All posts filed under: Culture

Q+ A | Emily Miller from Trends on Trends

This week Emily Miller, the creator of Trends on Trends, took over our social feed to show travelers how to experience Havana like a local with Cuba Travel Network. We caught up with Emily after her trip to learn more about her experience. Q: You recently travelled to Cuba on a tour with us. If you could describe your experience with three words, what would they be and why? Verdant – The people, the colors, the vibes, all are full of life. Malecón – The main freeway along the coastline is a constant reference point not only for directions, but for a local place to hang, sit on the wall overlooking the water while drinking bodega beers. Wanderlust – Cuba is a place where food, experiences, and friends are waiting to be discovered. With an open mind and empty stomach, the real Havana will reveal itself. Q: Was your experience dining at a Cuban paladar what you expected? Down an alley, through a front yard, in between buildings, up a metal staircase, every preposition …

The Best Rooftop Bars with a View in Havana

Havana is a city with hundreds of beautiful views, many of which can be found at the city’s wide range of rooftop bars. From upscale spaces where you can eat world-class food and listen to local jazz musicians to the famed hangout of Ernest Hemingway, there are rooftop drinking options for everyone in Cuba’s capital. Here are five great rooftop bars and restaurants with a view in Havana. La Divina Pastora With one of the most scenic views of Old Havana harbour, La Divina Pastora is a must-visit during your next trip. La Divina Pastora offers a full food menu, but it’s their excellent drinks and perfect location that bring visitors back again and again. Make sure to plan your visit for near sunset as La Divina Pastora is the perfect place to enjoy the beautiful view, along with a mojito or two. Hotel Sevilla Rooftop Bar The Hotel Sevilla Rooftop bar is located near the elegant Prado promenade and is in the center of many theaters, restaurants and cafes. However, the historic hotel’s rooftop …

Top 3 Overnight Excursions from Havana

While Havana is undoubtedly Cuba’s national epicenter, there’s plenty more to see on the island within a few hours of the capital. From charming beach-side towns to beautiful mountains, here are the top three overnight excursions from Havana. Private Jeep Tour to Trinidad, Cienfuegos & Santa Clara Travel in style through many of Cuba’s most historic cities via this Jeep-led excursion. Tour Cienfuegos, a city of beautiful architecture and one of the few Cuban cities founded by the French. Next you’ll head to Trinidad, located tranquilly between the Sierra Escambray mountain range and the stunning Caribbean Sea. After visiting the Valle de los Ingenios the next day, you’ll venture to Santa Clara, a modern university city forever linked to the triumph of the revolution and home to Che Guevara´s Memorial. Exclusive hotel accommodation can be booked for Castillo en las Nubes in Soroa, Mesón del Regidor in Trinidad and Palacio Azul in Cienfuegos. Each of these experiences is exclusive to the Cuba Travel Network and can be booked through one of our helpful assistants. Let …

24 Hours in Havana for Art and Culture Lovers

Havana is packed with art and culture. Whether you’re a museum hopper or a street art watcher, check out these must-see spots in Havana. Taller-Estudio José Fuster In Jaimanitas, in western Havana, Cuban artist José Fuster has spent twenty years creating a larger-than-life work of art. His Barcelona-worthy creating, paying homage to Gaudí and Picasso (with snippets of Gauguin and Cuban-born artist Wilfredo Lam), started in the artist’s home and studio, and eventually took over most of the surrounding neighborhood. Unofficially known as Fusterlandia, Fuster has transformed several suburban blocks with his whimsical, stylized art, using tiles to give the neighborhood his artistic treatment. How to get here: Jaimanitas is located off Quinta Avenida (Av 5) in the far west of Playa, between Club Havana and Marina Hemingway. Don’t miss the nearby Santy Seafood Restaurant, one of the best restaurants in Havana. Museo de Hemingway Finca la Vigía, the villa purchased by American novelist Ernest Hemingway in 1940, has remained unchanged since the day the writer left. Located southeast of Havana, visitors are not allowed inside …

Where to Hear Live Jazz in Havana

Every inch of space in Havana is drenched in color and alive with rhythm, full of speed and movement, much like a visualization of the jazz music that has been popular in the city for more than a century. In its glory days, the world-famous Tropicana Club was the place to go, but today’s scene has moved slightly north, to the Miramar and Vedado neighborhoods. Here’s where to go hear the best live jazz in Havana. Jazz Café Upscale spot on the Malecón Jazz Café may look high-end, but it’s not high-price. For a cover of CUC $10 (after 8pm), hear some of Cuba’s top jazz musicians. The venue is known around town for its air conditioning, which is kept on full-blast—a boon for American travelers on warm Havana nights. Before or after the show, be sure to hang out with the locals on the Malecón, a five-mile esplanade stretching along Havana’s waterfront. Café Jazz Miramar Go-to spot for improvised jam sessions The bright, pristine Café Jazz Miramar is one of the best spots to …