Cuba......part deux

[Reaver2145]

IMHO i would stay away from cuba for a while and prolly goto Amsterdam for a while getting lathered blowing all my money and hitch-hiking my way back to England through several different parts eastern block while experiencing the double shot of rum as standard in Bulgaria and the local rakia.

Or in other words the most random shite you can think of is normally the most fun.

[PoohBore]

You always go for breezes jibacoa as your base and day trip into Havana in a taxi?

[Wardjrz]

Hey Yeti.

It' a shame about the break up, commiserations.

I'm with Deano's 2 centre option, though I haven't been to Varadero. I can vouch for both Cayo Coca and Guadalavarca. Definitely Havana first then the beach.

Make sure you mate up with a non smoker then you can double your duty free allowance.

Rum, Mojito's and Cigars, fab! Do it quick and you can gloat over the bad weather the UK will be having whilst you are sunning yourself.

[Stevieboy]

Sorry about the breakup mate

Head to south of Spain near Gibraltar and head there every day and max out your 50-stick allowance. It'll be pretty warm at that time of the year and you'll get a load of cheap sticks

PS only joking about maxing-out....not sure how that would sit with Spanish customs when you try to bring back two steamer trunks of cigars

[Bad-Yeti]

Like your thinking Stevie, is Gibraltar really that cheap for Cigars?

I think I may do the Twin Centre thing, sounds pretty cool plus would be good to see Cuba before the USA ruin it when the embargo drops.

Thanks all

[Eddie]

I think I may do the Twin Centre thing, sounds pretty cool plus would be good to see Cuba before the USA ruin it when the embargo drops.

Thanks all

That's precisely why we went last year, but do consider a 3 center trip... Trinidad is fantastic.

[Reaver2145]

PS only joking about maxing-out....not sure how that would sit with Spanish customs when you try to bring back two steamer trunks of cigars

Normally pretty well they dont seem to care much now england on the other hand

[RickMG]

I hate people giving u another option when you've given them specific ones! But how about:

d) Do Havana for 3 days and Veradero/beach for 7. www.theholidayplace.co.uk do split multi-centre hols, and it's what I've done previously.

What a great idea. I'm going on a "People to People" tour at the end of this month for 7 nights, 5 in Havana & 2 in Pino del Rio and it's costing me ?2400.00 each for my wife and myself and I'm only a 3 hour flight away from Cuba. It's the only way us from the U.S. can go but I cannot wait. Best part, the cigar festival is going on and a few of my favorite people (from this board and Ireland) are going to be there at the same time. Simon Bolivar (http://www.ukcigarforums.com/member....Simon-Bolivar) did the trip Deano's talking about last year and has some great write-ups on his trip right here on this board. Search for threads started by him. Go now before they open it up completely for us and there's a McDonald's on every corner.

[Bad-Yeti]

What a great idea. I'm going on a "People to People" tour at the end of this month for 7 nights, 5 in Havana & 2 in Pino del Rio and it's costing me ?2400.00 each for my wife and myself and I'm only a 3 hour flight away from Cuba. It's the only way us from the U.S. can go but I cannot wait. Best part, the cigar festival is going on and a few of my favorite people (from this board and Ireland) are going to be there at the same time. Simon Bolivar (http://www.ukcigarforums.com/member.php?941-Simon-Bolivar) did the trip Deano's talking about last year and has some great write-ups on his trip right here on this board. Search for threads started by him. Go now before they open it up completely for us and there's a McDonald's on every corner.

That rocks!

Spoke to the lovely Sam at Virgin Holidays yesterday, I've decided on the twin centre trip with 2nights at the Saratoga in Havana followed by 5 nights on the beach (any more and i'll get bored) then a final night back in Havana to stock up on cigars

So now the next bit, what trips would you guys who have been there recommend? Any local brands to buy (cigar wise)? Anything to avoid?

[bfg84]

Sounds great Mr Yeti, im sure you will have a great time!

[RickMG]

That rocks!

Spoke to the lovely Sam at Virgin Holidays yesterday, I've decided on the twin centre trip with 2nights at the Saratoga in Havana followed by 5 nights on the beach (any more and i'll get bored) then a final night back in Havana to stock up on cigars

So now the next bit, what trips would you guys who have been there recommend? Any local brands to buy (cigar wise)? Anything to avoid?

Sounds great. Can't help you yet with what to do or where to go as I'm first going later this month. Simon's tips are wonderful though. You'll have a great time.

[PoohBore]

You've got to get to Enrique Mons shop in Miramar, the casa in the Mille Havana hotel and the casa upstairs in the hotel Conde villinue. Not sure of my spelling but all 3 do some lovely custom rolled cigars. There is a sticky here somewhere with Cuban prices on it.

I'll get the pc out later and add more info for you

[Ryan]

I'm probably too late on this thread but sorry to hear about your wedding plans.
Regarding travelling to Cuba, I haven't been to Varadero so I can't comment really on how it is.
What I do know is that Havana is a fantastic place to spend time. What I would recommend is, if you need a beach with tourists for a while, go to Club Havana in Miramar for a few hours/afternoon. If you want to relax by a pool, the rooftop ones in the Saratoga or the hotel Parque Central are very nice. Not many Cubans get to go to Varadero, other than the ones serving you.
Go out and about in Havana, it's great. Go to bars on your own, you'll meet people, nice people. El Floridita, is an OK start, touristy and a bit expensive. Bar Montserrate, much better, great fun, good mix of tourists and locals, great bands, very cheap booze. Both are an easy, safe walk from the Saratoga and both close around midnight.
At midnight get in a taxi (agree 5 cucs before starting) to the "Gato Tuerto" nightclub in Vedado, very near the Nacional. Goes from 11:30 pm - 4/6 am. 5 cucs in, reasonably priced booze, again great bands. I've gone in there on my own and met people I still regard as friends.
As for cigar shopping. the Conde de Villanueva in Habana Vieja is very good, check out the back rom for store cigars.
The LCDH in Club Havana in Miramar, mentioned above is also very good. Mons is now retired but a great shop still. If you get a taxi there have him return for you in an hour, it's hard to get one from there. Enjay a browse and a cigar in the lounge. On the way in to that shop, let the security know at the entrance that you're only there for the cigar shop or else you'll have to pay 10 cucs to use the facilities of the club.
Have a great trip.

One more thing, in the bars and nightclubs, you will meet a lot of girls who will want to have sex with you. It's up to you how you want to deal with that, most will be very happy just to talk with you if that's all you want. If you would rather not talk to them at all, they do get the message very quickly, you'll never need to be impolite.

Rick, I'll see you in two weeks in the Nacional. I wish we could have done it a cheaper way for you.

[Bad-Yeti]

Thanks for the tips Ryan, great write up.

The reason I was looking to go to Varadero as it's all inclusive and It's going to get pricey in Havana and I am on a bit of a burget, unless Havana is cheap that is?

I will certainly look into the places you mention, they sound great.

Looking forward to getting a glass top box of Cohibas Actually they're probably better than the real ones.

Reference the girls I take it you are talking the "working" type or is it just a fact that Cuban women have a penchant for English guys

Really looking forward to this, might do 4 nights in Havana then 4 in Varadero.

Many thanks

[Eddie]

If you go to varedaro, buy a snorkel and mask before you go. The local ones are crap and it gives you something to do when you get bired of the beach.