Established in 1519, the location of the city made it a perfect gathering point for the annual treasure fleets bound for Spain from Mexico and Peru. Havana became the front door to the vast Spanish colonial empire and in 1607 it became the capital of Cuba. When Spain became embroiled in the Seven Day war between Britain and France in 1762, Britain celebrated by seizing Havana, hanging onto it for 11 months and then exchanging it for Florida.

Cuba gained independence from Spain in 1899 with military aid from the Americans, who played a dominant role in Cuban politics and industry for the next six decades. During this period, Americans were drawn to Havana by its flamboyant lifestyle, especially during prohibition when the city turned into the playground of America.

However, corruption was rife and the population became restless. A group of guerrillas under the leadership of Fidel Castro and Che Guevara finallysucceeded in liberating the island in 1959 and the Americans fled, taking much of Cuba's wealth with them. Today, the Cubans welcome Americans and you will find many American back packers or tourists, however the US do have restrictions on Americans traveling into Cuba.

The Cuban economy is tentatively expanding, helped by the government allowing its citizens to hold US Dollars, once illegal, which has created consumer demand and also a big increase in tourism, Cuba's main industry. The Cubans continue to be upbeat and the infectious smiles of the residents of Havana persist as the music pulsates and the rum flows - Cuba libre!

The rich history of the island is apparent in the faces of the people. They are the descendants of the Spanish conquistadors, who colonized the island in the sixteenth century and the African slaves brought over to work on the tobacco and sugar plantations.

Havana is a dynamic place for nightlife and the choice of venues is endless. It is also a great place for live music and you do not even to go to a club to hear it, as there is plenty on the streets.The social scene does not get going until about 11 PM and, as there are no official licensing hours, clubs and bars tend to close when the last customer leaves.

The free city listing paper, Cartelera has a list of what's on around the city, including any gigs for famous bands such as the Buena Vista Social Club or Los Van Van.

On first sight, Havana appears faded, with peeling paint and shabby buildings, but a walk through Old Havana (La Habana Vieja) reveals glorious Spanish colonial architecture, much of it under restoration. Visitors can spend hours strolling the streets peeping through half open doorways, is like walking through a living museum.

The Plaza de la Catedral is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved squares in Havana with the surrounding buildings almost all restored to their original splendor. The Catedral de San Cristobal de la Habana is an attractive eighteenth century baroque building that dominates the north side of the square.

Housed in the oldest building in the square, dating from 1720, is the Museo de Arte Colonial, an architectural masterpiece, built around a central courtyard containing tropical plants, and complemented by the collection of colonial furniture from the grand mansions. Other sophisticated houses line the square house cafés, restaurants and the post office.

The Museo de la Ciudad (City Museum) now occupies the magnificent old Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, once home of the highest colonial authority in Cuba and a former Presidential Palace. This popular museum gives an overview of the history of Havana from its founding until the present day. The oldest building in the square is the impressive Castillo de le Real Fuerza, a sixteenth century colonial fortress surrounded by a moat, today home to the Museo de la Ceramica Artistica Cubana.

Alternatively, a stroll along the Malecon, the sea front walk, gives a wonderful view of Havana's cityscape. Havana is a truly stunning city, the people friendly, beautiful climate, great beaches, incredible Spanish colonial architecture, a fascinating history and culture...the perfect place to learn Spanish.

Our program allows you plenty of time to discover your new country, culture and customs. Below are some of our recommended highlights. Some tours and packages can be organized when booking your program, please see the program price page for more information.

city tour
On first sight, Havana appears faded, with peeling paint and shabby buildings, but a walk through Old Havana (La Habana Vieja) reveals glorious Spanish colonial architecture, much of it under restoration. Visitors can spend hours strolling the streets peeping through half open doorways into cool courtyards and admiring the intricate balconies adorning many of the buildings.

A good overview of the city can be enjoyed from the observatory at the top of the Jose Marti Memorial in Revolution Square. Alternatively, a stroll along the Malecon, the sea front walk, gives a wonderful view of Havana's cityscape. Museum lovers will be spoilt for choice as lots of the old buildings now house collections. Lovers of old colonial architecture should make their way back to Miramar (school area) a residential area to the west of Vedado with grand old mansions.

architecture
Havana is one of the most beautiful and architecturally diverse cities in the world. Its architecture mirrors its rich social and political history from the graceful colonial and baroque period to modern brutal tower blocks.

la habana vieja (old havana)
The Plaza de la Catedral is one of the most beautiful and best preserved squares in Havana with the surrounding buildings almost all restored to their original splendor.

The Cathedral de San Cristobal de la Habana is an attractive eighteenth century baroque building that dominates the north side of the square. Housed in the oldest building in the square, dating from 1720, is the Museo de Arte Colonial, an architectural masterpiece, built around a central courtyard containing tropical plants, and complemented by the collection of colonial furniture from the grand mansions. Other sophisticated houses line the square house cafés, restaurants and the post office.

the museo de la ciudad (city museum)
Now occupies the magnificent old Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, once home of the highest colonial authority in Cuba and a former Presidential Palace. This popular museum gives an overview of the history of Havana from its founding until the present day.

The oldest building in the square is the impressive Castillo de le Real Fuerza, a sixteenth century colonial fortress surrounded by a moat, today home to the Museo de la Ceramica Artistica Cubana. As the public transport is unreliable, it is best to visit attractions either by taxi or to walk there.

museo de la revolucion y memorial granma (museum of the revolution and granma memorial)
Housed in the glorious, former presidential palace of the 1950s dictator Batista, the Museum of the Revolution tells the story of the struggle of the Cuban people to gain sovereignty. Exhibits include photographs, cinefilm, original documents and weapons. In the garden is the Granma Memorial - the boat 'Granma' in which Fidel Castro and over 80 combatants returned to Cuba from exile in Mexico in 1956.

hotel ambos mundos
The Hotel Ambos Mundos, a stylish 1920s building, played host to Ernest Hemingway during much of the 1930s. In room 511, he began to write For Whom the Bell Tolls and the room has been left pretty much as it was when Hemingway was a guest, including his typewriter. The hotel reopened a few years ago after major renovations and has a lovely rooftop terrace bar to enjoy the view after seeing Hemingway's room.

parque historico militar morro-cabana (historical and military park)
Built by the Spanish in the sixteenth century, this military fort at the entrance to the harbor offered protection from enemy ships and pirates. The fort contains a collection of old weapons including a huge catapult. Every evening at 2100 a cannon is fired across the bay.

real fabrica de tabacos partagas
A visit to Havana would not be complete without a tour of a cigar factory and the Real Fabrica de Tabacos Partagas is one of the oldest. The cigars are still rolled by hand and to this day there is a tradition of someone being employed to read to the workers while they work.

nightlife
Havana is a dynamic place for nightlife and the choice of venues is endless. It is also a great place for live music and you do not even to go to a club to hear it, as there is plenty on the streets. The social scene does not get going until about 2200 and, as there are no official licensing hours, clubs and bars tend to close when the last customer leaves, normally between 0200 and 0300.

The free city listings paper, Cartelera, has a list of what's on around the city, including any gigs for famous bands such as the Buena Vista Social Club or Los Van Van. Generally Cubans expect to dress up when going out and most clubs have a rule of no shorts, T-shirts or jeans. Many clubs charge an entrance fee and this can be as little as US$1 or up to US$10 and more.

Cuba is synonymous with music and most Cubans are passionate about it. Trova is ballad-style singing to the accompaniment of a guitar, and most towns have a Casa de la Trova, where a pleasant evening can be spent; guajira is country-style music and the most famous song, heard all over the island, is Guantanamera. Most famous of all is salsa whose evocative rhythms have swept the world.

Other forms of music with their roots in Cuba have put the country on the musical map. The rhumba was developed in Cuba, a combination of Afro-Cuban music for voice and percussion, which is now accompanied by a passionate dance. The chachacha was originally popularised between the 1930s and 50s and is still performed to this day.

The Cuban Government has seen fit to encourage all forms of culture and most towns have at least one theater. Standards tend to bevery high and Cuban performers have made their mark on the world stage in a variety of forms. Details of performances can be found in the city listings magazine, Cartelera.

excursions

san francisco de paula
Fans of Hemingway will enjoy a visit to the village of San Francisco de Paula and the house where he lived. The house and its contents are preserved as he left them and have been turned into a museum displaying personal items and photographs. Close by is the village of Cojimar, that is believed to have inspired his book, The Old Man and the Sea. Finca La Vigia is easily reached by car, just 20 minutes from Havana.

east havana beaches
Just 25 minutes from Havana are 14 km (eight miles) of white sandy beaches at Bacuranao, Megano, Boca Ciega, Santa Maria and Guanabo. These are mainly frequented by Cubans, so are particularly busy at weekends but there are plenty of restaurants along the beaches.

vinales valley
The scenery in the Vinales Valley is very dramatic with mogotes (limestone hills) rising up from the lush green valley floor. The area is also the tobacco-growing region of Cuba and visits can be made to one of the local cigar factories. Alternatively, the Guayabita del Pinar Liquor Factory that produces a liqueur exclusive to the region can be visited. A boat trip on the subterranean San Vicente River passes through the El Indio Cave System.

varadero
To sample a little bit of paradise a trip to Varadero, Cuba's premier beach resort is only two and a half hours away. Varadero is situated on a slim peninsular of land, 20 km (12 miles) long, that reaches out into the Atlantic. The white sand and aquamarine sea have been a favorite with visitors for decades.