Cuba......part deux

[Bad-Yeti]

Hmmmm well you see I had this plan to get married in Cuba this year.

Well, we split on Tuesday for good.......mixed feelings about it but it had to be done, anyhoo none of this is really relevant.

I really would like a break, once work issues are sorted, i'm thinking March, my first thought was, sod it, fly to Cuba for a week, buy some cigars, kick back on a beach and chill......what am I asking here? Oh Yes, that's right, but then I thought, it's going to cost a shed load and you can't even go on the factory tours now, so I have a dilemma, do I:

a) Go to Cuba, buy some sticks and chill out in Havana :849:
b) Go to Cuba, buy some sticks and chill out on the Beach :849:
c) Go somewhere like Egypt, save an absolute packet and spend the hundreds i'll save on buying loads of cigars here :rock:

Hmmmm, I know i'll make a poll, I like them ;)

[SmokeyDave]

Firstly I'm so sorry to hear your wedding plans have gone, but nothing like a good cigar to focus the mind and bring perspective :smile:

Secondly I'd jump at the chance to visit Cuba!

[Motormadj]

likewise, sorry to hear about the split.

I think cuba may be just what the doctor ordered!

[Jacobwaits]

If you take me to Cuba...I will marry you? XXX

[Bad-Yeti]

If you take me to Cuba...I will marry you? XXX

Hmmmm, how cute are you?

Will you moan about cigar smoking and Rum drinking?
If the answer is no then you're on ;)

[Zigatoh]

Will you moan about cigar smoking and Rum drinking?


See I thought they had to do that, it was in the vows wasn't it?! (replacing Rum with Whiskey in my case anyway)

[El Catador]

Be brave mon ami.. tis better to have loved and lost... etc, etc.

Hmmn.. single chap looking for some fun in the sun.. with no 'strings attached'.. where would I go?
Easy.. the Far East or Latin America.
I see a hammock on a Thai beach with your name on it.

[Monty72]

I'd go if I were you. Chances are if you don't go now you might never go again. The last edition of Cigar Affenionado magazine had a huge amount about where to go where to stay etc. Get your hands on a copy and you'll be booking the next flight to Cuba. According to the articles you can still visit some of the factories.

[JOAO LA PEZ]

Commiserations on the breakdown of your Marriage plans, has to be Cuba.

[Deano]

I hate people giving u another option when you've given them specific ones! But how about:

d) Do Havana for 3 days and Veradero/beach for 7. www.theholidayplace.co.uk do split multi-centre hols, and it's what I've done previously.

[spirit_of_will]

I hate people giving u another option when you've given them specific ones! But how about:

d) Do Havana for 3 days and Veradero/beach for 7. www.theholidayplace.co.uk do split multi-centre hols, and it's what I've done previously.

Plus 1 = best of both worlds

[Zigatoh]

Did the same meself Deano, was spot on :D

[Monkey Nuts]

I went to Havana for 10 days - kinda wish I'd done the Havana/Varadero thing really. Havana is awesome, but 10 days of it was too long TBH. Just my twopenneth :smile:

[Eddie]

I went with with the GF last summer. We spent 3 nights in Havana, 3 in Trinidad and 6 in Varedaro.If I did it again it would be 3 in Havana, 4/5 in Trinidad and the rest in varedaro.

We did it for about £900 each inc spending money, but not cigar money.

[snooky]

Go with Deano's idea , stock up in Havana and chill on there amazing beaches . Some good deals around with the Holiday place , they took good care of us.:849:

[Reaver2145]

IMHO i would stay away from cuba for a while and prolly goto Amsterdam for a while getting lathered blowing all my money and hitch-hiking my way back to England through several different parts eastern block while experiencing the double shot of rum as standard in Bulgaria and the local rakia.

Or in other words the most random shite you can think of is normally the most fun.

[PoohBore]

You always go for breezes jibacoa as your base and day trip into Havana in a taxi?

[Wardjrz]

Hey Yeti.

It' a shame about the break up, commiserations.

I'm with Deano's 2 centre option, though I haven't been to Varadero. I can vouch for both Cayo Coca and Guadalavarca. Definitely Havana first then the beach.

Make sure you mate up with a non smoker then you can double your duty free allowance.

Rum, Mojito's and Cigars, fab! Do it quick and you can gloat over the bad weather the UK will be having whilst you are sunning yourself.

[Stevieboy]

Sorry about the breakup mate :(

Head to south of Spain near Gibraltar and head there every day and max out your 50-stick allowance. It'll be pretty warm at that time of the year and you'll get a load of cheap sticks

PS only joking about maxing-out....not sure how that would sit with Spanish customs when you try to bring back two steamer trunks of cigars :)

[Bad-Yeti]

Like your thinking Stevie, is Gibraltar really that cheap for Cigars?

I think I may do the Twin Centre thing, sounds pretty cool plus would be good to see Cuba before the USA ruin it when the embargo drops.

Thanks all

[Eddie]

I think I may do the Twin Centre thing, sounds pretty cool plus would be good to see Cuba before the USA ruin it when the embargo drops.

Thanks all

That's precisely why we went last year, but do consider a 3 center trip... Trinidad is fantastic.

[Reaver2145]

PS only joking about maxing-out....not sure how that would sit with Spanish customs when you try to bring back two steamer trunks of cigars :)

Normally pretty well they dont seem to care much now england on the other hand

[RickMG]

I hate people giving u another option when you've given them specific ones! But how about:

d) Do Havana for 3 days and Veradero/beach for 7. www.theholidayplace.co.uk (http://www.theholidayplace.co.uk) do split multi-centre hols, and it's what I've done previously.
What a great idea. I'm going on a "People to People" tour at the end of this month for 7 nights, 5 in Havana & 2 in Pino del Rio and it's costing me £2400.00 each for my wife and myself and I'm only a 3 hour flight away from Cuba. It's the only way us from the U.S. can go but I cannot wait. Best part, the cigar festival is going on and a few of my favorite people (from this board and Ireland) are going to be there at the same time. Simon Bolivar (http://www.ukcigarforums.com/member.php?941-Simon-Bolivar) did the trip Deano's talking about last year and has some great write-ups on his trip right here on this board. Search for threads started by him. Go now before they open it up completely for us and there's a McDonald's on every corner. :849:

[Bad-Yeti]

What a great idea. I'm going on a "People to People" tour at the end of this month for 7 nights, 5 in Havana & 2 in Pino del Rio and it's costing me £2400.00 each for my wife and myself and I'm only a 3 hour flight away from Cuba. It's the only way us from the U.S. can go but I cannot wait. Best part, the cigar festival is going on and a few of my favorite people (from this board and Ireland) are going to be there at the same time. Simon Bolivar (http://www.ukcigarforums.com/member.php?941-Simon-Bolivar) (http://www.ukcigarforums.com/member.php?941-Simon-Bolivar%29) did the trip Deano's talking about last year and has some great write-ups on his trip right here on this board. Search for threads started by him. Go now before they open it up completely for us and there's a McDonald's on every corner. :849:

That rocks!

Spoke to the lovely Sam at Virgin Holidays yesterday, I've decided on the twin centre trip with 2nights at the Saratoga in Havana followed by 5 nights on the beach (any more and i'll get bored) then a final night back in Havana to stock up on cigars :)

So now the next bit, what trips would you guys who have been there recommend? Any local brands to buy (cigar wise)? Anything to avoid?

[bfg84]

Sounds great Mr Yeti, im sure you will have a great time! :rock:

[RickMG]

That rocks!

Spoke to the lovely Sam at Virgin Holidays yesterday, I've decided on the twin centre trip with 2nights at the Saratoga in Havana followed by 5 nights on the beach (any more and i'll get bored) then a final night back in Havana to stock up on cigars :)

So now the next bit, what trips would you guys who have been there recommend? Any local brands to buy (cigar wise)? Anything to avoid?
Sounds great. Can't help you yet with what to do or where to go as I'm first going later this month. Simon's tips are wonderful though. You'll have a great time.:cowboyic9:

[PoohBore]

You've got to get to Enrique Mons shop in Miramar, the casa in the Mille Havana hotel and the casa upstairs in the hotel Conde villinue. Not sure of my spelling but all 3 do some lovely custom rolled cigars. There is a sticky here somewhere with Cuban prices on it.

I'll get the pc out later and add more info for you

[Ryan]

I'm probably too late on this thread but sorry to hear about your wedding plans.
Regarding travelling to Cuba, I haven't been to Varadero so I can't comment really on how it is.
What I do know is that Havana is a fantastic place to spend time. What I would recommend is, if you need a beach with tourists for a while, go to Club Havana in Miramar for a few hours/afternoon. If you want to relax by a pool, the rooftop ones in the Saratoga or the hotel Parque Central are very nice. Not many Cubans get to go to Varadero, other than the ones serving you.
Go out and about in Havana, it's great. Go to bars on your own, you'll meet people, nice people. El Floridita, is an OK start, touristy and a bit expensive. Bar Montserrate, much better, great fun, good mix of tourists and locals, great bands, very cheap booze. Both are an easy, safe walk from the Saratoga and both close around midnight.
At midnight get in a taxi (agree 5 cucs before starting) to the "Gato Tuerto" nightclub in Vedado, very near the Nacional. Goes from 11:30 pm - 4/6 am. 5 cucs in, reasonably priced booze, again great bands. I've gone in there on my own and met people I still regard as friends.
As for cigar shopping. the Conde de Villanueva in Habana Vieja is very good, check out the back rom for store cigars.
The LCDH in Club Havana in Miramar, mentioned above is also very good. Mons is now retired but a great shop still. If you get a taxi there have him return for you in an hour, it's hard to get one from there. Enjay a browse and a cigar in the lounge. On the way in to that shop, let the security know at the entrance that you're only there for the cigar shop or else you'll have to pay 10 cucs to use the facilities of the club.
Have a great trip.

One more thing, in the bars and nightclubs, you will meet a lot of girls who will want to have sex with you. It's up to you how you want to deal with that, most will be very happy just to talk with you if that's all you want. If you would rather not talk to them at all, they do get the message very quickly, you'll never need to be impolite.

Rick, I'll see you in two weeks in the Nacional. I wish we could have done it a cheaper way for you.

[Bad-Yeti]

Thanks for the tips Ryan, great write up.

The reason I was looking to go to Varadero as it's all inclusive and It's going to get pricey in Havana and I am on a bit of a burget, unless Havana is cheap that is?

I will certainly look into the places you mention, they sound great.

Looking forward to getting a glass top box of Cohibas ;) Actually they're probably better than the real ones.

Reference the girls I take it you are talking the "working" type or is it just a fact that Cuban women have a penchant for English guys ;)

Really looking forward to this, might do 4 nights in Havana then 4 in Varadero.

Many thanks

[Eddie]

If you go to varedaro, buy a snorkel and mask before you go. The local ones are crap and it gives you something to do when you get bired of the beach.

[Zigatoh]

'tired of the beach' ? what is this 'tired of the beach' which you speak of?? :cool:

[Bad-Yeti]

LMAO I just realised, how the hell do you put suncream on your back on your own :S

[Zigatoh]

Just bathe in it before going out :)

[Ryan]

Thanks for the tips Ryan, great write up.

The reason I was looking to go to Varadero as it's all inclusive and It's going to get pricey in Havana and I am on a bit of a burget, unless Havana is cheap that is?

I will certainly look into the places you mention, they sound great.

Looking forward to getting a glass top box of Cohibas ;) Actually they're probably better than the real ones.

Reference the girls I take it you are talking the "working" type or is it just a fact that Cuban women have a penchant for English guys ;)

Really looking forward to this, might do 4 nights in Havana then 4 in Varadero.

Many thanks

If it was me, I'd certainly go for more nights in Havana. Cuban people are really nice and very friendly.
Given the state of the country, many will be looking to make something from you but, as often as not, they are simply happy to talk to a foreigner and hear a little of the outside world.
As for "working girls" or not, it depends on how good your spanish is, it's very handy to have some though you don't really need any, you'll get by with people who have some english. Even the "working girls" can be very nice and great fun, I don't (nor anyone I travel with) go for anything more than a chat, I have a wife who would be a little upset if I did, to say the least. I suppose the thing to remember is, they're people.
Cubans often have, let's say, a more liberal attitude towards sexual relationships than most Europeans or North Americans.
Having said all that, no harm in meeting someone and taking them out to dinner if you like, they'll be very happy for the meal and you, for the price of a dinner, and maybe their taxi, will find out more about the country and the people than you would from any guide book or cigar magazine. They won't spike your drink or take you up the mountains and rape you.
If the hustle and bustle/language/people ever get too much for you, you can always retire to the air-conditioned calm of the Saratoga or the hotel Parque Central lobby, very edible burger in the Parque central by the way. Always ask for it well done.
Many guys in the street in daytime and most at nightime in Havana Vieja will offer you "cigars, Cohiba, chica", 99% of the time a simple "no, gracias" puts an end to it.
I misspelled "Bar Monserrate" in my last post by the way.
Restaurants in Havana worth checking out, El Aljibe, well known for the chicken, all you can eat for 12.50 cucs. El Palenque, similar but pork rather than chicken. El Templete/La Barca in the harbour, very good seafood and very edible steaks.
My favourite at the moment, El Guajirito on Zulueta in Havana Vieja, spanish/tex mex stlye decor, very good cuban food, very nice waitresses and in the space next door there are flamenco classes every evening from 5-8pm which are lovely to watch.
Vistamar in Miramar does Cuban and decent Asian in a converted modernist house with a pool right on the edge of the sea, very nice.
La Moraleja in Vedado, right around the corner from the Havana Libre hotel (cigar shop well worth a look in that hotel by the way, roller in the lobby rolling panetelas that are some of my favourite cigars ever, 1.50cuc each). Moraleja, great food, trying new things and mostly succeeeding, free cigar at the end of the meal. Discovered thanks to Nino in November, I'll be there again in a few weeks.
Bring a pocket sized notepad with you, you'll get tips, info, directions, recommendations and phone numbers all the time that will be handy. If you bring pens, bring black biros, black ink, for whatever reason, is in short supply in Cuba at the moment.

[Fratton]

An hour or two at the rooftop of Ambos Mundos chilling is a must. We stayed in Varadero and did a two day in Havana/Pinar Del Rio - the other half fell in love with the place. There was some bitching on TripAdvisor about mossies at the far end of Varadero but, to be honest, we never had any issue. Beach is great but gets a little windy late PM. Poeple are the best I've come across, never had any issues at all and had a great (under the counter) diving experience in the Bay of Pigs that will never be topped (thresher shark encounter). We cant wait to get back but NHS pay cuts make this unlikely at present ....