MY JOURNEY 47 cuba
Getting a good night’s sleep Hotels outside of the main tourist areas do not always
live up to their star-rating billing and, after doing my own spot checks, I would advise that a good rule of thumb is to subtract one of the advertised stars! Many properties have grand elaborate receptions and entrances, but once inside, the bedrooms often have not seen a lick of paint for many years (nor an electrician nor plumber either!). I spent a couple of nights staying in a Casa (homestay) with a local family. I found this experience to be the most enlightening of the trip because I got to see how ordinary Cubans live. My family didn’t speak much English, but that didn’t matter – a friendly smile went a long way!
Go West At the most westerly point of Cuba, I got to see the
Roncali lighthouse, with its magnifi cent views over where the Caribbean and Atlantic meet. Nearby there is the famous Maria La Gorda Dive resort
where I explored the clear seabed and saw many species of coral and numerous shoals of vivid tropical fi sh. Once the snorkelling was done it was also the perfect place to relax and unwind on the magnifi cent white sandy Caribbean beach - with, of course, a Mojito or two or three close to hand. If you are lucky, in June and July you may see hummingbirds and turtles right from your sun bed. Iguanas and crocodiles also inhabit the area and can be seen at very close proximity on a local tour – or so I was told. Alas, my sun bed was calling me.
The market in Old Havana
Going local
www.sellinglonghaul.com
Time waits for many in Cuba
Make mine a Cuban
A sunset over the Cuban countryside
Rolling a cigar
THE ITINERARY DAY 1 Arrive in Havana, meet our fellow
travellers and have a guided walking tour around La Habena Vieja, or Old Havana. DAY 2-3 Travel west to Vinales in the Pinar del Rio Region to see coffee and tobacco plantations and enjoy the great outdoors. DAY 4-5 Stand at the most westerly point
of Cuba, staying in the diving and snorkelling heaven that is Maria La Gorda, with its beautiful Caribbean beaches DAY 6 Visit the town of San Diego and the lush mountain resort of Soroa for
massages and great Spa treatments, hot springs and some amazing waterfalls. DAY 7 Arrive back in Havana for a late night of Salsa, cigars and Mojitos. DAY 8 Sadly, it was time to head back to the hotel for a fi nal pack and prepare for the fl ight home. It was a short but rewarding introduction to Cuba but one I thoroughly enjoyed. As my plane swept over Havana and headed out across the Atlantic, I vowed to come back sooner rather than later – and to practice my Spanish more!
WHERE TO BOOK IT G ADVENTURES
The eight-day small group Cuba Libre tour was booked through GAdventures. Prices start around £599pp (excluding fl ights). Clients stay fi ve nights in hotels and two nights in a homestay. Those looking to extend their stay can sign up for the eight-day Central Cuba adventure, which includes more nights in a homestay, a cruise along the Bay of Cienfuegos, salsa lessons, live music, and a tour of colonial Havana’s alleyways and a visit to Che Guevara monument. It is priced from £549. 0844 272 2010;
gadventures.co.uk
Out and about in Old Havana
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