Page 14 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

12  INTRODUCING CUBA

Day 2
Morning Finca La Vigía (p119)
was the home of novelist
Ernest Hemingway, where his
belongings and beloved boat
Pilar can be seen. Stop at
Cojímar (p116), his old stomping
ground, on your way back to
Havana. This pleasant coastal
town inspired his novel The Old
Man and the Sea, and is a great
place to enjoy a seafood lunch.
Afternoon Vedado is a leafy,
arty entertainment district.
Check out the Hotel Nacional
(p102) – a sumptuous Art Deco
Baroque Catedral de San Cristóbal, Plaza de la Catedral, Havana hotel that has played host to
numerous famous guests –
protect the city from pirates, before exploring the marble
Two Days in Havana
it is now a shipwreck museum. tombs of the illustrious dead
Walk down Calle Oficios to at the Necrópolis de Colón
Havana’s stunning one of the oldest squares in (pp108–9). Follow up with a
architecture, rich cultural the city, colourful Plaza Vieja guided tour of the Museo de
traditions and vibrant (p80), edged with arcades and Artes Decorativas (p104), filled
nightlife make it one of historic buildings. You’ll find with porcelain and carpets, and
the most alluring capitals cafés here, or walk on to pretty home to an eye-popping pink
in Latin America. Plaza de la Catedral (pp66–7) Art Deco bath room. Stay in
for a relaxing lunch. Vedado for the evening –
• Arriving Arrive and depart
there are plenty of eating and
from Havana’s José Martí Afternoon Fast-forward drinking options in this hip,
International Airport, 17 km
(11 miles) south of the city. 500 years to learn about Fidel buzzing neighbourhood.
Castro’s exploits in the Museo
The only transport into
the centre is by official de la Revolución (pp92–3),
or admire avant-garde Cuban
yellow Cubataxis.
paintings and sculpture in the
• Moving on Domestic flights Palacio de Bellas Artes (p97).
leave from neighbouring A block south of the art gallery,
terminals. Car hire is avail- on the corner of Avenida de
able at the airport or in the Las Misiones and O’Reilly, is
city. Víazul’s coach service the Art Deco Edificio Bacardí
terminal is in Nuevo Vedado. (p29), once home to the
• Book ahead Accommoda- famous rum company. Take a
tion in Havana needs to be bus to the other side of the
booked well in advance. harbour to the monumental
castle museum Del Morro (p114),
which features exhibits on the
Day 1 1762 British attack on Havana.
Morning Havana is huge, Hire a classic car and motor
but most of the main sights along the Malecón (pp62–3),
are found in La Habana Vieja a serpentine ocean road that
(pp64–81), the historic Spanish winds around the colonial Arcaded colonial architecture in Plaza
colonial heart of the city, and centre. Drive up elegant Vieja, Havana
in the nearby modern district Paseo del Prado (pp90–91)
of Vedado (pp100–9). Start your and out to the Plaza de la To extend your trip…
day in Old Havana at the Cuban Revolución (pp106–7), Cuba’s Enjoy the white sand
Baroque Palacio de los political and administrative beaches of Playas del Este
Capitanes Generales (pp74–5). centre. Look out for the (p117) or explore the
This former palace is now home Memorial José Martí (p107) matinees, dance, cabaret
to the city museum and holds and the colossal iron sculptures and rumba venues of the
a range of important historical of revolutionary heroes Che city, such as the Tropicana
artifacts. Then visit the robust Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos (p113), or along Callejón de
Castillo de la Real Fuerza (p72). on the façades of the ministry Hamel on Sundays (p95).
A 16th-century fortress built to buildings (p106).
For practical information on travelling around Cuba see pp302–7

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
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Date 21st March 2014
Size 125mm x 217mm