Cuba

A true Caribbean island, Cuba mixes vintage cars, fat cigars and a fun holiday flavour. The Caribbean's biggest island offers all the pleasures sun, sea, sand and a laid-back vibe - but with a difference. For Cuba's extraordinary history, its years of self-sufficiency and its unique Afro-Latin culture make for a holiday destination that's like nowhere else on earth.

With rich culture everywhere, Havana bursts with cool Cuban rhythms, colourful characters and crumbling architecture while, beyond the capital, you'll find dazzling white shores, amazing diving and a tropical island.

Havana Havana is the cultural hit of Latin America. When you first arrive in Havana you feel as though you've walked straight onto a film set.

Old Havana has all the romance you would expect, imagine a backdrop of colonial buildings the colour of ice-cream, crooked cobbled streets and Baroque churches. See old men sit outside cafes sucking on fat cigars, sultry women sashay in time to some far-off salsa beat and shiny vintage Cadillac’s cruise the hazy Cuban streets. This is the real deal. And it needs to be seen to be believed. Everything about Havana screams old world glamour.

New Havana is a different story, glass-fronted skyscrapers, sleek shops and chic bars where you can sip mojitos and mambo 'til morning. The city is packed full of museums, memorials, galleries, and theatres.

A tale of two cities, this is a place where old meets new and the unlikely pair get along famously.

So follow in the footsteps of freedom fighter Che Guevara, watch fat Bolivar’s being rolled in the famous cigar factories, sip minty rum cocktails in Hemingway's favourite haunt and share a few pesos with the quartets strumming Buena Vista classics in the old town. Just expect to do it all with a swing in your hips - this is, after all, the city of salsa.

Varadero The resort of Varadero is situated on a narrow peninsula overlooking the Straits of Florida, less than 100 miles east of Havana. Varadero is one of the Caribbean's best beaches with 12.5 miles of white sand and turquoise waters, so it's safe to say that if you like beaches you'll absolutely adore this slice of Cuban paradise. It’s also a hotspot for watersports - and with an array of marinas and dive clubs, you'll be spoilt for choice.

Downtown Varadero is where you'll get an opportunity to mix with the locals at the flea market and swish down the odd mojito or two at one of the bars. Josone Park, in the centre of Varadero, is a nature area with cultural attractions and great restaurants. Other day trips include a visit to the wonderful, interior town of Trinidad - all fading colonial villas set in lush green hills or see the area's natural beauty on jungle tours and boat trips, while legendary Havana is just two hours' taxi journey away.

Jibacoa Located between Havana and Varadero, Jibacoa is one of the best kept secrets of the island. The area has striking beaches making it the dream location to relax and get away from it all. The water is warm and crystal clear and the underwater life and coral beds make the resort great for snorkelling and diving.

Any stay in a Jibacoa would not be complete without a visit to the 15 Mile Market, where visitors can purchase all sorts of keepsakes, including jewellery, crafts and leather goods.

Guardalavaca Guardalavaca lies on the northeast coast of Cuba amidst lush farmland and beautiful white sand beaches, with the imposing backdrop of the Sierra Madre Mountains beyond, a tranquil resort perfect for a relaxing holiday. The star attraction remains the beach, with sand the colour and texture of caster sugar, shelving gently into warm turquoise waters. Sailing and scuba diving are popular pastimes for the more adventurous.

For sightseers, the historic cities of Holguin, Santiago Banes and Gibara are all close at hand all full of Cuban character and culture, not to mention a good selection of interesting historical attractions.

Playa Pesquero This pristine bit of Cuba hasn't changed much since Christopher Columbus dropped in a few centuries ago. The knockout beach is backed by acres of lush, tropical trees and vegetation, earning this corner of the island the name 'Costa Verde' or 'Green Coast'. The crystal clear waters are scattered with coral gardens, home to an array of colourful sea life making this a real paradise for snorkellers and scuba divers alike. Playa Pesquero ensures a relaxed and hassle-free beach holiday.

Cayo Coco With over 15 miles of silky white sand beaches and clear blue sea, it’s an ideal destination for taking in the sun. Cayo Coco is a little island linked to Cuba by a causeway soaked in Caribbean sunshine; you'll find pure relaxation and a totally chilled flavour the main features here. The water is perfect for lazy hours of snorkelling and scuba-diving and it’s a great alternative to the hustle and bustle of other beach resorts.

Cayo Guillermo Powder-soft white sand line the shores of Cayo Guillermo. Enjoy excellent snorkelling and scuba-diving in the clear aquamarine idyllic seas. With the feeling of a nature reserve, it lies beside Cayo Coco and is a true tropical paradise, and is perfect for relaxation.

Visit Cuba once and it will steal your heart, with its people, intriguing history and powder-white beaches all making Cuba an amazing holiday destination.

Time Difference: GMT – 5 hours Flight time from UK: approx. 10 hours. Language: Spanish. Some English and French. Voltage: 110 volts

Currency: Convertible Pesos. Cuba no longer accepts US Dollars. Credit cards will continue to be accepted as long as they are not issued by an American bank. American Express cards and travellers cheques are not accepted.

All travellers are advised to exchange currency on arrival in Cuba (British Pounds or Euro – for US Dollars a 10% exchange fee will apply). Remember to exchange any unused pesos back before leaving Cuba as it is not possible to exchange outside of Cuba.