Page 7 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

Top 10 Cuba ❮❮ 5

Welcome to
Cuba

From high-kicking showgirls at the Tropicana cabaret
to murals of Che Guevara, sensuality and socialism rub
shoulders as defining aspects of Cuba. Add the world’s best
cigars, plus classic cars cruising cities frozen in the 1950s,
and it’s no wonder this Caribbean island is a hot destination.
With Eyewitness Top 10 Cuba, it’s yours to explore.

Havana – the irrepressible capital city – awes us with its stunning
architecture and sense of being a yesteryear Hollywood stage set.
Walking the cobbled colonial streets of La Habana Vieja is a journey
back through the centuries, while Vedado recalls the wealth of
a glittering pre-revolutionary heyday. Chock-full of outstanding
museums, art galleries, and lively bars where Ernest Hemingway
drank his mojitos and daiquiris, Havana is a world-class city
throbbing to the rhythms of rumba and salsa.

Cuba is a marvelously diverse island, from the stunningly beautiful
Valle de Viñales, where oxen plough tobacco fields, to the gorgeous
beaches of Cayo Coco. Well-preserved colonial-era cities such as
Trinidad and Camagüey – both UNESCO World Heritage Sites –
echo the footsteps of conquistadores. In the east, Santiago de Cuba
is known for its iconic revolutionary sites and a culture that owes
much to its predominantly African heritage. Beyond the forest-clad
Sierra Maestra lies charming Baracoa, founded in 1511 and
boasting a jaw-dropping setting surrounded by mountains.

Whether you’re planning a week’s visit or a longer stay, our Top 10
guide reveals the best of everything that Cuba can offer, from María
la Gorda in the west to Punta Maisí in the east. You will find tips
throughout, from seeking out what’s free to finding the best private
restaurants, plus five easy-to-follow itineraries designed to tie
together a slew of best sights in a short space of time. Add inspiring
photography and detailed maps, and you’ve got the essential
pocket-sized travel companion. Enjoy the book, and enjoy Cuba.

Clockwise from top: Playa Ancón; Gran Teatro, Havana; divers in María la Gorda; street in
Trinidad; Cuban cigars; Ford Fairline car; musicians at La Bodeguita del Medio, Havana

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