Town
Created by BJ the DJ
Day 1
Getting There
Getting into Cuba requires a visa but don't let that put you off as it's really easy to obtain one. Just fill out a form, pay your money and Bob's your uncle (don't put that on the form though). http://www.embassyhomepage.com/visa_form_cuba.htm
If you happen to live near London, you can pop along to the consulate near Holborn/Covent Garden, in person one morning.
When I flew it was with a package holiday charter flight to what I thought was going to be all-inclusive chav hell. I wasn't completely wrong, but it wasn't all bad. There is something to be said for not having to spend money every night of your holiday. It really made such a far trip affordable. The flights, accomodation and food and drink all came to less than a normal return flight so it pays to look at all the deals on offer and not be such a snob.
The flight is around nine hours so make sure you're small and not a little claustrophobic.
If you happen to live near London, you can pop along to the consulate near Holborn/Covent Garden, in person one morning.
When I flew it was with a package holiday charter flight to what I thought was going to be all-inclusive chav hell. I wasn't completely wrong, but it wasn't all bad. There is something to be said for not having to spend money every night of your holiday. It really made such a far trip affordable. The flights, accomodation and food and drink all came to less than a normal return flight so it pays to look at all the deals on offer and not be such a snob.
The flight is around nine hours so make sure you're small and not a little claustrophobic.
Day 1
Varadero
Luckily it's not too hard to get to Havana from Varadero.
Day 1
Havana
Any restaurant or café I went in had its own live band and all played very decent Cuban music. Sure it's a bit off-putting tucking in to your beans and rice (the national dish, which you can't escape from) with a band all up in your face, but stop complaining - you'll miss it when you're back in All-Bar-One eating your standard-issue gourmet burger. The locals are always keen to show off their salsa skills impromptu, which is great fun to watch. Don't try and get in on it - they're much, much better than you.
Day 1
Shopping in Havana
Shopping in Havana can be a bit daunting and dispiriting as the shop-keepers have no qualms about showing you they trust you as far as they can overthrow Fidel Castro. Usually you have to leave any bags you have in a locker and often they only allow a couple of browsers in at a time so's they can keep a good eye on you. Hence me having to queue to get into a fan shop (not for me - my friend wanted to look at them!). Make sure you keep your receipt from the till 'till the shop door or they would probably confiscate your goods and do nasty things to you.
Day 1
Things to do in Havana
I'm sure you'll do the usual touristy things like visit a cigar factory and take the Havana Club Rum tour. We got shown round the old factory by a Gary Oldman lookey-likey (you Sirius? Ho ho). I would recommend taking a horse and cart ride round the old city. I know it's cheesy, but you get to see a lot at a sedate pace and you get a little breeze to stop you melting for half an hour.
Planned Activities
Unscheduled - Havana
Unscheduled - Varadero
Town
Anyway, we stayed in Varadero which is not the real Cuba, but still a fantastic experience. Havana - well we could have done a week there alone. The old american cars mixed with Lada's from the old soviet connection was a site to see. The real Cubans we did meet were extremely friendly and love to sit around in the evening with a guitar, bongo's and rum and just chill to music.
There is too much to write about the place, but as Cuba is being opened more to Tourism, go within the next few years before it becomes totally commercialised and loses its charm.