Havana, Matanzas & Varadero

About the destination: Havana is the capital of Cuba and the epicenter of Cuban culture, brimming with visual artists, musicians, poets, dancers, actors, and writers. It is also home to the world-renowned Ballet Nacional. Havana is a city where history seeps from every street, building, church, and plaza. Its streets are adorned with vintage cars, baroque-style buildings, grand mansions, palaces, and beautiful courtyards. Stroll along the famous Malecon for breathtaking views of the Bay and the Morro Fortress, set against a backdrop of historic colonial architecture. Old Havana, designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982, is the city's oldest section, a blend of narrow cobblestone streets, elegantly restored buildings, and ancient ruins. This area blends with modern and eclectic buildings, adding a touch of dynamic cosmopolitanism. The dome of the National Capitol Building towers over the Havana skyline. Inside, you'll find a statue of La Republica, the world's largest indoor bronze statue, a vast and historic gallery, a 25-carat diamond marking the city's exact center, and the headquarters of the Cuban Natural History Museum, which houses the country's largest natural history collection. Havana is home to two major cigar factories, with Partagas being the oldest. Visiting this working cigar factory is a must-do Havana experience. Havana is a unique and enticing city, buzzing with street life, joy, and charm.

About the destination: Matanzas is the capital of the Cuban province of Matanzas. Known for its poets, culture, and Afro-Cuban folklore, it is located on the northern shore of the island of Cuba, on the Bay of Matanzas, east of the capital Havana and west of the resort town of Varadero. Matanzas is called the City of Bridges, for the seventeen bridges that cross the three rivers that traverse the city. For this reason it was referred to as the "Venice of Cuba." and it was also called "La Atenas de Cuba" for its poets. Matanzas is known as the birthplace of the music and dance traditions danzón and rumba.

About the destination: Varadero is a resort town located in the province of Matanzas, Cuba, and is one of the largest resort areas in the Caribbean. Primarily, Varadero is a tourist resort town, featuring over 20 km of pristine white sandy beaches. Tourism began to flourish in the early 1930s when Irénée du Pont Nemours, a wealthy American, built his estate on the peninsula. Besides its most prized asset, the beach, Varadero also offers natural attractions such as caves and a series of untouched cays that are easily accessible. There are also cultural, historical, and environmental attractions nearby, including the cities of Matanzas and Cárdenas, the Zapata Peninsula, and the resort of San Miguel de los Baños. Varadero, a duty-free port, also offers facilities for scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, yachting, and other water sports.