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Havana Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Havana
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Havana Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Havana - One hundred and ten miles (177km) southeast of
Havana is the popular diving and snorkelling paradise of Cayo
Largo. The island offers 16 miles (26km) of white sand and crystal
sea, where it is possible to swim and dive among grottos and sandy
valleys full of crustaceans, sponges, coral and fish of every hue,
shape and size. There are other numerous smaller cays accessible
from the beach, each with their own natural treasures such as Cayo
Iguanas, an isolated spot inhabited by iguanas. It is possible to
rent motorcycles, bicycles, horses and watersports equipment to
make the most of a visit to Cayo Largo, which can be reached by
yacht or by daily air connection from Havana. For more information
visit www.cayolargodelsur.cu
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Havana
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Playas del Este
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What is it? Twenty-five minutes east of Havana are the
Playas del Este, a chain of sandy beaches stretching for six miles
(10km) between Bacuranao and Guanabo. At weekends they are
generally packed with Cubans escaping the city. There are a few
tourist hotels lining the coast, but other than that there are
limited facilities. If needing an escape from the city the beaches
make a good day trip, however those expecting pristine tropical
island beaches might be disappointed.
Hours of Operation:
Phone: |
2. Museo de la Ciudad (Museum of the City)
Calle Tacón, Plaza de Armas, Habana Vieja
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What is it? The stately Baroque residence of Cuba's
colonial governors and former Presidential Palace, the Palace of
the Captains General built in 1791, stands as an impressive sight
on the Plaza de Armas and is now the repository for the city's
museum collections. The museum's displays and exhibits tell the
tale of Havana, from its founding to the present day, including
rooms devoted to the Cuban wars for national independence. The
colourful Hall of Flags contains the original Cuban flag as well as
a number of others used by the Spanish colonial government. There
are also exhibits relating to archaeology, folklore and weaponry,
and an art collection that includes porcelain, paintings and
furniture of historic value and great
beauty.
Hours of Operation: Daily 9am to 6pm
Phone: |
3. Cigar factories
Partagas Factory: Calle Industria 520, Centro
Habana
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What is it? Even non-smokers have to agree that a visit
to Cuba would not be complete without investigating the island's
most famous export, cigars. The art of cigar-making in Cuba is old
and traditional, and three main factories in Havana offer tours for
visitors to see cigars still rolled by hand. In the oldest factory,
Partagas founded in 1827, traditionally a reader is employed to
keep workers entertained while they fashion the famous cigars.
Havana's other cigar factories are La Corona and the lesser-visited
Romeo y Julieta. There are shops attached to the factories where
cigars can be purchased. Visitors are advised not to buy cigars
from people off the street as these are usually rolled banana
leaves fashioned into cigar look-alikes and the sellers are
persistent hustlers.
Hours of Operation: Partagas tours are Monday to Friday from 9am to
2pm
Phone:Partagas: (0)7 862 4604 |
Havana
holidays - Top Events
1. Havana Carnival
From 0000-00-00
To 0000-00-00
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What is it? Parades and street parties, colourful
costumes, wild dancing and traditional music. Cubans really know
how to throw a party and for several weeks each year they do, the
fun and frolics reaching high levels over weekends when the locals
put their toil and trouble away and bring out the rum. Carnival
comes with some traditions, like effigies of well known people
being paraded along the coastal road, the Malecon, and the gaudy
'faroleros', decorated lamp posts carried aloft by dancers. For
more information contact the Ministry of Tourism on +53 (0)7 330
545 or promo@mintur.mit.cma.net
Where is it? El Malécon promenade |
2. Havana Biennial
From
To
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What is it? First held in 1984 as a political exercise to
showcase Third World visual arts for First World art tourists, the
Havana Biennial has proved itself a worthy event attracting dozens
of artists who exhibit their works over a two-month period in the
Cuban capital. In recent years the art fest has been dogged by
withdrawal of sponsorship because of a government crackdown on
cultural freedom, and censorship. The dates are therefore
continually moving, but the exhibition continues to be held every
two or three years, the last event having taken place in November
2003.
Where is it? Several galleries and sites in Havana's old colonial
centre |
3. International Jazz Festival
From 2006-11-30
To 2006-12-03
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What is it? Held every two years, Havana's feast of jazz
is eagerly awaited by fans around the world, offering five days of
concerts, jam sessions and workshops. Many artists travel to Cuba
to perform without any remuneration, the event having gained a
prestigious reputation for quality and good organisation. Star of
the show is Cuba's own Chucho Valdes, who usually performs with
other local artists and international guests in the grand finale
concert on the final night.
Where is it? Various concert halls in downtown Havana, with impromptu jam
sessions in the streets |
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