World Travel Guide

City Guide  - Havana  - Excursions
Excursions

For a Half Day

Finca La Vigia: Fans of Hemingway will enjoy a visit to the village of San Francisco de Paula and the house where he lived. The house and its contents are preserved as he left them and have been turned into a museum (tel: (7) 332 047 or 910 809) displaying personal items and photographs. Close by is the village of Cojimar, that is believed to have inspired his book, The Old Man and the Sea. Finca La Vigia is easily reached by car, just 20 minutes from Havana and is open Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 0900-1600 and Sun 0900-1200, admission is US$3. T&M International (tel: (7) 246 827) can arrange private tours lasting about five hours.

East Havana beaches:
Just 25 minutes from Havana are 14km (eight miles) of white sandy beaches at Bacuranao, Megano, Boca Ciega, Santa Maria and Guanabo. These are mainly frequented by Cubans, so are particularly busy at weekends but there are plenty of restaurants along the beaches.

For a Whole Day

Vinales Valley:
The scenery in the Vinales Valley is very dramatic with mogotes (limestone hills) rising up from the lush green valley floor. The area is also the tobacco-growing region of Cuba and visits can be made to one of the local cigar factories. Alternatively, the Guayabita del Pinar Liquor Factory that produces a liqueur exclusive to the region can be visited. A boat trip on the subterranean San Vicente River passes through the El Indio Cave System. T&M International (tel: (7) 246 827) can arrange private tours lasting about nine hours.

Varadero:
To sample a little bit of paradise a trip to Varadero, Cuba's premier beach resort is only two and a half hours away. Varadero is situated on a slim peninsular of land, 20km (12 miles) long, that reaches out into the Atlantic. The white sand and aquamarine sea have been a favourite with visitors for decades. T&M International (tel: (7) 246 827) can arrange private tours lasting about ten hours.



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