Cuba - Havana - Varadero ?

[AMDB9]

Off with a few of the lads to Cuba next month - anyone been - can't decide where to spend more time - Havana or Varadero? Has anyone hired a classic and driven from Havana to Varadero? Any hints and tips and any other worthy destinations to drive to would be appreciated

Is it easy to hire a car out there or best to get one with a driver and let him do the driving?

What about nightlife - any recommendations for food also welcome

Thanks

[AMDB9]

Thanks - great advice...

Keep em coming

We are going there to get a feel of the culture, enjoy the atmosphere before the US relation thaw ruins what seems to be a great place for now.

[AMDB9]

Thanks - none of us are divers but looking on trip adviser that looks like a nice place to be!

[AMDB9]

celestequattro said:

Anybody found a decent deal for a trip over there from the UK? Sadly kids holidays mean likely to go around 20 July....

How old are your kids? Mine are 13 and 9 and I wouldn't think of taking them to Cuba

[AMDB9]

Well thank you so much sir - wonderful pics and tips - very much appreciated! If you could send me the details of your driver that would be the icing on the cake

We have booked Iberostar in Havana but the rate allows us to pull out at anytime so once there we shall look around and if we like another hotel better we can move across.

Is it true that things are very backward there - hard to find bottled water on the streets and even hard to come by toilet role!? These are some of the things I have heard.

[AMDB9]

Many thanks

[AMDB9]

They would get so bored!!

[AMDB9]

Thanks - great advice as always

[AMDB9]

My trip may be called off :-( due to fly early next week!

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/havana-flo...

[AMDB9]

RDMcG said:

My driver is Jorge. He is in his sixties, very honest and reliable. His local number is 52821556. He was really helpful and did a lot of driving around Havana. At one stage I lost a screw from my sunglasses, which is irritating. He brought me to some little street and took my glasses, had the repaired when I waited ( five minutes), no charge. Little things like that matter. He had never been to Casa Miglis though, but he knows it now!.

If you want to try any of the above restaurants, book now.

Here is website for La Guarida:

http://www.laguarida.com/en/


for Casa Miglis
http://www.casamiglis.com/


Not sure if there is a website, but go to Trip Advisor and they have lots on it..try Paladar Vistalmar or Vista del Mar.

Let me know if there is anything else and I will try to fid out. Best guidebook is the Dorling Kindersley one I think.

Edited by RDMcG on Wednesday 22 April 13:21

Called the driver today and he confirmed all floods have cleared and Havana is back to business Trip back on again! Saratoga, Melia Habana and Nachional all confirmed on the phone that all is sorted!

[AMDB9]

So we are back

What an amazing place. We decided to stay at the Melia Habana in the end - a bit far out from the main city (15 mins taxi ride) but it was the most modern hotel out of the lot with the largest pool by far. Both the Saratoga and Nacional had great character but the rooms were awful and smelt of dampness! We opted for the 9th floor which is the so called VIP floor with their own check in desks etc and free wifi which is a rare commodity in Cuba!

Some amazing restaurants there especially the La Gaurida, Casa Miglis and the La Moneda Cubana. We also spent a few days mixing with the locals at their nightclubs and bars - some of the good ones were Bolabana and the Sara - both great clubs with great music and VIP area's if that's your thing. There were a few more we went to at the recommendation of a localy cabby but they were wehouses LOL - if thats your scene those places are the Dos Gardenias (DJ music), Casa de La Musica and the La Cecelia bar both with live shows and music.

A great trip all in all and highly recommended!

[AMDB9]

Thanks for the reccomendations once again :-)

PS even though all weather forecasts showed thunderstorms all day and every day for the week we were there - it did NOT rain even once! Just glorious 32 degree sunshine all week!