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Cuba Holiday

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If you are looking for an authentic Caribbean holiday there are few more fascinating holiday destinations in the Caribbean than its largest and most populous island, Cuba – not least because it has been a socialist republic since the 1959 revolution, when Fidel Castro seized power. This last remaining vestige of state socialism, 90 miles south of Key West, Florida, was once the last stronghold of Spanish power in the region.

Cuba’s rich artistic heritage ranges from pre-Columbian cultures to the splendors of Spanish colonialism and the internationally acclaimed art of today. It is also a place of great natural beauty, with three magnificent mountain ranges and fertile plains where sugar cane and tobacco grow. And it has some of the best beaches in the world making Cuba ideal for a great value Caribbean holiday.

A quarter of Cuba’s 11 million people live in and around Havana, which lays claim to being the most beautiful city in the Caribbean. Old Havana, with its square mile of colonial palaces, handsome plazas and charming cobbled alleys was, along with Mexico City and Lima, one of the three richest Spanish cities outside Spain. It has been designated by UNESCO as a city of world heritage.

Cuba has an easy-going, multi-racial population whose greatest enthusiasm is reserved for music. It is the home of the modern rumba, actually of African origin, the mamba, the cha-cha-cha and the salsa. Cuban jazz is also excellent. Wherever you go on the island, music will go with you.

Travel on Cuba can be an adventure. Transport is cheap and convivial. Cuba is the only place on earth where hitchhiking is regulated by the state – in the nicest possible way. Each town has a hitch-hiking point manned by an official in yellow trousers who supervises the hitchers, registers their destinations and loads them on to any state or private car that happens to be heading in the right direction. Tourists are absolved from the obligation to take on hitch-hikers.

It's a great time to take a holiday to Cuba, if you can. It is a vibrant island with excellent resorts and beaches, some extensive – and the fact that it does not always provide the fully-honed and polished version of modern-day tourism suits many of its visitors just fine.

AIRPORT/GATEWAYS/FLYING TIMES
Charter flights are available from Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow through a number of tour operators. Cubana Airlines and Virgin Atlantic fly direct from Gatwick. Air France and Iberia from Heathrow via Paris or Madrid. There are several international Airports, Havana (HAV), Varadero (VRA), Holguin (HOG), Santiago de Cuba (SCU) are the main ones.

LANGUAGE
Spanish

HOLIDAY SIGHTSEEING
Stroll through Old Havana to the Catedral de la Habana then on to the Museo de la Revolucion to find out more about the history of the revolution. Visit the old colonial and historical town of Baracoa and the town of Trinidad, which has some wonderful churches and museums and is close to some of the finest beaches in the country. View the amazing flora and fauna of the Zapata peninsula and drive around the beautiful purple peaks of the Escambray Mountains.

Check out the local theatre in the nearest town, they often have puppet shows or other children's entertainment. Of course the beaches are wonderful and if you're staying in one of the larger hotels or resorts you'll find plenty of organised activities and watersports for the kids to enjoy.

Hiking the three day trek from coast to coast over the Sierra Maestra, yachting or sailing around Cuba is a pleasure will give you a different perspective of the scenery. If diving is your passion there are over 30 scuba diving centres to choose from.

HOLIDAY FOOD
As a snack try some fruitura de maiz - corn fritters from a street stall, ajiaco is a typical meat stew made with garlic and vegetables. Served with caramel cream or natilla - vanilla pudding the ice cream is very popular with both tourists and locals try the coconut or mango flavour. Cuba libre, planters punch, pina colada are just a few of the delicious cocktails you can try, made with locally made rum you'll find them the perfect way to start your evening.

CUBA HOLIDAY NIGHTLIFE
Cuban's love to party and it won't take you long to find a happening nightclub, disco or bar particularly in Havana, Santiago de Cuba or Varadero. Most discos will also have a cabaret as part of the entertainment, which can be great fun to watch. Cuban music is wonderful to listen to and even better to dance to.

CUBA ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
For two weeks during February, the Jornados de la Cultura Camaguetana in Havana has lots of cultural events to see. A wonderful selection of music from across the Caribbean can be heard at the Festival de Musica Caribe in Varadero in November.

WHAT TO BUY ON YOUR CUBA HOLIDAY
A cedar box of hand rolled cigars makes an impressive gift to the cigar smoker in your life, and the coffee will certainly please the filter connoisseur. If you want to make your favourite cocktail at home then a bottle of real Cuban Rum will ensure you recapture the right taste.

All prices displayed are per person and are subject to availability.
The prices displayed are "prices from" and are available at certain off peak times of the year or available on some late deals, cancellations and special offers. The lowest price may not always be available especially at peak holiday times such as Christmas, Easter or other public holidays. Our job as independent travel agents is to use our knowledge and experience to find you the best holiday at the best price we can. Please bear in mind that special Caribbean holiday deals can sometimes be available for a short time so when its gone its gone ! Please call us and we will check availability and prices for the date you wish to depart. The total cost of your holiday or flight will be confirmed to you before booking.

The air holidays and flights shown are ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Tour Operators names and ATOL numbers for any offer can be supplied without obligation.

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