There’s plenty more to discover beyond Cuba’s colonial cities and lush tobacco country – from wild wetlands and mountain guerrilla hideaways to desert-island hopping in its gin-clear seas…
1 LEARN TO DIVE AMONG SHIPWRECKS
Santiago de Cuba
In July 1898, the entire Spanish naval fleet was sunk in a battle in Santiago’s bay during the Spanish-American Civil War, leaving a trail of diveable debris, including the 6,800-tonne cruiser Cristóbal Colón. Learn the basics at Scuba en Cuba, then head below to spy relics like the USS Merrimac, sunk by the US navy to stop the Spanish from escaping, concluding both the battle and independence for Cuba.
How long: Five days to complete Scuba en Cuba’s ACUC (acuc.es/en) Open Water Diver course; one day minimum for wreck diving (some wrecks for advanced divers only).
Get started: Scuba en Cuba offers ten-night Santiago wreck-diving from £1,635; six extra nights all-inclusive stay at Brisas Sierra Mar Hotel from £485, including ACUC course.
2 CHRISTMAS AT LAS PARRANDAS
Remedios
Join Cuba’s most riotous annual festival, Las Parrandas, when every Christmas Eve sees the tiny town of Remedios transforms into the biggest one-night fiesta in Cuba. The origin of this party lies, unusually, with the town’s priest, who in 1820 noticed his parishioners dwindling as the weather got colder. To make them attend mass, he rallied all the townsfolk together and encouraged them to make as much noise as possible to get the adults out of the house. Over the years, it has become a full-scale party, and now the town’s districts compete with vibrant floats, towering illuminated sculptures, music, dancing and all-night fireworks.
How long? It’s one-night-only, but be sure to book your accommodation months in advance, as rooms tend to fill up fast.
Esta historia es de la edición July/August 2017 de Wanderlust Travel Magazine.
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Esta historia es de la edición July/August 2017 de Wanderlust Travel Magazine.
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Vermont, USA
The Wanderlust team relocated to New England for part of this issue, as we explored a lush state filled with outdoor escapes, historic towns... and lashings of maple syrup
Unique North America
See a side to the USA and Canada beyond the big cities and discover incredible stories and special wildlife with our pick of the trips
The call of the Rockies
From historic ski lodges to rustic backcountry cabins and a mock-Scottish castle, we pick the stays in Canada's Rocky Mountains that make the most of their setting
A new dawn for the Garifuna community
When the Garifuna people settled in Belize, they had to carry their traditions and culture with them; now a new trail is inviting visitors to explore this heritage through local communities
On the edge of history
In south-west Colorado lies the largest archaeological preserve in the USA, a series of vast cliff dwellings whose residents 'vanished' overnight. But was the answer to their disappearance in plain sight?
Tigers burning bright
As India celebrates 50 years of its Project Tiger conservation scheme, we visit the reserves of Madhya Pradesh to see how its success has impacted a tiger population that once looked in danger of disappearing
SEASON'S GREETINGS
From fiery fall foliage to art fairs and harvest festivals, opens up a wealth of across the USA and Canada autumn experiences
Waking a sleeping GIANT
A slow drive along the North Wales Way, from the English border to Anglesey, reveals not only a land of incredible local food and castles, but a region that is slowly reimagining itself
The rebirth of old JEDDAH
As efforts to restore Al-Balad, Jeddah's historical district, take hold, we get an exclusive peek at how art and culture are taking centre stage
Star-studded escapes
Wilderness, history and wildlife combine at some of Britain's most iconic stargazing sites, as more and more travellers are looking to the heavens
