| are many reasons that people go on Cuba holidays | | | | it’s a tourist hotspot – and the prices |
| – the sun, sands, culture and beauty are all | | | | reflect this – but it’s worth a visit to |
| major draws, but perhaps the main reason for the | | | | sample the legendary Daiquiri cocktails that the author |
| island’s popularity is based on its infamous | | | | himself was so fond of. |
| history. Of course it’s not all about the | | | | Cuevas Del Indio |
| revolution, and there’s plenty for history | | | | Cuevas Del Indio (The Caves of the Indian) is named |
| buffs to see on a tour of Cuba. Here are some of | | | | after the Indian remains once found within. If that |
| the historical sites that you should consider seeing | | | | has intrigued you enough to learn more then you can |
| when visiting the island: | | | | explore the caves either with a guide or on your |
| San Salvador de la Punta Fortress | | | | own. It is four kilometres long, but only the first |
| Located in the bay of Havana, this 16th century | | | | kilometre can be traversed on foot – after |
| fortress was an important strategic entrance to the | | | | that a motorised boat will take you further into the |
| harbour. The years have been cruel to the fortress, | | | | cave which is home to bats, opaque fish and blind |
| with a 1595 hurricane doing severe damage before | | | | crustaceans. |
| the English expedition took further toll upon the | | | | Playa Giron |
| construction in 1762. It was fully restored in 1997 and | | | | The Bay of Pigs was of course an important scene |
| is now quite the tourist attraction, and well worth a | | | | from Cuba’s revolutionary history. The Bay of |
| visit when on holiday in Cuba. | | | | Pigs Invasion took place in April 1961, when a CIA |
| Cathedral of Havana | | | | backed invasion attempted to overthrow Fidel |
| Known locally as the Cathedral de San Cristobal de La | | | | Castro. When all the invaders had been defeated, |
| Havana, the Cathedral is a fine example of baroque | | | | Castro officially announced that the revolution was a |
| architecture. One of the more unusual features is | | | | success, and US-Cuban relations went from strained |
| noticeable when looking at the asymmetrical towers | | | | to hostile. Nowadays, little remains of the original |
| – one of which is significantly wider than the | | | | village but there are a handful of references to the |
| other in order to aid the flow of rain water more | | | | past bloodshed – from memorials to the |
| easily. It’s a wonderful sight, and is perhaps | | | | Cubans who lost their lives, to the museum and |
| best described by the Cuban novelist Alejo | | | | Castro’s quote at the written on the |
| Carpentier: “music set in stone.” | | | | entrance to the village: the Bay of Pigs was the |
| Jose Marti’s Birthplace | | | | “first defeat of Yankee imperialism”. |
| Jose Marti is a national hero in Cuba – a writer, | | | | History buffs should really pay the Bay of Pigs a visit |
| activist, poet and revolutionary who died fighting | | | | on their holiday in Cuba. |
| against the Spanish. It’s no surprise that the | | | | Moncada Barracks |
| house where he was born is kept as a homage and | | | | On July 26 1953, the Mondcada Barracks were |
| museum to the man. Anyone with any interest in | | | | attacked by a small group of Cubans led by Fidel |
| Cuban history should drop by here and take in the | | | | Castro, signifying the beginning of the Cuban |
| many exhibits that chronicle his life. | | | | Revolution. July 26 was adopted as the name of |
| Iglesia de Espiritu Santo | | | | Castro’s revolutionary movement, and the |
| The oldest church in Havana, built in 1638 by slaves | | | | date is still celebrated in Cuba. The attack failed, and |
| who would later buy their own freedom, is a must | | | | Castro was imprisoned for his involvement, before |
| see for those on a tour of Cuba’s historical | | | | the successful revolution occurred years later. |
| sites. Appropriately given its heritage, it’s the | | | | Nowadays the barracks house a school and the |
| only church in Havana that’s able to grant | | | | Museum of the Revolution – a fascinating stop |
| political asylum. Those visiting will be able to enjoy a | | | | on any Cuba holiday. |
| handful of memorable paintings, alongside the | | | | Morro Castle |
| catacombs beneath the church when accompanied | | | | Majestically guarding the entrance to Havana bay is |
| by a guide. | | | | the picturesque Morro Castle. Built in 1589 to prevent |
| El Floridita | | | | raids on the harbour, it eventually fell to the British in |
| While it’s fair to say that the most famous | | | | 1762 who attacked it from the rear from high |
| bar and restaurant in Havana is living off its | | | | ground. When the island was returned to the Spanish |
| connections with Hemmingway, it remains an | | | | a year later, they built the fort at La Cabana to |
| important stop on your tour of Cuba. With its 1950s | | | | prevent it falling so easily again. |
| décor and Hemingway memorabilia, | | | | |