ART

Tourism in Cuba: An Unforgettable Experience

What can you expect when you travel to Cuba? Sun, white sand beaches, salsa music all around? Well, yes, but fortunately, there is much more than that. Cuba is a paradox of experiences, where your senses collide with one another in an explosion of significant magnitude. Here is a place where you can truly find everything and anything, from the most demanding to the most basic and raw. It is up to the individual to discover what he seeks, but in the meantime, we can try to give you some insight and maybe make your decision a little bit easier.

For the Canadian traveler, Cuba must seem like another planet altogether. Things that you have taken for granted all your life will be nowhere in sight, and situations that you can´t even imagine appear as if by magic. Whether you are a single traveler or a family of 10, a young child or a elderly person, the wonders of this country will seduce you and will make want to come back again and again.

Here in Cuba, you will find all types of hotel accommodation, from the most luxurious 5 star resorts to the basic yet adequate “casa particular”, private houses whose owners pay monthly fees to be able to rent rooms for tourists. These are better suited for single travelers spending a longer time since it will be much cheaper. On the other hand, for a nice family vacation, you have all types of hotels and fancy resorts, from the most luxurious city places to the very comfortable and family-oriented all inclusive beach resorts. These cater to the entire family, where children will be looked after and will be absolutely safe, with activities ranging anywhere from all types of water sports to dancing lessons. Here you find different restaurants, from traditional Cuban fare to the most demanding of international cuisine. Everyone will have something that they enjoy, so there will be no need to worry about what to eat. Cuba is a very senior friendly society, and this transcends into its tourism industry. There will be activities for everyone in the family, like walks along beautiful paths with breathtaking views, leisurely strolls on the beach, in short, something for everyone to do, even for the most elderly of visitors. Also everything has been organized so that handicapped people can enjoy their holiday to the most of theircapabilities, and every effort is being made to improve on this most important part of our industry. Our country should be enjoyed equally by everyone, no matter how young or old they are, or no matter the handicap. We are truly doing our best in this respect.

Now let´s talk a bit about city tourism. Havana is a bustling city of around 2 million people, with blacks and whites and every race in between. Whether is music you are looking for, museums of every sorts, any other type of cultural manifestation or just simply relax watching the sunset on the Malecon ( the seaside avenue that goes from Old Havana to Miramar), here you will find it. From Jazz music to live Salsa bands, from Ballet performances to the most typical street conga, culture as a whole will leap at you from every corner. If you are an antiques enthusiast, you will fall in love with the fleet of old cars that line Havana streets, some being used as regular taxi cabs, a testament to Cuban ingenuity, because it´s truly a miracle to keep these cars rolling after more than fifty years on the road.

If you like the beach, there´s a beautiful white sand beach 30 minutes from downtown Havana, so you could actually have the best of two worlds, sun and sand one day, museums and tobacco factories the next. Havana is truly an amazing experience, and you will need at least a week to appreciate all it has to offer, and you will still be short on time.

But the best thing about Cuba is its people. Whether its the staff that will look after you at the resorts, or the people you will meet on the streets if you come to the city, the people is Cuba´s greatest jewel. Fun loving, open hearted, they will make you feel right at home, often inviting you into their own houses for a traditional dish of rice, beans and pork, and of course, the ever present Cuban rum.Experiences like these is what makes a trip to Cuba unforgettable, a trip to be remembered for a long time.

But Cuba its not only Havana and the beaches. There are several in country places worth very much seeing. There is the beautiful Viñales Valley, a place with hills called “mogotes” found nowhere else in the world, with captivating caves and underwater rivers which can be visited and enjoyed. There is also Trinidad, a quaint little village preserved much as it was 300 years ago, with its sugarcane mills and history all around it. Further east you have Santiago de Cuba, cradle of the Cuban revolution, but also filled with every conceivable luxury expected by a foreign traveler.

If you decide to choose Cuba as the place you want to spend your holiday in, you should take into account the time of the year you want to travel. In the slow season, that is, from April to November, its absolutely too hot, so unless you want to bake in 30 degree weather and 90 percent humidity, you should choose the other season, that is, from November to March, when its still warm enough without the smoldering heat and stifling humidity.In this case, you have to book well in advance, because people from all over the world choose Cuba as its winter paradise, especially Canadians. Everything from all-inclusive to city hotels, car rentals, anything that you want to have secured, should be reserved weeks in advance. This will ensure a happy and carefree holiday, without any problems related to shortages of anything. Reservation is the name of the game when you travel to Cuba, thus making it possible to enjoy your stay without any worries.

If you are a person who likes to drive through the countryside, there are several car rental agencies with many price ranges, from the smallest compact car to the biggest Mercedes or Audi. Roads are quite safe, something you will rapidly discover by the amount of people hitchhiking at the side of the road. That´s another of Cuba´s greatest assets, its safety. Like everywhere, you have your petty thieves, pickpockets and what not, and even these are rare. Serious crimes are almost unheard-of in the island, which makes it a haven for people who like to mingle with the locals. Of course, you have to be prudent, but as a rule, you can drive or walk through any Havana street at anytime of day or night and you will be absolutely safe.

In the Caribbean there might be more luxurious places To go, but as far as friendliness and safety are concerned, none can compare to Cuba, and all of this with rapidly increasing levels of service all around. As of now, we have one of the major hotel chains in the world with approximately 15 resorts in Cuba, with plans to keep increasing its capacities in the future. This is mostly due to the reasons stated before, which makes Cuba a unique vacation destination, combining state of the art facilities with down to earth homeliness and safety, and every effort made to make this vacation the best time of your life, without distinction of age or physical ability. If you give it a chance, you will not be disappointed. This can truly be called an earthly paradise, but not only because of the beauty of the land, but also and probably more important, the beauty of its people.We hope you come and share all of this with us. You will not forget it.

About the Author

Rafael Hernandez is currently a customer service rep at www.umbrellatravel.com

¡Cuba! Art And History: From 1868 to Today – Part 1

1945 CUBA MAIL LINE SHIPPING..STEAMSHIP LINE AD ART $5.95

1957 Havana Cuba jai alai art National Airlines ad $9.99

1940′s Cuba Beach Girl Island Travel Poster – 16×24 $9.95

PARTY in CUBA 20s Glamor Altered Art Gemstone EARRINGS $15.99

1938 Havana Cuba Horse Racing Travel Poster 15×24 $9.95

Visit Cuba! 1935 Classic Cuban Travel Poster 14×24 $9.95

ORIGINAL 1999 TROPICANA CABARET HAVANA CUBA 60TH ANNIVERSERY POSTER $225.00

CUBA VINTAGE TRAVEL POSTER Holiday Isle RARE HOT NEW – PRINT IMAGE PHOTO -B50 $3.95

Carnival Havana Cuba Vintage Style Travel Poster 16×24 $9.95

HAVANA CUBA MASSACRE, FORTRESS CABANA, SANTIAGO, SHIPS $65.00

1664 The Threepenny Opera Vintage POSTER. Cuba 1967 Decorative Art. $7.99

1664 The Threepenny Opera Vintage POSTER. Cuba 1967 Decorative Art. $52.00

1664 The Threepenny Opera Vintage POSTER. Cuba 1967 Decorative Art. $9.99

1664 The Threepenny Opera Vintage POSTER. Cuba 1967 Decorative Art. $18.99

1664 The Threepenny Opera Vintage POSTER. Cuba 1967 Decorative Art. $95.00

1664 The Threepenny Opera Vintage POSTER. Cuba 1967 Decorative Art. $39.99

1664 The Threepenny Opera Vintage POSTER. Cuba 1967 Decorative Art. $17.99

1664 The Threepenny Opera Vintage POSTER. Cuba 1967 Decorative Art. $74.00

1664 The Threepenny Opera Vintage POSTER. Cuba 1967 Decorative Art. $23.99

1664 The Threepenny Opera Vintage POSTER. Cuba 1967 Decorative Art. $48.99

1664 The Threepenny Opera Vintage POSTER. Cuba 1967 Decorative Art. $15.99

1664 The Threepenny Opera Vintage POSTER. Cuba 1967 Decorative Art. $21.99

1664 The Threepenny Opera Vintage POSTER. Cuba 1967 Decorative Art. $30.00

1664 The Threepenny Opera Vintage POSTER. Cuba 1967 Decorative Art. $12.99

ROSANA MCALLISTER-KELLY 1975 o/c Abstract Painting CUBA $4,500.00

travel, pin up, Cuba, Paradise of the Tropics $10.99

Vintage Cuba german ruby red Sapphire blue crystal Art Deco lion charm earrings $24.17

CUBA 1964 ART NUSEUM PAINTING & STATUE STAMPS 2 FDC’s $7.99

LARGE OIL PAINTING,24X40 INCHES [ LANDSCAPE,BARACOA,CUBA ] BY JUAN MARIANO,GIL $250.00

CUBA 1965 Native art set of 4 stamps #30959 $6.60

Vintage Folk Art Handpainted/Tooled Leather Lidded Dice Cup-Havanna, Cuba-2 7/8 $87.50

Cuban Crafters CC-TRAVELCUBA 10 Cigar Leather Travel Humidor Map of Cuba Art $47.95

CUBAN PATRIOT SOLDIERS, HISTORY, ANTIQUE CUBA BAYONETE $45.00

Cuba Represent!: Cuban Arts, State Power, and the Makin $34.74

HAVANA, CUBA, HOUSE-TOPS DURING EMBARKATION OF EXILES $36.00

The Capture of El Caney, El Paso and Fortifications of Santiago, July 1898 (litho) (b&w photo) by American School – Mug – Standard Size $14.50 This mug is created using the finest dye sublimation techniques and creates a stunning dishwasher safe finish. Great as a gift, or for promotional items. Each of our mugs come individually boxed for protection in transit….

The Capture of El Caney, El Paso and.. – 3×2 inch Fridge Magnet – large magnetic button – Magnet $4.99 Rectangular wrap-around refrigerator magnet and a glossy mylar cover.Large 2×3 inch rectangle fridge magnet or ‘buttons’ as they are sometimes known in the USA.Crop shown is automated for display purposes only. All magnets are hand finished and the best most appropriate crop will always be selected to best show the full image. Therefore, actual product may vary slightly from crop shown – this can …

The Capture of El Caney, El Paso and.. – Tea Towel 100% Cotton – Art247 – Tea Towel – 46x70cm $20.49 100% Cotton. Made in UK. Size 70cms X 46cmsThis is an automated preview only. Actual Tea Towel design may vary. All products are hand finished by our expert manufacturers and the best crop available will always be selected….

Buena Vista Social Club $10.57 Our Seller Notes and Fine Print Department :.. This is in very good shape, on original CD…World Circuit, with slipcase and extensive booklet…..

The Nightfly $4.47 No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: FAGEN,DONALDTitle: NIGHTFLYStreet Release Date: 07/07/1987…

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx $5.58 No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: RAEKWONTitle: ONLY BUILT 4 CUBAN LINXStreet Release Date: 08/01/1995…

Pearl Harbor (Two-Videotape Set) (60th Anniversay Commemorative Edition) [VHS] $0.99 To call Pearl Harbor a throwback to old-time war movies is something of an understatement. Director Michael Bay’s epic take on the bombing that brought the United States into World War II hijacks every war movie situation and cliché (some affectionate, some stale) you’ve ever seen and gives them a shiny, glossy spin until the whole movie practically gleams. Planes glisten, water sparkles, trees b…

What Dreams May Come [VHS] $2.20 Chris Neilson dies to find himself in a heaven more amazing than he could have ever dreamed of. There is one thing missing: his wife. After he dies, his wife, Annie, kills herself and goes to hell. Chris decides to risk eternity in hades for the small chance that he will be able to bring her back to heaven….

As Good As It Gets [VHS] $0.52 As Good As It Gets [VHS] (1997) Jack Nicholson (Actor), Helen Hunt (Actor) | Rated: R | Format: VHS Tape…

Tropical Massage – 36W x 24H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $51.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l…