Cuba - for my honeymoon in July...
Discussion
Right...
Honeymoon is at the start of July, wedding is on the 30th of June...
Mrs Cyclone (to be) and I are not the type that want to sit on the beach for a week, so for our honeymoon we have been trying to figure out what to do..
We've both always been intrigued by Cuba and if there is anything that we would like to do on our honeymoon it would be to do a day or two of kiteboarding (both keen sailors, but kiting is new to us...).
I love the idea of seeing Cuba and more specifically Havana and how it is now. before it changes too much (1950's Chevy, yes please!).
So, I put it out there to the more knowledgeable - Cuba, for a week, budget is more Preseco than Dom Perignon but it is a chance of a lifetime, so if I have to owe Mr Mastercard some cash for a little while longer (having paid for the wedding!) then so be it - I am planning on doing this only once!!
What can you recommend? The web is not too helpful unless you want to do a Thomson holiday for a week fully inclusive!! Not our style, unless that is a means to get into the country and have a base - can you hire the old Chevy's and Buick's??
Oh - I have to get this organised as the more observant amongst you will realise I have 2 months really to get this sorted!! All suggestions gratefully excepted!!
Honeymoon is at the start of July, wedding is on the 30th of June...
Mrs Cyclone (to be) and I are not the type that want to sit on the beach for a week, so for our honeymoon we have been trying to figure out what to do..
We've both always been intrigued by Cuba and if there is anything that we would like to do on our honeymoon it would be to do a day or two of kiteboarding (both keen sailors, but kiting is new to us...).
I love the idea of seeing Cuba and more specifically Havana and how it is now. before it changes too much (1950's Chevy, yes please!).
So, I put it out there to the more knowledgeable - Cuba, for a week, budget is more Preseco than Dom Perignon but it is a chance of a lifetime, so if I have to owe Mr Mastercard some cash for a little while longer (having paid for the wedding!) then so be it - I am planning on doing this only once!!
What can you recommend? The web is not too helpful unless you want to do a Thomson holiday for a week fully inclusive!! Not our style, unless that is a means to get into the country and have a base - can you hire the old Chevy's and Buick's??
Oh - I have to get this organised as the more observant amongst you will realise I have 2 months really to get this sorted!! All suggestions gratefully excepted!!
ChrisBMW said:
Good friends of mine got married in Cuba and while they said the actual resort where they were married was stunning Havana was a dirty smelly hole in which the wife to be never felt safe.
Never been myself so can't comment, just remember them telling me this.
I've just returned from a month travelling around Cuba, Havana is easily the safest capital I've traveled to in Central/South America - Not even the slightest hint of danger IMO. Never been myself so can't comment, just remember them telling me this.
It's a Latin American country that has some form of socialism/communism, if you can appreciate what that may mean then you will probably appreciate some of what Cuba is about. Otherwise your better off heading for the resort or some other place.
It's one of the most culturally different places I've been in Latin America, though admittedly I still haven't been to Venezuela. I've been back for a few weeks and am still figuring out some of the nuances of how peoples live there.
As for question wrt old cars, they use them as taxis everywhere so you can get a ride in one quite easily, no idea about rentals though.
Edited by digger_R on Thursday 26th April 12:46
I was in Cuba for two weeks in December.
Stayed in a Resort about 1 hour away from Havana and had a couple of day trips to the city.
50s cars are easy to hire as a cab / tour. 70 cuc is the going rate for a car (driver and guide included, upto four passengers) for a day. I'm sure it'd be possible to hire one to self drive but it'd not be easy. The vast majority have very crude smoke belching diesel engines btw.
Havana itself is an eye opener. Some very smart sections and some which look like you have stepped into Beruit 1980's style. I felt safe during the day but not sure I'd have been happy out at night. Without a good guide I think you might find it hard to fill the time with worthwhile stuff to do.
It's not easy finding good places to eat in the city. If you are touring the countryside there is no equivalent of a cafe / pub etc. This is changing as people are now allowed to set up private business but it's still very early days. They still have rationing and 'approved' markets for the local where goods are very limited. You will probably be looking at paying more or less UK prices to eat out. I didn't find the food inspiring (even in 5* hotels). I did hear talk of excellent fish resturants but without being with someone in the know they are hard to find.
There are nice hotels in Havana. Parque Central and the Hotel Nacional de Cuba. The Holiday Place does good deals at the moment.
Bear in mind it's a 10 hour flight there and 5 hour time difference. You may be jaded for the first day or two! It's also a big country with minimal public transport so don't even think about touring with just a week to spare.
In summary having been once (seen Havana) I'm in no rush to go back. IMHO there are lots of nicer places to go.
Worth bearing in mind that July is in the hurrican season and Cuba tends to be on the typical hurricane track.
Stayed in a Resort about 1 hour away from Havana and had a couple of day trips to the city.
50s cars are easy to hire as a cab / tour. 70 cuc is the going rate for a car (driver and guide included, upto four passengers) for a day. I'm sure it'd be possible to hire one to self drive but it'd not be easy. The vast majority have very crude smoke belching diesel engines btw.
Havana itself is an eye opener. Some very smart sections and some which look like you have stepped into Beruit 1980's style. I felt safe during the day but not sure I'd have been happy out at night. Without a good guide I think you might find it hard to fill the time with worthwhile stuff to do.
It's not easy finding good places to eat in the city. If you are touring the countryside there is no equivalent of a cafe / pub etc. This is changing as people are now allowed to set up private business but it's still very early days. They still have rationing and 'approved' markets for the local where goods are very limited. You will probably be looking at paying more or less UK prices to eat out. I didn't find the food inspiring (even in 5* hotels). I did hear talk of excellent fish resturants but without being with someone in the know they are hard to find.
There are nice hotels in Havana. Parque Central and the Hotel Nacional de Cuba. The Holiday Place does good deals at the moment.
Bear in mind it's a 10 hour flight there and 5 hour time difference. You may be jaded for the first day or two! It's also a big country with minimal public transport so don't even think about touring with just a week to spare.
In summary having been once (seen Havana) I'm in no rush to go back. IMHO there are lots of nicer places to go.
Worth bearing in mind that July is in the hurrican season and Cuba tends to be on the typical hurricane track.
Havana is a blast. Food iffy though. Very,very hot in summer Cigar factory a must, ad of course cigars supers with a glass of rum
.
Here is an old article I wrote on the cars:
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20080718/FREE/8440...
.Here is an old article I wrote on the cars:
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20080718/FREE/8440...
Mrs YellowTR to be and I went to Cuba in November to Cuba and had a cracking time. We started off in Havana and spent a few days there. It was a great fun and as previous posters have mentioned the city can look like a bit of crap hole, but other parts of it are stunning. Its was great fun exploring it and we never felt threatend late at night walking through streets with no lights. Locals know that if there mug/attack tourist the penalty is harsh.
After that we headed into the countryside, Vinales and then onto island resort for a while where it rained for days! Back to the main island and then onto the coast and then back to Havana.
Its a cracking place and we loved it. Met some fantastic people and were made to feel part of the family when we stand in casa particulars (i.e B&B's). Food was very good as it goes, though get used to pork and beans and rice! Lunchtime food can be a bit dull as it tends to involve cheese and ham!
After that we headed into the countryside, Vinales and then onto island resort for a while where it rained for days! Back to the main island and then onto the coast and then back to Havana.
Its a cracking place and we loved it. Met some fantastic people and were made to feel part of the family when we stand in casa particulars (i.e B&B's). Food was very good as it goes, though get used to pork and beans and rice! Lunchtime food can be a bit dull as it tends to involve cheese and ham!
My brother got married in Varadero... Nice enough place, with a good beach, but nothing much else there. We used to hire scooters and go out riding as far as we could. Found some cool bits and pieces. Concrete bunkers along the coast, nice wee bridge n the way to Havana with cafe, and touristy stuff. Havana was fun, but got a bit samey if you know what I mean. Expected to see lots of old US cars, bit never really saw many. There was a karting center outside Varadero, and they had 2 sweater go-karts!
Anyway, the best bit was the scooters.
Anyway, the best bit was the scooters.
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