On Holiday in Havana

On Holiday in Havana
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Rosella_Colella]Rosella Colella

Havana is by many, considered the hub of Cuba, being not only its capital city, but also its cultural centre. On any Cuba holiday, visiting this vibrant city is an absolute must, and there are a number of ways to make the most of you holiday. Whether you fancy salsa, history or cigars, Havana is a city in which you can experience the very essence of Cuban life.

Salsa in the City

Havana is definitely the best city to experience the rhythm and soul of salsa - Cuba's signature dance. No Cuba holiday would be complete without swaying your hips in one of Havana's many salsa clubs. You don't need to be a dancer to enjoy dancing here, as the locals are all very friendly and more than willing to help you learn as they dance the night away with you. But if you're far too shy to take the limelight on the floor, you could always go to a few dance lessons which are offered throughout the city.

Havana is a city where dancing is part of the way of life. And the city's vast array of clubs prove it every day. One of the city's best hangouts is Casa de la Música de Centro Habana, where excellent music sets the mood for a night of salsa in the city. Havana nights will turn your Cuba holiday into an experience of great food, dancing and music.

Old Havana

If you're interested in history, Old Havana is likely to be a source of entertainment for hours on your Cuba holidays. Havana is a colonial city, and it is one of the best preserved cities in South America. There are some fascinating old sites to be explored, such as the Catedral de San Cristobal and Gran Teatro, both of which are architecturally beautiful. Today, the Gran Teatro still hosts ballet performances and if you time your Cuba holiday to coincide, you could incorporate a show into your stay.

There are other interesting buildings to be seen in Old Havana too, such as the Capitilio, which is a replica of Washington DC's Capital building. If you want to learn a little more about Cuban history, you could pay a visit to the Museum of Revolution or the Museum of Fine Art, both of which will tell you the story of your surroundings on your Cuba holiday.

Havana's Festivals

Cuba holidays often focus on the national spirit and rich culture, and both of these are best exemplified through the country's many festivals. Being the capital city, Havana hosts the majority of the larger Cuban festivals, and it would certainly be fun to time your Cuba holiday with one of them. The most spirited festival of them all is the Havana Carnival, celebrated each year during June. The city springs to life and is turned into an enormous street party. Colourful costumes and entertainment await you, and a good time is sure to be had by all.

If street parties aren't up your street, fantastic jazz and ballet festivals are equally magical. Whatever your taste, you can't go wrong with spending a few nights in Havana during your Cuba holiday.

Rossella Colella is a Cuba holiday specialist for key2holidays, an online tour operator offering [http://www.key2holidays.co.uk/cuba/index_.asp]Cuba holidays as well as holidays to other destinations in the Caribbean; the Indian Ocean, the Far East, Egypt, Southern Africa, Italy & the Mediterranean, Canada, Australia and the Pacific. key2holidays has a dedicated team of experienced travel consultants to share their knowledge and help you to plan and book your ideal holiday.

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Reasons to Visit Havana, Cuba This Coming Summer

Reasons to Visit Havana, Cuba This Coming Summer
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Paul_Symonds]Paul Symonds

Havana is the capital city and primary commercial centre of Cuba. It is also the birthplace of rum, salsa, and the Cuban cigar. This city was once called the "Paris of the Antilles" because of its flourishing cultural scene and rich architectural heritage. Today, Havana has an old world charm that appeals to the more sophisticated and adventurous travellers. Here are a few reasons why you should visit Havana.

Havana's administration policies are very tourist friendly and visitors are sure to find an abundance of travel modes, places to visit and accommodation options to choose from.

Travellers to the city will find shopping centres and souvenir shops selling memorabilia, clothes, shoes and other items at bargain rates and can prepare themselves for a shopping extravaganza.

Exploring Havana by foot allows travellers to experience the local culture firsthand using a city map. This is the best way for a traveller to truly understand the city. The city's old quarter, aptly named Old Havana, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982 and houses a number of neo-classical and baroque structures, such as the Castillo del Morro, Catedral de San Cristobal and Plaza de Armas. El Macelon, one of the district's main avenues, offers stunning views of the bay. Another well-known promenade is Paseo del Prado, a popular hangout for residents (or Habaneros). Vibrant with music and dancing from the various sidewalk cafes, the street also hosts an art market and underground realtors market during weekends.

The city is known for its production of rum and cigars and no Havana holiday will be complete without a visit to a distillery and cigar manufacturer. The Havana Club Rum Factory and Real Fabrica de Tabacos Partagás offer guided tours to the public from where purchases can be made. Tourists will enjoy the opportunity to see genuine Cuban cigars being made and can purchase them at a fair price.

There are also a number of politically-significant attractions that tourists and history enthusiasts may find interesting. The Plaza de la Revolucion bears a monument of Jose Marti and the iconic image of Che Guevara. The former Presidential Palace houses the Museo de la Revolucion, which outlines the history of Cuba from the onset of the neo-colonial period. Both these places are popular tourist hotspots.

Fans of Che Guevara and Fidel Castro will enjoy a visit to Havana along with the opportunity to purchase Che and Fidel memorabilia such as flags, tee-shirts, papier mache masks or statuettes.

Paul writes about [http://www.cuba-culture.com/]Cuban travel and culture and about [http://www.rome-culture.com/]Rome, Italy travel.

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