Page 10 - AAA Findlay Automobile Club – AAA Now! – January/February 2017

TRAVE
Cuba: Back on the Map
By Dorothy Crouch
L
Recent discussions between the United States and Cuba have opened American travel to the once forbidden destination after more than 40 years of restrictive sanctions. Many airlines, such as JetBlue, have launched flights to Cuba or are planning to begin operating trips to the archipelago nation. Cruise lines, including Carnival, have announced that they too will begin traveling to this land that
is welcoming tourists with ropa vieja, rhumba, hand-rolled cigars and friendly locals.
Cuba’s capital city, Havana, has been the scene of many of the country’s most pivotal historic turning points. Havana Vieja, or Old Havana, is
the city’s cornerstone and boasts the expertly preserved colonial buildings, for which Cuba is known. Walk along Malecon from the old town, admiring the city’s north shore along the Straits of Florida. In 1982, the area was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its history-rich center and fortifications system.
In Havana, there is an abundance of landmarks for easy immersion into the history of this city that once seemed frozen in time. Fortresses, such as Castillo del Morro and La Cabaña, reveal glimpses into the stories of English pirate Sir Francis Drake and 18th-century Spanish colonists.
History enthusiasts who are fascinated by the revolution must visit the Museum of the Revolution, a building that formerly served as the Presidential Palace prior to the 1959 revolution. Completed in 1920, the building was designed by two architects: Carlos Maruri, a Cuban, and Paul Belau, a Belgian. During Cuba’s post-revolution era, citizens would crowd Plaza de la Revolucion, the city’s largest square, to hear former president Fidel Castro speak.
After exploring the city, find an elegant atmosphere at La Torre Restaurant. Set atop the El Fosca building, it not only serves Cuban cuisine,
it also affords incomparable views of the coast, city and ornate Hotel Nacional. Enjoy an ice-cold Bucanero or Cacique, both of which are popular Cuban beers, while taking in the impressive sights and sampling local fare.
Though many visitors to Cuba opt to spend their trip lodging with a family in a homestay, also known as casas particulares, there are five-star hotel and
resort properties offering all the luxurious amenities tourists could desire. Meliá Varadero, an expansive property, sits beachfront in the city of Matanzas. Affording open-air bar spaces at Restaurante Varadero, the property is ideal for allowing tranquil Caribbean breezes to soothe weary travelers who sit sipping mojitos. The property’s 490 rooms
range from the comfortable Classic to a luxurious THE LEVEL Sea View Suite, which includes in-room breakfast, express massage service and VIP treatment upon arrival. The all-inclusive resort’s white-sand beach, Playa Varadero, is framed by lush palm trees and waves rolling up from the deep blue sea.
Golf enthusiasts can enjoy the Les Furber-designed, 18-hole golf course at the Varadero Golf Club. Boasting an area with a driving range and two practice bunkers, Varadero offers rentals of Taylor Made R7 clubs. While traversing the course, players are surrounded by the calming beauty of the region. Lessons are offered for beginners and a pro shop is located inside the course’s clubhouse.
The area surrounding Meliá Varadero is filled with historically significant sites and natural wonders. Built in 1863, the neo-classical designed Sauto Theater is a National Monument and hosts global cultural events, such as the International Ballet Festival.
Visitors who wish to explore Cuba’s natural attractions should
visit the Yumurí Valley,
where the landscape
is dotted with palm trees and surrounded by mist-blanketed mountains. Many travelers choose to explore the area via Jeep tour or horseback riding adventure.
Don’t miss the Puente Bacunayagua (Bacunayagua Bridge), which is the country’s highest and has
been included on the list of seven Cuban engineering wonders.
Hikers who have sufficient stamina can follow the valley’s ecotourism trails, leading to a native settlement, flower farm and the Bacunayagua River, which invites swimmers to indulge in its cooling waters.
Contact you AAA Findlay Automobile Club travel agent to explore Havana and Varadero on an unforgettable experience in this mysterious country where locals treat visitors like family.
free to soak it all in
TripAssist travel insurance can free you up to make the most of your vacation.
Ask your AAA Travel Agent about keeping your upcoming travel plans safe.
Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.
Insurance products are underwritten by BCS Insurance Company or Jefferson Insurance Company. AGA Service Company is the licensed producer and administrator of these plans.
Travel
149568_080916
10
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017
Now!