September 28, 2007

The wonders of Cuba

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Situated in the northern Caribbean,

Cuba enjoys a variety of people and cultures thanks to its location. Many different customs have been bought onto the island including those from the Taino, Spanish colonialism and African slaves. With such diverse cultures present,

Cuba holidays are a fascinating experience for people from all around the world. No doubt the tropical climate and beautiful beaches also contribute to the hoards of tourists going on

Cuba holidays every year. Playa Paraiso and Playa Sirena are possibly two of the most beautiful beaches you will ever see. The two are connected and stretch the length of Cayo Largo del Sur on the western end of the island. If you think that you only see fine, white sand and clear blue waters on postcards you are mistaken because that is exactly what you will see here. There is so much to do when you go on Cuba holidays so you definitely won’t be bored and there is always something for everyone. With over 30 dives sites at Varadero alone there is something for everyone from beginners to experts.

One of the world’s biggest coral reefs is at Cayo Coco which is a dive that will never be forgotten. Typical Cuban cuisine is wide and varied so there’s something to suit everyone’s taste when on your

Cuba holidays. A few examples of the local cuisine are black beans and rice, fried sliced banana and boiled Yucca plant. It is also very common for most dished to include an olive oil and garlic marinade to give them extra flavour.  For nature lovers a trip to

Sierra

Maestra

National Park is a must as a spectacular range of plants and animals live on

Cuba’s southern coast. No doubt this is down to the fact that the U.S embargo protects the area from development. It is here you will see stunning scenery including mountains, rivers and plenty of animals. Make sure you visit Havana and Santiago de Cuba while on your Cuba holidays as they are the biggest and most important cities on the island. Both of them offer plenty of sites, activities and nice little restaurants if you want to sit back and relax and enjoy the tropical climate. Cuba holidays may not be a typical holiday destination for many but it offers plenty of new experiences for those who are looking for something with a twist. If you are looking to explore new cultures and sites in beautiful surroundings then Cuba is definitely the place for you.

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Bayamo, Cuba

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When you go on holiday it’s hard to know exactly where to go and where to stay once you are there. Sometimes holidays can even get a bit repetitive as it’s normally always the same – beaches and hot weather. Whilst Bayamo in Cuba does offer these two things, it also has so much more that will liven up your

Cuba holidays.

 

 

Bayamo is located in south - eastern Cuba on the

Bayamo

River and has plenty to be proud of. It is a leading transportation, manufacturing and commercial centre, copper and magnesium are mined there and they are known for their food, tanning and tobacco processing.

 

 

The village was founded in 1513 and thanks to its colonial style has beautiful public squares, majestic mansions and a cathedral to rival many which is what attracts so many people on Cuba holidays. Due to the fact that so many events have taken place here throughout history, Bayamo is known as the birthplace of the Cuban nation and has been declared a national monument.

 

 

The village has a rich history which tourists can find out about at many of the attractions which are surrounded by Spanish colonial architecture. Visitors will also be able to hear the sounds of traditional Cuban music at Casa de la Trova. This is where the best Cuban music is performed, making your

Cuba holidays extra magical.

 

 

You will be surprised at how many attractions there can be in one village. From Carlos Manuel de Cespedes’ birth place (the Father of the Nation) and Bayamo’s Cathedral to Retablo de los Heroes there is plenty to do for everyone on Cuba holidays no matter what you’re interested in.

 

 

If you need a break from all that sight – seeing then have a rest in the Parque Cespedes which is a beautiful park with long marble benches and statues of Carlos Manuel de Cespedes. This is something that everyone on Cuba holidays should check out just to experience the atmosphere. There is so much more to do in Bayamo while on

Cuba holidays from more sites to quaint little restaurants. It makes the perfect place to enjoy a short break or as an excursion as part of a tour, just make sure you remember your camera.

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Havana, Cuba

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Havana is the capital city of

Cuba and is not only the largest city in

Cuba, but the whole of the

Caribbean itself. Here you can enjoy hot sunny days and warm tropical evenings while on your

Cuba holidays
. To complete the package you will be surrounded by white sand beaches, palm trees and crystal clear waters.

 

 

Everything about Havana is unique and intriguing from the cultures and customs to the accommodation. Several years ago the Cuban government passed a law that now allows home owners to rent rooms, houses and apartments to tourists requiring accommodation when on their

Cuba holidays. This may seem like a strange concept but may be alright for a night or two if you want to get to know the way that the locals really live.

 

 

The streets of Havana are designed to impress and will get the seal of approval even from those who have been on

Cuba holidays before. Giant wooden doors, barred windows and narrow sidewalks make you feel a million miles from home and put you in the true holiday spirit.

 

 

There are plenty of diving schools located not just in Havana but in the whole of

Cuba. Visitors can explore ancient shipwrecks and admire the enchanting marine life while on their

Cuba holidays
. Depths vary wherever you go and it doesn’t matter if you’ve never done it before because there are plenty of classes available.

 

 

La Catedral is perfect for those who wish to do a bit of sightseeing while on their Cuba holidays. An 18th century architecture full of columns and embellishments, this beautiful building dominates one of the main squares within the old city walls. This is a definite must see for people who have an interest in architecture and the history of

Havana.

 

Havana’s nightlife is vibrant and exciting but that’s not to say you’re going to be faced with hoards of drunken teenagers falling out of nightclubs while on

Cuba holidays. The nightlife in

Havana is sophisticated and classy yet people aren’t afraid to let their hair down. There is a wide selection of bars, cabarets, nightclubs, restaurants and comedy clubs so there will always be something to keep you busy in the evenings.

 

 

To feel like you’ve just stepped into a holiday brochure visit Havana.

Cuba holidays are a truly unforgettable experience and you are likely to find yourself returning year after year.

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July 31, 2007

The Spice Island of Grenada

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Famous for its fragrant spice trees and rare tropical flowers, Grenada is a beautiful, picturesque island located in the South Eastern Caribbean Sea and is commonly referred to as the Spice Island of Grenada. Sighted in 1498 by the famed Conquistador Christopher Columbus during his discovery of the New World, the island was at first called Conception before becoming Grenada. Colonialised ultimately by the French, the Spice Island of Grenada was eventually ceded to the British in 1763 and became a Crown Colony in 1877. Comprising also the Grenadines – a chain of more than 600 Windward Islands which are both part of this idyllic island nation and neighbouring St Vincent, notable islands include Carriacou and Petit Martinique.  Divided into six quaint parishes named after famous saints, the capital St George is located in St George Parish and enjoys the reputation of being perhaps the most picturesque city in the Caribbean. Located on a horse-shoe shaped harbour, the pastel coloured buildings with their traditional red roofs offer an impossibly attractive vista.  In Grenada, you’ll discover markets, spice plantations, flamboyant hotels, stunning beaches such as Grande Anse and colourful coral reefs and much more. It’s no wonder why package holiday tours to Grenada are so popular.Being of volcanic origin, Grenada’s soil is extraordinarily fertile. Growing more spice per square mile than any other island on earth, Grenada is referred to as the ‘Spice Island’.  Typical spices grown here include cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves. In addition, cocoa and banana trees grow in prevalence. Heady ginger, vanilla and nutmeg aromas are known to fill the air. Indeed, the Spice Island of Grenada supplies 20% of the world’s nutmeg crop. Such is its importance that there is a nutmeg on Grenada’s flag. Spice plantation tours are a popular attraction on the island. Although colonial French influences are less apparent here in Grenada, the Gaelic influence is present in Grenada’s cuisine which is a heady melange of French, Indian and African flavours. Food can be well-seasoned and spicy with a real nod to the Creole cuisine of New Orleans. Chow down on seafood; calaloo and oildown, a tasty meat, vegetable and coconut stew which is also Grenada’s national dish.  The food goes down even more effortlessly with a cold Carib beer in hand. Music and festivals also play a big part in Grenada. Soca, reggae and calypso are the order of the day at Grenada’s annual carnival. For a holiday you will always remember a package holiday tour to Grenada staying in a flamboyant hotel is absolutely perfect. If you take a trip to Concord Valley it is unlikely that you will be able to resist using up all the film in your camera. Home to three remarkable waterfalls known as the Concord Falls, this journey is the perfect combination of energetic exercise as you reach your target and absolute relaxation as you admire the views and enjoy a swim. The first stage is easily accessible by road whereas the other two can only be reached by foot. However they are well worth the hike and it is doubtful you will ever forget such stunning scenery. As the Spice Island of Grenada is one of the premier yachting centres in the region, sailing is an experience you definitely shouldn’t miss out on.  You can chose whether to go out on your own, with yachting crews and can even have lessons if you’ve never sailed before or fancy brushing up on your skills. If you prefer to sit back and leave the sailing to someone else, why not partake in one of the day or evening cruises available from various local tour companies. You can fall in love with the dolphins and whales or cruise up Grenada’s outer islands to Carriacou and Petit Martinique.SCUBA diving in Grenada rewards divers of all standards with coral gardens, wrecks including the fine Bianca C and reef walls teeming with marine life. The seas are temperate and for the majority part, visibility is between 10-30 metres. Stingray, barracuda and giant hawsbill turtles are a common underwater sight. With everything you can do on the Spice Island of Grenada it’s not hard to see why package holiday tours to Grenada are so popular. In Grenada, enjoy great food, sunshine, aquatic pursuits, day excursions to locations such as Grand Etang Lake and National Park and the spice plantations, flamboyant hotels, relaxing calypso rhythms and mingling with the local Grenadians.  Enjoy a different Caribbean holiday in Grenada – the spice island.

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