Posts Tagged ‘caribbean’

Cuba A World Of Adventure

Thursday, December 31st, 2009

Cuba Beaches with white, grey, black and golden sand contrast with blue or aqua-green seas; the calm water near a mountain peak hides the inner beauty of its seabed. Some of its coasts are on the Caribbean; others, on the Atlantic. In both cases, its shores tempt you to give yourself over to the sensual, magical movement of the waves.

There is an average of 330 sunny days a year, with few clouds. The main tourist resorts (including the ones on the cays) have international airports, and the excellent hotel infrastructure is complemented with a wide range of extra hotel facilities (car and bus rentals, marinas, scuba-diving centers, shops, beauty parlors, fitness centers, etc.), entertainment during the day and at night, excursions to nearby cities, medical attention, and special family and honeymoon Cuba holiday packages.

Lands of legends and myths, thousands of tiny islands enclose a fascinating mini-world in which the conditions have been created for having a daring adventure. Cuba has several marinas or sports ports that offer all of the services you need for having a delightful stay.

The high degree of conservation of its coral formations and beaches attests to its cleanliness. It has a gentle subtropical climate, the product of warm water cooled by The trade winds, so temperatures range between 75.2 and 84.2 F. (24 and 29 C.).

There are places-anonymous as yet or little known-virgin beaches which are not the exception but rather the rule. Large or small, they are waiting to be discovered on the Guanahacabibes Peninsula, a preserve of the biosphere; the coasts in the center and eastern parts of the country; and in tranquil Baracoa, at the eastern extreme of the island. You can enjoy them to the full in complete safety. There’s nothing quite like walking along a beach for hours with nothing to disturb you.

In 1985, the French oceanologist Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s crew was very impressed by Cuba’s seabed-most of all, by their exploration of the Cristobal Colon, a Spanish ship which was sunk during the naval battle that was fought just off Santiago de Cuba in i8g8. According to the divers, who have worked all over the world, few other places are as well preserved or have such a wealth of marine life. His colleagues waxed so enthusiastic that Cousteau, then 75, decided to put on an aqualung and see for himself. He wasn’t disappointed.

Scientific studies estimate that there are over 500 species of fish; 200 different kinds of sponges (cup, tube and branch); around 60 kinds of coral; and a large sample of mollusks, crustaceans, gorgonians, algae and Common Sea Fans (Gorgonia spp.) in Cuban waters.

Cuba undoubtedly is one of the most stunning tourist destinations in the World. Add the irrefutable fact of a super rich culture and you have the perfect formula for an unforgettable holiday.

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Astonishing Geological Treasures of Cuba.

Thursday, December 10th, 2009

Viales Valley is one of the most known and attractive areas of Cuba among holiday makers. It offers an outstanding panorama featured by the mixtures of spectacular natural beauty, the preservation of the environment, the harmonic man’s action in the fruit growing, fundamentally the tobacco industry, whose traditional growing and production methods earned an international recognition as one of the best quality in the world. This place allows the visitors to give free rein to their imagination.

There are many attractions in Viales Valley but today I would like to write about La Cueva del Indio. This is a immense cave, located under sea level, is visited in two stages: the first part of the visit is done by foot along its narrow passages and halls and the second part is by boat, a ride that will take you to the other end of the cave.

The shapes of its stalactites and stalagmites amaze the observer. Right at the entrance of the cave you will be able to see some of our endemic species like The Polymita Picta (a sort of snail with a very colorful shell).

In the boat part of the excursion, an expert driver takes you along the stream and shows you all these amazing protruding formations, some of them with very strange shapes that look like a crocodile, a snake and even a witch. I am sure you will also discover your own shapes. It is a very tranquil ride as the steam of the watercourse is very calm which permit you to get pleasure from the beauty within this cave.

The waterway inside the cavern is accessible for the ride for about 500 meters. Even though the river is a lot longer, for your own protection is not navigable along its total path. The entire grotto has not being entirely explored since there are some parts that are completely sank under water.

The mass of water is amazing but you got even more amazed when the trip finishes: with all the water that you have seen inside, it is crazy to see that everything ends in a waterfall as high as a half a meter! For a moment you think that you and the boat will crash, but it is an experience worth living. After the fright, you will want to enjoy the trip again, this time knowing all what will happen.

If you are going to Cuba or you have bought a holiday package already, make sure to visit this amazing location. You can visit the cave from Viales itself but if you are not staying in the area do not worry. You can still visit Viales on a day excursion from Havana. They depart every day and they will all include the visit to this cave. I will leave you know but not without wishing you first an unforgettable experience in Cuba.

Before you decide to go to Cuba make sure you check some few options on cheap Cuba holidays.

Best Hotels in Havana

Monday, August 31st, 2009

I would like to introduce you in this article to what in my modest opinion represent the best hotels in Havana. Please complement this information with reviews in trip advisor before you decide which hotel to go for in Havana.

Santa Isabel Hotel

Santa Isabel offers cosy rooms that are decorated in luxurious colonial style. It is here where John Paul II stayed in 1998 when he visited Havana. This Colonial Palace is located only few steps from Havana’s Cathedral and it is just next to where Havana was founded almost 400 years ego.

Saratoga Hotel

This hotel was constructed in the early 1930’s and was immediately well known for its excellent cuisine. Its Open-air pedestrian arcades are a pleasure to walk through. This 5 star hotel enjoys an excellent location in the very heart of the Old Town. Its roof top swimming pool is one of the best spots to contemplate Havana’s reach architecture.

NH Parque Central

This 5 star hotel is located in the centre of the old colonial Havana, surrounded by numerous famous buildings, like the Capitol, the “Teatro Garcia Lorca” and the Museum for Modern Arts. Here the elegance of the Spanish colonial style combines with much more modern features. From the terrace and swimming pool bar in the uppermost floor of the hotel, one can enjoy the most spectacular view over old Havana.

Havana - Florida Hotel

At a centric corner of the street Obispo raises majestically the Hotel Florida. Few meters from Plaza de Armas this hotel is surrounded by businesses, art galleries and interesting museums that provide a magic atmosphere in its vicinity. A distinguished ambience and a customized service invite you to discover the magic of the past in the 21st century.

Havana - Raquel Hotel

The classic Raquel hotel stands out for its beautiful art-nouveau architecture style and is just few minutes walk from Plaza Vieja in Havana?s Old Town. This 4 star hotel houses 37 rooms, gym, one a la carte restaurant, buffet restaurant and a beautiful terrace from where you can enjoy fantastic views of Havana.

Please visit Cuba tours web site by J. M. Maurette for further information on Havana Hotels

Habana’s Cathedral, A Site Worth Visiting.

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

It is not possible to mention the beauties of Havana without including The Cathedral Square. With its cobbled streets and beautiful facades it captivates visitors from all over the world.

In earlier times it was named Plaza de la Cinaga (Swamp Square), and later on “Plaza de la Catedral”, it is a place that has much to do with the beginning of Havana, founded on the 16th Century in the proximities of Havana’s harbour.

The name is due to a large cathedral built first as oratory of the Hijos de San Ignacio, of the Jesuit order, which first stone was placed in 1748. After three decades the oratory was built, the Cathedral was already functioning, and between 1802 and 1832, important restoration works were made. Beautifully decorated, with important works and copies made by the French Jean Baptiste Vermay, it is a place worth visiting.

Numerous important gatherings take place in this astonishing little spot of Havana. Festival, music concerts and gala dinners for important groups have found the perfect venue in Cathedral Square. The weather is always nice and the atmosphere can not be better. Surrounded by a magnificent architecture and serenaded by some always excellent Cuban music can be the ideal perfect evening.

As a special feature, one of the nearby alleys is the seat of the most famous Cuban restaurant: La Bodeguita del Medio which reaffirms its quality after serving for more than 60 years since its foundation.It is an emblematic restaurant for the Cuban tourism, with the walls full of around two million autographs of all clients from different time periods, and photographs left by outstanding figures such as Ernest Hemingway, Mario Benedetti, Pablo Neruda or Errol Fryn.

The list of celebrities is long, including cinema artists, painters, politicians, dancers and musicians, both foreign and Cuban, where this country’s national poet Nicols Guilln (deceased) had his space too.

Many people spend time chatting in this site which is always amusing due to the presence of guitarists and singers, as it has happened for more than six decades, when its founder Angel Martinez (deceased), used to personally inquire about the likes of his guests.

A word of advice is to find a hotel in the old town, there are about 15 of them and they are very small, cosy and boutique hotels with very affordable prices. Santa Isabel and Florida hotels have both the best standard of service and location. Every thing you need to do or see will be walking distance from your hotels. At the end of the day you do not want the hassle of having to take taxis while on your holidays.

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The best places in Cuba

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

Never have Cuba holidays been so popular among holiday makers until recent years, especially after its government opened its doors to tourism and foreign investment. For some this amazing Caribbean island is a must in the agenda of most interesting places in the world.

It is all about knowing where to go, what to see and which locations to perhaps combine to get the most out of your experience in Cuba. This island is so reach in cultural, history, architecture and nature that there it has the ideal recipe for an unforgettable holiday.

Lets look at places like Varadero, Jibacoa, Guardalavaca, cayo Coco, Cayo Largo, Cayo Santa Maria and so many other beach destinations with white sandy beaches and turquoise color waters. To chose among all of them could be a difficult task. Some places like Varadero are better in terms of infrastructure and things you can do out side your hotel while the rest are more for the purpose of pure relaxation.

Vi?ales Valley located in Pinar del Rio province enjoys by far the most astonishing landscapes of Cuba. It is also famous for its tobacco plantations responsible for the best cigars in the World.

Baracoa in the eastern most part of Cuba is one of the most charismatic villages in Cuba from the Spanish Colonial Times. Its mountainous surroundings make it also ideal for those who enjoy direct contact with nature.

Havana has to be my favourite place. Not only was I born in Havana and know it quite well, I can say with confidence that I have walked every corner of this amazing City. You have to visit Havana if you really want to feel you have been to Cuba. I particularly recommend the Old Town area to stay and the night clubs of Vedado neighborhood.

You can put together as many locations as it make sense depending on your on time and travel distances in between places. Of course the budget is determinant in deciding what to see. Cuba is a large island and sometimes you have to travel 6 hours on the road to go from A to B and that comes at a high price.

Some think that Cuba might change in the next couple of years. I personally have been hearing this same thing for the past 20 years and Cuba still remains the same defiant and beautiful country. However it is important to highlight that in the past few years the expectation of a change has increased. My advice is not to leave your visit for too late or you might miss have a century of history and culture.

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