Cuba

...continued from Havana Dooyoo... So after the smoke had cleared we got back into the taxi. The driver who spoke only the most basic English was unable to explain to me (who only speaks only very basic Spanish) why exactly our car had just been filled with smoke by the police. Having made the effort, prior to my trip, with the One Day Teach Yourself Spanish CD, I feel thoroughly let down that the author, Elisabeth Smith didn't think to include the phrase "Why exactly are they filling the car with smoke?" in the transport and getting around section! The drive from Havana to Varadaro (including the smoke stop) took just under two hours. ...  Read the complete review

Hello again! At last back from my two-week adventure in the Caribbean! This is going to be a long one so you can turn back now if you wish!! After reading the six million emails I had waiting I thought I'd get down to telling you all about my lovely trip... My man and I were getting the feeling that our last holiday was about 20 years ago so on goes the telly, flip to ITV, pop on the text and straight to page 224! We always use teletext to book our holidays; we get last minute deals and save a fortune so we can have another holiday later in the year. The book price for this holiday is £1300 but we payed £580 per person all inclusive, bargain. We ...  Read the complete review

If your idea of a holiday is to sit on a beach for two weeks, drinking lager and eating fish and chips, dong go to Cuba. I f you are fed up with annoying tourists in unionjack shorts and want to experience another country rather than vist it, this is the place for you. The people are inspriational, the architecture is amazing, the poverty humbling, the hospitality magical. It's very hot, I went to Havana and the humidity is very high. I stayed at someones house (they rent out rooms to make ends meet) which is by far the best way of experiencing Cuba. If you want to get out of havana, then either hire a car, or as i did, a driver (just someone with a car who ...  Read the complete review

I visited Cuba in 1997 and have friends who have been there more recently. Here are my thoughts. If you speak some Spanish it will be useful especially if you move away from the main tourist areas. Petrol was at UK prices and is not readily available. You must know where the next petrol station is before you set off if using a hire car. Do not worry if you are given 'Convertible Pesos' these will be re exchanged at 1 for $1 when you leave the country and are always valued on par with the $. They exist to cover the shortage of $ notes. If you do go to Varadero or other resort areas you will never see the real Cuban Pesos as all items are priced ...  Read the complete review

You won't want to leave this warm, vibrant and friendly country. I have never had an experience like it. As Cuba stands at present, they are not a particularly rich or prosperous country, (although the Cubans do like to impress upon you that they have very rich "temporary" residents.), you may find that you will need to take a couple of days to get used to the people as well as the places. Now is probably the best time to see Cuba as it should be seen. Their main trade, other than the famous cigars and rum, is tourism. You are always treated as a guest in their country, not just as a tourist, and you are left with the feeling that there is ...  Read the complete review