J'AIME January 2021

In the rooftops and balconies above the streets sprawl
bars and restaurants, often with live bands, the
collision of these different sounds coming together to
create a vibrant celebration of life.
Amongst the expansive choice of bars that line
and atop Old Havana’s streets there are a few with
history sealed within the walls. One of these is El
Floridita, which was a favourite of the Nobel Prize
winner Ernest Hemingway. Story has it that the
famous author would finish the day with a Daiquiri
here. The atmosphere is always vibrant with
large crowds coming each day to try the famous
Hemingway Daiquiri. Although this bar does get
busy and is perhaps not best suited for your everyday
local, it is a great spot to end your day amongst the
hustle and bustle of the shopping district.
Old Havana is also home to many traditional
squares often inspired by Spanish and European
architecture. Admire the cathedrals and other
historical buildings and take the time to notice the
difference in architecture from one property to the
next. I was amazed at how one property could so
closely resemble a spanish courthouse and the next a
French villa!
Of course, one of the famous images of Cuba and
a must do whilst in Havana is to take a trip in a
classic car. Although the country is slowly beginning
to import more modern cars, the absence of widespread
trade with other countries has meant that
many parts of Cuban life have lagged behind the rest
of the world. Many cars used by locals date back to
the 1950s, as new parts are a lot easier to obtain than
a new car.
Make sure to research a fair price and
enjoy a friendly barter with the many
Havanans offering classic car tours.
On our trip our guide took us through
the streets of Old Havana as well as
along the beachfront and into the more
modern portions of the city where
history is still found. The famous Plaza
de la Revolución was our mid-way
point on our tour where you can witness
the huge steel memorials of the two
most celebrated heroes of the Cuban
Revolution, Che Guevara and Camilo
Cienfuegos.
The capital is certainly the hub of
history and nightlife in Cuba but I was
most surprised by the variety on offer
only a few hours away from the city.
Our first stop after Havana was in
Vinales, a small town nestled within a
countryside of sloping green fields and
dramatic limestone cliffs. This town
and province are most famous for their
tobacco growing and we were lucky enough to visit a
tobacco farm and learn the art of cigar rolling from
the experts themselves.
This is a popular attraction in the area and even as
someone who has no interest in smoking, the process
and craft was fascinating to learn about and watch.
My biggest take away was that nicotine is most
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