Cuba. Wonderful seasides and pretty girls
19:40 Cuba. Wonderful seasides and pretty girls | |
 Before the 1959 Revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination for United States citizens, mainly due to Havana's european-like beauty, its high standard of living (Cuba having the largest Latin American middle class per-capita in 1958), and the large number of shows, events, and casinos catering to tourists. During such era more Americans resided in Cuba than Cubans in USA. Many Americans had beach homes during the summer, and rich American companies also owned large factories and land in the island nation.
Cuba's intricacies are a result of its history, a troubled saga of external interference and internal strife that has bred genocide, slavery, invasion, counter-invasion, and popular revolution. Floating halfway between the US to the north and Latin America to the south, the archipelago has long struggled to work out where it fits in. Even its ecology, as German scientist Alexander von Humboldt once observed, is decidedly weird, a kind of ‘Caribbean Galápagos’ where contradictory phenomena coexist. Get ready for shocks, surprises, and eye-opening epiphanies. Twenty-first century Cuba promises to be like nowhere else you’ve ever visited: economically poor, but culturally rich; visibly mildewed, but architecturally magnificent; infuriating, yet at the same time, strangely uplifting. Due to several long-standing factors (e.g. bureaucratic ineffectiveness, lack of a market economy, and the loss of Soviet subsidies), today much of the country's infrastructure is in need of desperate repair. In major tourist destinations there will generally be few problems with either power or water, although such outages may occur. Electricity outages have been common in Cuba, except in tourist facilities that have a generator. I have already told you some information about Cuba. Now I want to speak about traveling in Cuba. You know that Cuba is situated in the North America and the country is surrounded by water. So that, Tourism in Cuba is one of the most developed branches of Cuba's industry. There're hundreds of hotels in Cuba, but I'd like to speak about the best hotels. Lets go ! 1. Santa Isabel This grand 18th-century palace overlooks Havana's oldest and most beautiful colonial square, the Plaza de Armas. The pretty central courtyard has a fountain which is often filled with fresh tuberoses. Some of the beds are pretty squeaky so it's perhaps not the best place for nuits passionelles, but the cocktails are among the city's best and we defy you to get up from the mahogany and leather armchairs in the courtyard after more than two mojitos. Stay in the Santovenia Suite for a serious aesthetic treat. Lowest price $175.  2. Conde de Villanueva Delightfully small and intimate establishment in what was once the mansion of Claudio Martínez de Pinillos, Count of Villanueva, the leader of Cuban Creole society in the 19th century. A favourite with cigar aficionados, it houses one of Old Havana's best cigar shops. The suite overlooking the junction of Lamparilla and Mercaderes Streets is probably the most inviting hotel room in Havana. Lowest price $110. 3. Bellavista This is a marvellous casa partcicular offering a large master-bedroom, and one of the best private terraces in Havana, looking out across Havana Bay, which makes up for being out of Old Havana. The owner Mauricio speaks great English and is a charming "hablador" (talker) who will give you some interesting insights into Cuba. Lowest price $100. 4. Hotel Nacional The Nacional is a magnificent hotel, fully deserving its ranking among the world's best, having hosted the likes of Churchill, Hemingway and Sinatra down the years. Unfortunately, the shabby rooms, patchy service and unexceptional food do not do justice to the general ambience. Savour the beautiful gardens, enjoy the history and relax by the pool, but don't try and get a dry martini with a rocket and walnut salad delivered to your room in the early hours of the morning. Lowest price $150. 5. Meson de la Flota As close to a real Spanish tavern as you are likely to find, there are five rooms in this restored 19th-century inn. Comfortable clean rooms make this a good option as long as you like flamenco which plays nightly until 11pm and is extremely loud, but well done and well worth staying up for over a sangria. Food is mixed with good tapas but uninspiring main courses. Lowest price $145. 6. St John's Hotel One of the relatively few budget hotels in Havana, St John's is clean, if a little threadbare. The seventh- floor swimming pool is tiny but after a few drinks offers the perfect place to cool off. The café-bar, becomes the Pico Blanco nightclub at 10.30pm, which is extremely popular with locals. It's also in a good location, at the bottom of La Rampa is the hub of Vedado. Lowest price $195. 7. Hostal Valencia Fantastic value, this beautiful place has only 12 rooms and often gets booked up early. Simple, yet very charming rooms set around a central courtyard garden with lush tropical plants make this a great option if you can get a reservation. The best rooms overlook the bay and are real Alice in Wonderland territory with low ceilings, beautiful furniture and no shortage of ambience. The Spanish restaurant is not bad either. Lowest price $100.  | |
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