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Despite the best efforts of the power to its north, the
sun still shines on Cuba. It's the Caribbean's largest and
least commercialized island and one of the world's last
bastions of communism. The island's relative political isolation
has prevented it from being overrun by tourists, and locals
are sincerely friendly to those who do venture in - even
blockade runners from the US get a warm welcome! The Helms-Burton
Act has allowed Cuba to find its place in the post-Soviet
world gradually, without the sudden destabilizing shock
of mass consumer tourism from the United States. It's only
a matter of time before American-imposed travel and trade
barriers fall. No doubt millions will come when flights
from Miami resume. Clearly, the time to go is now.
Although you can't quite hear the colonial architecture
peeling in the streets, even Cuba's larger towns are pretty
relaxed. The most frenetic it gets is in the middle of an
enthusiastic chachachá, and the loudest it gets is
behind one of the huge finned American cars chugging the
streets. If you want it even quieter, Cuba's backcountry
and beaches are perfect chillout destinations for hikers,
swimmers, cyclers, spelunkers or those who just want to
smoke a fine cigar under a palm tree.
Cuba has undergone a transformation since it first opened
its doors to global tourism after almost three decades of
isolation. Most noteworthy has been the rapid growth in
private accommodation, the extensive network of casas particulares
allowing the independent traveller the opportunity, not
only to experience life more as it is lived by the average
Cubano, but also to explore corners of the country that
had previously been inaccessible or off-limits. Good news
for the tourist is the growing choice of resorts and the
number of new or refurbished hotels that are opening in
towns across the country. While eco-tourism is still in
its infancy and much of the island’s extraordinary
natural beauty remains to be discovered, the government
is already making strides in the right direction
Cuba really can offer something for all types of travellers
and holiday makers. Whether you are looking for a picture
perfect paradise with palm trees shading the pure white
sand beaches and blue lagoons, or for an interesting baptism
into a culture moulded by its unique history and political
climate, next time you draft up your short list of vacations...
make sure Cuba is on it.
VITAL STATISTICS:
• Full country name: Republic
of Cuba
• Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean
Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Florida
• Geographic coordinates: 21 30 N, 80 00 W
• Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
• Area: total: 110,860 sq km
• Land: 110,860 sq km
• Land boundaries: 29 km
• Water: 0 sq km
• Population: 11 million
• Capital city: Havana (pop 2,200,000)
• People: 60% Spanish descent, 22% mixed-race, 11%
African descent, 1% Chinese
• Language: Spanish
• Religion: 47% Catholic, 4% Protestant, 2% Santería
(many Catholics also practice Santería
• Government: Communist republic
• Head of State: Fidel Castro
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National Express
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Rating:
9
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National Express carries more than 12 million passengers to 1200 destinations across Britain. They offer regular services to airports, and destinations include cities in Europe and Ireland. Students, the over 50’s and young people aged 16-25 can save 30% on fares by purchasing a coachcard. Amazing special offers are often available online, with fares from as little as £1! Points are earned through booking online.
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With the London Pass you can gain free entry to over 50 attractions, including the Tower of London, Windsor Castle, Kensington Palace, and London Zoo. The list includes historic buildings, museums, cinemas, galleries and walking tours and cruises. The London Pass is available with or without the option to include public transport and you can purchase a 1, 2, 3 or 6 day option. With the London Pass you can cut to the front of queues at attractions and take advantage of loads of special offers and discounts including theatre tickets and restaurants.
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Department of Health
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Rating:
9
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UK government health advice for foreign travel.
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Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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Rating:
9
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For up-to-date information on problems affecting your safety in around 200 countries.
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0044 were the first UK company to focus on pay-as-you-go global roaming solutions. Using a mobile phone abroad can cost £2 a minute to make and £1.80 a minute to receive. By switching your SIM card for a foreign one, you can receive calls free of charge and make calls at local rates, saving you up to 90%.
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With over 160 years experience in the travel business, Thomas Cook are one of the UK's largest and most trusted travel companies. Now you can buy your currency online with 0% commission and a price beat guarantee for added peace of mind. Free delivery to your door within 24 hours of receiving payment via a fully insured delivery service is included, or you can choose to collect your currency from a local store.
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Pioneers of the online travel experience, Travelocity remains the most popular travel site on the world
wide web today and is now the sixth largest travel agency in the US. Wherever your destination, whatever your requirements Travelocity provides the solution
by incorporating what is probably the best flight search engine available. Like all leading travel sites, it doesn't stop there with a wealth of information
and other travel facilities including hotel reservations, car hire, vacation packages, insurance... Without doubt the best travel site bar none.
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Lunn Poly is a leading travel retailer, offering holidays from the UK’s major tour operators. They offer
a huge range of UK and overseas holidays including cruises, flights, ski holidays, city breaks and sun holidays. Their website has special offers which are
exclusively available online, and plenty of late deals to choose from. The website also offers online auctions where you can bid on Thomson late deal
package holidays from £1. They have a high level of customer service and excellent value for money. Booking online is easy, and can be done in 5 simple
steps.
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Expedia give you access to the same information as a high street travel agent, enabling you to choose and plan your travel. They offer great deals on holiday packages, flights, hotels, car hire and city breaks. The website is packed with detailed information on destinations and you can view photos of hotels and read reviews before making your choice. Loads of special offers online, including late deals and even discounted holidays from regional UK airports
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Thomas Cook are a trusted, leading UK travel company with over 160 years experience. They offer great deals on skiing packages to over 60 resorts throughout Europe, USA and Canada. Great savings can be made by booking your holiday online. Resort guides are available with the latest snow reports.
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Superbreak specialise in short breaks and simple hotel requirements e.g. stopovers, business travel, throughout the UK. For 2-5 star accommodation, whether you are looking for a city or countryside location, Superbreak has access to 1000s of hotels ensuring they will meet your requirements. With real time availability you can book up to and including the day of departure, with a simple online booking process. Last minute offers and special deals are always available online.
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Airtours.co.uk
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Rating:
10
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For the best holiday deals online it really is hard to be beat Airtours, one of the UK's leading tour operators! You can choose from 1000s of holiday deals to all the popular destinations and many more exotic places plus cruises, skiing and flights. There are many exclusive online discounts and of course children and infants can travel for free! Whatever you do... make sure you check Airtours for your next holiday.
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Last Minute.com are the definitive internet travel and lifestyle company. With so much more than just
booking flights online, you really could organise your whole life with Last Minute.com!! They offer a multitude of special deals and as the name suggests
last minute options. Add to this a highly sophisticated search and booking system, Last Minute.com have created a site that truly is a delight to use.
Without doubt one of the best travel sites online and it would appear they keep getting better and better...
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Thomson Holidays
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Rating:
9
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Thomson holidays aim to offer you the perfect holiday. If they are unable to sort a problem while
you are away, they offer a moneyback guarantee for peace of mind. Thomson has an excellent reputation, and is committed to providing honest information and
publishes the opinions of past holidaymakers to help you find the right holiday for you. More customers come back to Thomson and they win more awards from
travel agents than any other holiday company. Thomson offer great deals on beach holidays, skiing, cruises, city breaks, lakes and mountain holidays, and
even the perfect wedding in the sun. The website has lots of special offers, online savings and late deals.
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Lloyds TSB Insurance
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Rating:
9
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Lloyds TSB offer travel insurance with a saving of 9% when you book online. Benefits include a free advice line before you travel to help with any travel queries for example inoculations or visa requirements, or information about climate and other local information.
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My Travel are a leading UK holiday group. They offer thousands of holidays to all major destinations, with exclusive discounts for holidays booked online. Special offers on late deals, skiing holidays, cruises and flights.
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Thomas Cook have over 160 years experience and sell millions of holidays every year, making them one of the UK's leading and most trusted travel companies. In addition to holiday packages, they offer flights, cruises, UK breaks and have special online deals. They also have a price promise for added peace of mind.
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The Big Bus Company
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Rating:
9
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The Big Bus Company offer sightseeing tours of London on top of a traditional double decker bus. Buses leave every 15-30 minutes so that you can hop on and off en route. Tour go via Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and St Paul's Cathedral. The price includes a free Thames river cruise and free walking tours, of which there is a great choice with a theme to suit everyone! There is a live commentary on the Bus Tours or a recorded commentary available in 8 different languages. Printable e-tickets are available online for the bus tours and you can also avoid the queues by purchasing fast entry tickets for top London attractions. Bus tours are also available in Dubai and Philadelphia.
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Essential Travel
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Rating:
9
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Essential Travel offer highly competitive rates on airport parking at 17 main UK airports. You could save up to 30% by booking in advance online. Get an instant quote and choose from a selection of car parks and rates available, with information on distances from the airport and frequency of transfer services.
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James Villas are specialists in providing holiday villas. They offer quality villas in 22 popular destinations including Spain, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and Florida. All James Villas have their own private pool, from simple farmhouses to luxury villas by the sea. Simple online availability and booking with a shortlist facility to make it easier to keep track of your favourite properties before making a decision. James Villas can also take care of flights, car hire and insurance at competitive prices.
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Sixt offer all types of car hire, whether you want to hire a car in the UK or abroad. They offer quality cars at 1500 locations in over 60 countries worldwide. In addition to providing a huge range of holiday cars, they are also able to offer convertibles, vans, 4x4s and limo services. There are constantly changing offers online with extra low internet rates.
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Sixt offer a limousine hire service with experienced chauffeurs in 480 cities worldwide. They have special services for weddings, business, transfers and sightseeing, which can be adapted to your particular needs. Highly competitive rates are available online, with a range of constantly changing special offers.
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Cottages4you offer a choice of over 30 000 quality properties across 16 European countries and the USA. You can search by region, price and/or date of travel, specify any preferences you may have, and check availability and book online. Each property is packed with information and photos and some have virtual tours.
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Cottages4you offer a huge range of properties throughout the UK. Choose to search by price, date of travel and/or region, and select any preferences you may have to find the perfect holiday cottage. Each property has a detailed description and lots of photos to help you make the right choice, some even have virtual tours. You can check availability and book online.
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Thomson fly from over 30 regional aiports throughout the UK and Ireland to over 50 destinations across Europe. Thomson aims to provide honest information and publishes the opinions of past holidaymakers on their accommodation pages. Amazing deals on flights are available online.
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My Travel are one of the UK's leading travel groups. They offer skiing and snowboarding holidays to destinations including Canada, Italy, France and Austria. Exclusive deals are available online with special offers such as discounts and free child places. My Travel are so confident that they offer the best deals on holidays, they offer a price promise deal.
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With over 160 years of experience and selling millions of holidays each year, Thomas Cook are one of the UK's leading and most trusted travel companies. They offer cheap flights to Europe and great deals on long-haul flights. To ensure you are getting the best deal, they offer a price promise and exclusive online offers.
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With a choice of over 50 properties located throughout the UK, Ramada Jarvis are likely to have a hotel which suits your needs. Choose from airport, city or beautiful countryside locations with extensive grounds. Packages are available for family or romantic breaks, sports and activities, murder mystery weekends, theatre breaks, or special interest. There are special offers online and photos and information for each hotel, to help you make the right decision.
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With MyVillaRenters you can browse over 4000 holiday homes and villas and book online. They ofer a huge selection of stunning properties throughout major European destinations and across the world. Each property has loads of information about the villa, and the local area so that you can be confident that you are making the right decision. Photos of the property both inside and outside are available, as well as floor plans and maps. Special offer online include last minute deals, early bird discounts and long term discounts. Customer reviews are also available to view about each property. Online booking is simple.
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