10 Reasons To Travel To Cuba This Year

10 Reasons to Visit Cuba this Year

Miles of white sand beaches, small tucked away towns, striking architecture, clear blue waters and the best cigars in the world are all found in the lovely country of Cuba. With an ease on travel restrictions for Americans to this Island we have conjured up the top ten reasons you need to visit Cuba this year. From tours of working tobacco farms to world heritage sites to American classic cars that take you back to the 1950’s visitors will feel as though they have stepped back in time when they enter this country. The people of Cuba are really the treasure of this island with their lively culture, beautiful creativity and welcoming hospitality. If you are a return tourist to Cuba; you know just how amazing it is and perhaps this article will uncover a few new things to discover. For the Cuba newbie’s; get ready to explore how fabulous this country is with the top ten reasons to visit Cuba this year.

10. Get There Before the Crowds                                              

Traveling to Cuba got a little easier for Americans this year when the Obama administration announced a thaw in relations between the two countries. Besides reestablishing the American Embassy in Havana the Obama Government has relaxed the travel restrictions to Cuba. Although at this time Americans are still required to travel with a tour group, it is expected that in the future they will have the same travel rights as everyone else into the country. What does this mean for tourism? It means that more and more tourists are going to discover this magical island and all that it has to offer. The time to get to Cuba is now, before the crowds and before the country is forced into losing some of their culture in order to please the tourists. Part of Cuba’s charm is the lack of giant ritzy hotels, overcrowded beaches and unauthentic restaurants. Cuba stands for authenticity and culture and friendly people and the more tourists that visit the less likely that becomes. So why visit Cuba this year? To get the true experience of an unforgettable country that offers true genuine hospitality, breathtaking landscapes and incredible people.

9. Oak Aged Rum                                                                      

One of the most famous products to come out of Cuba besides tobacco is the sweet delicious Rum. A country made rich by sugarcane it was only a matter of time before the Cubans discovered that the thick sweet molasses; a by-product of sugarcane could be used to make rum. Like the country itself, the history of rum is long and tumultuous. In 1862 The Bacardi Rum Company was formed and for almost a hundred years was the most well-known rum in Cuba; that is until the Castro government seized all property and forced the family into exile. Today the popular Havana Club is found everywhere on this Island whereas Bacardi now operates out of Bermuda. The Mojito, The Cuba Libre and the Daiquiri all originated in this country and can be found almost everywhere you go. Finding the perfect and best one is a challenge a lot of visitors choose to take. Visits to the Havana Club Rum Museum and the Factory Bocoy are just a couple stops on any rum tour. The original Bacardi Rum Factory still exists in Santiago de Cuba and although tours are not allowed inside, it is worth a visit to the grand grounds for tastings and souvenirs. It would be a travesty to leave Cuba without trying at least a few types of rums and is just one more reason to visit this beautiful country.

8. Historical Heritage 

Cuba is home to nine UNESCO world heritage sites; places that are of special cultural or physical significance and therefore are protected and preserved. This small country boasts sites throughout and some of these places are special enough to make visitors come just for them. Old Havana and its fortifications are at the top of this list with many historical landmarks, interesting architecture and private restaurants on rooftops of mansions. San Pedro de la Roca Castle in Santiago de Cuba is one of the most complete and well-preserved Spanish-American defense fortifications and a stunning visual fort that protected the port of Santiago. Desembarco del Granma National Park is unique in that it is named for the Yacht that carried Castro and the others to overthrow Fulgencio Batista. The park features beautiful cliffs, waterfalls and terraces. The other six heritage sites are just as fascinating and well educated travelers will delight in finding a country that offers an array of sites in such a small area. Come to Cuba and cross nine more world heritage sites off your bucket list!

7. Cigars

 

Cuba is often called the land of tobacco as tobacco is both grown and harvested in several regions of the island. There’s little disagreement that the best cigars in the world come from Cuba and even if you are not a smoker the urge to find out how and why these cigars are so good is overwhelming. The area of Pinar del Río is home to the country’s top tobacco plantations; ironically enough the area is also one of the top eco-tourist attractions of Cuba. The 2hr drive from Havana to Pinar del Rio will be well worth it as you can tour a working tobacco plantation and puff on an authentic cigar in Casa del Tabaco; a large welcoming cigar shop with something for everyone. Visiting a cigar factory is a must and perhaps the best place to do this is to head back to the city of Havana where you will come eye to eye with the workers that spend their lives in these factories making each cigar perfect. Tobacco has been and will continue to be a huge part of Cuba’s economy and Cuba offers the chance for outsiders to experience a behind-the-scenes look at how cigars are produced.

6. Music and Art

Cubans were born to play instruments and create beautiful art. Throughout the country there is a background noise that follows you wherever you go, any day of the week, anytime of the day. That background noise is the music that flows so easily from the local musicians who play anytime, anywhere. From opera houses to salsa clubs to jazz bars to the musical trio serenading you at the beach; Cubans love their music and before long you will be tapping your foot to the beat wherever you are. Art is another way Cubans love to share their sense of creativity, from the colorful murals and tiles on the houses to the vendors on the streets selling their paintings. It is a common scene that unfolds as a painter sets up at a local café and starts painting the breathtaking landscape. The markets and shops are full of locally produced art often at a fraction of the cost. Music, art, laughter and dancing are all just a part of life here on this Island.

5. The Incredible Cars

Cuban streets are literally filled with American style cars from the 1950’s. If you love old cars Cuba is the place to go because the country is literally a rolling car museum. Back in 1960 when Fidel Castro took power there was an embargo put in place stopping all American imports into Cuba. Since then innovative Cubans have been finding ways to keep their prized American classic cars running. It is here where one will find an array of 1950’s convertibles that have been scratched, bumped, painted and put back together. Lift the hood of a Chevrolet and you might find a Russian built engine providing the power, watch a Ford pass by with a Buick grill on the front; none of this out of the ordinary. There are no junkyards in Cuba and everything that may have once been junk has been turned into something useful on a car. The taxi drivers take pride in keeping their vintage wheels looking good and visitors will often see them shining up the trim and mirrors before picking someone up. The chance to take incredible pictures and take a ride in a 1958 Oldsmobile convertible you thought didn’t exist anymore is absolutely reason enough to visit Cuba this year.

4. The Cuban People

Visitors to this island often say that the people of Cuba made their trip complete; from their outright friendly nature to their genuine hospitality it is hard to find such welcoming locals. Cuba is unique in that it is not overrun with tourists (yet) and perhaps that is why the locals are so willing to be open, honest and genuinely happy to see the tourists who do make it here. From opening up their houses to tourists to join them for a traditional seafood meal to jamming with them on the beach they are truly one of a kind. Cuba is truly a melting pot of different cultures and races accepting all sorts of different colors and creeds without judgment and is an excellent example of how cultural diversity can work. Through the hardships that they have faced these people still remain kind, hardworking, friendly and welcoming. Expect to go to Cuba and make new friends, hear about their lives and country and meet the entire family. If for some crazy reason you don’t love the white sand beaches, the incredible music and the interesting architecture; you will most definitely fall in love with the people.

3. The ArchitectureThere is nothing boring about the architecture in Cuba as it assumes a variety of styles, colors, ideas and backgrounds. It is much like the melting pot of culture that makes up this country. In the early 16^th century Spanish settlers adopted their style of architecture to fit the climate and lifestyle of Cuba; creating grand covered porches, metal bars over window frames to allow the breeze in and multi color glass panes above doorways to diffuse the sunlight. In the 19^th century the neoclassic look was brought to Cuba and throughout the island visitors will find traces of this style in colonnaded avenues, lavished auditoriums and gold-leafed mosaics. Electric architecture came to life in the 1920’s with Art Deco constructions, fairy-tale palaces and mock mansions. Wherever you travel in Cuba, whichever towns and cities you visit you are sure to be witness to more than one type of architecture and that is the beauty of this country. Subjected to the eyes of the artist; this mix of styles makes Cuba what it is today. 

2. The Small Towns

We all know the bigger cities of Cuba; Havana, Varadero, Holguin, Santiago de Cuba and so on but what about the smaller less known hidden gems of Cuba? Beckoning visitors to the island are such towns as Trinidad and Baracoa. Trinidad is a picture perfect town with colonial style pastel architecture, quiet cobblestone streets and town square. There are fascinating museums, discos at every turn; even one located in a cave and pop up pizza shops that open for one hour at lunch and then shut down. The beautiful palaces, the white sand beach a few miles out and the clear waters make this small town a true gem of Cuba. Baracoa on the other hand is the darker side of Cuba, it’s remote location on the far southeast coast past Guantanamo Bay, over a mountain range of tropical rainforest and down a twisty road make it rather hard to reach. The surrounding hills, fantastic waterfalls, jagged black coastline and black sand beach make for an incredible setting. Great food, drink, dancing, kayaking and trekking is found here where the air is hotter and the sea is rougher. Step out from the comfort zone of the typical tourist areas and discover what the real Cuba has to offer.

1. Miles of White Sand Beaches

Cuba is home to more than 300 beaches that are spread across the Northern Atlantic Ocean and its Southern Caribbean Coastline with endless miles of soft white sand and breathtaking ocean views. Head to Guardalavaca; Cuba’s prettiest resort area full of lush tropical vegetation, sparkling white sand and turquoise waters. The coastline here is dotted with cove beaches and perfect waters for swimming. In Cayo Jutías escape the tourist area and head along sands dotted with driftwood sculptures on your way to Starfish Beach. Here visitors are treated to enormous burnt-orange colored starfish in the shallow waters. For those visitors who are looking for a bit of colonial culture with their sun and sand; Trinidad is the perfect destination and Playa Ancon is the beautifully large white sand beach located here. This beach is great for diving, relaxing and as a base for exploring the town. For serious divers who are looking for a beach that offers tranquility and numerous diving spots; Maria La Gorda Beach located on the Guanahacabibes Peninsula is where you will want to head. With the largest colony of black coral, the richest biodiversity in Cuba and thirty nine scuba diving spots, the opportunities are endless.  From local hangouts to family friendly beaches to miles of privacy; there is a beach for everyone in Cuba.

Article Written By Lindsay MacNevin On A Website Called Escape Here. com 

11 Reasons Why Travel Makes You a Happier Person

Travel is good for lots of things, but it can also increase mental well-being - and not just in the short-term. Whether you’re traveling for business, on a one-week family holiday, or have sold everything to pursue a life on the road, traveling can make you a happier person by building self-confidence, providing new experiences and memories, breaking routine and allowing you to meet people from all over the world.

Keith Jenkins, founder of the luxury travel blog Velvet Escape and prolific traveler, said:

I feel happy when I’m gaining new experiences and insights, and challenging my boundaries. Travel is the perfect catalyst for happiness, as it has allowed me to experience the natural, cultural and man-made wonders of the world. Being in foreign lands, it also continuously forces me to step out of my comfort zone - a great confidence-builder. In my book, travel is the best school there is: I’ve learned so much about the world and, most importantly, about myself.

Marilyn Tam, entrepreneur and author of The Happiness Choice, was travelling when I emailed her to ask her take on happiness and travel:

I’m travelling right now and yes, I am indeed very happy. I am in Myanmar and learning and appreciating another culture.’ Tam worked with Minister of Home and Culture in Myanmar and the first Prime Minister of Bhutan to introduce the idea of the International Day of Happiness to the UN, an annual day which this year falls on 20th March. ‘Travel expands our capacity for wonder, joy and appreciation of the amazing diversity on our lovely planet. It makes me very happy indeed. If I didn’t travel, I may never have had the opportunity to meet the Minister and, who knows, maybe the International Day of Happiness may not have happened yet.

So the next time you find yourself heading out on a shopping spree to lift your mood, why not put that money towards a vacation instead? Here are 11 ways in which travel can make you happier:

1. FIND YOUR SELF-CONFIDENCE BY DEALING WITH UNEXPECTED SITUATIONS

There comes a time when everyone must deal with an unexpected situation when they’re on the road. Even if you plan your trip to the letter, things can take a surprise turn. Whatever happens, there is a way around the problem and knowing that you can deal with these situations is a big boost to self-confidence and therefore your happiness.

2. HAPPINESS IS INFECTIOUS

When locals are happy, smiling and friendly, it has an immediate knock-on effect. I found the people of Cambodia and Laos to be notably friendly and cheerful, despite the relative poorness of these countries and the former in particular having a very recent traumatic history. When faced with those big beaming smiles, it’s hard to be annoyed at the hassling you might experience; putting that knee-jerk irritation to one side instantly lifts your mood and is a good habit to take home.

3. BEING AWAY MAKES YOU APPRECIATE FAMILY AND HOME

Being away from things we often take for granted — family, close friends, home — makes us appreciate them more. Calling home isn’t a chore, but something to look forward to: no one enjoys listening to your envy-inducing travel stories more than your parents, so it’s the perfect excuse to wax lyrical about whatever place with which you’ve just fallen in love.

4. YOU MAKE NEW FRIENDS

It’s much easier to make new friends on the road than it is at home, where people are less inclined to chat to strangers on a bus or strike up conversation in a bar (at least, that’s true of London). When people are away from home, there seem to be less boundaries to cross and making friends becomes much easier, whether it’s a local curious to know where you’ve come from or a fellow travellers keen to have someone with whom to enjoy a beer or share a taxi. Social interactions make us happier and increasing our social circle means that we’re talking more and meeting different, interesting people, which hopefully means we’re learning more, too.

5. DETOX FROM SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media can be used for both good and bad, but it’s healthy for everyone to have a break from the internet every once in a while. Wi-fi is so prevalent that it’s hard to turn off and you can quite often find yourself tuning out whatever amazing place you’re in with your face in your phone, checking Twitter, scrolling through your Facebook feed, checking your emails... stop. Turn it off. Better yet, find somewhere with no reception and no wi-fi so that you don’t have a choice. It’s liberating and allows you to better enjoy the ‘here and now’, which nicely ties into the following point.

6. GETTING SOME ‘YOU’ TIME

Traveling gives us breathing space that is often lost in our usual day-to-day existence. Having a moment to take advantage of peace and quiet and to simply ‘be’ allows us to let go of stress and tension and just enjoy being in the moment — a key focus of meditation and a practice you can take home with you. If you’re traveling with a partner, it’s a chance to spend time with only each other for company, which is a thought that probably shouldn’t fill you with dread.

7. EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION

Whether it’s learning a new skill such as cooking Thai food or learning a new language, travel presents ways in which we can further our knowledge and education. Learning makes our brains more active, which psychologists have found increases our level of happiness - particularly when learning something we find enjoyable.

8. GET A VITAMIN D BOOST

Whilst it’s a bit of myth that you need to be on a sun-lounger for twelve hours to feel the full effects of vitamin D (20 minutes of exposure to sunlight is enough), there’s no doubt that in the same way that the cold and dark of winter makes us unhappy (feeling the effects of seasonal affective disorder or SAD), sunshine and warmth generally put us in a much better mood. A beach break is a great way to relax and enjoy the health benefits of a warm climate. Admittedly, this is more of a short-term boost, but a healthy glow makes everyone feels better and lasts for a few weeks after your trip is over.

9. YOU’RE MORE INTERESTING

You don’t need to be a ‘travel bore’ to have a few interesting stories to tell. Traveling throws up a lot of bizarre, funny and sometimes serious situations that relating back to people will make you — at least — feel interesting. Making someone laugh is an easy way to instantly bump up your self-esteem, so hold on to those embarrassing memories — no matter how much they might make you cringe.

10. NEW EXPERIENCES GIVE US MOMENTS TO REMEMBER

For most people, travelling is about the new experiences. I will always remember that moment of awe when I stood watching the sunlight leak out over the rainforest around the ancient temple of Borobudur in Java at sunrise, the sky turned a striking shade of violet: it was one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen. Recalling memories of happiness can sustain a feeling of contentment long after the moment has passed, and new experiences are memories that can stick with you forever.

11. THE EFFECTS OF TRAVELING AREN’T JUST SHORT-TERM

Aside from making you happier in the short-term, traveling can make you a much more contented, happy and relaxed person in the long run, too. Of course, most travel enthusiasts are constantly planning their next trip, but when we’re at home or past a point of being able to jet off whenever we like, past travels leave us with the memories and personal skills - such as confidence, broad-mindedness, friends and a more worldly perspective — that make people happy. And that’s why travel makes you a happier person.

Article Written By THE BLOG