cuba

Inland, the landscape is a heady mix of mountains, rice fields and sugar cane plantations. Cuba is also famous for its potent rum and perfumed cigars. Cuban cuisine uses indigenous ingredients such as yucca, malanga and boniato with herbs, spices and fiery chillies to create delicious and inspiring dishes. However, the Cuban cuisine is probably most famous for its desserts, using local sugar cane to create dishes such as turron de mani and coquitos.

The Holguin Area and The Cayos are two of the most famous and popular regions of Cuba. The 50 beaches of the Holguin Area cover almost 25 miles of the Cuban coast and offer some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. The beaches are dusted with powder-soft sand and, thanks to the protection offered by the coral reef, the temperate aquamarine waters are very calm.

Water sports are very popular here and include sailing and water skiing. Because of the abundance of marine life, snorkelling and scuba diving are widespread and there are diving schools ready to offer advice, equipment and training to divers of all abilities.

The Cayos are a group of islands stretching along Cuba¿s north coast. They are rich in flora and fauna and offer white-sanded beaches and crystal clear waters. The coasts are peppered with flocks of pink flamingos and the 90-mile long coral reef creates the ideal conditions for underwater exploration.

These islands are popular with those looking to get away from it all and although Cuba is famous for its vibrant nightlife, The Cayos are a secluded retreat for those who simply want a tranquil taste of Paradise. In addition, the islands are practically unspoilt; the few luxury resorts here have been carefully built to blend in with the island¿s extraordinary beauty. In addition to the sandy beaches and rolling sand dunes, these islands are also thick with lush vegetation, playing home to a wide variety of exotic birds and animals.

There are an abundance of attractions and things to see in Cuba, from the man-made to those formed by natural forces.

• There are a variety of festivals and carnivals taking place throughout the year, including the Havana Jazz Festival, the Santiago de Cuba and Las Parrandas de Remedios.
• Horse-riding excursions provide a memorable experience for visitors looking to discover what Cuba has to offer beyond its beaches and towns.
• Swimming with dolphins in Cuba is said to be a life-changing experience. Trips are available to take visitors out to sea where they can swim with these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.