Decaying paint-peeled buildings skirt the mayhem of the city's once grand avenues and plazas, all the way into Centro Habana. Tiny Russian Ladas scamper past enormous American Fords, Chevy's and Cadillac's of the 1950's. Dueling horns blast as cabbies weave their latest shipment of gringos between rickety bicycles, plodding horses, tottering carts, and steaming food stalls. Amongst it all, the eclectic Havanians, hustle, bustle, linger and loiter through another day of post-Revolution life. Sweeping around a corner, you'll see rusty farmers aboard their hobbling donkeys amble past elderly rocking chair gossips, fanning themselves under oppressive midday heat. Sassy young chicas in electric spandex...
A lot of people have heard that people from the U.S. can't buy property in Mexico. This isn't entirely true. In fact the only real regulations are on the near the border and coast. These areas are called the "restricted zone". The "restricted zone" is the area within 100 kilometers of any Mexican border and within 50 miles of any Mexican coastline. Originally the "restricted zone" was created to protect Mexico from foreign attack. The goal was to keep any foreigner from owning land that could be used to bring in an army and launch an attack on Mexico. This was written into the Mexican Constitution in article 27. The constitution was signed in 1917 and made a lot of changes to who could own...
In Search Of The Real Cuba
Cuba these days is a rather fashionable tourist destination. Tourists head out there, looking to enjoy the beaches, the wonderful weather, the diving and the salsa. And while all of these provide wonderful diversions for Cuba holiday makers, they are also often entirely artificial, created purely for the tourist market that invariably laps it up. For some, this is not enough, but with the tourist industry largely built on these foundations, where can you find the real Cuba on your holidays? The answer surprisingly lies in the nation's capital, Havana. Though it is a popular tourist area, the real Cuba lies in its narrow side streets and dusky alleys. The city's history dates back as far as 1515, and...
When it comes to experiencing the culture of a foreign country, sometimes a slow pace is the better pace. I lived in Guatemala for a while. I remember learning Spanish and having red-cheek moments when I "messed up" the language. My face would burn and I would once again tell myself to just shrug it off and keep going. I was going to learn Spanish! If you've ever wanted an experience more than you cared about the possibility of awkward embarrassment, then you probably remember how easy it was to progress during that time. Despite my embarrassments, I never would have coveted language translation services because I wanted the learning experience. I remember a particular time I was coming out of...
In Search of the Real Cuba
Cuba these days is a rather fashionable tourist destination. Tourists head out there, looking to enjoy the beaches, the wonderful weather, the diving and the salsa. And while all of these provide wonderful diversions for holiday makers, they are also often entirely artificial, created purely for the tourist market that invariably laps it up. For some, this is not enough, but with the tourist industry largely built on these foundations, where can you find the real Cuba on your holidays? The answer surprisingly lies in the nation's capital, Havana. Though it is a popular tourist area, the real Cuba lies in its narrow side streets and dusky alleys. The city's history dates back as far as 1515, and if...
Cuba is an island that has many places to explore during your holidays and thousands of marvels to see and to discover. One of this wonders is the Bacunayagua Bridge, built in the borders of Havana Province and Matanzas. Matanzas had the opportunity to inaugurate in the first year of the Revolution the longest and highest bridge in Cuba until that moment. Its construction is historically a crisscross with the Via Blanca (the highway that connects Havana City and Varadero), begun by Carlos PrÃo Socarrás´ government, with the purpose of shortening the distance between Matanzas and Havana. A total of 41 columns sustains the bridge of Bacunayagua, those that were in its moment the most slender...
Do you want to get a free boat ride while visiting Orlando? Well I have a way to enjoy Orlando while taking a free boat ride down a beautifully landscaped path. Here's how you do it. Drive to downtown Disney and park close to the Rain Forest Café in the public parking lot. Walk down the boat dock on the far end of the Rain Forest Café. Take the boat to Port Orleans. It will take approximately 25-30 minutes and go down the most beautifully landscaped areas of the Disney World property. While at Port Orleans walk around and enjoy the colonial style lodging. It is very peaceful and best of all free. A round trip will take you almost an hour but won't cost you a dime. All Disney's transportation...
Drugs: In today's society, Drugs is a big issue and always have been. More and more people are using drugs and some start at a very young age and don't really know the harm that drugs cause because all drugs have different harmful effects that the users don't realize, and in many cases, before it's too late. Now most drugs that are prescribed by a doctor that are being used under supervision can be helpful and can do your body some good. However, the abuse of these drugs usually have an adverse effect, instead of the good that the drug was intended to do. Whereas, the reverse happens instead of it helping you, it can cause serious harm and can cause addiction. Once addicted to any type of drug, the...
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus as born in 1451 and died in May 1506. He was a famous explorer and trader whose most significant voyage was crossing the Atlantic Ocean and landing in the Americas on October 12, 1492 . Although his actual nationality is a question of debate, this most famous voyage was done sailing under the flag of Castilian Spain. Columbus is the man most often believed as to having 'discovered' America , although there is evidence that other explorers had made the crossing before him. It was after Columbus ' crossing that marked the start of the Spanish and Portuguese colonisation of South America . Like many of the educated people of the period, Columbus believed that the earth was...
A Cuba Vacation
Taking time out from the everyday stresses and strains of life to visit an exotic place is something that everyone looks forward to. Cuba, with its notoriety brought upon by its government and the clamp down of the American government on its export and tourism, is a country known more for its cigar and its leader, rather than as a vacation destination. Despite this, every year more and more tourists from Canada and Europe are flocking to Cuba, enthralled by its natural beauty and its passionate and welcoming people. Tourism in Cuba is currently at an all time high. Cuba is the largest of the Caribbean islands and is inhabited by people with a mixed race of Caribbean Indian, African and Spanish...
The Top 5 Dive Sites In Cuba
One of the most popular holiday types we sell at Captivating Cuba is the scuba diving holiday. Cuba attracts swarms of divers every year, attracted by its calm, warm waters, its stunning coral reefs, sunken shipwrecks and dazzling array of tropical fish. The waters boast an average annual temperature of over 24 degrees centigrade, and with an average visibility of 98 feet, allowing divers an excellent view of the underwater paradise the Cuban dive sites offer. The lack of strong currents and variety of dive sites available mean that the island is a perfect training ground for Cuba's diving virgins, as well as offering a challenge for those who were born in a wet suit! So without further ado, here's...
Classic Cars In Cuba
Havana is a potent mixture of the old and the new. Modern office buildings punctuate the skyline alongside deteriorating Eastern European residential towers. Ancient vehicles, some with more rust than paint, share the road with newer, shinier models, while horse-drawn carts mingle with motorcycles. Flea markets display Cuba holiday mementos - wooden models of cars built in the 1950s, which are still seen on Cuban streets. 'Yank tank', 'máquina' 'cacharro' and 'bartavia' are all words used to describe the American classic cars in Cuba. It is the only place where history and circumstance have combined to enable a whole society to preserve these amazing vehicles and turn them into a national...
With so many options available it is hard for travellers to know where to stay when going on Cuba holidays. Many people want it all from panoramic views, idyllic locations and an abundance of facilities. The Chateau Miramar hotel in Cuba can provide guests with all these things leaving them happy and relaxed and dreaming of Cuba holidays even when they get home. Located right on the waterfront guests often like to sit on the balconies in their room and gaze out at the sea. Breakfast on the balcony is a perfect way to start the day when on Cuba holidays as breathtaking views and fresh air are guaranteed to set you up for the day. You can then end your day in the same way with a drink on the balcony...
Unknown Facts About Cuba's Athletes
DID YOU KNOW ... Taismary Aguero was born and raised in Cuba before becoming a naturalized Italian citizen. She is one of the most famous volleyball players in the 2000s. Under the hands of Taismary Aguero, Cuba won the gold medal in volleyball in the 2000 Olympic Games in Australia. However, she escaped to Italy in 2001 and having won a national team call-up became the first naturalized volleyball player to score for Italy. Perhaps her greatest triumph was captaining her new country to their first World Cup triumph in Tokyo, Japan, in 2007. Ironically, Italy, led by the amazing play of Taismary Aguero, defeated Cuba 3-0 (27-25, 25-19, 25-16) in the finals. Cuba did not sent a boxing team to the...
Top Terror Suspects Transferred to Guantanamo
President Bush has for the first time acknowledged the existence of secret CIA prisons holding top terror suspects and is asking Congress to approve the creation of military commissions to put them on trial. A total of 14 terror suspects have now been transferred to the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Bush says one of the suspects transferred to Guantanamo Bay is Khalid Sheik Mohammed, who was number three in al-Qaida's command. Other suspects include Abu Zubaydah, who was an alleged emissary between al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and many of his terrorist cells and Ramzi Binalshibh, who is thought to have been trained as one of the hijackers in the terrorist attacks of September...
In 1962 the relations between the United States of America and the USSR were worsened. Some of the Soviet missiles were located on the territory of Cuba. This act was considered to be a threat of the Americans with weapons. The cold war started. In April of the same year the Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev, felt the pressure of the United States. American missiles were installed in Turkey, the country lying across the Black sea from Russia. To hit the States it would take Moscow some 25 minutes, American missiles could hit the Soviet Union in 10 minutes. Nikita Khrushchev and Marshal Rodion Malinovsky discussed this issue. It was decided that the Soviet...
Which are the Best Hotels in Havana?
I get this question all the time and I always try to get as much information as possible from my clients in order to recommend the best hotels for them. As I am not going to be able to do this now I will be as fair as I can be and I will leave down to you which hotel to go for. In this article I am going to focus on the hotels located in the Old Town area or Havana Vieja which is the way everybody in Havana knows it. One thing that makes the hotels in this part of Havana different from the rest is the fact that very few of them were originally built to be hotels. Each of them has a very unique architecture style and some of them date back 200 years ago. I have to start with Santa Isabel Hotel...
Little Known Facts
Little known facts can be just interesting. Here are some of those: A typical lightning bolt is two to four inches wide and two miles long; A month that starts with a Sunday will have a Friday the 13th in it; Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon after March 21; Close to 50% of all bank robberies take place on Friday. Do you know the furthest point on Earth from the center? It's the peak of Mount Chimborazo, in Ecuador, near the Equator. The Earth bulges at the equator, making Mount Chimborazo even further out there than Everest. Then there are the little known facts that are funny. These include, for example, silly laws that are still on the books. Here are some of those: By law...
All the Way With America
Attention all Space Travellers Fasten your seatbelts; you are about to land on Planet America. Thank you for travelling Air Uranus and welcome to the land of the free. Ok, now all Marxist, Communist, Maoist, and Socialist tree-swingers - listen up! So, during the cold war, we divided the third world and forced most of them into unfair trade and tariffs agreements … Ok, so we may have occasionally interfered with the body-politic of some countries. Ok then, perhaps we sponsored a few coup détats here and there: Chile, Nicaragua, Venezuela … OK OK, the whole South American Continent, Africa, Asia … So what! We are on a crusade against evil. Those on the lunatic fringes of the...
Imagine visiting a place with exotic flair, stunning beaches, and a rich and varied culture, and being welcomed as an American citizen at the same time. You'll have the chance to sample the food, language, music, and architecture of what has become the melding of several continents without having to acquire a passport or learn a new language. In Puerto Rico, everything is here, and it couldn't be easier to take it all in. Located in the southern Caribbean Sea southeast of Florida, this U.S. commonwealth contains a richness of elements unparalleled by most other places of its size. Nearly four million people call Puerto Rico home, and most are able to trace their lineage back through hundreds of...
Some Famous Dates Of The Cuban Dictatorship
1959: Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz became dictator.He banned free speech and imprisoned his opponents. All political parties were dissolved. Castro announced plans to "exterminate capitalism". 1960-1978:More than 700,000 Cuban fled to the United States and Mexico. Many sailed secretly from Cuba in boats, some of which were apprehended by the Cuban navy before reached abroad. 1960-2007:Blacks suffered many forms of discrimination. The poverty rate among blacks is almost two times that of general population. 1960-1988:Ever Peñalver Mazorra spent 28 years in prison for his opposition to the communist dictatorship. He was leader of the nonviolent movement for human rights and democracy in Cuba. Pe...
cubafortravel.com, its third year on the web Last month the Cuban Travel Agency Transnico International had a small party in its office on the 6th floor of the Lonja del Comercio building overlooking Havana. It was the second anniversary of the its promotion site on the web. In fact it was a pity that the many visitors to the site during these past years didn't join in. As the celebration is mainly for them as thanks to this site they could easily access loads of information about the touristic possibilities in Cuba. According to Mr. Orlando Bosch, operational manager of this Cuban Travel Agency, the success lies not so much in the numbers of visitors to the site as well as in the quality of the...
Santa Isabel Hotel in Havana
The offer for entertainment that Old Havana has, with five centuries of history in its account, constitutes an excellent option. This part of the city which was declared by UNESCO cultural heritage for being an architectural treasure of the world, has a large tourist infrastructure which brings us to mind the colonial stage. There are more than 30 thousand buildings that preserve thousands of stories. It can be seen in perfect harmony among fortresses, churches, tourist commercial and cultural centers. Among all this range of touristic places to visit, there is the Santa Isabel hotel. This hotel used to be the main residence of the Count of Santovenia in this village. It was built in the early 18th...
The Magical City Of Havana
Havana is the capital city of Cuba and is not only the largest city in the beautiful country, but the whole of the Caribbean itself. Here you can enjoy hot sunny days and warm tropical evenings which both help to create a truly magical atmosphere when you are taking part in Cuba travel. To complete the package you will be surrounded by white sandy beaches, palm trees and crystal clear waters that make you feel as though you are sitting in a postcard. Everything about Havana is unique and intriguing from the cultures and customs right down to the accommodation. Several years ago the Cuban government passed a law that now allows home owners to rent rooms, houses and apartments to tourists requiring...
The 5 Best Hotels in Havana, Cuba
The biggest seller on our site is, without doubt, holidays to Havana. It's no wonder - not only is it the island's capital, it is also alive with culture, history, nightlife and salsa music! You could spend many months in Havana, and not find every intriguing nook, and exciting cranny. But whether you wanted to stay in the capital for a weekend or a month, there's one thing you cannot do without: accommodation. Lodgings range across all budgets, but there are some wonderful and atmospheric luxury hotels in Havana if you know where to look. Here are the five best hotels in Havana, Cuba: The Nacional One of the most famous hotels in Havana, the Nacional has graced the city's skyline since the 1930s...
Cuban Music in Old Havana
Old Havana is a place really picturesque and beautiful. Its cobblestoned, narrow streets and corners full of the purest contrasts between sun and shade are now a musical center -as it can be seen today- a real Cuban party. Noisy as it is, colonial Havana is better known for its more-than-80-year-old musicians than for its museums -as many foreign visitors confess. Perhaps, the world reign of Francisco Repilado (Compay Segundo), an already dead troubadour and sonero propitiated that a considerable part of all the people who pass by this part of the Cuban capital look for that musician's lineage -and find it. Such richness can be found in bars, restaurants and hotels of this Cuban area founded in 1519...
All Inclusive Holidays To Cuba At The Luxury...
The All Inclusive Luxury Hotel Paradisus in Varadero Cuba is a great place for a Cuba Family Holiday. With 421 air-conditioned guest roomsof which 408 are Junior Suites, 12 suites and 1 Garden Villa, all with a private balcony or terrace, the all inclusive Paradisus Cuba, located on the beautiful Rincon Frances Beach Varadero is ideally positioned for a Cuba family holiday. This huge luxury hotel does of course contain most of the facilities you would expect for the perfect Cuba family holiday. You will find several restaurants and bars, a beauty salon, and shops. The Leisure facilities include swimming pools, children's pool, fitness centre with gym and sauna and facilities for horse riding...
Is communism now losing its grip on Cuba? The answer is yes; however, the question of how long is open to debate. Fidel has officially stepped down. It's no longer a temporary move. Raul will be selected as the new Cuban president come this Sunday. Raul is opne to talking with the United States, but that will have to wait until January 20th, 2009, when a Democrat takes over as president of the US since Bush will not even talk with Raul. An ailing Fidel Castro resigned as Cuba's president Tuesday after nearly a half-century in power, saying he was retiring and will not accept a new term when the new parliament meets Sunday. "I will not aspire to nor accept - I repeat, I will not aspire to nor accept...
When travelling from bangalore to ooty by road, there are quite a fewthings to do on the way. The road from bangalore to ooty pases through ramnagara, channapatna,maddur, mandya, srirangapatna, mysore, najungad, gundelpet, bandipur,mudumalai to ooty. Bangalore to Mysore Bangalore to mysore road is real good right from rajarajeshwari templearch and 4 lane trafic capable of doing 100 kmph and excess. Be carefulof sudden traffic diversions due to bridge and road painting works. Also of pedestrians. Take a break at 24 hour cafe coffee day (after channapatna - 70km frombangalore) or kamat (after ramnagaram - 50km from bangalore). You maytry amaravathi before Mandya or Maddur Tiffanys. Other restaurants...
Cuba - A Place Where Celebrities Feel At Home
If you were a celebrity, what would be your favorite spot to spend some time? Probably a place where you would find good service without being disturbed and followed by the press or the paparazzi. That's where Cuba comes instantly to mind, a place where public figures can walk the streets freely and enjoy the warmth welcome of its friendly people and the natural beauty of its landscapes; making this Caribbean island a privileged site to celebrities. Many international well-known personalities have been interested in Cuba, its culture, its people, its beaches, its famous drinks or its fine cigars since the early 1930's. Actors, film directors, models, fashion designers, singers, writers, cosmonauts...
Upon the arrival in Cuba, foreigners usually get in the resort zone, where Cuban economic troubles won't affect them for sure, at once. They have "smorgasbords" in 5-star hotels, diving, sea outings on yachts to coral reefs and lobster lunch here. The service is excellent, the staff is smiley, the territory is enclosed, and native people are not allowed even to bathe in the local sea. However few foreigners can boast of having seen real Cuba: the tourist zones are the states within the states that have little to do with the Island of Freedom... The majority of tourists buy tours to Varadero, a Cuban resort. Varadero was considered to be the best beach in the Caribbean Basin before the local...
An early alcoholic drink, rum has been around since ancient times. Nothing if not old, it is practically forced to walk with a (sugar) cane. Though it wasn't first distilled in plantations until the 17th century, rum is believed to have existed thousands of years prior in the form of brum, a drink made by the Malay people. In the 14th century, Marco Polo (the explorer, not the swimming pool game) wrote about a wine made of sugar, giving further credence to the belief that rum was around before the 1600's. When the first distillation of rum began, it began in the Caribbean when plantation slaves realized the molasses, left over from sugar refinement, could be turned into alcohol. This alcohol...
After the revolution of 1959, Cuba received a nickname "the island of freedom" and became a symbol of liberation movement for Latin America. Times has changes and but Cuba is still ruled by the leader of that revolution - Fidel Castro and now is one of the few communist countries in the world. Difficulties in the relations with the United States caused a lot of problems to Cuban economic, but despite it now Cuba is becoming more and more popular as a resort destination. Cuba occupies long, narrow island which shape is compared with cayman. Its length is 1250 km and width varies from 32 to 210 km. Cuba is very diverse in nature, but there no dangerous for a human being creatures. There are several...
Booking a Holiday, Tour or Vacation in Cuba
In my capacity as the UK Director of Operations for One World Tours Limited, one of my jobs is to ensure every client has the best tour possible, with that in mind I have put together some suggestions for sites to take in during your holiday in Cuba. Cuba is located between the Bahamas and Jamaica which means that it has a superb all year round sunny, tropical climate. With its white sandy beaches of paradise, warm aqua marine waters and palm trees how can you not feel pampered? Venture out to sea and you will find some of the most stunning coral reef which in turn provides a perfect natural habitat for a wide array of underwater life. 1 Havana brings the fifties back to life with its old American...
US Military Completes Review of Guantanamo Bay...
The U.S. military tribunals set up to determine whether suspected al-Qaida and Taleban fighters held at a military base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba are indeed enemy combatants has completed its review of all detainees. The tribunals found that most, though not all, of the detainees should still be classified as enemy combatants. And 33 of the remaining non-enemy combatants will be released soon. Navy Secretary Gordon England, the Pentagon official overseeing the combatant status review tribunals (CSRTs), said Tuesday that all 558 men in U.S. custody at Guantanamo Bay have had their cases heard before the three-member tribunals. "Of the five 558 CSRT hearings conducted, the enemy combatant status of 520...
Madrid - The Sleepless City
Spain's modern bustling capital Madrid, is smack bang in the middle of the country. The heart of Madrid is open with grand architecture and wide avenues. Being relatively compact it is easy to explore and enjoy the ambiance in all its glory. When visiting you would be well advised to be aware of the weather in Madrid. Sitting on a high plateau with low mountains to the northwest it does not enjoy the best of climates. Locally they claim to have three months of bad weather and the other nine months are awful. This can be taken with a pinch of salt, particularly if you are from colder regions but the winters are cold with biting winds while the heat of summer is best avoided. Typically most "Madrile...
Cuba, beauty in simplicity, a haven, a paradise, an experience. One of the largest Caribbean islands, Cuba is all you can dream of and a little more. Endless sandy beaches, captivating culture, old-age architecture, friendly locals, delicious cuisine, it is a place you would not want to leave. Cuba consists of the main island, the Isle of Youth and about 4,195 keys commonly known as cayos. It is 140 kilometers from the Bahamas and 180 kilometers from Florida. Cuba's 11,200,000 inhabitants predominantly speak Spanish. Journey with us as we take you down the alleys, past the favorite haunts and experience with us the true magic of this virgin holiday destination. Join us as we rediscover Cuba's past...
Ten Interesting Tidbits About Cuba
For such a little island nation, Cuba has certainly played a big part in recent history. Here are ten interesting things about Cuba that you should know. The Caribbean is full of interesting and beautiful islands. Cuba is one, but what makes it stick out? Here are some hints. 1. Cuba is an island located at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico. It is the largest island of the Antilles with a total surface area is 110,992 square meters. The population is over eleven million people. 2. Cuba was claimed by Christopher Columbus as a Spanish colony in 1492. In the 1800s, the British captured it for one year, but lost it back to Spain the next year. The United States tried to invade it multiple times from...
Cuban Officials Insist Castro Recovering Well...
Cuban officials are assuring the world that President Fidel Castro is recovering from surgery, amid speculation that his health is poor. The head of Cuba's National Assembly said in an interview broadcast on Saturday that Mr. Castro is recovering well from a procedure on Monday to stop intestinal bleeding. Cuba's minister of health said in an interview Friday that Mr. Castro is recovering satisfactorily and will be back in power soon. The president's brother, Raul Castro, temporarily assumed presidential duties this week. He has not been seen in public since the handover was announced. President Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called this week for Cubans to work for democratic change...
Key West, Funky Town
Key West is a great escape for those who want to experience that island "ting", but with the modern American conveniences. Key West is known for international tourism, to include the snowbirds from the Northern US & Canada, Europeans, Asians, and even Northern Floridians who want to leave the hustle of city life behind. Although Key West is in the United States, it is often referred to as the "Conch Republic", and the laid back attitude here makes you feel like you are in another country. Many Key Westers are known to be "quirky" and "friendly", which makes up the charm of the city. Many artisans make their home here, and you'll see delightfully painted bicycles, cars, and other island crafts...
Tuesday, April 5, 2005, 6:00 pm, Hotel Havana Libre Thanks to a severe case of the Revenge of Montezuma (or Ricky Ricardo?..,) I am sitting here in the Hotel Havana Libre and I finally get around to create updates from my first 4.5 days here in Cuba. The Internet connection is definitely the slowest I have ever seen in my entire life, (15 minutes to access my messages at Yahoo..), but I am giving it a shot anyways. Friday morning I arrived at the airport in Toronto at 5:30 am since my husband gave me a ride before work. The plane was scheduled to leave at 10:30 and several transfers with public transport would have taken me 2.5 hours anyway, so I decided to head there early and read a book. Air...
Hot Winter Travel Destinations for Canadians
Ask Canadians where they are heading for a winter break and you are most likely to hear Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and Caribbean cruises. These tourist spots are quite hot among Canadians, because of their sun-soaked beaches and mildly warm climate. Industry experts agree that tourism demands for all these locations are hitting their all-time high because of the lavish accommodation, sight-seeing arrangements, and the variety of travel packages, which these destinations offer. Mexican Coastal Resorts In Mexico, Mayan Riviera, Cozumel on the Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun, and Los Cabos on Baja Peninsula are the most popular tourist destinations. Particularly, the Yucatan has witnessed a...
The Malecón of Havana, a Romantic Spot in Cuba
The biggest party in Cuba can be in a simple place of Havana, a party related to the sea, the weaves and sea foam, and the great sound the can be found in that part of the island, especially for lovers. We are talking about the Malecón from Havana, a famous place, in particular during summer when it's necessary to mitigate the hot on that coastal area, accompanied maybe by a guitar, friends or someone you love. It's a shiny, stylish and traditional place, standing in front of the beautiful weaves that during stormy days cross over it and run onto the streets, while the rhythm of the place made by the extension of its walls through neighborhoods looks like a wonder. Located in front of the...
A few days after the end of the year 2000 the tourist company Habaguanex S.A. opened the Palacio de San Miguel Hotel, a newly proposal for culture and intimacy lovers. A building of eclectic style is located in a very appropriate space (Cuba St. and the corner of Peña Pobre, across the Havana's seawall), where you will be able to see a pleasant city view from, with handicraft artisans, colonial fortresses and the sea. That is why, its management is convinced about the appeal of the facility, a truly Cuban feast for the senses. With an incomparable beauty as to the detailed work of carpentry and iron forge, or simply a great cleanliness of the rooms and halls. The building was acquired in 1916...
Tourism in Cuba: An Unforgettable Experience
What can you expect when you travel to Cuba? Sun, white sand beaches, salsa music all around? Well, yes, but fortunately, there is much more than that. Cuba is a paradox of experiences, where your senses collide with one another in an explosion of significant magnitude. Here is a place where you can truly find everything and anything, from the most demanding to the most basic and raw. It is up to the individual to discover what he seeks, but in the meantime, we can try to give you some insight and maybe make your decision a little bit easier. For the Canadian traveler, Cuba must seem like another planet altogether. Things that you have taken for granted all your life will be nowhere in sight, and...
- To get into the tropical atmosphere of Cuba at its fiftieth. Among the American automobiles, the smoky bars of Havana, the effect is assured. - For its fantastic sea. Cuba offers about six thousand kilometers of splendid Caribbean coast, with beaches and cliffs for all likes. - For the people's hospitality, not always interested as it is wanted to make you believe. The Cubans are people full of happiness and eager to leave, people who love to find the foreigner, just to exchange ideas. - To smoke the best tobaccos in the world, made by hand with the leaves of Vuelta Abajo. You can also attend to the making of the tobacco in a factory or maybe inside of a big hotel, where there are exhibited in...
Thursday, April 14, 2005 Hello from Cuba (13) - Exploring Downtown Havana Hotel Habana Libre, Thursday, April 14, 2005, 3:02 pm The last few days I have spent quite a bit of time walking around downtown Havana - or Habana Vieja, as they say around here. It is an extremely fascinating place and one of the most architecturally consistent colonial city centres in the world. A few days ago, my local friend Pedro and I went to explore the Capitolio, which is a beautiful building, ironically very reminiscent of the Capitol in Washington. Built between 1926 and 1929 as the former seat of the Cuban government, its neoclassical exterior is complemented by an absolutely astounding Roman interior with all...
It is High Time the US Ended Its Embargo...
Since the Cuban revolution took place on New Year's eve of 1959 the United States has had 10 Presidents who have had many of the same ideas while differing on many of which but if there be one consistent it was and still is their repetition of the now ridiculous expression "Castro will soon fall!". Yes, this will eventually happen after all who has not been born who will or has not already died so technically speaking Castro will some day fall but it will not be because of an American embargo which in its 48 years has not produced any positive results in either bringing an end to Castro's reign or improving the lives in any way shape or form of the people of Cuba. I would even say along with many...
The Top Bed and Breakfast in Havana Cuba
When you visit Havana during your Cuba vacation, you must stay at the best bed and breakfast in town called La Casa de Ana. Bed and Breakfast accommodation in Cuba isn't what springs to mind immediately. Cuba has many all inclusive resorts, and that is all very well for a great beach vacation. It would however be a tragedy if your stay in Cuba didn't include a few days in the decaying splendour of Havana. Then you have the question to answer of where do you stay in Havana, because there are glitzy hotels, but you'll never get a sense of the real old Havana if you do that. Why not stay in what is regarded as the top guesthouse, type bed and breakfast place in Havana called La Casa de Ana. You will...
First Time in Havana ? This are the Best Places...
1.Hotel Nacional. A Cuban national monument and in the fifties host to revolucionaries and the Mob,lead by Meyer Lansky. Enter via the palm tree driveway and go to the glamorous terrace bar, and enjoy the magnificent view over the Malecon sea boulevard. 2.Cementerio Colon. (Columbus Cementery) The Columbus Cementery is one of the most impressive places to visit in Havana. It is said to be the second largest cementry in the world after the Pére Lachaise Cementery in Paris. 3.The Capitolio. The Capitolio was built in the same style as the US Capitol in Washington DC by the dictator Machada. Nowdays the Capitolio houses the Cuban Academy of Sciences. At the lefthand entrance is an internet caf...
Wednesday, April 27, 2005 Hello from Cuba (16) - The Final Day My god, how time flies.... I have now been back from Cuba for close to 10 days, and my reentry into the business world has been the usual: tons of projects to catch up on, accounting stuff to be taken care off, marketing strategies to be worked out, etc. etc. As a result I didn't have time yet to tell you about my final day in Cuba and my reflections and insights after my return. On Friday afternoon I checked out the Plaza de la Revolucion, which is the seat of the Fidel Castro's government and the seat of the "Comite Central" of his communist party. It is a large square that is usually used for political rallies and speeches and the two...