Cuba: Rated NY Times Tops!

[TLCOhio]

From the New York Times Travel Section this weekend, they have this headline: “52 Places to Go in 2023" with this sub-headline: "Travel’s rebound has revealed the depth of our drive to explore the world. Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? ”

 

Cuba is one their top world locations that this annual NY Times reporting puts in the spotlight.  Here are some of their highlights: “An island of music and white-sand beaches ripe for rediscovery as the United States eases travel restrictions.  With its sea-sprayed, pastel facades, white-sand beaches and tobacco-rich valleys, Cuba sits tantalizingly close to the United States, though it often feels out of reach.  But a confluence of factors just made travel to the island nation a bit easier. In November, American Airlines resumed flights beyond Havana, adding departures to the beach town Varadero and the interior city Santa Clara, a regional capital steeped in revolutionary history. More flights from other carriers are set to begin in the coming months.  Cuba’s people are as generous with their stories — of history, family, even politics and protest — as they are with their music, an omnipresent, joyful soundtrack thrumming through the island’s cities and towns.”

 

Super enjoyed Cuba in March 2001 during a one-week trip there.   Might later post some visual highlights from exploring historic and charming Cuba.  Should it be on my future list to go back and see what has changed, etc.?

 

Full story at:

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/travel/52-places-travel-2023.html

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Amazon River-Caribbean 2015 adventure live/blog starting in Barbados. Many visuals from this amazing river and Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, San Juan, etc.).  Now at 70,748 views:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

[TLCOhio]

From this popular on-line website, they had this headline: “Tripadvisor Best of the Best Places to Travel in 2023” with these highlights: “Cuba is the No. 1 Trending Destination in the world for 2023; this category reveals destinations with the greatest year-over-year growth in interest on Tripadvisor, indicating new hotspots on the rise. Since the U.S. eased some travel restrictions in May, and with the addition of new direct flight routes, appetite among travelers for Cuba has been surging on Tripadvisor. Known for old-world architecture and rich history, the island offers fascinating opportunities for cultural exchange.”

 

As a part of their summary, they also linked and spotlighted "Don't miss: wander around the charming streets of OLD HAVANA" through this link:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147271-d149029-Reviews-Old_Havana-Havana_Ciudad_de_la_Habana_Province_Cuba.html

 

Agree!!  Old Havana is amazing with its people, architecture, music, etc.  

 

Full top 2023 options story at:

https://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2023/01/18/9744941.htm

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

From late 2018, see “Holy Lands, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Dubai, Greece, etc.”, with many visuals, details and ideas for the historic and scenic Middle East. Now at 21,541 views.  Connect at:

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2607054-livenautica-greece-holy-lands-egypt-dubai-terrypix’s/

[TLCOhio]

Here are some of my thoughts and reaction from my March 2001 visit there in Cuba.  Most important to me, it was about Cuba and its unique people, history, music, style, weather, etc., etc.  In connection with a professional/library group, I had the opportunity to visit on this island for one week.  

 

It was an amazing experience for someone who enjoys learning more about history, architecture, culture, etc.  As just a few of my pictures will document, there is much to see and enjoy in Havana and nearby.  Then, there are other areas of Cuba where we got to see other parts of this island's scenic beauty, the Bay of Pigs landing site, spectacular beach resorts, nature areas to the west of Havana, Hemingway's home, etc.  

 

Overall with Cuba, much is about its history as a key part of the Spanish "New World" center of operations and the architecture in this famed city.  

 

Being there and supporting the Castros and their brutal rule was certainly not ideal.  But, the people of Cuba are very interesting and spirited with their abilities to face life and survive.   

 

We can hope that the re-opening up of this country will provide a very special experience for those visiting.  The main challenge is that just a one-day cruise stop in Havana does not allow enough time to see its many, many unique and special features. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio   

 

Barcelona/Med: June 2011, with stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Great visuals with key highlights, tips, etc. Live/blog now at 255,730 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

 

Among my March 2001 Cuba visual highlights, first is the historic Hotel Nacional de Cuba that was opened in 1930 and had restorations done during the 1990's.  This is the hotel where most of the top celebrities staying during Havana’s peak years.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

 

Here are two of my photo samples from the lavish outdoor show at the Tropicana Club featuring 200 music and dance performers. At this lush tropical gardens in Havana's Marianao neighborhood, the show was totally amazing.  Music in Cuba is one of the "best of the best" highlights from visiting there.:

 

 

Below is my visual of the exterior of the historic building housing Partagas Cigars.  This is a company known for fine Cuban, handmade cigars. It is one of the oldest cigar brands in the world.  Their product has been produced in the same factory in Cuba, in virtually the same way, for 150 years.  Second is an interior view of the production process when we visited there in 2001.:

 

 

Here is inside of a classroom where we visited during our tour.  Second is an example of the many older cars seen in and around Havana. Pictured with the car is a member of our group of library-related people doing this cultural visit allowed at that time.:

 

[TLCOhio]

Below is part two of my visual sampling of the many sights and experiences connected with Cuba from our March 2001 visit.

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 245,853 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

 

This is Catedral de San Cristóbal in Old Havana. As the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese, Christopher Columbus’ remains were kept in this cathedral between 1796 and 1898 before they were taken to Seville's Cathedral.  This structure was built between 1748 and 1777.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

 

 

 

Here are a couple of different "street scenes" to observe and experience in lively and interesting Havana.:

 

 

Across from the cigar building, here is the dome of the Cuba National Capitol.:

 

Interesting lady posing for a picture in Havana.:

 

 

 

[TLCOhio]

Below is the third and final sampling of my 2001 Cuba visuals.  This includes for travel out beyond Havana.  Lots to see, do and experience in and around Havana.  

 

We also visited a scenic park area west of Havana, plus in going to Varadero.  Also called Playa Azul (Blue Beach), it is a resort town in the province of Matanzas, Cuba. Varadero Beach is rated one of the world's best beaches in TripAdvisor's Traveler's Choice Awards since 2019, ranking at number two.  Beautiful, busy beach area!!

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 240,748 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

 

We visited Ernest Hemingway's home outside of Havana where we saw things as it existed in his study and living residence when the Nobel Prize winner was writing many of his famed literature works.  It was called "Finca Vigia" and he lived here during the 1939-60 period.  Like Hemingway's Key West home (that we have visited twice), it is now a museum. The Cuba home was constructed in 1886.  It was here where Hemingway wrote The Old Man and the Sea (1951) about a fisherman who lived in the nearby town of Cojimar.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

 

 

We loved the live music in Cuba.  It was everywhere!!  Fun!  At one lunch shown below, this group was doing "Guantanamera".  It is one of the most famous Cuban songs and is translated as “(The Woman) from Guantánamo.”:

 

Here are a couple more Havana visual samplings, including for an outdoor market where they took American currency on sales.:

 

 

Here is the view of coastal area at and near the famed Bay of Pigs landing site.  Second is a nearby old plant site with a couple of train locomotives used at one time in connection with sugar cane production.  At this site during the Bay of Pigs invasion attempt, Fidel Castro was based and directed the military operations against those seeking to land and start a revolution against him and his rule.:

 

[Mar1987]

The old Habana is nice and reminds me to Cartagena Colombia. Considering the very low salaries they get and the bad economic situation after Covid and war in Ucraine, everybody tries to make most of the profit from tourists (quite oppressive) asking for tips and money (bell men, maids, receptionists, even chefs and airline employees!). Long lines for gasoline refueling! For nice white beaches and "peace" (no vendors), you have to go to the private ones at hotels in Varadero!