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By personal travel manager Janice Lee
We travelled to Cuba via Mexico City. This city sure is lively, and one of the few cities where English is not understood. We were successful in booking an apartment central to subways, restaurants etc. However struggled on the subway thinking we could wing it – we instead found ourselves in interesting markets and generally v animated streets with Food being cooked in small pop up restaurants. This was quite a treat!!!
I was fortunate to download a Spanish translator app (highly recommended) to find our way to downtown Mexico to explore Metropolitan Cathedral located on the northern side of the Tempol Mayor.We spent 2 nights here, which certainly didn’t do it justice but our main purpose was to spend a week in Havan, Cuba.Onwards to Havana we were told it was best to exchange money at the airport as difficult to get when you arrive. This proved difficult as we had a 7.30am flight and even though the general money exchanges were open none of them sold Cuban peso’s there was only one facility that did this.It turns out that on arrival this wasn’t a problem and we were able to exchange at the hotel we stayed at Iberiostar Hotel Havana which is located in old Havana.
This hotel has a well-known Roof top pool and restaurant area. The photos speak for themselves. This hotel is based opposite a garden square where all the tuk tuks, old cars, hop on hop off bus and hawkers are vying for business. I have heard from previous visitors they were charmed out of the money rather than scammed. The locals are very smooth and can find or take you to where ever you want to go for a fee. Best to negotiate this prior so you don’t have any unexpected surprises.
Walking around the old city is very easy to find the Plaza de La Cathedral in Plaze Viega, I suggest you stay for lunch in this area as it’s a great spot to soak up the local ambiance and watch people getting on with their daily routines. Close to this area are a couple of famous bars that specialise in just Mojitos.I highly recommend the Hop on Hop off bus and also visited the local cigar factory which is a fantastic experience and is in a large building on many levels, they have set times for tours and unfortunately you are not allowed to take photos. They get paid a very basic wage and generally bonuses are given in unlabelled cigars which they try to sell to you on the streets or behind doors at a very reasonable price. There is a shop down the street selling packaged Cuban cigars of every standard.
A trip to Vinales is well worth seeing for its tranquil country surroundings, there is a fantastic boat and cave trip which is included and lunch at a local restaurant. A big day and well worth it.
A place that never fails to entertain!
Janice Lee – Personal Travel Manager
TravelManagers respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands where we work and gather, and those we visit.
