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The only thing that gets me through our awful UK winters is planning where I'd really like to visit in the coming year... in 2008 it could very well be Cuba as I think there is a strong possibility that lots of things about the country could change quite rapidly in the near future. A lot of trips I've found are for 9-16 days but I can't take that long away from work so I'll be limited to 7ish days. Anyone already visited? What would be your 'whatever you do don't miss' places? Any other advice too please?

Hi Stuart, thanks for this, I wasn't sure about Havana but now I won't be put off a couple days there now. Trinidad sounds good and Vinales? yes that was on the list! Uh oh I'm really excited now and can't wait to book!!

Hi Berliegirl, have read your post on your thoughts on a trip to Cuba and just had to reply!

I spent 3 incredible months working in Havana last february and couldn't recommend a more unique place to visit...like you say, before things change. The lack of recent American influence is very interesting, no advertising, no McDonalds - no coke!!! There's nowhere else like this now, though of course properganda is everywhere. It really is just like the stereotype - like stepping back into the 1950's with the chevies, and the stentch of cigars fills your nostrils as soon as you step off the plane!! A week isn't long but you can still have a fantastic time...don't try and do too much if you want to get a real feel for the place. I'd recommend Havana for a couple of days then perhaps one or two other places depending on what you want...It's easy to go as a tourist and not get a true feeling for Cuban culture as they try and seperate tourists and locals as much as possible, making it hard for cubans to strike up a conversation with you (though this doesn't put them off trying!!). I'd advise staying in 'Casa Particulars' (Cubans who legally rent out rooms like B&B and cook you the most incerdible breakfasts) rather than a hotel, and if your on a budget change some of your money to local pesos and get snacks at the local markets and look up the pesos cafes as this is soooo much cheaper. My favourite place to spend the evenings is drinking rum on the Malacon (Havan's seafront) as this is the one place that the tourists and the locals mingle and you don't feel the divide so much.with people playing guitar, singing and dancing...loads of fun!! As for places to go other than Havana I'd recommend Vinales as it's landscape is so different, beautiful...check out the tabacco huts, and take a horse ride through the fields. If you want beach time Varadero has the most ridiculously clear blue water you've ever seen, but it is very resorty so no mixing with cubans, but we found the 'all you can eat and do' hotels quite a nice relief after beans and rice for 2 months!! Actually there's a really cute place north of Havana called Santa Maria where you can go to stunning beaches on day trips from Havana which aren't so packed with tourists and are easier to find secluded parts of beach. I also recommend Trinidad for a beautifully restored colonial town, and the people are very friendly here and there's great places for salsa!!

Sorry for going on so much - but i could say alot more if you want any more tips :)

Have a fantastic time!!

Mel

Hi, everyone

Mind if I butt in?

Just a quick word about me: I'm Alex, am Cuban, worked as a tour guide in the Escambray mountains just north of Trinidad for 3 years and have been a tours consultant for 2 years for a UK based tailor-made operator selling mostly Cuba.

Both Stuart and Mel are right on the money about where to go in Cuba and how to do it. Havana and Trinidad are definitely top of the list when it comes to Cuban must see/do. And doing it using casas is by far the cheapest and most enriching way to go about it.

A week is not very long, so I wouldn't be too ambitious as to how many places you go to. For example, Vinales is beautiful but gets really busy at peak times and is about 3 hours bus ride west of Havana, if you are planning to do Trinidad as well (east of Havana) and will be travelling by bus, that means you'll spend quite a few of your precious hours in buses and stations. An optional way of doing Vinales is to join an organised day tour from Havana, but that has all the drawbacks of being in a group and probably not your cup of tea.

Maria La Gorda, on the other hand, is in the middle of nowhere and the only reason to go all the way there is to be totally isolated or do some hardcore diving, but you are looking at 5 hrs from Havana (not sure buses make it that far, so you might end up having to take a taxi there).

As to Varadero, I would stay away from it. If you are after a fantastic beach, try Cayo Las Brujas (off the north coast in central Cuba) or Cayo Levisa (off the north coast as well, but between Vinales and Havana). They each feature a laid back, mid range small hotel (not all inclusive) in incredibly beautiful settings. The main difference between them is that Las Brujas is joined to main land by a causeway and Levisa isn't, so you need to take a ferry there. My favourite is Las Brujas and it combines very well with Trinidad.

About moving around, a rental car is the best option by a long way, but not cheap. Cuba is one of the safest Latin American countries to drive in and you would be able to make the most of every hour. Also, a great way to meet Cubans as the roads there are crammed with hitchhikers who would happily trade directions (you will need a lot of that as there are not many road signs) and a chat for a lift.

Anyway, great to hear you are going to Cuba and that you intend to make the most of it. Best of lucks and don't forget to pack your salsa shoes!

Merry Xmas!
Alex

The flights are booked...could only manage one week but I can't wait!!!

Hi Rich. yes a really good deal! Opodo have Virgin return flights for £390 during June and September, its usually at least £500, and with Virgin it's a direct flight (a lot of them are via Paris or Madrid). Virgin flights are Wednesdays and Sundays from Gatwick. Think the offer means it has to be booked by the end of this month though. I got the tipoff from a great email you can get from Travelzoo.com, they send out a 'Top 20' weekly on holiday/flight deals. We booked for June as I couldn't wait until September; just need to decide on an itinerary as there's way too much to see in a week but that just means there's a reason to go again!

Thanks for all the advice given in reply to my original post asking about Cuba. We went mid-June and had a fantastic time! Only 7 days, wish it could have been more, but we spent the first 2 nights in Havana then took the Viazul bus out to Vinales for 4 nights and back to Havana for the final night. We stayed in Casa Particulares, all the time, and are really really glad we did. We got to know some lovely people, heard from them how life is, has some great homecooked food and mojitos, and even got invited to a Cuban wedding!
Havana is a city complete contrasts, absolute poverty next to expensive hotels; people living in literally falling down buildings, some without even a roof.
We spent a day horse riding in Vinales, hung out with a tobacco farmer who showed us how to roll the perfect cigar. Our Spanish is 'restaurant basic' (at the moment) but we were sat around a table eating pineapple with people from France, Belgium, Spain and Poland (quite a United Nations experience!) all speaking a little of each other's language and between us understood what he wanted to tell us.
Another day was spent at a virtually deserted white sand/blue sky beach at Cayo Jutias, just down the coast from Cayo Levissa.
I HAVE to go back to Cuba, I'm desperate to visit Trinidad, Santa Clara and Maria La Gorda now too. So once again thanks for all the advice, we wouldn't have had half a good a time without it. If you haven't been yet, go if you get a chance!