Havana
The
best thing about Havana is the city
itself - its architecture, streets and
famous promenades. Especially famed
is the historical centre of the city
that was declared part of the world's
cultural heritage. This vibrant city
is a scientific and cultural centre.
Within its 47 km of coastline, you will
find 20 km of beaches as well as places
to go diving and deep-sea fishing.
Cienfuegos
The city of Cienfuegos lies on Cienfuegos
bay, at the entrance to the Caribbean
sea. Over a long period of time
it was used by pirates as a strategically
favorable place for attacking Spanish
ships. In the mid 18th century
the Spanish built a fortress there,
and only then did they manage to
gain control over the area. The
sugar industry used to be the main
source of wealth in Cienfuegos.
That is how most of the pompous
houses of the sugar barons were
financed and built at the end of
the 19th century. You can still
admire these buildings, for example
Palacio del Valle, from which you
can enjoy breathtaking view of Jagua
bay. Cienfuegos is also an ideal
starting point for excursions to
numerous interesting sites - Hanabanilla
reservoir in the Escambray mountain
range or the Jardín Botánico
Soledad botanical garden, which
is situated on 90 ha of land, 25
km away from the city.
Trinidad
This city is considered to be one
of Cuba's main attractions. The
traffic free, colonial district
with its colourful houses and old,
massive cobblestone crowns the rest
of the city as its highest point.
You can admire interesting details
of colonial architecture when walking
through the streets around Plaza
Mayor. Especially famous are the
high windows with their skilfully
carved wooden bars that were replaced
last century by iron bars. These
so-called rejas invite the energetic
street life into the house, rather
than excluding it. Around Plaza
Mayor, the most elegant square in
Cuba, stand the city palaces of
Trinidad's richest families: Iznagas,
Ortiz and Brunete, whose palaces
are nowadays museums.
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