If you are going to visit Cuba, there are some things you just have to do. Cuba offers a host of cultural Cuban tours- If you miss them, you will miss out on some of Cuba’s quintessential experiences.

1- Cigar Factory Tour

Taking in one of Cuba’s many cigar factories is a fascinating experience. You can see the whole process from processing the leaves to cutting and shaping and finally witness the hand rolling that creates one of Cuba’s best known exports. You can also purchase a collection of cigars for yourself. Tours can be scheduled during a single day or can be combined into an excursion.

2- Salsa Dancing Classes

Salsa dancing began in Cuba so take some time to enjoy it. Played all over the island, Salsa music will keep you moving late into the night. If you don’t feel up to dancing yourself, make sure you go see a show. The best shows are found in Santiago de Cuba.

3- Coffee & Tobacco Plantation Tours

At the coffee and tobacco plantations you get a feel for Cuban life during the colonial era. Built on the back of the slave trade, these plantations now operate commercially, and many are set in Cuba beautiful Pinar del Rio province. This region sports lush, flat plains, rounded mountains and small, sleepy villages; a perfect place to spend a few hours or a few days enjoying the scenery.

4- Cuban Beaches

There are so many beaches in Cuba that you could spend your whole time tanning, snorkeling and relaxing. Whether you are looking for something family oriented or for adults only, you will find plenty to choose from. The sand is soft and the waters clear. Some areas are better for diving, if that is your interest, check with your hotel concierge. Otherwise, just ask the locals to direct you to their favorite beach.

5- Fishing

Fishing Cuba’s oceans and streams is any fisherman’s dream vacation. Follow in Hemingway’s footsteps and spend some time fly fishing or go out on a deep sea fishing expedition. With over three thousand miles of coastland, you are sure to find your perfect fishing spot.

Brought to you by Floridita Travel

Havana.- Varadero Beach Resort, main beach destination in the biggest of The Antilles, will be benefited with a recovery programme devoted to improve the quality of its sandy beaches.

According to the specialists, this programme will improve the area and rocky zones, fruit of the erosive action of the ocean, will be covered with sand dragged from the sea.

The project in motion, which does not interrupt the massive winter arrival of the international tourism, has been arranged between the Cuban Ministry of Tourism and that of Science, Technology and Environment.

The ambitious project aims at the benefit of an area close to the seven thousand square meters of coastline.

Last summer in Varadero, 600 thousand cubic meters of sand were shed to improve the end of the peninsula. Up to now, two million cubic meters of sand have been introduced in the area.

Havana.- The lodging capacity in Cayo Coco – part of the tourist destination Jardines del Rey, on the north coast of Cuba - increased with the opening of a new 320 rooms hotel.

The installation managed in joined venture by Gaviota Group, called Los Balcones Blue Bay, marked the introduction of the Spanish Hotel Chain Hotetur in the region.

The new hotel has a category of four stars and houses 154 suites, distributed in two-floor bungalows, besides other facilities for recreation.

Including Los Balcones Blue Bay hotel, Cayo Coco counts 13 900 rooms, distributed in 13 hotels and villas.

Cayo Coco reachable by air, sea and land, share its territory among the most important Cuban hotel chains: Gran Caribe, Cubanacán and Gaviota, as well as the international brands Sol Meliá, Iberostar, NH, Blau, Globalia and Hotetur.

We stayed in Sirenis La Salina from the 05 Jan to the 12 Jan 2009. We were a bit doubtful about our choice of hotel after we read some reviews on trip advisor especially from Canadian tourists. According to them the hotel wasn’t very good but since the hotel had an excellent price we decided to give it a go despite the bad reviews.

Our first surprise was the excellent and friendly welcome we received from the hotel staff including the management of the hotel.

The only bad thing is the food based on what Canadians like to eat. If you are from Spain you will understand what I mean (we have the best food in the world)

The hotel is huge but there are golf cars circulating all around the hotel and you can hop on/off any where you want.

The rooms are large and very clean. Bear in mind this is a new hotel and our room was impeccable.

The beach of the Hotel Sirenis La Salina is a bit wild sinse there are only a couple of hotels being built in the distance.

In general we spent a great time and we will recommend this hotel to our own family.

Cuba. To the closing of the year 2008, more than 40 thousand Russian tourists had visited the different tourist poles of this country, which confirms the interest that prevails in that market for the attractions that offer the Caribbean island, said Oscar Hernández, director of the office of the Department of Tourism of Cuba (MINTUR) in Moscow, in statements for local media and agencies of international press.

Tireless in the search of initiatives to maintain the tendency to the boom of the last period of three years, even in the middle of a world economic crisis that could affect to the sector in 2009, Hernández reported that the 40 thousand Russians that visited the Island in 2008 represent an increment over 10 thousand tourists with respect to the year 2007, season evaluated very favourably.

Upon explaining why the upward trend with a respectable indicator, the official underlines in the first place the traditional sympathy between both countries, the cultural and natural attraction, as well as also the hospitality of the Cubans and the security that Cuba offers.

To those traditional strengths joint other factors, like the special attention that the MINTUR (Ministry of Tourism in Cuba) express to the Russian Federation, concluded the official.

by Ventura de Jesús

VARADERO. — Cuba’s top beach resort has received more than 700,000 tourists to date and the conditions exist for the year to end with a total of one million visitors for the first time in the history of tourism in that province.

“Varadero has been strengthening its position as a destination,” emphasized Amado Acosta Hernández, Ministry of Tourism delegate in Matanzas province. “We have maintained progressive growth since the second semester of 2007 and, specifically this year, we are seeing the best results in overall indicators, although we know we can be still more efficient.”

Varadero has a total of 17,300 hotel rooms, and according to experts, it is highly likely that in February and March, the peak of the high season, the daily rate of tourists will exceed 30,000, a record set last season.

Acosta Hernández explained to Granma that damages from the recent hurricanes are insignificant; they were localized in the structures of several hotels, above all windows and roofs, along with landscaping and gardens. “We are now completely back to normal and preparing for the high season,” he said.

Leading up to the winter period, some of the most important actions include beefing up beaches with sand, with a current accumulation of 35,000 cubic meters.

The process of restoring facilities is particularly comprehensive at the Breezes Varadero, Tuxpan and Las Morlas hotels.

Acosta Hernández added that work is underway to improve roads, street signs and lighting. Because of the competition in this industry, a greater emphasis should be placed on service quality, he commented.

Translated by Granma International

In the narrow alleys of Old Havana, The los Frailes Hotel raises just few steps away from the majestic convent of san Francisco de Asis and the populous Old Square.

The former mansion of the fourth Marquis and Captain of the French Navy Don Pedro Claudio Duquesne is today Los Frailes Hotel. Once visited by the finest and most prominent personalities and renowned artists the Hotel Los Frailes is the prefect place to enjoy the voice of the silence and meditation in the pleasant afternoons of the Old Town.

Right at the entrance a sculpture made of cooper resembling a monk welcomes visitors inviting them into the imaginary trip to a medieval abbey.

Its lobby bar, comfortable rooms and quiet courtyard, decorated with outstanding works of art, its enigmatic and intimate atmosphere combined with the suggestive sound of a water fountain invite to contemplation and meditation in this exclusive hotel.

Facilities:

22 rooms (18 standard rooms and 4 mini-suites) all with air conditioning, private bathroom, satellite T, min bar, national and international telephone access in the room, safe box and lobby bar.

Address:
Los Frailes Hotel
Calle Teniente Rey No 8 entre Mercaderes y Oficios, La Habana Vieja
Telephones: (00 53 7) 629383/(00 53 7) 629510

The Hostal San Miguel is located very near to Havana`s Harbour, witness of the non grata presence of filibusters, whose visits to this city brought in the construction of colossal fortresses: La Cabana, El Morro and La Punta.

The building was acquired and modified towards 1923 by Antonio San Miguel y Segala, outstanding man of letters, altruist and promoter of Cuban culture. He was the director of La Lucha newspaper, a very important one during the war of Independence in 1895. Later on, he became a distinguished businessman.

This elegant architecture ensemble is distinguished by the disposition and good taste of its compartments, which show the life style of well consolidated high class of Havana in the 1920’s.

Its comfortable ten rooms, the Grand Saloon, designed with pompous filigree to hold protocol banquets as in the 20ies, its attractive lobby bar and a captivating terrace with and excellent panoramic view make this place a concurrent stop for travellers who enjoy exquisiteness and good appearance.

The Terrace: The lookout point offers a fascinating view of the Harbour and its fortresses. Excellent spot for breakfast lunch or dinner overlooking the best of Havana’s architecture.

Facilities at Palacio San Miguel:
Ten air conditioning moms, private bathrooms, safe box, minibar, satellite TV, room service, national and international telephone lines, laundry, snack bar on the terrace, rent of Grand Saloon, e-mail, fax, photocopy, specialized shop, parking, luggage storage room.

Address:
Hotel San Miguel
Calle Cuba N0. 52 esquina s Peña Pobre,
La Habana Vieja, Cuba
Telephones: (0053 7) 627656, (0053 7) 634029 Fax: (0053 7) 634088

The real Cuban fiesta is everywhere: at unimagined corners, hidden behind any bend in the road. This is the opinion of some European travelers that have seen and lived a lot in Cuba, place where they return to in order to spend vacations again.
Cubans are deeply proud of this idea. They welcome visitors with their best smile, wherever they come from.
Nevertheless, one of the most distinctive marks of this philosophy has to be unquestionably related with accommodations. Certainly, Havana –the Cuban capital- is plenty of good examples; the same happens with the rest of the Island.
Many travelers prefer those places full of history; others, huge buildings exuding light and brightness through and through.
However, those who bet for small places have always the opportunity of taking advantages of higher intimacy and a more personalized attention from employees who soon become long-lasting friends.
This is the case of a very interesting hotel that also has a worthy-to-take-note history that can be kept as well as the good memories and pictures of the family in the place they spend vacations.
In addition, this place is located at one of Havana’s busiest corners, very closed to the Paseo del Prado.
That is why, this distinguished Hotel Telégrafo, located in the previously mentioned city, attracts thousands of European travelers due to its relations with arts and intimacy although being so close to hurly-burly of city life.
Featuring an average of more than 85 per cent of occupation and many years of management; it has undergone a complete repair and constitutes a much demanded place for tourists run by Habaguanex S.A.
It is located between two very crowded streets: Neptuno and Galiano. It has a beautiful façade and it is even more attractive inside. In addition, the Telégrafo holds many stories of the city.
Opened in 1860, it was located few blocks away from Amistad Street, near the place it occupies today. Around 1888, it was moved into the populous current site; and in 1911 it was fully rebuilt, representing the key reason for today’s recovery.

The Telégrafo has 63 rooms and the privileges of modern tourism services, as well as an excellent location within the Cuban capital. That is the reason why it receives many visitors who come repeated times from all over the world.
Elegance is its distinctive mark as well as a very intimate style remarked by its employees´ top-quality service that is mentioned by some surveyed guests.

Habaguanex S.A. -name of a native cacique of the region- represents a paramount tourism group for the oldest part of Havana and it is in charge of some other hotels with plenty of intimacy and charm.
This renewed hotel keeps stories of each outstanding person and celebrated happening surrounding this area of old Havana, still in time, an architectural landscape with plenty of anecdotes.
Those places are increasingly much demanded by, mainly, Europeans that come to Cuba, and specifically to Havana, who have historical and cultural interests.

Ibrostar Daiquiry Hotel ****

Would you like to enjoy a perfect holiday in a spectacular movie-like setting? You can make your dreams come true at the Hotel Iberostar Daiquiri. A complex with a modern design, set on one of Cuba’s most beautiful islands, Cayo Guillermo, only 40 km from Cayo Coco airport. What is especially striking about this still practically unspoilt place is the great beauty of the surroundings.

A paradise of striking contrasts where you can admire the incomparable beauty of Caribbean nature while relaxing on a fabulous beach of fine white sand.

Location: Cayo Guillermo

312 rooms in several buildings and perfectly decorated bungalows.

Main buffet restaurant and 2 other a la carte Mexican and Creole cuisine restaurants.
4 bars that specialized in Cuban drinks and delicious cocktails.

3 swimming pools, including a separate children’s pool, in a spectacular garden zone.
Gym room, massage room and sauna.
Wide range of water sports and an International Diving Centre.
Varied programme of night-time shows and karaoke, etc.
Made-to-measure entertainment programme for the little ones: Mini-club, Playground & Playroom and babysitter service. 24-hour all-inclusive service.