Due to my experience as an enrichment speaker on many cruise lines, I was given the chance to take a trip across the Caribbean and visit the sites in Havana, Cuba. Cuba, which was discovered by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the new continent, spans over 750 miles in length and 58 miles in width. Cuba is a variation of the indigenous name Cubanascan, which means "belonging to Cuba." It is the biggest island in the Caribbean and the second most populated island in the region after Hispaniola.
Cuba, which is 90 miles south of Florida and has a history of more than 500 years, has a distinct sense of culture that is easily discernible. Cuba was a Spanish colony from the 15th century until its independence in 1898. Following the Spanish-American conflict, it gained independence as a de facto protectorate of the United States in 1902. Cuba is a multi-ethnic nation whose culture and traditions are influenced by indigenous peoples, Spanish colonization, and African slaves, among other influences.
After Castro's revolution in 1959, Cuba became a favorite vacation destination for American visitors in the 1950s. However, an embargo on U.S. tourism has essentially ended that tradition until 2016.
Cuba's capital city is known as Havana. Habana Vieja, often known as Old Havana, is a well-preserved piece of Cuban history that has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The region around the old town is characterized by Spanish colonial buildings dating back to the 16th century. Among the attractions in Old Havana are the Castillo de la Real Fuerza (Real Forces Castle), the oldest stone fort in the Americas, as well as the National Capitol Building, the baroque Cathedral de San Cristóbal (Saint Christopher), and the Plaza Vieja, whose buildings reflect the city's vibrant architectural mix. It's easy to picture what life was like in Cuba 200 years ago while strolling through the cobblestone walkways and looking up at the magnificent Baroque and neoclassical structures that line the streets.
The Hotel Ambos Mundos was a wonderful experience for me. This hotel, which is located on the intersection of Obispo and Mercaderes streets in the heart of old town Havana, was the first location Ernest Hemingway stayed during his visit to the country. His room (#511) at the hotel had been his home for the last seven years. This is the location where he wrote the famous book "For Whom the Bell Tolls." It's possible to have a cigar and drink of Havana Club Rum on the rooftop while watching the sunset and listening to El Caonazo de las Nueve (the cannons at La Cabana) shoot off at 9:00 p.m. to mark the yearly closure of the port. During the Golden Age of Piracy, which lasted from 1717 to 1726, this was done to fend off pirates.
With regard to Ernest Hemingway, there are many more locations of importance that he visited and that you may be interested in visiting as well. For example, Finca Viga (lookout farm), which is nine miles from Havana and was bought by Hemingway in 1940, is one of the most famous. Finca Vigia and the Hemingway Museum are both situated in the vicinity of the town of San Francisco de Paula, where both are open to the public. According to the tale, his wife persuaded him to relocate there so that he would not be in close vicinity to Earnest's favorite bars: Restaurante Floridita, which is renowned for its Daiquiris, and La Bodeguita del Medio, which is known for its Mojitos, among others. Of which I have a good number of samples.
An interesting piece of knowledge about these two well-known beverages... The mojito was originally known as the "Drakeito," after Sir Francis Drake, who inspired its creation. In the early 1900s, this privateer/pirate was the first known individual to record and prepare the predecessor to the Mojito. The Floridita, which is located at the further end of Opisbo street, is where the Daiquiri is created. Taino Indian in origin, the Daiquiri was called after a beach near Santiago de Cuba where it was created by American mining engineer Jennings Cox in Cuba during the Spanish American War and was named after the beach.
Additional places to visit in and around Havana include:
El Morro fortress, which stands guard over the entrance to the Bay of Havana and was constructed in the late 16th and early 17th centuries to fight off pirates, retains most of its original appearance. Even though the lighthouse was rebuilt with a stone structure in the middle of the 19th century, the original bulb continues to beam out to sea today. A climb to the fort's summit will provide you with panoramic views of the ocean and the surrounding area.
The Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana, which is a short walk from El Morro and was erected in the 1770s, was the largest and most costly fort the Spanish had built, as well as the most impressive. During the Batista dictatorship, the fort was converted into a military jail, and it was subsequently utilized as Che Guevara's headquarters after the Revolutionary War.
Cuba's renowned beachfront promenade, the Malecon, was built in 1901 and is one of the world's most visited tourist attractions. A trip through this popular Havana landmark is like taking a stroll through the city's history. Approximately seven kilometers long, the promenade connects the historic area of Old Havana (Habana Vieja) with the Vedado commercial sector. The buildings along the Malecon, which are painted in soft pastel pinks and yellows, are a photographer's dream, particularly in the golden glow of twilight and dawn.
Coches Americanos: If you're weary of walking, a fun thing to do is grab a 1950s American automobile cab to take you there. Preceding the revolution and the ensuing quarantine imposed by the United States, Cuba was the world's leading importer of North American-made vehicles (around 125,000 Detroit-made automobiles were bought in Cuba). Cuban roads are still clogged with about 60,000 American automobiles, according to current estimates.
These "Coches Americanos" or "Máquinas" are important sources of revenue for the island's residents while also serving the island's visitors. These vehicles are not classic automobiles, but rather vehicles that have been used on a day-to-day basis for decades and have had just the most necessary repairs. As a result, diesel engines have taken the place of American V6 and V8 engines, and components have been substituted with whatever could be obtained on the island of Mallorca. To this day, the most attractive chromed-up convertibles and coupes remain on full-time tourist duty, cruise the Malecon from Old Havana to Miramar, and charging visitors about $10 for a 10- to 15-minute trip.
A historical Spanish eclectic-style hotel in Havana that first opened its doors in 1930, the Hotel Nacional de Cuba offers stunning views of both the sea and the city's famous Vedado neighborhood. It is located atop Taganana Hill and offers a magnificent view of both the sea and the city below. It has a fascinating history that dates back to its inception, through the booming 1950s, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and up to the current day. Tourists now come to the area to take in the architecture and commanding views, as well as to learn about the city's rich history. While growing up in the 1950s, this was the place to go if you were anybody in the business. From Lucky Lucania to John Wayne to Rita Hayworth, everything about this property screams old-fashioned charm.
According to James Feldkamp tours of tobacco and rum plantations are also highly recommended. Cubans know how to distill this "drink of pirates" in a variety of styles, from light to gold to black, spiced and flavored. The Havana Club rum museum, located on the Avenida del Puerto, is the closest rum tour to a cruise ship docked there (the main avenue separating the cruise ships from old Havana).
Cigars, on the other hand (derived from the Mayan term Sikar, which means to smoke folded tobacco leaves), are a whole different habit. Either the Romeo y Julieta/H. Upmann Factory or the Partagás Cigar Factory, both of which are located in downtown Havana, are worthwhile stops. Just keep in mind that the state-owned tobacco firms Habanos SA and Cubatabaco oversee the marketing, distribution, and export of Cuban cigar goods across the globe. To summarize: do not anticipate a good offer, or to bargain for a better price with the shops; nevertheless, this is an excellent reason for using the cab.
If you are a fan of the Beatles, you may want to look for the John Lennon seat in the Parque John Lennon, which is situated in the Vedado neighborhood of Havana and is dedicated to the late musician. On the bench sits a life-sized statue of John Lennon, who seems to be relaxing. Once upon a time, you could take off his granny glasses for a picture, but since they were constantly being stolen by tourists, they are now a permanent part of the display.
These are just a handful of the amazing sights and attractions that you should visit while in Havana. If you have the opportunity and are seeking a new experience, Havana should be at the top of your itinerary as per James Feldkamp. From the beginning of Spanish discovery in 1492 to the present day, Cuba has been an important part of both Caribbean and North American history and has been a treasure trove of cultures and excitement for visitors.
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