Spring Travel Edit - Viva Cuba Viva!
March 17, 2017
Spring is one of the best times to travel the world. From the streets of Paris, to the markets of Marrakech, the world is shaking off its dull wintery garb and donning the optimism of returning warmth and sunlight. We have loved researching wonderful places to travel to this Spring. This month our pick is glorious, vibrant, musical Cuba.
Cuba is a magnificent island, full of character and life. March and April are the best months to go to Cuba, weather-wise. It's dry and hot - but not too hot - the days are long and sunny, and the beaches are fabulous.
The first stop on any trip to Cuba has to be Havana. Known as the Rome of the Caribbean, Havana is a magical place. Dance in the dynamic salsa clubs, try out some of the new restaurants or visit old Havana (Habana Viejo) with its glorious, crumbling buildings painted in jewel colours.
Spend the day wandering the streets and imagining you are in a classic film. The vintage 50’s American cars, known as maquinas, are absolutely everywhere. They dazzle in the Caribbean heat in a kaleidoscopic array of tropical colours.
Then take a stroll along Havana’s Malecon, the sea wall, and enjoy a Bucanero or Cristal beer in the sunshine. Havana’s art markets are also fantastic. We at the Trubikini offices own at least three original Cuban paintings that we simply couldn’t resist – very carefully – bringing back home.
This wouldn’t be a complete travel blog on Cuba without mentioning the music. It really is everywhere, on every street corner. Cuban music is irresistible and infectious. Fans describe it as a love affair between the African drum and the Spanish guitar. Whenever you travel, music will be a large part of the memory you bring back home with you. If you want even more, visit in December for the International Havana Jazz Festival.
But music isn’t the only world famous Cuban pleasure. You can’t visit Cuba without experiencing both its cigars and its cocktails.
Cuba is world famous for its cigars. The very best tobacco, used by famous brands like Montecristo, is grown in the Valle de Vinales, a beautiful, lost world location. So, if even you’re not partial to sampling a cigar yourself, you can still enjoy the epic natural grandeur of Valle de Vinales or take in the frozen-in-time atmosphere of any of Havana’s many cigar factories.
As for the cocktails? It’s all about the rum. According to legend, Ernest Hemingway, a lover of all things Cuban, used to take his mojoitos in La Bodeguita del Medio and his daiquiris in El Floridita. Perhaps you could try a Cuba Libre in the Hotel Nacional in Havana, famous for its art deco architecture, treading in the footsteps of Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra and Lucky Luciano. Try it out and enjoy!
And finally the beaches. Oh the beaches. Glorious, pristine expanses of white sand. Sensational. Try visiting beautiful Playa Ancón near the cobbled colonial town of Trinidad, or hop across to the tiny island of Cayo Largo del Sur off the southern coast of Cuba and enjoy the calm turquoise waters of Playa Paraíso. The water is shallow for nearly 50 metres, making it a wonderful place for everyone to play in the crystal clear sea. It is no accident that it’s called Paradise Beach. Sunshine, endless glorious sands and a mojito from the island’s simple beach bar. Perfect.
We’ve packed our Trubikini already… Are you coming?
Thanks and credits
Many thanks to Pixabay and the Hotel Nacional Havana for images, and to the Trubikini photographic team:
Photographer: Lauren Marsh
Model: Nicole Andrea
Styling: Lucy Trevor
Make-Up: Neecol Corry
Find out more about Trubikini and shop the Little Black Bikini Collection at www.trubikini.com
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