Cuba's Hotels

Cuba's Hotels - Choosing the Sea Or the City
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Emma_Lelliott]Emma Lelliott

The Cuban Coastline.

Because of its location in the Caribbean Sea, Cuba is a great location for spending time on the beach and in the water. Varadero is a prime example of a coastal resort in Cuba: a beautiful spot for beaches, and located a little more than two hours from Havana. The Cuba hotels in Varadero are grand, modern and luxurious with facilities that make the most of the picturesque setting.

Like many of Cuba's coastal resorts, there are numerous scuba diving sites to be found here, so the hotels will cater to divers of all levels. The Melia Las Americas, Iberostar Varadero, and the Princesa Del Mar Resort and Spa are just a selection of the quality Cuba hotels that offer water sports facilities to enjoy on your Cuban beach holiday.

Cuba Hotels in the Cities

Camaguey is a remarkable city designed like a labyrinth with intricate alleys, and apparently with only one way in or out. It was made this way in the 16th century to make it difficult for raiders to attack the city. The result is a series of interesting and baffling streets and squares that you can explore from your Cuban Hotel. An example of the idiosyncratic buildings you might want to stay in is the Colon Hotel in the old quarter. Although it's facilities are basic this Cuba Hotel has a unique feel to it, with the walls pillars and terrace around the courtyard all decorated in turquoise. Also in Camaguey is the Gran Hotel, a more refined colonial Cuban Hotel with a great location from which to explore the city.

Of course, if you want to experience the rich urban atmosphere of Cuba's cities, you will likely look to Havana first. There are a number of Cuba Hotels to choose from in Havana, each with its own character or style. The Hotel Saratoga is a building with a history dating back to the 1930s when it established itself as a venue for decadence. In recent years it has been restored to its former glory with the addition of modern luxuries. Its rival for the crown of best luxury hotel in Havana is the Nh Parque Central hotel. This is a modern hotel with traditional styling, a great location, an open air restaurant and rooftop swimming pool.

Any of these Cuba hotels serve as a good base for exploring the city. Old Havana is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, treasured for its array of Baroque and neoclassical architecture dating back to the early 16th century. The same can be said for Trinidad, a town on the south coast of central Cuba. The hotel that is frequently recommended for a stay in Trinidad is the recently renovated Iberostar Grand Hotel Trinidad. This is a quiet, charming boutique hotel with good facilities for a comfortable stay in a well-preserved colonial town.

The Best of Both

With the rich culture of the island's cities and the stunning beauty of its coastline, you may find it hard to decide where to spend your time. For the best of both sides of Cuba you should consider a multi-centre itinerary for your Cuba holiday, combining several Cuba hotels and locations for an unforgettable a trip to the Caribbean.

Emma Lelliott is the general manager of Captivating Cuba, an independent specialist in luxury holidays to Cuba. With a large selection of [http://www.captivatingcuba.com/cuba/hotel_list/]Cuba Hotels, and offices in both Havana and the UK, Captivating Cuba can plan a perfect tailor-made Cuba holiday experience.

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Cuba - One of the Best Places to Live

Cuba - One of the Best Places to Live - Learn More About the Beauty and Culture of Cuba
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Stephanie_Hofstetler]Stephanie Hofstetler

The iron hand rule of Fidel Castro has not obliterated the charm and exquisite beauty of Cuba, the largest and most western island of the West Indies. Known for the finely textured Cuban cigars, technically gifted boxers and baseball players, political defections, its communistic ideals, Fidel Castro, and the non-Cuban Che Guevarra's underlying role as a revolutionary pop culture hero that helped Cuba instill its Marxist foundation.

An archipelago or group of islands, Cuba's fertile soil and abundant sugar and tobacco production made it the wealthiest island of the Caribbean. Its culture and traditions are a product of its varied ancestry being a former colony of Spain which ruled the island for 400 years. A tourism haven, Cuba offers a good mount of places with significant historical value and importance.

Havana, the capital city, although one of the oldest cities in the western hemisphere, has a modern section and is the largest city in the West Indies. It is particularly one of the places most visited by foreign tourists and backpackers. In spite of the seemingly hard and repressed individuality prevailing in Cuba due to the government's socialist philosophy, tourists still cannot resist the edifying experience it brings and its Eden-like nature.

Its rich mixture of people and customs enabled it to build a society of fun-loving, musical people. Recognized by the international community for the richness and variety of its popular music, Spanish Andalusian, French, and African music have created a special blend of rhythms and melodies that constitute the Cuban trademark in such musical forms as the chachachá, rumba, and salsa. One of the most influential sources of Caribbean popular music, its infectious African drumming and rhythms have inspired dance and song that has made Cuban music popular throughout the world.

Many Cubans have grown into fine tuned athletes fuelled mainly by discipline and strict work ethic. Sports play a major role in the early life of young Cubans; it sows in their minds the seeds of patriotism. It is also particularly a nice way for an expatriate to begin his relations by joining natives in playing baseball, which is a favorite pastime among Cubans.

After years under communist/socialist rule, the Cuba of today has risen to become an excellent place to live in. Its traditions have been well preserved, arguably or in part, because of Castro's steadfast commitment to meld Cuba's past with its present in order to prepare for the future.

After years under communist/socialist rule, the Cuba of today has risen to become one of the best places to live in. Its traditions have been well preserved, arguably or in part, because of Castro's steadfast commitment to meld Cuba's past with its present in order to prepare for the future. Learn about more of the best countries to live at http://www.bestplaceslive.com/

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