One thing is certain, despite all the upheavals in its history, Cuba has lost none of its charm, and is even more fascinating than ever. Take your ticket, it's time to discover this country, which is still as beautiful and authentic as ever, to the delight of the millions of tourists who visit it every year. Here is a small overview of the Cuban wonders that can be discovered in a trip that combines two of Cuba's leading destinations: the capital with its rich heritage, Havana, and the seaside resort of Varadero, which will seduce those who love to laze around.
Havana, a unique heritage
Despite its policy of openness, Cuba is still turned towards its past whose heritage is omnipresent in the streets of the country. Two moments of history are permanently intertwined: on the one hand, the colonial era of the Spanish conquistadors, on the other hand, the 1950s just before the 1959 Revolution, initiated by Fidel Castro and his troops, made it the communist country it has become. If the thousands of American cars in circulation on the island dazzle all the travelers by their bright colors and their rarity, the colonial cities have however an architectural wealth even more impressive, between picturesque paved lanes and preserved monuments. This majestic past unfolds wonderfully in the Cuban capital which is a superb heritage digest.
Havana, founded in 1519, has a historic district classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site: Habana Vieja. It has been continuously restored for about thirty years and the result is remarkable. From the Plaza de la Catedral to the Plaza Vieja, passing by the Plaza San Francisco de Asis, it is a permanent wonder between restored buildings of the 16th or 17th century and baroque palaces of the 18th century. The imposing cathedral of Havana in neoclassical style or the Castillo San Salvador de la Punta, built in the 16th century, perfectly illustrate the architectural style of this district in the form of a temporal mosaic.
The casas particulares, a typical form of accommodation
For anyone looking to live in total immersion in Cuban culture in Cuba, there is nothing better than a stay with a local in one of the many casas particulares. You will have your own room, a private bathroom, but also a catering service with delicious dishes concocted by the hostess, all for a modest sum.
While some of the homes are modest, others are truly splendid... Many of them are located in the Cuban capital. Like the superb colonial house of Camilo Finlay, which is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful casas particulares in Havana. It has a sublime and luminous Andalusian patio with authentic Sevillian mosaics, a direct imprint of the Spanish colonists who built it.
A growing Cuban gastronomy in Havana
The wonderment continues in the plate in Cuba where, contrary to the generally accepted ideas, one does not eat only rice and black beans... Since Raul Castro's reforms in 2011 to develop the private sector, private restaurants are flourishing in Cuba, especially in Havana. In these establishments called "paladares", chefs are more willing to let their creativity run wild than in state restaurants. In the Centro Habana neighborhood, one of the most popular in the capital, two addresses are a must. Casa Miglis is the restaurant of Michel Miglis, half Greek, half Swedish, and a lover of Cuba. He has created a fusion cuisine that is at once Nordic, Mediterranean and Cuban. We recommend the Swedish specialty of Skagen toast with shrimp or the very good ceviche, without forgetting the chili con carne or the marmite of the sea... Finally, you should not miss the San Cristobal where Mariela Castro, the daughter of the Cuban president, has her habits, and where President Barack Obama came to dine during his historic official visit to Cuba in 2016. The style of this restaurant is unique. It is a large colonial house that has been transformed into a restaurant; the furniture is period and the rooms have been redecorated with works of art, antiques, but also objects related to the Catholic religion and santería. The mystical-megalo-arty ensemble is nevertheless successful, and the food is a festival of flavors at the crossroads of international and Cuban cuisine.
Varadero, the Cuban capital of idleness
If Havana is a sublime city, it does not have beaches as such. To really enjoy paradisiacal beaches in Cuba, you just have to go to Varadero, the most famous seaside resort of the country, only 140 km from the Cuban capital. You can easily get there in a 2-hour drive from Havana. Another possibility is to fly directly to Varadero, as the city has an airport. One can thus start by making a stay 100 % balneal before going to the capital for cultural visits which are not the strong point of Varadero... Located on the beautiful Hicacos peninsula, Varadero offers kilometers of white sandy beaches and turquoise waters at the ideal temperature for swimming. As far as accommodation is concerned, there are many all-inclusive hotels in the resort and they offer an excellent quality/price ratio with different levels of comfort and a wide range of prices. There is usually a buffet restaurant with international and Cuban cuisine, a varied entertainment program with salsa classes, sports activities and evening shows. These hotels also offer excursions in the region or to other Cuban cities. However, the majority of visitors prefer to stay at the hotel club to enjoy the pleasures of swimming and sunbathing... Since these establishments have direct access to the beach, the call of the deckchair, the warm sand and the crystalline waters becomes really irresistible!
Parties with extension
But in Varadero you won't just get a tan! In the evening, the resort is very lively and the atmosphere is both caliente and good-natured. You really feel like you are in a huge vacation resort since you can meet tourists from all over the world in the bars and clubs of Varadero. The Cubans are of course there to make dance this crowd of visitors lodged in the all-inclusive hotels of the station. We usually start the evening at the mythical Bar Calle 62 where after having tasted a good mojito, we dance the salsa in the street which adjoins the bar.
Once warmed up, you can then head to the nearby Havana Club nightclub. Latin and international hits set the dance floor alight and a crowd of tourists dance tightly together until the early hours. Lovers of live Cuban music will opt for the Casa de la Musica, which always has quality bands. As for rock fans, they will find their account at the Beatles Bar which hosts very good Cuban rockers on an open-air stage.
Smart info
When is the best time to visit? The Cuban climate is subtropical. It offers ideal weather conditions from March to June. The dry season runs from November to May and the wet season from June to October, with alternating heavy rains of short duration (usually in the evening) and a good level of sunshine. Beware: from July to October, it is also the hurricane season
How to getthere. Allow about 10 hours of flight time between Paris and Havana.
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