Cuba Journal 
Guitarist Pablo Menendez’s funky Yoruba, Afro-Cuban, salsa, bebop fusion septet Mezcla (“mixture”) is as much about Cuba’s musical past as it is the future. Let’s Do Cuba‘s Intimate Cuban Jazz Weekend offers deep immersion into the Cuban Latin/fusion jazz scene through Mezcla and renowned artist, Pablo Menendez. According to Let’s Do Cuba’s Lily Puosa, “Our experience … Read more
It’s one of Cuba’s signature cigar brands: H. Upmann, one that counts more than 173 years of heritage and among the world’s oldest cigar brands. Indeed, the Upmann brand, named after a German banker, was the favored brand of none other than John F. Kennedy, whose regular smoke was the H. Upmann Petit Upmann. And … Read more
The sixth annual International Jazz Day, to be celebrated worldwide on April 30, 2017, will be held in Havana, Cuba. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General Irina Bokova and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock announced the news today. RELATED: Cuban-born Paquito D’Rivera Composes Diplomacy and Art with His Sax International Jazz Day … Read more
Habanos, SA, the global corporation for Cuban cigars, has announced the appointment of Ernesto Gonzalez as its new operational marketing director. Gonzalez comes to Habanos with more than 15 years of experience in the tobacco sector; he has previously held positions including General Director of the Infifon company; exclusive distributor for Habanos SA in Russia … Read more
Paquito D’Rivera defies categorization – the winner of fourteen Grammy Awards, he is celebrated both for his artistry in Latin jazz and his achievements as a classical composer. Born in Havana, Cuba, he performed at age 10 with the National Theater Orchestra, studied at the Havana Conservatory of Music and, at 17, became a featured … Read more
Since the U.S. eased restrictions for Americans traveling to Cuba, interest in visiting the once forbidden island-nation has skyrocketed. As a result, not only are more major airlines flying to Cuba’s key cities — but more cruise lines are sailing into Cuba’s ports everyday, giving curious travelers direct access to Cuba’s signature music, history, architecture … Read more
While U.S. pleasure boats are not restricted from sailing to and from Cuba, there are special rules that apply only to Cuba for vessels traveling between the U.S. and Cuba. Planning is critical to avoiding fines and/or seizure by the U.S. government whether the vessel is foreign or U.S. flagged. RELATED: Cuba Travel Guide Persons … Read more
Americans traveling to Cuba have surged in the last year due to the relaxation of travel rules and the re-introduction of regular commercial air service between the two countries. Cuba is the only country in the world where Americans face travel restrictions. Americans can go to terrorist hot beds like North Korea and Saudi Arabia … Read more
Cuba’s vast coastline (40% longer than Florida’s) and diverse terrestrial features are just now being discovered by adventure travelers. The Adventure Travel Trade Association defines adventure tourism as a trip (travelling outside a person’s normal environment for more than 24 hours and not more than one consecutive year) that includes at least two of the … Read more
Rum is in everything in Cuba, part of the rhythm and the melody of life on the island. And when rum is enjoyed among friends, a few drops are poured out of a new bottle to the floor (or, in rural areas, to the soil), as a symbol of thanksgiving. While the ceremonies can vary … Read more
