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Nov

04

Explore Viñales

2016 was a great year for Viñales and with good reason. A lush region in Pinar del Rio province, this Cuban West of sorts offers a rich natural habitat, favorable for a wealth of outdoor activities. Known for its leading role in sustainable agriculture and tobacco farming, Viñales Valley is blessed with more than its exceptional limestone formations, mogotes, and ecological plantations.


Oct

28

Why there aren’t any Castro statues in Cuba

The face of Ernesto “Che” Guevara, born in northern Argentina in 1928 and killed in Bolivia in 1967, is plastered on government buildings and billboards across Cuba. Tourist markets are awash with Che t-shirts, paintings, and replicas of the Argentine’s token beret with the single star across the front. A giant Che likeness, depicting his shoulder-length hair under the famous beret, overlooks Cuba’s iconic Revolution Square in Havana from the side of the Interior Ministry building.


Oct

21

Explore Vedado: Havana’s “forbidden” neighborhood

Havana is Cuba’s capital city and home to more than two million inhabitants. It sits at the mouth of Havana Bay on the Northwest edge of the Caribbean island. Most who have traveled to Havana, or have looked into it, are already well aware of the wonders of the city’s Old Havana district. Sweet Cuban melodies and the fragrant aroma of coffee drift out from living rooms and cafés into cobblestone alleyways.


Oct

14

Insight Paladares: Five Corners Trattoria

Five Corners Trattoria (5 Esquinas Trattoria) serves up Italian pastas, pizzas, and Cuban drinks in an up and coming part of Old Havana. Ethnic food has always been a stretch in Cuba, limited supplies and almost zero immigration to the island have left a “rice and beans” stigma for serving the famous arroz con frijoles at every meal. However the rapidly growing tourist market in Havana means new restaurants are trying to offer a more worldly fare. Five Corners Trattoria is an example of this culinary diversity.


Oct

07

Explore Cienfuegos

Founded in 1819 by French settlers from Bordeaux and Louisiana on the coast of South-central Cuba, Cienfuegos (literal translation “one hundred fires”) is the only Cuban city with an entirely distinct character and urban layout.


Sep

30

Experience the MaraCuba

My father has always been a marathon and triathlon enthusiast. As he continues to race, he has developed bucket-list places to visit. In August of 2014, he signed us up for Cuba’s annual Marabana marathon. This would be my first race.

It’s not yet legal for Americans to visit Cuba for tourism purposes, but we were able to participate in Marabana legally, under the sports category of permitted travel, through insightCuba. One of the cultural activities we enjoyed along with the entire country was MaraCuba.


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