Havana

North American don't understand that our country is not just Cuba, our country is also humanity

Fidel Castro

Before going to Cuba, a long and detailed planning is required, you need to read blogs and go prepared.

1 day : As soon as we got off the plane, we met with our guide and started touring Havana, which has impressive examples of Spanish architecture that have preserved themselves as they were originally built. We walked step by step through Revolution Square, Plaza de Armas, Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza Vieja and Plaza de San Francisco and the old streets and took lots of photos. In the evening, we went to Floridita Bar and had an Ernest Hemingway memorial hour.

2 days: We took our pre-arranged taxi/private vehicle and went on the Vinales Valley tour. In Cuba, people over a certain age either do not know English or do not prefer it. During the journey, our captain spoke Spanish, we communicated in English and French :) First, we toured the tobacco fields on horseback and then rolled tobacco at the Cigar Farm. After visiting the Cueva del Indio Cave, we returned. The most striking characteristic of Vinales was that there were two rocking chairs of the same model in front of each house.

Although it is a touristic activity, wandering around Havana in classic cars is a very enjoyable experience.

"Music" is an indispensable part of life for a Cuban...

Day 3 and 4: It was impossible not to go to the beaches of Varadero, but to us, the days in Varadero were not like Cuba, but more like a break accompanied by the sea-sun-sand trio, a caipirinha break between long walks...

Day 5 and 6: Continue by taxi with narration in Spanish, destination Che Museum in Santa Clara – Sienfuegos farms and musical stage. Two nights stay with a Cuban family in Trinidad.

Knowing oneself is the beginning of all wisdom...

 

When we arrived in Trinidad, we were very impressed by this historical city, full of colorful houses, with different music coming from every street. Unlike other locations, this time we stayed at a local family's house, called a casa. We received a private room and WC, and a wonderful breakfast in the common area. With our common language, the family was friendly, with lots of thanks, lots of visuals of laundry on the line in the courtyard, it was an impressive experience... We almost cried when we left, as much as we bonded in two days.

Trinidad
  • The food is not bad but I liked the cocktails and fruits the most
  • Flight Durations: Istanbul-Havana: 13 hours 50 minutes, Havana-Istanbul: 16 hours 15 minutes. The return flight has a stop in Caracas. While we thought we were going to Istanbul, we got excited even for a short time when we landed in Caracas, turns out there was a secret stop.
  • Currency: The currency of Cuba is the Cuban Peso (CUP). However, there is another currency called Convertible Peso (CUC) for the use of tourists, we used it.
  • There was no problem with our mobile phone line, but the internet was both limited and very expensive.
  • Electricity: Although electricity in Cuba is 110 volts, 220 volt electricity is used in the hotels you will stay in, so it is useful to bring an adapter.
  • Shopping: Buying cigars from Cuba is a must, but other than that, I couldn't find a very original souvenir...