Jim Feldkamp

What should you do in Cuba's capital, Havana?

As a consequence of my experience as an enrichment speaker on many cruise lines, I was offered the chance to go across the Caribbean and visit the sites in Havana, Cuba. Cuba is 750 miles long and 58 miles broad, and it was discovered by Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the New World. Cuba is a spelling variation of Cubanascan, which means "from Cuba." It is the Caribbean's biggest island and, after Hispaniola, the second most populated in the area.

Cuba, which lies 90 miles south of Florida and has a history dating back more than 500 years, has a distinct sense of culture. Cuba was a Spanish colony from the 15th century until its independence in 1898. Following the Spanish-American War, it gained independence as a de facto protectorate of the United States in 1902. Cuba is a multi-ethnic nation whose culture and traditions have been influenced by indigenous peoples, Spanish colonization, and African slaves, among other factors.

After Castro's revolution in 1959, Cuba became a favorite vacation destination for Americans in the 1950s. Until 2016, however, a tourist restriction in the United States essentially put a halt to such practice.

Cuba's capital city is called Havana. Old Havana, commonly known as Habana Vieja, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves a part of Cuban history. The region surrounding the old town has Spanish colonial buildings from the 16th century. Among the attractions in Old Havana are the Castillo de la Real Fuerza (Real Forces Castle), the Americas' oldest stone fort, as well as the National Capitol Building, the baroque Cathedral de San Cristóbal (Saint Christopher), and the Plaza Vieja, whose buildings reflect the city's vibrant architectural mix. It's easy to picture what life was like in Cuba 200 years ago while strolling along the cobblestone paths and looking up at the magnificent Baroque and neoclassical structures that line the streets.

Staying at the Hotel Ambos Mundos was a wonderful experience for me. This hotel, located on the intersection of Obispo and Mercaderes streets in the heart of old town Havana, was Ernest Hemingway's first stop in Cuba. His hotel room (#511) has been his home for the last seven years. He wrote the well-known book "For Whom the Bell Tolls" here. You may enjoy a cigar and drink Havana Club Rum on the rooftop while watching the sunset and listening to El Caonazo de las Nueve (La Cabana's cannons) fire at 9:00 p.m. to mark the port's early closure. During the Golden Age of Piracy, which ran from 1717 to 1726, this was done to combat pirates.

According to Jim Feldkamp there are many more historical sites that Ernest Hemingway visited that you may be interested in visiting as well. Finca Viga (lookout farm), which is nine miles from Havana and was acquired by Hemingway in 1940, is one of the most well-known. Both Finca Vigia and the Ernest Hemingway Museum are open to the public and are situated near the town of San Francisco de Paula. According to the tale, his wife persuaded him to relocate there so he wouldn't be near Earnest's favorite places, such as Restaurante Floridita, renowned for its Daiquiris, and La Bodeguita del Medio, known for its Mojitos. I have a plethora of instances of this.

Interesting facts about these two well-known beverages... Sir Francis Drake, who inspired the creation of the mojito, named it "Drakeito." In the early 1900s, this privateer/pirate was the first known individual to record and create the forerunner to the Mojito. The Floridita, located at the further end of Opisbo street, makes the Daiquiri. The Daiquiri is a Taino Indian drink named after a beach near Santiago de Cuba, where it was created during the Spanish-American War by American mining engineer Jennings Cox and called after the beach.

Here are some additional places to see in and around Havana:

El Morro, which protects the entrance to Havana Bay and was constructed to fight against pirates in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, has maintained most of its original appearance. Despite the fact that the lighthouse was rebuilt in the mid-nineteenth century with a stone structure, the original bulb still beams out to sea. A climb to the fort's summit will reward you with breathtaking views of the ocean and its surroundings.

The Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana, built near El Morro in the 1770s, was the Spanish's largest and most costly fort, as well as the most beautiful. Under the Batista dictatorship, the fort was converted into a military jail, and it subsequently served as Che Guevara's headquarters after the Revolutionary War.

Cuba's renowned beachfront promenade, the Malecon, was built in 1901 and is one of the world's most popular tourist attractions. A visit to this well-known Havana landmark is like strolling through the city's past. The seven-kilometer-long promenade connects the historic neighborhood of Old Havana (Habana Vieja) with the commercial district of Vedado. The pastel pinks and yellows of the buildings along the Malecon are a photographer's dream, particularly in the golden light of twilight and dawn.

Coches Americanos: If you're weary of walking, a 1950s American vehicle cab is an excellent option. Prior to the revolution and the ensuing quarantine imposed by the United States, Cuba was the world's leading importer of North American-made vehicles (around 125,000 Detroit-made automobiles were bought in Cuba). Approximately 60,000 American vehicles are still cluttering Cuban roads, according to recent estimates.

These "Coches Americanos" or "Máquinas" generate substantial revenue for both the island's residents and visitors. These aren't classic automobiles; they're vehicles that have been operated on a daily basis for decades with just the most basic upkeep. As a result, diesel engines have mostly replaced American V6 and V8 engines, and components have been sourced from the island of Mallorca. The most gorgeous chromed-up convertibles and coupes are still on full-time tourist duty today, cruise the Malecon from Old Havana to Miramar and charging visitors between $10 and $15 for a 10- to 15-minute trip.

The Hotel Nacional de Cuba is a typical Spanish eclectic-style hotel in Havana that opened its doors in 1930 and offers spectacular views of the sea and the city's famous Vedado neighborhood. It is located atop Taganana Hill and offers a magnificent view of both the sea and the city below. It has a rich history that dates back to its inception and includes the prosperous 1950s, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Tourists now come to the area to marvel at the architecture and panoramic views, as well as to learn about the city's interesting history. When I was a child in the 1950s, this was the place to go if you were anybody in the business. From Lucky Lucania to John Wayne to Rita Hayworth, everything about this home screams old-fashioned charm.

Tobacco and rum plantation excursions are also highly recommended. Cubans may create a variety of variations of this "pirate's drink," from light to gold to black, spiced and flavored. The Havana Club rum museum on Avenida del Puerto is the closest rum tour to a cruise liner docked there (the main avenue separating the cruise ships from old Havana).

Cigars, on the other hand, are a whole different habit (derived from the Mayan word Sikar, which means to smoke folded tobacco leaves). Both the Romeo y Julieta/H. Upmann Factory and the Partagás Cigar Factory in downtown Havana are worthwhile stops. Remember that the state-owned tobacco firms Habanos SA and Cubatabaco are in charge of the global marketing, distribution, and export of Cuban cigars. To summarize, don't anticipate a fantastic deal or bargain with the shops for a lower price; nevertheless, this is a wonderful incentive to use the cab.

If you're a Beatles lover, go for the John Lennon seat in the Parque John Lennon in Havana's Vedado neighborhood, which is dedicated to the late artist. On the bench is a life-sized statue of John Lennon, who seems to be resting. Once upon a time, you could remove his granny glasses for a picture, but owing to repeated theft by tourists, they are now a permanent part of the display.

As per Jim Feldkamp these are just a handful of the amazing sights and attractions in Havana. If you have the opportunity and are searching for a new experience, Havana should be on your list. Since its discovery by the Spanish in 1492, Cuba has been an important part of both Caribbean and North American history, and it has been a treasure trove of cultures and excitement for visitors.