Get Inspired / Central America / Cuba Havana Good Time! Share on email Print this article Share on Facebook Get Inspired / Central America / Cuba Havana Good Time! story by: Anna Sarjeant Some cities are as raw and transparent as an open-air museum, Havana is one of those cities. Cuba’s diamond in the rough, Havana is an imperfect beauty. It’s a city where history stands still; its turbulent past reading like chapters written across the streets. From architecture that presents a cocktail of beauty and decay, to the 1950s cars robbed of their retirement, Havana offers insight into a country that once prospered, before surrendering to politics, manipulation and power. A juxtaposition of incredible wealth fractured by years of instability, the crumbling streets are freckled with cathedrals and palaces, opulent balustrades and grand patios. Art deco theatres nudge neo-gothic churches and hint at a past that was once rich in prosperity. But for every palatial façade there exists a whisper of poverty and the tell-tale signs of decay. Corroding architecture that’s so far from repair you can almost hear it creaking. And skeletons of old colonial buildings; painted brightly but peeling badly. And yet amidst all this confliction there remains an un-dwindling Caribbean optimism; Havana residents are the world’s friendliest receivers of tourists; inherently proud that their city possesses such an irresistible magnetism. From the classic American cars that clutter the streets to the delicious mojitos, iconic cigars and the face of Che Guevara on every postcard, magnet and cigarette lighter within a 50km radius, the people of Havana know - more so than anybody - that their great city, albeit ragged and ram-shackled, is by far one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Viva la Cuba! Click here for all our Central America deals. Enquire Now First name* Last name* Email* Phone How can we help? My preferred House of Travel Store* Select Outlet Auckland Albany: Auckland North Botany Junction: Auckland South Browns Bay: Auckland North Devonport: Auckland North Ellerslie: Auckland Central Hobsonville: Auckland West Howick: Auckland East Milford: Auckland North New Lynn: LynnMall Auckland West Newmarket: Auckland Central Orewa: Auckland North Parnell: Auckland Central Ponsonby: Auckland Central Remuera: Auckland Central St Heliers: Auckland East Takanini: Auckland South Takapuna: Auckland North Whangaparaoa: Auckland North Bay of Plenty Mt Maunganui Papamoa Rotorua Taupo Tauranga CBD the Crossing Canterbury Ashburton Barrington: Christchurch South Christchurch City: Christchurch Central Ferrymead: Christchurch East High Street Lanes: Christchurch Central Hornby: Christchurch West Merivale: Christchurch Central Northlands: Papanui Christchurch North Rangiora Riccarton: Christchurch Central Shirley: Christchurch North Timaru Upper Riccarton: Christchurch West Hawke's Bay / Gisborne Havelock North Jenny Nilsson: Hastings Nelson / Marlborough Blenheim Motueka Nelson Richmond Northland Kerikeri: Northland Whangarei: Northland Otago / Southland Alexandra Balclutha Dunedin Lakers Gore Lakers Invercargill Oamaru Wanaka Taranaki / Manawatu Broadway: Palmerston North New Plymouth Stephen Parsons: Palmerston North Wanganui Waikato Calder & Lawson: Hamilton East Cambridge Coromandel: Whangamata Hamilton: Hamilton Central Matamata Morrinsville Taupo Te Awamutu Wellington / Wairarapa Featherston Street CBD: Wellington City Hunter St CBD: Wellington City Johnsonville: Wellington North Kapiti Coast: Paraparaumu Lower Hutt: Wellington North Masterton West Coast Greymouth Hokitika Westport I would like to receive email updates on the latest HOT holiday deals HOT Privacy Statement * required fields Similar Journeys Add or remove from Wishlist Where should I go in South & Central America? Read more Add or remove from Wishlist Beach Breaks, Cuban Style Read more Done this? Tell your friends about it.
