Varadero - The beguiling isle of dreams

“Mix the gentle pace of Caribbean culture with a sensual Latin rhythm in vibrant Cuba. From the crumbling ice-cream coloured houses of Havana to the powder-soft sands of the coast, discover a captivating country of vivid contrasts.”

Cuba is a powerful mix of intoxicating sights and styles that blend effortlessly to make one of the most exciting holiday destinations in the Caribbean. Picture dramatic mountains climbing up into sapphire-coloured skies, over 250 unspoilt beaches, an intriguing Afro-Cuban culture, sizzling salsa beats, plus romantic architecture and you’ll conjure a magical landscape ripe for discovery. Lavish palaces, faded pastel-washed houses and mint green 1950's Cadillac’s evoke memories of pre-revolutionary Cuba. With scenery just as spectacular, boasting soaring mountain peaks and tropical flora, this enchanting island combines a decadent nostalgia with unparalleled natural beauty and makes for an intriguing exotic escape.

Beaches

The main beach resort is Varadero, a peninsula bordered by the deep blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean with golden, duvet-soft sands warmed by the Caribbean sun. Nodding coconut palms lace the shores providing some welcome shade. For some old-style fun on the sand, Baracoa, founded in 1512, is Cuba's oldest beach. Lying under the swishing trees, you'll be able to catch a glimpse of some impressive Spanish forts that hint at the island's colourful Hispanic past. Explore the archipelago and discover hidden coves and little known-virgin beaches where you can spend a blissful day on your own secluded piece of paradise and walk for hours with nothing to disturb you.

Shopping

Cuban art and handicrafts make captivating gifts to take home with craft sellers lining many of the town’s streets and market places. Good buys include pottery, wood carvings, paintings, masks, musical instruments and jewellery as well as traditional pieces including sculptures of women carved from ebony and papier-mâché dolls. There are numerous gift shops sprinkled across the island selling an array of Cuban-produced rum and vintages, which you can often try before you buy as well as hand rolled cigars, full of Caribbean flavour, that the country is famous for.

Eating out

The flavoursome Cuban diet is largely based on fresh, local ingredients and from the many varieties of fish the surrounding seas supply in abundance. Taster island specialities such as Congris, a mixture of rice and kidney beans, roast pork and chicken served with moros y cristianos, rice with black beans and cassava, yam or boniato, which are delicious types of sweet potato. For something sweet, try tropical fruit salad, crème caramel, glacé pawpaws with pastry or guava marmalade with cream cheese. Rum is the staple tipple in Cuba and Bacardi was invented here. For a more exotic twist, try a mojito cocktail, a sugary blast with a mint and lime zing or a Cuba Libre made with rum and coke. Café mezclado is a strong black coffee with plenty of sugar that Cubans drink at the end of a meal whilst drawing on a Cuban cigar.

Nightlife

Music is at the very heart of Cuba and the vibrant nightlife reflects this, with sensuous salsa bars, glittering cabaret shows and sultry nightclubs focusing on the lively rhythms of this upbeat country. Havana is undoubtedly the party hotspot where you'll be treated to a real taste of Latino culture, as well as a few dance lessons if you venture into one of the many sizzling bars and clubs that lace the streets. The nightlife of Santiago de Cuba, the island's second city, is also a colourful melting pot of Latin melodies and Caribbean sounds.

Sightseeing

Municipal Museum of History of Varadero
This two-story wooden building tells the story of the history of the Varadero region and has the first maps of the Hicacos peninsula and documents on the history of Varadero.

Havana
No trip to Cuba is complete without visiting the colourful capital of Havana. A beguiling blend of old and new, this bustling city is made up of three equally enchanting quarters with some stunning architecture from the Colonial period, elegant historic buildings and nostalgic faded ice-cream coloured houses.

National Museum of Fine Arts
This palatial building in Havana was completed in 1953 was designed by architect Alfonso Rodríguez Pichardo and was considered a very modern building for its time. It houses a large collection of Cuban plastic art and there is a hall dedicated to Cuban painting and gravure from the 16th century to the present day.

Museum of the Revolution
The design of architects Maruri from Cuba and Jean Beleu from Belgium, this imposing building was originally designed to house the Provincial Government of Havana, but in 1920 became the Presidential Palace. Today you can learn about the history, archaeology, weapons, paintings and sculptures of Cuba and see the ‘Granma’ memorial, an enormous glass display case that shows the ship used by Fidel Castro to return to Cuba from his exile in Mexico.

Sugar Tour
Discover the sweeter side of Cuba by taking a tour of an authentic sugar mill, where you can learn about the sugar production process, see a working factory and perhaps taster some sugarcane juice or guarapo.

Cigar Factory Visit
Cuban Cigars are still made almost entirely by hand as they were 100 years ago. Visit a traditional factory where you can see the process of making a hand rolled cigar and purchase some to take home, with an expert helping hand to guide you if needed.

Cayo Largo
Captivate your senses with a day trip to the beguiling key of Cayo Largo. Catch a plane from Varadero, to this beautiful paradise isle, the largest of more than 600 forming the southern Archipelago of Los Canarreos. Porcelain-white sands and balmy waters in every shade of blue are heavenly for lying back and unwinding whilst being at one with nature.

Useful links

www.cubaheritage.org
www.havanaarchitecture.com