![]() Sun, slinky dancing, icy cocktails in bars fashioned from backyard wrecks and slumping colonial ruins, designer buys, avant-garde art, and a dose of communism draw visitors to the city of Havana.Īs the visitors walk the narrow alleyways that are almost as old as Columbus, the houses are decorated with ironwork and arcades, classic cars are parked on the road and the colorful pastel walls scream colonial time-warp. Harboring 500 years of history within its walls, Baroque and Neoclassical architecture make up the monumental fabric of the old city. Havana is situated in the northernmost part of the Island of Cuba and of the West Indies crescent, opening onto the Florida Strait and the Atlantic Ocean. Besides, the cultural richness of the island and its capital is unparalleled anywhere in the Caribbean. Thanks to its strategic location in the region, Havana can be included in all kind of itineraries: the longest ones deployed in the West and East Caribbean but also the 3- 4 days itineraries sailing out from Florida. Located at the historic heart of the city, in the waterfront promenade, in front of San Francisco square and near to other important attractions such as the “Plaza Vieja”, the “Plaza de las Armas” and the Cathedral, it enjoys the unique atmosphere of both the Havana Bay and the old town.Ĭuba is located in the main cruise destination, the Caribbean, and its capital Havana very near to the Floridian ports. The building itself is a designed architectural landmark of the city. The cruise terminal is in the Sierra Maestra complex, in San Francisco pier, with a current capacity for two ships. ( May 2018 Global Ports Holding signed a management agreement in Cuba to advise and consult on cruise port management best practice. The Nacional’s grandeur is rather faded these days but you might choose this landmark hotel for its history, gardens and quieter location. This restored heritage property has elegant suites, a gym and spa and true five-star standards that can be lacking elsewhere.įacing the old town’s Plaza de Armas near the harbour is hotel Santa Isabel, ( a former convent where Jimmy Carter and Jack Nicholson have stayed. Where to stayĪ rooftop restaurant and pool which boast views to the Capitolio are among attractions of the Saratoga ( in the city centre. If cabaret is more your bag don’t miss the famous Tropicana nightclub. Now its sea view gardens are a nice spot to lounge with a cocktail.Īround Obispo look out for bars little changed since the 1930s and their visiting salsa bands. In its heyday the Hotel Nacional ( hosted the likes of Fran Sinatra, Marlon Brando and Winston Churchill. Now a statue of the great writer leans on the bar at El Floridita (Calle Obispo) while at la Bodeguita del Medio (Calle Empedrado) customers including Castro have signed their name on the walls. “My Mojito in la Bodeguita, my daiquiri in El Floridita” said Hemingway of his old drinking haunts. La Guarida (at Concordia 418) has developed a good reputation. These are a unique Cuban experience and the food is usually better. ![]() Do try the paladares – informal family restaurants in people’s homes. Your best bet is to stick to the quality hotels or shrug off high culinary expectations and pick a restaurant for its setting or musical entertainment. Most food is bland and samey (get used to rice and beans) and the country’s dual pricing system means tourists can pay at UK levels for sub-standard fare. ![]() ![]() The oldest, Partagas, near the Capitolio gives tours.Ī lack of purchasing power, means that old American cars are still prevalent in Cuba Where to eatĬuba’s cuisine is hardly its finest asset. It is possible to watching cigars being hand rolled in some Havana factories. In the grounds is the motorboat Granma which brought Fidel Castro to Cuba in 1956.Īcross the water are two Spanish forts Castillo de los Tres Santos Reyes del Morro and Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana, the latter with artefacts from its time as Che Guevara’s headquarters. For a Cuban take on the revolution and US relations visit Museo de la Revolucion in the former presidential palace. Havana’s most famous landmark is the Capitolio Nacional, similar to Washington’s Capitol building. The streets of the Unesco-listed old town Havana Vieja showcase the city’s colonial architecture at its best and strolling here is a must. What you will find is salsa, mojitos and photo-opportunities aplenty. You won’t find a single Starbucks or McDonalds here. Havana, a city with consistently high temperatures and contact sunshine the year round, is twinned with Glasgow in the UK If you’ve never been to Havana you’d probably imagine it as a time capsule filled with 1950 Cadillacs, faded colonial buildings, cigar factories and Che Guevara murals.
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