On a breezy afternoon the line begins to form. They appear seemingly from nowhere, queuing up around a small cart on an Old Havana street. This is one of the great rituals of street life in Cuba’s capital: the churro cart. The famous, aboriginally Spanish dessert, somewhere halfway between a doughnut and a french fry, is … Read more
Set in an old 18th century mansion in Old Havana, the Hotel Conde de Villanueva is a throwback to the city as it once was. Home to nine large rooms surrounding an open-air courtyard, this boutique property is a gateway to the colonial era, with antique furniture, marble walls and chandeliers. Its theme is tobacco, with … Read more
The Finca Vígia was Ernest Hemingway’s residence in Cuba for the final 20 years or so of his life. by Simons Chase SAN FRANCISCO DE PAULA, CUBA – The Finca Vígia is a sun drenched, breezy estate perched high on a hill overlooking the capital city of Havana in the forbidden distance. The sea, several … Read more
The word “Guantanamera” translates into, “girl from Guantánamo.” The song was originally written by José Fernández, who used it in his radio programs. Some claim Herminio “El Diablo” García Wilson should be credited as a co-composer. Fernández claimed the song was about a woman who rejected his romantic interest. Garcia claimed the song describes an … Read more
Old Havana describes the central area of the original city of Havana, Cuba. In addition to having the largest concentration of colonial architecture in the western hemisphere, the Cuban capital boasts the largest collection of Spanish colonial military architecture. Old Havana and its fortifications were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. Havana’s first settlement … Read more
