The Villages Travel and Tour Magazine

Trending Destination
CUBA
No longer “off limits” to Americans, it’s no wonder this storied Caribbean island
has quickly become the destination of the moment.
BY ZOE SETTLE
Havana’s Palace of
the Galacian Centre
Eased travel restrictions, a reopened embassy and a genuine
curiosity about an island that has long been “off limits” for
travelers has recently put Cuba at the top of many Americans’
must-visit travel lists. And thanks to many airlines offering
direct service to Havana from major U.S. cities, getting to this island
nation is easier than ever. So, pack a map (your smartphone won’t
work), exchange money at the airport (neither will your credit cards)
and you’ll be well on your way to this enchanting Caribbean island
that has been captivating visitors for centuries.
Cuba’s modern history begins with Spanish settlers, who used
the island as part of their strategic military stronghold in the New
World for much of the 16th and 17th centuries. Havana was the
island’s home base, which still contains strong reminders (many of
them fortresses) of the island’s past.
The Malécon historic waterfront path wraps around the city,
whose northern view is over the Atlantic towards South Florida. Put
on your walking shoes, set off from the heart of Habana Vieja (Old
Havana), a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982, and enjoy the
sea breeze as you pass local fishermen and art like the “Primavera,” a
sculpture that was installed during the 12th edition of the Bienal de
la Habana last spring. Stroll by both thriving and abandoned buildings
past the plaza devoted to Elién González and the newly reopened
American embassy, and marvel at the tremendous differences between
the two nations, only separated by about 100 miles.
Rehydrate with a mojito on the veranda of the Hotel Nacional,
and imagine what the glory days here were like beside guests such as
Winston Churchill and Frank Sinatra. Then, stop by Coppelia, which
dates back to 1966 and is considered one of the largest ice cream
parlors in the world. Foreigners need to head to a special entrance,
with a limited menu of flavors, though the whimsical architecture of
the venue alone makes it worth the trip. On a hot day, the line of
Cubans will wrap around the block.
It’s said that artists are the Cubans with good fortune (and
income) to travel abroad, and it’s clear that this is a culture that truly
respects art and its makers. To discover Cuban art, visit the Museo
Nacional de Bellas Artes, located just across from the domed El
Capitolio, or the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo, just a few blocks
away. Or, hail a cab—yes, you’ll have many of those classic 1950s ones
to choose from—and head to the Fábrica de Arte Cubano, a 2-yearold
private endeavor in a very hip space (a former peanut factory),
which aims to bring together the broad spectrum of the arts as a
showcase for emerging modern artists.
As you’ll soon realize, Cuba today is ripe with contrasts, from
magnificently colored albeit crumbling building facades to people
barely surviving on government rations but smiling and not asking
for handouts. Locals are resilient and optimistic about the future,
as evidenced by their liveliness. And wherever there is music—even
from a passing car—there is dancing. TL
50 Postcards