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THE BIG SHORT BREAK BOOK PERK
Free entrance to the Partagas Tobacco Factory and Rum Museum in Havana, for two people What's this?

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS
Havana nightlife > the colourful streets of Trinidad > beautiful unspoilt beaches

Havana has to be the first port of call for any visitor to Cuba. The city is as distinctive a destination as any on earth with the time warp 50s American cars, Che Guevara images and fading colonial facades all instantly recognisable, and an ever-present reality on any wander around the streets of the old town. The vibrant capital is also every bit as fun it appears, fuelled by rum, salsa and cigars, and an ideal Big Short Break in its own right.

One of our recommended places to stay is the Hotel Nacional, an art deco institution in Havana with a list of former guests as diverse as Winston Churchill and Frank Sinatra. The hotel may be a touch faded, and living on the legend of its former glory, but the views and location are unbeatable, and the bar still serves a mean mojito.

The new kid in town is the Saratoga Hotel, completely rebuilt behind the façade of a city block slap bang opposite the enormous Capitol building in the perfect city location. The hotel is one minute’s walk from the best cigar factory (a tour is one of the must do’s in town), and the pool and bar on the roof offer superb views over the decaying roof tops of the Old Town.
But Cuba is more than just its capital city, and away from Havana, the stunning white sand beaches that frame the island are some of the best in the whole Caribbean, and far less crowded that on some of the other popular islands in the region.

If there’s time, then a more wide ranging exploration of the island would also be hugely rewarding, with the Bay of Pigs (where the disastrous American-led invasion in 1961 was nipped in the bud), and the UNESCO heritage site of Trinidad two highly recommended trips.

All of the above are reason enough to visit, but what really sets Cuba apart is the fact that this is one of the last places on earth to see the Marxist/communist model in practice. The beaches and weather may be classic Caribbean, but there the similarities with the likes of Barbados and Antigua end. The crumbling facades and empty shelves in government run food stores pay testament to the struggles the locals have to endure, yet endearing respect (despite a growing anti-Castro sentiment) for the revolution and its aftermath remains the norm, and plays a major part in the sense of solidarity one feels across the island. With international property developers monitoring Castro’s health with interest, one wonders how long it is before the island receives a total – and not entirely welcome – makeover.

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PRICES
The price shown above is based on the sample itinerary, with flights in economy class, accommodation on a B&B basis (or more where stated), transfers and activities specific to this trip. Where prices fluctuate throughout the year, the price is based on low season rates and where more than one accommodation option is listed, on the cheapest available. We would be delighted to put together a current and 100% accurate quotation based on your specific travel requirements, so please contact the relevant member of our expert team.

TAILORED TO YOUR EXACT SPECIFICATIONS
Almost every one of our Big Short Breaks and Beyond the Big Short Breaks can be entirely tailormade from scratch, so you can enjoy the holiday exactly how you want it, exactly when you want it, and for exactly as long as you want it. Our expert team, who have been to every one of our destinations, are here to talk you through all the options available in order to create the trip best suited to you.