In One Week

This is a tough one. Many visitors are content to spend an entire week soaking up the rays and lying in the sand at an all-inclusive beach resort. I sometimes devote an entire week to Havana. However, the following itinerary seeks to pack a handful of Cuba's top attractions into a concise, yet doable, week-long visit. You'll get a taste of the country's best big city and it's top colonial-era town, as well as a bit of time on the beach.

Day 1: Arrive & Settle In To Havana

Arrive and check-in to your hotel. Take an afternoon walk along the Malecón and have a sunset cocktail at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba. For dinner, head to either La Guarida or La Cocina de Lilliam, two of the city's best paladares. Be sure to make a reservation as soon as you get to your hotel, because these places book up fast. After dinner, catch some jazz at La Zorra y el Cuervo.

Day 2: Step Back In Time

Start the morning off in Habana Vieja. Visit the Plaza de la Catedral, the Plaza de Armas, Plaza Vieja, and Plaza de San Francisco. Be sure to tour the Museo de la Ciudad, the Castillo de la Real Fuerza, and any other attractions that catch your attention. Have lunch at La Bodeguita del Medio. After lunch head toward Parque Central and visit El Capitolio, the Museo Nacional de las Bellas Artes, and the Museo de la Revolución. Finish up your afternoon strolling along the outdoor art exhibit that is Callejón de Hammel. In the evening go to the Tropicana for dinner and a show.

Day 3: Time for Trinidad

Head for Trinidad. Stay either in the new Gran Hotel Iberostar Trinidad or one of the many casas particulares right in the colonial center of this classic little city. Spend the afternoon touring Trinidad's colonial era landmarks, including the Plaza Mayor, the Plazuela El Jigüe, the Iglesia de la Santísima Trinidad, and the Museo Romántico. For dinner, make a reservation at Paladar Estela. After dinner, stroll around the Plaza Mayor and listen for where the action is. It might be a salsa or son band playing on the steps below the Casa de la Música, or it might be in any one of several clubs nearby.

Day 4: Checking In With Che

Spend the morning walking around Trinidad, and shopping at the various little street markets around town. From Trinidad, head north to Santa Clara, Che Guevara's city. Your first and most important stop here is the massive and impressive Monumento Ernesto Che Guevara, set on the Plaza de la Revolución Che Guevara. In the early evening, head to Parque Vidal, the downtown heart and soul of Santa Clara. Stop in to tour the Teatro La Caridad, and then head to La Casa del Gobernador for dinner. After dinner, see if there's anything happening at Club Mejunje.

Days 5 & 6: Hit The Beach

From Santa Clara, head to La Cayería del Norte, where you will find a handful of large, luxurious resorts on some of the finest beaches in Cuba. Be sure to stop for a bit in the tiny, colonial-era town of Remedios on your way. And then settle in for some serious relaxation. There's excellent snorkeling and scuba diving, as well as numerous opportunities to indulge in other watersports. Or you can just chill.

Day 7: Going Home

Return to Havana in time for your international connection. If you have extra time, head to the Calle Tacón street market to do some last-minute shopping before you go.

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• Cuba in 1 Week

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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				Frommer's Cuba, 3rd Edition Author: Eliot Greenspan Pub Date: January 03, 2007 Price: $19.99				Related Titles: Bahamas For Dummies, 4th Edition Caribbean For Dummies, 4th Edition Frommer's Bahamas 2008