Tagged With "Havana"
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Re: Trains in Cuba
Great question...and possibly not an easy clear answer. Cuba's trains have generally been in poor shape in recent years as older equipment has run down and spares not available. However, according to Mark Smith (The Man in Seat 61), that's changing with the arrival of a fleet of new Chinese-built locomotives. On his site ( Seat61.com ) he has an extensive update of recent changes in schedules, routes and locations (that's important because Havana's main station is closed for a 3-year...
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Re: Trains in Cuba
Thanks for the info. I too love Mark's site. I will try my damnedest to do a train journey if I can so I can send you details. Wilbur.
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Re: Flights to Cuba: lots of planes, not so many passengers
Many returning tourists will be telling their American friends that life in a third world country - like Cuba - is worse than just having only one flavour of Ice Cream.
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Re: Gallery: A visit to Cuba
Beautiful! I was there in 1959......and the color of the water is what I remember the most!
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Re: Gallery: A visit to Cuba
Great post and pictures Dr Y...definitely on my wish list. Is tourism on the increase you think??
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Re: Gallery: A visit to Cuba
Thanks IslandMan, There are many resorts in the Varadero peninsular. The Christmas/New Year season is kind of full. But other than that, still unspoiled to me. The tour guy told us that currently 80% tourists are Canadians. I can imagine if sanctions are lifted, there will be lots of tourists from USA, they are much closer in terms of distance.
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Re: Feb. 7, 2016: Eroded Limestone Lace
Very porous and beautiful! Sure that isn't coral, Paul?
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Re: Feb. 7, 2016: Eroded Limestone Lace
Coral was my first thought, but the identification is from my wife, a retired earth science teacher.
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Re: Feb. 7, 2016: Eroded Limestone Lace
I thought it was a fossilised Cuban Dinosaur Brain - but I know nothing !
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Re: U.S. Airlines put in their bids for Cuba flights
UPDATE: USA Today has published a complete list of the airline filings .
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Re: U.S. Airlines put in their bids for Cuba flights
It's unfortunate you still cant take a short flight to Cuba to enjoy some winter sun on the white sands it has to offer. But on the positive side, it keeps prices down for us Brits and Canadians.
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Re: Azucar Ice Cream in Little Habana, Miami
The shop & ice cream look fantastic. I'm pretty sure the cuatro leches would be right up my alley, so we'll be sure to pop over when we visit Miami in March.
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Re: Azucar Ice Cream in Little Habana, Miami
I love visiting quirky and delightful places like this! Many years ago we used to visit a little restaurant in Casablanca which served great food prepared by it's French 'patron' whose rudeness and abuse of his customers (never nasty) was an absolute scream! Ah travel! We love you....
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Re: Azucar Ice Cream in Little Habana, Miami
The flavors sound great and I'll definitely go next time I'm there! Miami is such a friendly city with so much energy .
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Casas Particulares in Cuba
Visiting Cuba has forever changed the way I view accommodations when I travel now. For one I was always a chain hotel kind of girl racking up my points and being loyal to said luxury chains. I had the option to book luxury hotels in Havana...
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JetBlue to start NYC-Havana flights
JetBlue will fly scheduled direct service from NYC JFK to Havana each Friday, starting July 3rd. Like all U.S. flights to Cuba it will operate as a charter with one of the officially approved travel service companies, in this case Cuba Travel...
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CheapAir adds non-stop flights to Cuba
CheapAir, which a few weeks ago became the first U.S. online travel agency to book passengers for flights to Cuba, but only through other countries such as Mexico or Panama, has now begun to offer direct non-stop flights. That's become possible...
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Trinidad de Cuba
Trinidad de Cuba seems frozen in time. That was my immediate reaction on arrival. That was my leaving thought after exploring it for a week too. It's difficult not to fall in love with such a enchanting and unique city especially after experiencing a...
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July 1, 2017: Classic Cars in Cuba
Professor Abe shares some great photos of classic cars in Cuba! It's like stepping back in time.
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Los Angeles - Havana: American Announces New Charter Flight
Photo by :GarryRF American Airlines has announced they will operate a charter flight from Los Angeles to Havana...
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MSC first to base cruise ship in Cuba
Street scene, Cuba Photo: GarryRF / TravelGumbo MSC Cruises, currently Europe's top ocean cruise line, is responding to constantly-increasing European interest in Cuba (and possibly...
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Cuba: More cruises, Havana homeport
Lirica-class ship of MSC split for its upgrade Cuba's presence in the cruise market is growing, with Carnival's Fathom brand starting up cultural-exchange cruises open to U.S. citizens, and MSC announcing a second ship will use Havana as its homeport...
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Gallery: A visit to Cuba
Cuba is a country known for its spectacular beaches and tumultuous social political history. Each year, the warm Caribbean climate and endless stretches of unspoiled beaches attract hundreds of thousands of Canadian vacationers and a large...
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Azucar Ice Cream in Little Habana, Miami
Not too long ago I took a field trip over to my dad’s hood – La Pequeña Habana , or Little Havana. While I was walking around looking for content I stumbled upon quite the gem – Azucar Ice Cream . The Azucar...
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Flights to Cuba: lots of planes, not so many passengers
U.S. airlines are still hopeful of a big Cuba business, but it's off to a slow start for the carriers.
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Trains in Cuba
i know there are plenty of longish train journeys but does anybody know if there are any short (2hours max each way) return hops from Havana, Santiago or Trinidad?
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First U.S.-run hotel in Cuba open for business
As trade restrictions between the U.S. and Cuba continue to loosen, Starwood becomes the first U.S. operator to run a Cuban hotel.
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Ready, set, Havana! U.S. DOT announces routes
The U.S. Department of Transportation lists the airlines and cities that will begin regular air service to Cuba's capital by this fall.
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Starwood Hotels heads for Havana
On the eve of Obama's visit to Cuba, Starwood has signed deals with three Cuban companies to take over management of several Havana hotels.
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Now it's Booking.com with a Cuba deal
The Cuba deals continue to roll out; yesterday Starwood signed up to manage hotels in Cuba; now Booking.com will be able to book rooms.
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China jumps into growing Cuba market with Beijing flight
Air China has opened a new route for Chinese tourism and influence with a direct flight from Beijing to Havana, with a stopover in Montreal. Service began yesterday, using a 777-300ER. For Air China, it's an expansion that gives the state-owned carrier routes to all six inhabited continents, and opens a new destination for Chinese tourists and trade, and adds to the airline's direct Canada service as well. The first flight took off after ceremonies and speeches by Chinese and Cuban...
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Spotted on the Road, Havana, Cuba
PHeymont's on vacation in Cuba and sent us his first batch of classic American car photos! Beauties!!
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Feb. 7, 2016: Eroded Limestone Lace
Spotted along the Malecon in Havana, this piece of limestone, whose softer elements have been washed away by years of water, looks almost as if it were soft ribbons of lace.
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Museum of the Revolution, Havana (Where Gumbo Was #152)
Once the Presidential Palace (and scene of an attempted coup d'etat) this impressive building is now a museum of Cuba's revolutions. In front, a piece of the 17th-century city wall.
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U.S, Cuba agree: Scheduled flights to resume
After over 50 years, scheduled air service between the U.S. and Cuba will resume, as early as this fall, under an agreement signed yesterday.
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Havana in Transition...to what?
Havana, off-limits to most Americans for half a century, is a city in the midst of big changes, whose ultimate direction is not yet all that clear.
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U.S. Airlines put in their bids for Cuba flights
Today was the deadline for U.S. airlines to put in their bids for rights to fly regular air service to Cuba, and they're jumping in with both feet.
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Cuba's Cars: Varied, surviving, fascinating
More of Cuba's unusual cars, and some further notes on them...
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U.S. picks airlines for Cuba flights; no Havana yet
U.S. parcels out the first commercial route approvals for flying to Cuba, but the big plum, Havana, won't come until later.
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Re: Casas Particulares in Cuba
Thanks for this great view of what sounds like a great experience. For U.S. citizens like me, thinking about traveling to Cuba for the first time, it sounds like a great alternative (we're usually apartment rather than hotel people). Can you add information on how to find and book? I notice that Airbnb is not doing business there (yet?)
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Re: Casas Particulares in Cuba
I'm also curious how you find out and book a Casas Particulares. It sounds like a good option and I especially like the chance to get to know Cubans while directly helping them out (instead of just big resorts and government).
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Re: Casas Particulares in Cuba
There is this website I had browsed before going http://www.casaparticular.com In my case a friend put me on to the one in Trinidad where he had stayed. On contacting them they offered to help me book similar Casas within the same price range in the other cities. I guess they all try to help each other out this way. Thankfully they have email etc to make it easy to communicate. There are so many that some backpackers etc prefer showing up and seeing what's available, in some cases bargaining...
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Re: Casas Particulares in Cuba
Cuba uses 2 currencies. The local peso and the tourist Peso. You must use the Tourist Peso. The CUC (Cuban Convertible Peso). Often just called the Kuk. It's value is tied to the US Dollar and always equals $1 US to 1 CUC. 1 CUC is a good days wage in Cuba. It is worth 24 local pesos. Cuba's main asset is the people. Always friendly and helpful. Workers in hotels and the tourist industry often speak 5 languages. Food for the locals is on ration and is in short supply. You rarely get beef as...
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Re: Spotted on the Road, Havana, Cuba
Keep up the good work Paul. Pictures are really interesting. Don't forget to ask for Jalapeno peppers with your Pizza ! Hope you enjoy the Buccanero .
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Re: Spotted on the Road, Havana, Cuba
Great photos! Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip.
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Re: Cuba's Cars: Varied, surviving, fascinating
American cars with Russian Lada engines ! No wonder the Cuban's call them Frankencars.