusion of lakes and waterfalls accessible.
On Cuba’s spectacular Caribbean coast, sandwiched between the pristine white sand beaches of Player Ancon and the towering Sierra Escambray mountain, lies the impossibly pretty town of Trinidad. This perfectly preserved Spanish colonial town is centred around the bustling Plaza Mayor, a historic plaza and an open-air museum of colonial architecture. The city’s charming old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring a glorious maze of narrow cobbled streets lined with pastel-coloured houses and impressive colonial-era edifices such as the Santísima Trinidad Cathedral and Convento de San Francisco. Visitors can look forward to exploring the glittering Palacio Brunet which houses the impressive Museo Romantico; browsing the lovely artisan street markets; or discovering the breathtaking wildlife and waterfalls of Topes de Collantes, an enormous nature reserve just beyond the city.
Visitors tend to come to Varadero for the uninterrupted 20km stretch of white sandy beaches and stunning turquoise sea and stay for the colourful rum-filled cocktails and fabulously friendly locals. This elongated island is a relatively exclusive part of Cuba, abundant with private hotel resorts and the country's only full golf course. Whether you choose to marvel at the wildlife at the Varahicacos Ecological Reserve, stroll down the makeshift bar strewn walkways of Josone Park, or plonk yourself down in the sun on a deckchair with a mojito, this island paradise is a great place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the dusty streets of Cuba.
