After visiting Japan and enjoying the totally different situation in a country that was locked-up for hundreds of years I was looking for another very interesting location. Guided by the fascination for the Cuban revolution and the remains of the Cold War I decided to fly to La Habana, Cuba. Continue reading “Hasta la victoria siempre”
Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro
The Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro is a fortification in La Habana, Cuba and located on a rock called El Morro on the opposite side of the bay facing La Habana vieja. It was built from 1589 to 1630 by the Spanish to protect the city from pirates. Continue reading “Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro”
Plaza de la Revolución
The Plaza de la Revolución is maybe the most iconic place in La Habana, Cuba. It is dominated by a giant needle commemorating José Julián Martí y Pérez, the writer, national hero and symbol of the independence fight of the country. It is 109 meters high and you can use an elevator to get to the top. Continue reading “Plaza de la Revolución”
La Habana vieja
The historic center of La Habana, Cuba is called La Habana vieja and is one of the touristic highlights. The city has been founded in 1519 and was afterwards destroyed by a French pirate. Therefore the city received some fortifications still visible today. Since 1982 the center of La Habana is a UNESCO world heritage site. Continue reading “La Habana vieja”
Real Fábrica de Tabacos Partagás
If you want to see how cigars are produced in Cuba, you can visit the Real Fábrica de Tabacos Partagás – directly next to the Capitolio in La Habana. It is located in a well-preserved building from the year 1845. Up to 400 workers produce famous cigars like Cohiba or Montecristo here and the factory is open 12 hours each day. Continue reading “Real Fábrica de Tabacos Partagás”
Universidad de La Habana
The Universidad de La Habana (UH) is the university of La Habana, Cuba. It was founded in 1728 as the Real y Pontificia Universidad de San Gerónimo de La Habana in a combined act of the Pope and the king of Spain. In 1842 it became a non-religious university called Real y Literaria Universidad de La Habana. Continue reading “Universidad de La Habana”
Paseo del Prado
The Paseo del Prado in La Habana, Cuba is a beautiful alley next to the historic center of the city. It leads from the Malecón to the Capitolio. On the left and right side there are roads and in the center pedestrians are walking under trees, sitting on benches and are communicating. Continue reading “Paseo del Prado”
Cementerio Cristóbal Colón
The Cementerio Cristóbal Colón is a catholic graveyard in La Habana, Cuba – located near the Plaza de la Revolución. With 56 hectars It is one of the biggest and most beautiful graveyards in the Americas and is frequently visited by tourists. It is named after Christopher Columbus and forms a vast and gorgeous city of the dead. Continue reading “Cementerio Cristóbal Colón”
El Floridita
El Floridita is a famous bar and restaurant in the center of La Habana, Cuba. I had dinner there on my 30th birthday and enjoyed the drink invented here: the Daiquiri – a cocktail made from rum, sugar and lime. It is the signature drink of the bar founded in 1871, named La Piña de Plata (“silver pineapple”) then. Continue reading “El Floridita”
Museo del Ron Havana Club
When it comes to rum, I always prefer Havana Club. Authentic Cuban rum, not that Bacardí stuff from the Bahamas, produced by a company supporting el bloqueo. Therefore it was clear that I had to visit the Museo del Ron Havana Club in the historic city center of La Habana, Cuba. Continue reading “Museo del Ron Havana Club”