| There's no doubt that Cuba is an amazing holiday | | | | the Cuban experience. |
| destination. Sure, I would say this given my job, but I | | | | Swimming with Dolphins |
| like to think I would be just as enthusiastic about the | | | | Swimming with dolphins is a Cuba holiday experience |
| island, even if my career didn't make it convenient to | | | | like no other, and something which will stay with you |
| want to sell Cuba as a holiday destination! If I were | | | | forever. Various resorts including Varadero and |
| asked to name the main selling point of a holiday to | | | | Holguin offer the activity, while those interested in |
| Cuba rather than anywhere else in the world, it | | | | the mammals, but a little wary of getting too close |
| wouldn't be because of the weather, the history or | | | | can enjoy a dolphin show. |
| even the fine cigars (although all these points are | | | | Bird Watching |
| tempting in their own right), it would be for the huge | | | | Cuba's vast and varied set of endemic bird life means |
| variety of niche activities encouraging travel to Cuba | | | | that the island is a wonderful holiday destination for |
| - an amazing feat for a comparatively small country. | | | | budding bird watchers. Endemic species include the |
| It's a horrible cliché of the travel industry, but | | | | Cuban Green Woodpecker, the Cuban Trogan, the |
| Cuba is an island where there really is something for | | | | Cuban Tody and Cuban Blackbird. If you're lucky, you |
| everyone. | | | | may even see the Bee Hummingbird - though as it's |
| Here's a low-down on some of the niche activities | | | | the smallest bird in the world, the chances are that |
| you can get up to while exploring the niche aspects | | | | you might miss it! |
| of Cuba's tourism: | | | | Golf |
| Salsa Dancing | | | | A less well tapped area of Cuba's tourism industry, |
| Cuba is of course, very much the world's centre of | | | | but what better way of enjoying the Caribbean |
| salsa and there are plenty of options to strut your | | | | sunshine then with a round of golf? Cuba's golf |
| stuff once the sun has set. The bigger cities - | | | | courses are on level ground, covered with well |
| particularly Havana and Santiago de Cuba - where | | | | maintained grass and lakes against a backdrop of |
| there are plenty of larger venues for Cuban holiday | | | | breathtaking hills. Keen golfers will appreciate the |
| makers to dance the night away. If you worry your | | | | spaciousness of the courses, while beginners will be |
| two left feet are going to show you up against the | | | | pleased to seek out the advice of local trainers to |
| naturals, getting lessons in the bigger cities is also | | | | improve their game before getting serious! |
| remarkably easy, and you'll be dancing like a pro in no | | | | Painting |
| time! | | | | It may be unconventional a holiday focus as you can |
| Horse Riding | | | | find, but both budding artists and appreciators of the |
| Sure, this isn't everyone's idea of a dream Cuba | | | | art world will find Cuba a thought provoking backdrop |
| holiday, but there are definitely a few going to be | | | | with a thriving art scene. The old style Colonial |
| enamoured by the idea of riding across the | | | | buildings of Havana make ideal subjects to sketch, |
| picturesque valleys of Trinidad, where the ruins of old | | | | and if you travel to Cuba's Vinales Valley, you'll find |
| sugar mills are dotted across the hills. The Vinales | | | | an inspiring scene sure to inspire anyone with artist's |
| Valley is the other breathtaking area in which horse | | | | block. For those who prefer to enjoy rather than |
| riding is a must, and while beginners may feel a bit | | | | create, the Havana National Museum of Fine Arts is a |
| nervous, you can't beat the feeling of freedom and | | | | must, with various collections of Cuba art from |
| the majestic views that horse riding in Cuba provides. | | | | colonial times to the latest hot contemporary works. |
| Deep Sea Fishing | | | | Weddings |
| As celebrity endorsements go, you can't really beat a | | | | You may need to learn to horse ride, dive or play |
| classic figure of literature as a spokesman for your | | | | golf in Cuba, but there's only one scenario when a |
| island. Ernest Hemmingway's extended 'holiday' in | | | | Cuban wedding would be appropriate (well, two - but |
| Cuba is well documented, as is his love of fishing on | | | | your partner may not appreciate the second! Planning |
| the North West coast of Cayo Guillermo. Fishing is | | | | a Cuban wedding can lead off in many different |
| legal throughout the island, so there are many | | | | avenues from an unforgettable tying of nuptials on |
| unexplored hotspots in which to kick back, enjoy the | | | | the golden sands of the island's many beaches, to an |
| weather and relax on your boat, letting your fishing | | | | idyllic church service followed by a night of boozy |
| rod do the work. | | | | salsa dancing - a Cuban wedding has enough variety |
| Diving | | | | to keep both families (and all the guests) happy at |
| There's places to dive all over the world, but travel in | | | | the once in a lifetime celebration! |
| Cuba offers a unique experience for those looking to | | | | This is only really scratching the surface - the truth is |
| see the ocean surrounding it. For starters, the tropical | | | | that an island as versatile as Cuba is overflowing with |
| fish are fascinating, colourful and varied, and the | | | | potential. The weather is almost always perfect, the |
| visibility of the clear ocean is incredible meaning you | | | | beaches and towns are romantic enough for couples, |
| won't miss a sight. The waters are also warm - over | | | | while there is enough entertainment for families and |
| 24 degrees centigrade all year round - meaning you | | | | singles. A holiday in Cuba has far more variety than |
| won't want to leave! Beginners will find the facilities | | | | such a comparatively small country should be able to |
| to learn to dive before they head out, meaning | | | | offer! |
| nobody has an excuse to ignore this amazing part of | | | | |