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A TIME-TRAVEL POSTCARD...
(c) Theolonius McTavish 2004. All rights reserved. Seeking a spot of serenity somewhere in the universe, I recently booked a deep-discount dodgy berth on the ‘White Elephant Express Space Shuttle’, to a little known place in a galaxy far, far...
How to Become a Travel Agent in 24 Hours
The travel industry has been going through some significant changes over the last few years. Mom and Pop travel agencies are quickly being replaced by online booking engines like Orbitz or Travelocity. But there is one problem: 80% of all...
Time Your Trip Around Currency Fluctuations - The Cheap Way to Travel
Finding a cheap vacation spot abroad can be virtually impossible - everything seems more expensive these days, and vacations are no exception. So how do you find a bargain? One way is to plan your trip to a place that is experiencing currency woes...
Travel Blog Your Next Vacation
Some years ago, I took an extended trip to Europe. During that vacation, I kept a travel journal in which I made notes of the places I visited, the people I met and the events that occurred. I still get out that travel journal and read through some...
Tricks For Traveling By Sea
Tricks That Can Make Traveling By Sea Easier
Motion sickness is common to almost everybody. It is usually
frequent to those who travel a lot, whether by land, air, or
sea. The different forms of motion sickness are based on the
kind of...
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Travel to Cuba: The Caribbean's Forbidden Island
Think Cuba, and vivid images come to mind: of men in Guayabera shirts and Panama hats, tropical breezes and cool drinks, steamy Latin rhythms and sultry women. It has always been an intriguing place, steeped in truth and in fiction by the novels of Ernest Hemingway.
In the pre-Revolution Batista days, Cuba was the sin capital of the Americas, a wild haunt of mobsters, corrupt politicians, loose women and petty thieves, all vying to stake their claim to a share of the profits from gambling, prostitution and other lucrative rackets. The easy money attracted some of America's biggest celebrities and high rollers, as well as a flood of tourists eager to indulge in the island's many carnal pleasures.
After decades of blight and neglect, the Caribbean's largest island is radiating a new self-confidence. Havana has regained much of its past allure, tourism is once again thriving, old bars, restaurants and hotels are enjoying a proud comeback, and stunning new attractions are being built.
Cuba is a destination worth discovering that's at its best right now. As a travel desination, its relative political isolation has kept it from being overrun with tourists. Once the U.S. government lifts economic sanctions and the travel ban, there will be a flood of investment into Cuba's economy that is sure to
change the face of the culture and landscape.
Cuba is home to just over 11 million people, with more than 2 million living in the capital, Havana. The island's Cuba's rich culture, interesting political history, and continued economic hardship make it one of the world's most eye-opening nations with a wealth of places just waiting to be discovered. The food, music, and, most of all, the warm hospitality of the Cuban people all combine to make it a great place to visit.
U.S. officials say open trade and travel to Cuba would strengthen Castro's oppressive government. But critics argue that the Cold War-era U.S. embargo, aimed at forcing a change in Cuba's leadership, has not achieved its goals after being in place for more than 40 years.
Despite the embargo, last year, 200,000 Americans visited Cuba (most through Canada or Mexico).
As one taxi driver put it, "We have the best cigars, best rum, best music, and most beautiful women in the world. What more could anyone want?"
I can't argue with that, and don't think you would either.
RESOURCES
The Cuba Report, an expatriate guide, was recently published. For more information or to order, visit www.thegloballife.net.
About the Author
Phillip Townsend is the author of The Cuba Report, available at www.thegloballife.net
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