COUNTRY PROFILES Cuba THE CARIBBEAN'S BEATING HEART
relaxed but lively destination, with the exotic aroma of fruits and the flavour of rum. With its colonial-style towns and
C
uba’s charms are as many as its different shades of green,
offering a mixture of cities and natural landscapes, a heady mix of sensual dances and music, and a coastline lapped by the tranquil waters of the Caribbean. It is a
■ Classic cars are a common sight in Havana
SAMPLE PACKAGE The likes of Virgin Holidays offers all- inclusive beach breaks to Cuba, while others offer multi-centre itineraries, such as Page & Moy's 16-day Highlights of Western Cuba tour which visits Havana, Vinales, Cienfuego and Varadero.
cities like Havana, Trinidad and Santiago, full of parks and archi- tectural interest, its magnificent countryside, its attractive coastline, its varied culture, and its people – widely renowned for their uniquely hospitable character – Cuba reveals itself to visitors with pride in its many charms and attractions. The island, measuring some 43,000 square miles, has plenty to offer for everyone. The towns and cities of Cuba are surprising for their variety of architectural styles, the cultural heritage of Cuba is enormous and varied, and the island has a seductive and captivating natural environment and more than 300km of natural
WWW.TRAVEL2CUBA.CO.UK Capital city: Havana | Language: Spanish | Currency: Cuban peso | Visa: British citizens require a tourist card in advance of travel | Time zone: GMT -5hrs
HIGHLIGHTS Capital city Havana Spectacular beaches Lively nightlife Lush, green countryside Colonial Trinidad
sandy beaches including the renowned Varadero, Cayo Santa María and Holguín. Cuba is also home to several UNESCO biosphere reserves, parks and ecological reserves, each keenly focused on conservation and sustainable tourism. Viñales is especially well known. It is not just another typical holiday island. This is Cuba, authentic and unique and evermore easy to visit with Virgin Atlantic having added a third weekly frequency each Saturday throughout the winter months.
Dominican Republic T
A TROPICAL COCKTAIL
he Dominican Republic is an inspiring land of diversity; the
diversity of its people, culture, cuisine and music – not least the merengue – all projected onto one of the most varied landscapes in the Caribbean region. The Dominican Republic shares
the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, but has a considerably more advanced tourism industry. It offers visitors more than 400 kilometres of tropical shoreline, the Caribbean’s highest peak in the Dominican Alps, cactus-studded deserts and the colonial streets of the capital city,
HIGHLIGHTS Vibrant Santo Domingo Fabulous beaches UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Dancing the merengue Adventure activities
Santo Domingo. The Dominican Republic certainly challenges stereotypes of how people think the Caribbean should be. The island nation offers a wide
range of holiday options from sophisticated luxury, eco-adventure, family fun and romantic escapes, to simple days on white sand beaches. It’s also a destination which can
provide white-water rafting in the mountains, horse-riding, waterfalls, cloud and pine forests, exotic fauna, designer golf courses, off-the-map escapes, unforgettable excursions and exotic nightlife. The island is also home to the UNESCO-listed Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve. The Dominican Republic is well-
known for its quintessential tropical beaches, but visitors who explore the first European city of the New
WWW.GODOMINICANREPUBLIC.COM Capital city: Santo Domingo | Languages: Spanish | Currency: Dominican peso | Visa: Tourist cards required, available before travel and on arrival | Time zone: GMT -4hrs
■ White-sand beaches are a Dominican hallmark
SAMPLE PACKAGE Complete Caribbean offers hotels such as the beachside Dreams Palm Beach Punta Cana and Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana, from which visitors can enjoy excursions to popular sights across the island, or simply relax on the beach.
World, savour the taste of local produce, dance to the country’s distinct Latin sounds and feel the warmth of the Dominican people, are the visitors that are likely to become repeat clients, in search of further Latin American experiences.
Latin America | 23
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