Exploring the world, one place at a time
Travelling around Cuba can feel like you've stepped back in time – the iconic classic cars from the 1950s are everywhere, the architecture is from a bygone era and it's perfectly normal to see a horse and cart in the street or a man using oxen to plough his field. The Caribbean island, famous for... Continue Reading →
"If you only do one thing when you're in Havana, make sure you go to the Hotel Nacional and sit on the terrace with a cocktail," I was told by a friend-of-a-friend at a wedding a few days before I went to Cuba. And it's how I came to spend my final morning on the... Continue Reading →
Images of Ernesto "Che" Guevara abound throughout Cuba, but I was taken aback by the sheer scale of the Conjunto Escultórico Comandante Ernesto Che Guevara memorial dedicated to the revolutionary doctor at the Plaza de la Revolución in Santa Clara. It's staggering and an impressive sight. At the heart of the giant memorial is an enormous statue... Continue Reading →
Nicknamed the "Pearl of the South", the city of Cienfuegos on the southern coast of Central Cuba boasts a beautiful bay and some picture-perfect architecture. The centre of Cienfuegos is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is home to some spectacular old colonial buildings. Some of the most notable examples are situated around the central square, Parque Marti,... Continue Reading →
Cuba is the home of the mojito, so naturally I made sure to sample as many as possible while there. Keen to recreate this refreshing cocktail at home, I paid attention to how they were made and even had a mojito-making lesson from a barman in Havana. Many Cuban bars use a combination of sugar... Continue Reading →
A horse and cart on the cobbled streets of Trinidad: And another: The bell tower at the Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco: The ruined Iglesia de Santa Ana: Dolls for sale:
Steeped in history, the captivating old colonial city of Trinidad is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and with its cobbled streets – complete with cannons that stick out from between the cobbles – and its colourful, characterful buildings it's easy to see why. The Plaza Mayor in the city centre (above) is wonderfully preserved and is home to the lovely Iglesia... Continue Reading →
If you're looking to truly experience Cuban hospitality, it's possible to arrange to stay in a private home, known as a casa particular. These are private homes where the owners rent out rooms or apartments to travellers, and it's a great way for the owners to get a bit of extra money. I stayed in casa... Continue Reading →
One of my favourite places that I visited in Cuba was the small town of Viñales in the northern part of Pinar del Rio province. To get there from Pinar del Rio city we had to drive through the spectacular Viñales Valley of lush green forest and striking unusual-shaped mountains. The valley is a UNESCO... Continue Reading →
A trip to Cuba wouldn't be complete without sampling two of its most famous products – rum and cigars. So in Pinar del Rio, I paid a visit to two factories to find out how they make them. But first a quick note about Pinar del Rio – it's Cuba's 10th largest city and the capital of Pinar del Rio... Continue Reading →
Little Old World 