february-2012

RELISHING HAVANA'S SIGHTS BURRO AND BEATS
Caribbean cool
With its sun-drenched beaches, Latin beats, world-class cigars and local rum,
Cuba’s capital, a beguiling city of cobbled streets and ramshackle courtyards, is
waiting to be discovered.
WHAT TO SEE
Sun, scenery & cigars
Old Havana’s tight streets open
up into cobbled plazas, and
baroque decorations adorn the
Spanish colonial buildings. After
cigar sampling at the Partagás
Cigar Factory (Calle Industria
520; +53 7 8620086) and a
history lesson at the Museo de
la Revolución (Calle Refugio 1;
+53 7 8624091), roll up to the
centre’s crazily-decorated
Callejón de Hamel for some
rumba under the tropical sun.
WHERE TO EAT
Cuban cocina
Havana’s paladars (private
restaurants) serve tasty,
experimental food and are
choice options for visitors.
Miramar and Vedado
neighbourhoods are home to the
best of these. Dine outdoors at
La Fontana (lafontanahavana.
info) or La Cocina de Lilliam’s
(Calle 48 No 1311; +53 7 2096514). In
the centre, Restaurant Castropol
(Malecón 107; +53 7 8614864) has
balcony tables with sea views. Old
Havana’s La Imprenta (Calle
Mercaderes 208; +53 7 8649581)
stands out among governmentrun
restaurants and is a good
place for ceviche.
WHERE TO BOOGIE
Sultry sounds
Havana’s famous nightlife is
typifi ed by the sultry salsa clubs
in Centro and Vedado. Jazz,
bolero, modern reggaeton and
the political lyrics of nueva
trova all feature in the city’s
many bars and clubs. The
extraordinary cabaret at
Tropicana (cabaret-tropicana.
com) in Marianao is a
nocturnal treat. Bands play
until midnight, when the salsa
clubs get moving.
HOW TO GET THERE
KLM operates three direct
weekly fl ights to Havana’s José
Martí International Airport from
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
Tourist information
cubatravel.cu
Looking for handy, up-to-date
travel information? Check out
KLM’s Destination Guide pages
— and book your fl ight — on
klm.com. Content provided by
Frommer’s Unlimited © 2012,
Whatsonwhen Limited.
TOUCHDOWN HAVANA
DON’T MISS
Classic Cubans
Smokers of rich Cuban
tobacco revel in their
pleasurable vice at Havana's
annual Habano Festival
(27 February-2 March).
Discover the workings behind
cigar factories and tobacco
plantations, try new cigars
and attend seminars
and workshops.
habanos.com
UP IN SMOKE
Holland Herald 73
Photo: Kamira/Shutterstock