Cuba
Tour the main cities of Cuba for different perspectives of this gem in the Caribbean Sea. Havana, the capital, is a lovely mix of pre-revolutionary buildings, arts and culture and exciting nightlife. Start your visit here to learn about the nation’s past.
Varadero offers the decadent delights of a purely relaxing vacation on glorious white-sand beaches. Book an all-inclusive resort tour to enjoy a getaway on the Hicacos Peninsula.
Matanzas is a great place to explore Cuba’s cultural heritage by observing or learning authentic dance styles. The city also has fascinating caves, numerous unique bridges and a historic train used in the sugar industry.
See iconic images of Che Guevara throughout the central city of Santa Clara, where he won a hard-fought battle that ensured overthrow of the Batista government in the Cuban Revolution. Actions by Guevara and the Castros resulted in U.S. and Cuba sanctions that restricted free travel between the two nations for 88 years.
To understand the less violent history of the island, visit two of Cuba’s UNESCO World Heritage sites. Trinidad was one of the earliest Spanish settlements on the island and became a powerful sugar cane producing area. Tour the nearby Valley de los Ingenios to see more than 70 sugar mills, many of them operated by slaves during the 1800s.
Not far away is another UNESCO site, Cienfuegos, initially settled by immigrants of French origin in the early 1800s. Walk along the streets laid out in uniform regularity and admire the eclectic architecture. Large mansions in pastel colors stand against the blue sky. Sail across the city’s sheltered bay or dive along the Caribbean Sea.
Take care in planning your Cuba visit. You may need to arrange special allowed educational travel or fly into the country from outside the United States. If you are a U.S. citizen, find current Cuba travel restrictions at the Department of State website.