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.
Viñales
This internationally known region lies 180 km west from Havana in Sierra de los Organos, in Pinar del Rio province. It has stunning scenery, rich flora and fauna and interesting cave systems, the largest on Cuba and Antilles. One of its attractions are mogotes, the lime stone peaks with steep sides and partly rounded crests. Their height can reach up to 400 meters. The tobacco plantations make this region even more attractive and interesting. Rural Viñales, a place in country style, is located between mountains. It is very picturesque and rich in traditions and customs.
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. (Only) 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.
Camagüey
The
birth of Camagüey as a capital
in Punta de Guincho, facing the
Bay of Nuevitas, dates back to February
2 of the year 1514. Camagüey
was one of the first seven villas
founded by the Spanish colonizers
in the Island and baptized as Santa
María del Puerto del Príncipe.
Nevertheless, it was only on January
6, 1528 that the captial was definite
and paradoxically moved to its current
location, between the Tínima
and Hatibonico rivers and well away
from the coasts, to escape from
the frequent attacks of pirates.
Holguin
Such a beautiful thing has never
been seen, were the words -according
to historical testimonies- said
by the great admiral of the oceans,
Christopher Columbus, on October
27 of 1492 after setting foot on
Cuban soil for the first time; in
a far place of the eastern waterside,
Bariay, located today within the
territorial limits of the province
of Holguín. Holguín
is widely known as the city of parks,
because of the large number of these
green, open spaces that serve decorate
the area. Holguín is easily
identified by Loma de la Cruz (Hill
of the Cross), a hill marking the
geographic north and whose top is
crowned with a gigantic wooden cross.
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