| Taking time out from the everyday stresses and | | | | visiting at least one of the Cuban towns or cities and |
| strains of life to visit an exotic place is something | | | | meeting the local Cuban people. |
| that everyone looks forward to. Cuba, with its | | | | In the north-west of the country you'll find the |
| notoriety brought upon by its government and the | | | | capital city, Havana - the hub of everything that is |
| clamp down of the American government on its | | | | Cuban. When you stroll around the city you'll feel the |
| export and tourism, is a country known more for its | | | | essence of the Cuban past - a rich legacy emanating |
| cigar and its leader, rather than as a vacation | | | | from the Spanish colonial architecture that beholds |
| destination. Despite this, every year more and more | | | | the city. Parts of the city resemble the set of an old |
| tourists from Canada and Europe are flocking to | | | | movie, reminiscent of a bygone era, with old |
| Cuba, enthralled by its natural beauty and its | | | | American cars bustling by. A lot of work has been |
| passionate and welcoming people. Tourism in Cuba is | | | | done in the past decade to restore old Havana, a |
| currently at an all time high. | | | | UNESCO world heritage site, but much of the city |
| Cuba is the largest of the Caribbean islands and is | | | | has been left untouched and hundreds of crumbling |
| inhabited by people with a mixed race of Caribbean | | | | buildings collapse each month. |
| Indian, African and Spanish heritage. It has a | | | | Havana also has its fair share of museums, including |
| contrasting landscape ranging from beautiful and | | | | the Museum of the Revolution, the Havana Club |
| mesmerizing beaches to sprawling and craggy | | | | Museum of Rum, the Cigar Museum, the Ernest |
| mountain ranges. Limestone Mountains loom over the | | | | Hemingway Museum and the National Museum of Fine |
| fields of tobacco, utilised for their famed cigars, | | | | Arts. |
| providing a stunning scenic view. The natural beauty | | | | Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city in Cuba |
| of Cuba and its history has shaped the country to | | | | and is located on the eastern end of the island. It has |
| what it is today. This is one Caribbean island that has | | | | a beautiful setting at the foot of the Sierra Maestra |
| been left unspoiled by technology and modern day | | | | Mountains and overlooks a magnificent bay. Unlike the |
| living. | | | | other towns and cities in Cuba, Santiago de Cuba has |
| Like many of the Caribbean islands, Cuba's main | | | | a very Caribbean feel to it. This is as a result of the |
| source of tourism is the beach industry. The country | | | | influence of the Haitian planters who settled here in |
| is blessed with hundreds of miles of sprawling sandy | | | | the 19th century. |
| beaches, with fine white sand and clear blue water. | | | | Trinidad, located in the heart of Cuba is one of the |
| Tourists visiting Cuba have a multitude of choices for | | | | original towns and was founded in 1514. The city is |
| the location of their beach vacation. The major | | | | filled with cobbled streets and old buildings with tiled |
| resorts of Varadero and Cayo Largo are the most | | | | roofs and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site |
| renowned and here you'll find many 5 star all inclusive | | | | since 1988. It's a very pleasant city to spend a day |
| resorts. Despite this, there are also plenty of smaller, | | | | or two, with many museums, churches and Plazas. |
| quieter beach resorts where you can truly get away | | | | An ideal way to spend your vacation is to take a |
| from it all. | | | | few days to do some sightseeing in Havana or one |
| Aside from stunning beaches, Cuba also offers plenty | | | | of Cuba's other cities and then follow that up with a |
| of rustic towns and cities full of rich culture and | | | | relaxing week's stay in one of the luxurious all |
| heritage. A vacation to Cuba isn't complete without | | | | inclusive resorts by the beach. |