I have wanted to visit Cuba for some time and have now finally done it! Cuba is an amazing country full of contradictions, friendly people, beautiful lush country with music and dance in every town. A truly wonderful experience.
- What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The whole holiday was wonderful and inspirational but some places that stick out in my mind are:-
The mausoleoum where Che Guevara's remains lay, the atmosphere it breathtaking and moving....
Havanna, is a truly wonderful city with amazing architecture and many old battered 50s cars that are also all over the island. Baracoa by the sea is a wonderful place and comes alive at night with the music and dancing. Trinidad was a very pretty town with cobbled streets full of colour and hidden galleries for artists to sell their paintings. We visited some wonderful restaurants and if you like seafood there is an abundance of Lobster and prawns...
- What did you think of your group leader?
Felix was a fabulous guide. He was friendly, funny, kind, and above all a master at rearranging the schedule as we were there at the time of Hurricane Isaac which took over a few days of our time but Felix managed to still make sure that we did other enjoyable things as our itinerary changed dramatically. He took us to some amazing restaurants and showed us varying things that grow in Cuba and what the locals make which was wonderful, we ate fresh avocados picked from the trees, biscuit mangos that were growing in a ladies garden in the mountains and Felix made sure we stopped on our travelsand brought us all types of sweets etc that were made by the locals. It all added up to a true experience of the island that we would otherwise not have seen.
I mustnt forget Orlando who was our driver and was a very gracious and kind man who makes you feel totally safe during the whole trip. Thank you both so much!!!
- Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
I have read previously that people mentioned that the food was very limiting. We did not find this at all and we were taken to some really lovely restaurante and had some execellent meals. All over the island people need washing soaps of any description, washing detergents, shampoos and anything you can give them to use to clean their clothes and themselves. The children love any sweets and pens and paper. They also ask for clothes so if you have any tshirts that you dont want please take them with you and hand them out, they will be so so grateful.
There are some wonderful purchases to make along the way. Cuban people are very creative hence some wonderful paintings etc to buy...
- Is there anything else you would like to add?
This is a wonderful holiday and a real experience. While i was there i had difficulty getting my head round the fact that it is a Caribbean island that is Communist. Amazing and a place that has to been seen to be believed.
The amazing thing about CUBA is there is no rubbish aywhere, the streets and roads are so so clean. The Toilets wherever you go are extremely clean and fresh smelling but always make sure you have tissues just in case.
Do not hesitate just book it, you wont regret it... Try the 7 year old rum, we did!!!!! A beautiful place!