Cuba

Rum, cigars, Hemingway, Greene, salsa, communism and Che, also one of the only remaining countries to stand up to the most powerful nation in the world.

Images of this fascinating island are endless, however what remains the same is that every trip here is truly memorable.

Cuba is unique in many ways, but the island also stands out in the Caribbean due to its geographical variety. The flat lands are used for farming and include cattle farms, citrus groves, rice fields and emerald green tobacco plantations. The varied landscape has resulted in a diverse range of flora and fauna. Indeed Cuba boasts the greatest diversity of plants and animals in all the Caribbean. Further pleasures to be found in Cuba are the colonial cities that remain remarkably unspoilt. Havana itself is a World Heritage Site and a number of the colonial buildings are now delightful hotels.

Wherever you go in Cuba, you will be accompanied by music. The racial and cultural mixture of the people of Cuba is about as varied as you can get. History shows that African slaves, Spanish colonial rulers and Amerindians all combined together giving a wealth of artistic creativity and an explosive enthusiasm for music, dance and religion. Carnival is also celebrated in Cuba, with exuberance making up for the lack of funding. Havana celebrates in February.

Another unavoidable experience in Cuba is that of the Communist system and the dire state of the country’s economy. However, despite the struggling economy and the US embargo, Cuba remains determined to survive and will not be bullied. Any visitor, whatever opinions they have about communism and capitalism, will see that Cubans today have a better health service, education system and employment status than any other Latin American country. On the other hand, a tourist to Cuba will have to prepare themselves for an ‘interesting’ concept of service & quality, timely ‘communist restrictions’ and the ‘need’, though often charming, to relieve any traveller of their supply of foreign currency. However despite its faults, anyone prepared to explore Cuba will be fully rewarded for their efforts. It is without doubt a beautiful, varied destination that will thrill and excite even the most experienced traveller.

Abercrombie & Kent at present only offers Havana as a destination in Cuba and will happily arrange a luxury beach combination with the Riviera Maya in Mexico and Havana.