la bienvenida a Cuba, you are an avid traveller or simply wish to travel to home of Cigar and put your salsa skills to test, Cuba is opening it’s door for you.With the new leisure travel regulations announced by US government, you don’t need to plan an architectural or educational trip to Havana, the mecca of revolutionary history.Despite the half century trade and travel ban imposed on this country, there have been thousands of people from different parts of world including US who have travelled and explored this island nation and came back saying “Its endlessly fascinating”.

Taking a stroll back in history books, in year 1492 Christopher Columbus arrived on this island and described this place as “The most beautiful earth than human eyes had ever seen”.In the years that followed, Cuba stood tall amidst all the turmoil suffered from the hands of imperialists.That October 28 of 1492, the aboriginal population of the island had signed a contract with Spanish government, it would not be reflected in any record written by hand, the one belonging to countdown toward his total annihilation.Its breathtaking beaches has seen a series of invasion, trade boom, slavery, fight for independence and some landmark coups and revolutions which became countercultural symbol of rebellion.

This is a land of Ernesto “Che” Guevara ,whose stylized visage has become global insignia in pop culture, Chucho Valdés , Godfather of Afro-Cuban Jazz (http://valdeschucho.com/) and Andy Garcia (http://www.biography.com/people/andy-garcia-9542439), a hollywood icon.This beautiful island is an fragrant isle frozen in time, a melange of architecture from colonial to moorish.Its capital, Havana, straddles a splendid bay, caressing the Tropic of Cancer, casting a median between North and South America, the gateway to the New World.

As you set out to explore to Cuba, you can plan to cover capital’s main sights while other suggested routes focus on Inland Cuba which has natural treasures galore, and you could easily dedicate two weeks to trekking through the country’s glorious forests, breathtaking mountains and verdant countryside.No matter how you meticulously you plan your itinerary, you cannot cover Cuba in single trip.

Havana offers some twists and turns of its compelling history and rich culture laid bare in the surprising diversity of its architecture and kaleidoscope of citizens.It looks enchanting with policemen on military service lean against Soviet-era Brutalist office blocks; adherents of Santería, dressed all in white, stroll past Neo-Gothic churches; queues of smart, elderly socialites form outside Art Deco theaters; and taxi drivers in baseball caps tout rides in their fifty-year-old Buick’s and Chevrolets in front of Neoclassical shop fronts.
If you want to explore beyond Havana, you can plan trip to Pinar del Río and Artemisa, famous for producing world’s finest tobacco and enjoy its laid-back rural life well suited for unfettered escapism.You can also plan a day trip to destinations like Varadero and Matanzas and enjoy some stunning beaches, luxury hotels and visit to grand colonial towns.

The vast majority of visitors to Sancti Spíritus province head directly for the attractive and colourful sixteenth-century town of Trinidad, one of the country’s most perfectly preserved and restored colonial settlements.Situated close to both beach and mountains, its the most visited destination in central Cuba and also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Amongst all the pine scented beaches and palm-studded landscapes, if you are really interested in visiting the soul of Cuba, you should include Northern Oriente on the itinerary.This is home to Cuba’s most striking peaks and beaches whilst retaining the feel of its colonial past, with several handsome old buildings, museums and antique churches.

For an artist, a traveller or a music lover, this island nation always had so much to offer.

Been in Havana and didn’t enjoy the spoils of Havana Salsa Club on special thursdays, that’s blasphemy.Some other never-miss destination from Cuba travel are La Plata Mountain trail, this is for people interested in day trekking and explore Fidel Castro’s revolutionary base camps, diving off the world class southern coast, vibrant music scene from Santiago (if you travel in july), visit to la bodeguita del medio bar (http://www.labodeguitadelmedio.be/) and list does not end without mention of ride around Havana in classic 1950s cars.

So much is waiting and its all just 140 Kms from Florida coast.Now you can plan a 8-10 day excursion without the hassles of travel permit and license from Treasury Department where every second interview is declared ” Not fit for leisure travel” after filling 700 page application.People are hoping for better days, enjoying day long mojitos at white sand beaches and “without any leash”.Travel experts are saying that visa relaxation will soon help individuals spend just 3000-6000$ for a 8-10 day trip including a charter flight to island.

In the end it not just the world waiting to explore this hidden treasure, Cubans are also equally excited to go-out and experience the marvels far from its coast.

Hope to see you all in Havana…over Cigars and Tapas

Aclamaciones!!