Jul 21, 2011

DOWNERS GROVE, IL – July 18, 2011: For decades, the allure of Cuba has remained just out of reach for most Americans. Thanks to amended regulations, Americans may now travel to Cuba legally in the experienced hands of global luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent. This September, A&K will operate an inaugural journey to Cuba for U.S. citizens,

Jun 15, 2011

I love walking through the Havana Forest on a hot afternoon.  The sound of the water is soothing and the trees provide great shade.  The Havana Forest runs along the Almendares River and many locals fish here. The best time to go is when it has rained recently, when the forest is most lush.  The green canopy-like plants that cover the trees in the forest are

May 24, 2011

One of my favorite evening activities in Havana is to go for a walk along the Malecon. Eight kilometres long, I often walk the whole seawall twice, since my husband and I live at one end of it. Sunset is the best time to go walking, since the view of Old Havana is fantastic. When I want a break partway through, I sometimes go into the Hotel Nacional, to have

May 16, 2011

My favorite place for coffee in Havana is Casa de Huevos in Old Havana. The name literally translates to mean “House of Eggs.” There are a few tables at one side of the restaurant, where I have sat on a few occasions to order fried eggs in a nest of French fries.  Casa de Huevos is a local café and not many tourists hang out here.  Espresso costs just a

The area around what is now the city of Cienfuegos was originally called Cacicazgo de Jagua by the indigenous peoples. In 1819, the city became the only one in Cuba to be founded by French immigrants, who arrived from Bordeaux and Louisiana. The city’s original name was Fernardina de Jagua, in honour of the king of Spain, Ferdinand VII but after 10 years it

The Capitol Building in Havana, inaugurated in 1929, is based on the Capitol Building in Washington DC, but, at nearly 300 feet high, is slightly taller. It is best viewed in the early morning from the Parque Central. The sun was behind me and I gained a great perspective of the building’s imposing nature from slightly further away. From here I could also

On my third day in BA, having seen some of the major districts, I thought it time for an off the beaten track adventure (city style that is).  In the guide book map a friend found a marker signifying a Che Guevara Museum out at the end of the green line, but further digging into the book did not produce any more information.  Just a small museum symbol

When Fidel Castro lets go of the reins of power — however it happens — visiting Cuba will become attractive to U.S. citizens once again. However, the laws that have prevented easy travel to the Caribbean nation since 1963 won’t go away overnight. Castro’s probable successor will be his brother, Raúl, and will most likely follow current