In the dead of the Newfoundland’s winter, the best way to defrost yourself is with a trip to the sun-soaked Caribbean. And what better place than Cuba’s Varadero?
Varadero is much closer this year with Sunwing Vacation’s flights from Gander with Wednesday departures from March 10-April 28. To book online, visit www.flysunwing.ca or call your local travel agent.
Having been to Varadero twice myself, I can guarantee vacationers will fall in love with the place. The beach, the food, the people, the music … Cuba is the sort of place that leaves an indelible mark on you. You can combine an immersive beach holiday with the cultural exploration which makes the country unique.
Cuban culture is much influenced by the fact that it is a melting pot of cultures, primarily those of Spain and Africa, with landscape ranges from semi-arid desert to lush tropical rainforests.
Here’s a bit of a primer for those of you entertaining a Cuban vacation.
The Climate
Cuba’s climate is moderately subtropical and warm. The island’s average temperature is 25.5ºC and average relative humidity is 78 per cent. It also sees an average of 330 days of sunshine a year. Varadero’s trademark beach boasts an average year-round water temperature of 24ºC-26ºC, ideal for swimming, sailing and other watersports.
The Music
Music is Cuba’s richest expression of culture—it gave birth to the Mumba, the Salsa, the Rumba and the Cha-cha-cha. Vacationers may need to limber up before Cuban jazz sets the evenings ablaze.
The Cigars
Cigar lovers claim Cuban cigars are the world’s finest. . The exceptional quality is thought to arise from the growing climate, combined with the fact that Cuban cigar rollers are regarded as the most skilled. All cigar production is controlled by the Cuban government, with Habanas rated as the best brand. How good are the cigars? The day before John F. Kennedy signed trade sanctions against Cuba, he had 1,000 Cuban cigars delivered. To ensure authenticity and quality, only buy cigars from government stores.
The Capital
Don’t visit Cuba without seeing Havana. Simply put, it’s one of the world’s great cities. The capital of Cuba, Havana is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its glorious old Spanish Colonial Architecture with bountiful historical and cultural sights. The must-sees include the Malecon (sea wall), the Artisans Market, Ernest Hemingway’s old haunts, Old Havana, the San Cristobal Cathedral, the Plaza de la Revolucion, the legendary Copacabana, the old cemetery and the Capitol building. Havana is a great place to sit on a patio, enjoy a daiquiri and a toasted Cubano sandwich and watch the people pass by.
The Food
Cuban cuisine is strongly influenced by African and Spanish cultures. The national dish is ajiaco, a stew of assorted root vegetables cooked with pork, poultry or beef. Other typical dishes are lechón (roast pork), fried green plantains (tachinos), congrí (rice with red beans), picadillo a la habanera (ground beef in tomato sauce), roast chicken and tamales among others.
The Drink
The quality of Cuban rum is recognized internationally and comes in four distillations: refined, white, gold and aged. Gold and aged rums are better for drinking straight, while white rum (carta blanca or carta plata) is best for cocktails. Several of the world’s most famous rum cocktails are Cuban, including the Cuban libre, the daiquiri, the Cubanito and the saoco. But don’t leave without trying Cuba’s flagship cocktail, the Mojito (pronounced Mo-HEE-to.) It’s two parts heaven, one part breath mint. Its combination of sweetness and refreshing citrus and spearmint flavors are intended to mask the potent kick of Cuba’s famed rum. Ernest Hemingway was among its greatest fans.
Mojito: a Hemingway favourite. Mine, too.
