Return to Havana

Visiting Cuba is like dipping into five centuries of history: the time that has elapsed since Christopher Columbus first discovered the island. For various reasons Cuba has been the forgotten island in the Caribbean, caught in a time warp, known only for its political sensitivity and large cigars. Yet Cuba is much more than this. Many of the towns and cities preserve their original colonial Spanish architecture. Mansions with inner patios, squares churches, cathedrals and old military fortresses are set in lush vegetation amongst rugged mountains with the sea affording a deep blue backdrop.

Havana’s old city has been designated an UNESCO World Heritage site dating from the 16th century. Notable sights to visit include the cathedral, Palace of the Captain’s General and the De La Fuerza castle. The port city of Cienfuegos, with its striking buildings, including the Valle Palace, is reached via citrus groves and sugarcane fields and Trinidad has some of the best-preserved colonial architecture in the Caribbean. Sancti Spiritus is one of the original seven cities founded by the Spanish in 1514 and its colonial origins are evident in the faded grandeur of its buildings.

The island also boasts a colourful array of flowers, fruit and birdlife. Stunning Sierra de Escambray national park, situated in the country’s second largest mountain range, is becoming a popular ecotourism destination to rival Costa Rica.