Cuba's tourism sector is promoting Cuba as a year-round destination and urging visitors to venture beyond its beach resorts to explore cities that encapsulate Cuba's unique culture and architecture. Here are a few highlights:
- Havana: Cool off with a daiquiri where Hemingway drank, then salsa the night away with some of the Caribbean's hottest nightlife. Havana's old heart is a faded, fascinating mix of mudejar, colonial baroque, neoclassical, art nouveau and art deco architecture. But if you're a photographer in search of "ruin porn", better hurry. Cuba's been sending students abroad to train at major restoration schools, part of a revitalization effort aimed at saving the country's architectural riches.
- Trinidad is Cuba's colonial jewel and a UNESCO world heritage site. Climb the bell tower of the former convent of San Francisco de Asis or explore the Afro-Cuban religion called Santeria at the Casa Templo de Santeria Yemaya which holds an altar to Yemaya, goddess of the sea. The calm waters of the island's Caribbean side are especially suitable for children who will also enjoy riding the steam train through the cane fields of the Valle de los Ingenios.
- Santiago de Cuba: With most of its cultural influences coming from Haiti, Jamaica, Barbados and Africa, Santiago de Cuba is the most Afro-Caribbean of Cuban cities as well as its most musical. From son to bolero, many Cuban music genres were born here. Follow your ears to open-air drumming in Parque Cespedes or make a musical pilgrimage--as Sir Paul McCartney did--to the Casa de la Trova for traditional troubadour sessions. And if you're a fan of the Buena Vista Social Club, pay your respects at the grave of musician Compay Segundo, buried in Cementerio Santa Ifigenia.
While Europe has traditionally been a top summer destination for Canadians, high prices have many looking elsewhere. Offering European-quality architecture and authentic cultural experiences at far-below-Europe prices, Cuba is a great year-round alternative.
For more information, visit Go Cuba, official website of the Cuba Tourist Board in Canada.
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