Finally, the travel restrictions lift. It's time to pack your suntan lotion and hop the Straits of Florida to sip cuba libres, savor a stogie and discover everything else we've been missing out on all these years. A 10-day itinerary will suffice to touch the must-see sights.
Already anxious to plan your next escape? Here's what to do on your Second Cuba Trip...
Days One to Three
Budget at least three days for Havana. Concentrate your first day exploring the cobbled plazas: Plaza de la Catedral with its Baroque cathedral; Plaza de Armas, setting for the Museo de la Ciudad (City Museum); and lovely Plaza Vieja, where La Taberna is a great venue for sipping chilled beer alfresco. To discover whether Cuban cigars really are rolled on the thighs of dusky maidens, take a guided tour of the Fábrica de Partagás tobacco factory. Nearby, the Capitolio, Cuba's former congressional building, shines after a completerestoration and is now a museum.
Crossing Parque Central, head for the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, a world-class fine-art museum. To get the Cuban government's take on the revolution, stroll down Agramonte to the Museo de la Revolución, then end your day with a sunset stroll along the Malecón. On your final day, roam the tree-shaded streets of the Vedado district, breaking for a mojito at the garden bar of the Hotel Nacional. Pick up a rental car and drive out to Plaza de la Revolución, then to Museo Ernest Hemingway in the suburb of San Francisco de Paula. Tonight, a sizzling cabaret at the Tropicana.
Hotel Saratoga - Chic and sumptuous contemporary hotel on the edge of Old Havana.
Hotel Raquel - Art-deco gem with modern appointments in the heart of the old city.
Casa de Jorge Coalla - Only one bedroom, but this casa particular has gracious hosts and an unbeatable location in Vedado.
Days Four and Five
Rent a car and head west to Pinar del Río province via the north-coast road, stopping en route for a hike and overnight at Las Terrazas mountain resort. Then, on to Viñales. After exploring the valley and Cueva del Indio (take the boat tour of this underground lake), get off the beaten track to find Finca Pinar San Luís near San Juan y Martínez, where Alejandro Robaina – Cuba's unofficial ambassador of cigars - offers guided tours of his legendary tobacco farm. If you have time, continue west to María la Gorda, a superb setting for scuba diving in the Bahía de Corrientes. Whale sharks frequent the warm waters.
Hotel La Moka - Not the eco-lodge it claims to be, but a charming neo-colonial hotel nonetheless.
Hotel Los Jazmines - Renovated, mid-priced historic hotel overlooking the Valle de Viñales.
Days Six and Seven
Return to Havana and let the Autopista (Cuba's sole freeway) slingshot you east to Jagüey Grande. Turn south here for Playa Girón - the infamous Bay of Pigs - where the Museo Girón and a nearby crocodile farm (at Boca de Guamá) are worthy attractions. Anglers and nature lovers might linger for world-class fishing and birding in Parque Nacional Ciénaga de Zapata. Overnight in Cienfuegos, a port city with fine colonial buildings. Next day, follow the southern coast road to Trinidad. Here, steep in the colonial mystique for two days and then head into the Sierra del Escambray and hike to cascades deep in the forest (excursions are offered by Gaviotatours). Time permitting, take a steam-train ride into the Valle de los Ingenios. Don't fail to dance to traditional music at Trinidad's Casa de la Trova or practice your salsa moves in the Disco Ayala, inside a cave.
Hotel Union - Gracious centenary hotel in Cienfuegos with period furnishings and a fine restaurant.
Iberostar Gran Trinidad - A deluxe Spanish-run newcomer and Cuba's finest urban hotel outside Havana.
Days Eight and Nine
Follow the winding road north over the Sierra del Escambray and drop into Villa Clara province. A stop in Santa Clara is de rigueur to visit Monumento y Museo de Che, where Che Guevara is interred. Then on to Remedios to stroll around the cobbled plazas (at Christmas, the town explodes in an orgy of fireworks fever). Round out your itinerary with two nights at Cayo Santa María: It has water sports, and the angling and scuba diving are excellent.
Meliá Cayo Santa María - All-inclusive beach resort with water sports and other amenities.
Day Ten
The Circuito Norte will take you back to Havana via the cities of Cárdenas and Matanzas
Ready to go back? Here's what to do on your Second Cuba Trip...
Learn more about the country in our feature Cuba: Then and Now...
Check out our recent blog about Cuba...
Online Editor's Note: To read more about Cuba by this author, check out www.christopherbaker.com or www.cubatravelexpert.com.
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