Havana

Old Havana – one of the most unique and captivating cities of the Western Hemisphere, rightfully considered a UNESCO World Heritage treasure and an open-air museum. The city, included in the top must-see list of world cities by free online voting, always leaves indelible impressions in the memory of its guests, makes one reflect on the past, feel the changes of the present, and look into the future. A city where cultural and historical layers, with the light hand of Cubans, have mingled on the streets, squares, and parks, shifting like a kaleidoscope as soon as you start walking. The “Pearl of the Caribbean” entices visitors with its colonial districts, cobblestone squares, medieval temples, the picturesque Malecón promenade, Prado boulevard, Columbus Cemetery, and the defensive fortress Fortaleza de la Cabaña – the largest in Latin America. Admirers of the pre-revolutionary era will certainly be impressed by the Capitol (one of four in the world) and the Cuban Statue of the Republic, the mafia- and celebrity‑popular Hotel Nacional with its Parisien show, the magnificent building of Havana’s Grand Theatre, and the parade of luxurious villas in the Miramar district along Havana’s “Fifth Avenue.” Of course, the modern image of the city is unthinkable without traces of the Revolution, with the square of the same name and the monument to Che Guevara, the museum and exhibition of the legendary boat Granma. But these are only places, while Havana amazes with its unique festive atmosphere, infused with Mojitos and Daiquiris, Hemingway’s favorite cocktails, and the sounds of salsa and reggaeton echoing on every corner. Any major European city would envy Havana’s variety of leisure: from world‑renowned ballet, flamenco, pop theatres, cultural galleries and museums, and even simple street performances, to cabaret, shows, bars, clubs, and salsa venues. Unboring and full of joy – such epithets describe Havana, though many tease it as an “old lady” for its weathered facades and dusty streets. Yet perhaps this is precisely the unique charm of Havana, which, with the course of modern events, the city may lose. It is worth capturing it in time, los esperamos en La Habana!