Cuba. I cannot even begin to describe the love I developed for this stunning nation in the short 8 days my feet touched its soil. In fact, I think we could even rank the intensity of this Cuban love somewhere towards my love for Boots meal deals (that got me through many a lunch break during my time living in the money-sucking city of London), or even my holy-grail concealer by Estée Lauder, that saves my face from looking like a stepped-on tomato each morning.
To discover Cuba as a solo traveller, I opted to do a G Adventures tour, aptly named Cuba Libre (after the signature Cuban cocktail of the same name! Delicious, but strong...)
Cuba is one of the most breathtakingly picturesque landscapes I have ever laid eyes on, with something new for even the most seasoned traveller. Cuba's main city, Havana, boasts an eclectic architectural mish-mash, with beautifully restored Neoclassical, Baroque and Art Deco buildings, juxtaposed with the crumbling façades of others just around the corner.
The most charming area of Havana, by far, is Habana Vieja (Old Havana), which showcases the history and beauty of the original city, characterised by tiny side streets lined with overhanging balconies, ferns sprouting from every crevice and plenty of colour. This area is reminiscent of old European cities and their streets, so, if you're like me and you melt at the mere thought of strolling down romantic side lanes, this city is for you.
The main street of this area is Calle Obispo, bustling with people and appeasing both the eyes and the tastebuds, with its busy scenery and array of restaurants, cafes and bars. Turn down any side street to nab some fantastic snaps of chaotic, inner-Havana life (read: laundry strung out to dry between apartment windows, rickshaws lined up waiting for fares and local kids running about).
An interesting attraction to visit in Old Havana is Camera Obscura; a camera on the top floor of a building in Plaza Vieja, which uses a periscope to browse over all of Havana in real time. After the 'show', you can step out onto the rooftop to soak in the stunning views over this magical city.
A common question I get asked, when I travel alone, is: "did you feel safe?" As a solo female, I probably would not have felt completely at ease walking around alone, especially at night. However, Havana and Cuba in general were much safer than I had anticipated. The people are friendly and welcoming, if not still getting used to the idea of tourists after a long time being closed to tourism as a nation. In this sense, it is best to approach Cuba with patience and an open mind; don't expect standards to be as high as in a Western country. As my guide, Pablo, said: "Nothing works in Cuba, but we always do our best."
Whilst Havana is a fascinating city, I unfortunately did not get to explore as much as I would've liked; we jetted off to another town the morning after we arrived and only had one night there at the conclusion of the tour. But guys. GUYS. In my next post, I simply have to talk about the town we stopped at first, after Havana, for two nights: Viñales. Small town hospitality and hot Cuban boys, what more could you want?
And now, pictures!
To discover Cuba as a solo traveller, I opted to do a G Adventures tour, aptly named Cuba Libre (after the signature Cuban cocktail of the same name! Delicious, but strong...)
Cuba is one of the most breathtakingly picturesque landscapes I have ever laid eyes on, with something new for even the most seasoned traveller. Cuba's main city, Havana, boasts an eclectic architectural mish-mash, with beautifully restored Neoclassical, Baroque and Art Deco buildings, juxtaposed with the crumbling façades of others just around the corner.
The most charming area of Havana, by far, is Habana Vieja (Old Havana), which showcases the history and beauty of the original city, characterised by tiny side streets lined with overhanging balconies, ferns sprouting from every crevice and plenty of colour. This area is reminiscent of old European cities and their streets, so, if you're like me and you melt at the mere thought of strolling down romantic side lanes, this city is for you.
The main street of this area is Calle Obispo, bustling with people and appeasing both the eyes and the tastebuds, with its busy scenery and array of restaurants, cafes and bars. Turn down any side street to nab some fantastic snaps of chaotic, inner-Havana life (read: laundry strung out to dry between apartment windows, rickshaws lined up waiting for fares and local kids running about).
An interesting attraction to visit in Old Havana is Camera Obscura; a camera on the top floor of a building in Plaza Vieja, which uses a periscope to browse over all of Havana in real time. After the 'show', you can step out onto the rooftop to soak in the stunning views over this magical city.
A common question I get asked, when I travel alone, is: "did you feel safe?" As a solo female, I probably would not have felt completely at ease walking around alone, especially at night. However, Havana and Cuba in general were much safer than I had anticipated. The people are friendly and welcoming, if not still getting used to the idea of tourists after a long time being closed to tourism as a nation. In this sense, it is best to approach Cuba with patience and an open mind; don't expect standards to be as high as in a Western country. As my guide, Pablo, said: "Nothing works in Cuba, but we always do our best."
Whilst Havana is a fascinating city, I unfortunately did not get to explore as much as I would've liked; we jetted off to another town the morning after we arrived and only had one night there at the conclusion of the tour. But guys. GUYS. In my next post, I simply have to talk about the town we stopped at first, after Havana, for two nights: Viñales. Small town hospitality and hot Cuban boys, what more could you want?
And now, pictures!
