In Search Of The Real Cuba

Cuba these days is a rather fashionable touristbar, which was a home away from home for the
destination. Tourists head out there, looking to enjoygreat Earnest Hemmingway. If you're looking to fit in
the beaches, the wonderful weather, the diving andwith the locals, and not stand out as a common Cuba
the salsa. And while all of these provide wonderfulholiday maker, a Dauquiri (rum, lemon juice, sugar and
diversions for Cuba holiday makers, they are alsomaraschino) or Mohito (rum, ice and mint) will help, as
often entirely artificial, created purely for the touristwell as show you why Cuba is renowned for its fine
market that invariably laps it up. For some, this is notrums. While this will give you a good insight into how
enough, but with the tourist industry largely built onCuban locals live, there's more to the island than just
these foundations, where can you find the real Cubathe human population. If you are in search of exotic
on your holidays? The answer surprisingly lies in thejungle and a look at the natural beauty of the island,
nation's capital, Havana. Though it is a popular touristthen the island of Cayo Levisa provides a calm,
area, the real Cuba lies in its narrow side streets andaesthetically pleasing retreat. It's a 20 minute boat
dusky alleys. The city's history dates back as far asride from the mainland, but the island is home to
1515, and if you're really serious about seeing the realtropical jungle, sandy beaches and dazzling coral reefs
country you will be prepared to forgo the 5 starwith exotic marine life. While it's not free of Cuba
resorts touted around the internet in favour of aholiday makers, this spot gives you an insight into
private house or 'particular'. This will give you a realhow the island was before it was populated. For a
sense of living on the island in a style more in linebeach virtually untouched by tourism, though you
with the locals, and has the added bonus of costingcan't beat Cayo Largo. The 6 hour boat ride puts off
no more than $20 per day for one in a prime citythe majority of Cuba holiday makers, creating a
centre position - perfect for the standard Cubapeaceful tropical island virtually untouched by tourism.
holiday sightseeing. If you have not been sent runningThe best thing to do here is to enjoy the amazing
for the Varadero beaches by the experience, it'speaceful scenery and relax away from the strains of
time to continue living the Cuban life with a lesson inthe working world. I've only really scraped the
gastronomy - a "paladar" will provide this. Some yearssurface here, and the real Cuba will be unique for
ago, citizens of Havana won the right to open aeach visitor, but if you follow my suggestions and
restaurant (serving no more than 12 people at afeel able to explore beyond the standard tourist
time) in their homes, restricted to serving onlyworld, you will discover a way of life a million miles
chicken and beef dishes. Locating one of these willaway from anything in the UK, with enough
not only give you an insight into how Cuban peopleanecdotes to last until your next visit to this tropical
live in the capital, but will give you a taste of the realparadise.
Cuban cuisine rather than the tourist equivalent. BeingEmma Lelliot is the general manager of Captivating
a guest in a Havana citizen's café/home is onCuba, an independent Cuba holiday specialist. With
thing, but where is best to mix with real Cubans?offices in Havana and the UK, Captivating Cuba offer
The answer would be checking out some of the localexpert local knowledge for island visitors looking to
bars. The most famous of these is of course Floriditaholiday in Havana and Varadero.