I'm off!

[rokkitsci]

Friday a week I'm heading off to Havana for a six-day diplomatic visit (the only way we Yanks are permitted to travel to ISOM). About half the time is booked with activities. The rest of the time is free for exploration. I'm soliciting suggestions. Obviously, I'll be looking for legitimate Cubans to smoke whilst there (still illegal to bring any home with me), but asking for any other tips. Getting quite excited about what will probably be a once-in-a-lifetime trip for me and looking forward to any much appreciated suggestions.


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[tippexx]

Well, if there's room in your hand luggage George .... something like this might be handy!

[rokkitsci]

Well, if there's room in your hand luggage George .... something like this might be handy!

I will certainly MAKE room! Err... you wouldn't happen to know where I can get one of these, would you, Arf?

[DavidD]

I suspect you already know just what you're going to do, George. Plenty of the best smokes you can find and lots of that top-drawer Cuban rum, all soaked up in Cuban sunshine. The pretty girls would only be a distraction - wouldn't they ?

[tippexx]

I will certainly MAKE room! Err... you wouldn't happen to know where I can get one of these, would you, Arf?

Cayo Coco Beach comes recommended George .... though I suspect you have the same attractions in the Orange State!

[monkey66]

Custom rolls George. I'm loving the Mon's that Pete brought back.

[Simon Bolivar]

Hi George, check out my prev posts on our Cuba visit Feb 2011, sure you'll find some tips there. Enjoy you trip of a life time!

[rokkitsci]

Custom rolls George. I'm loving the Mon's that Pete brought back.

Mon's? Would that be Enrique Mons? My son-in-law's father has a contact who brings these back for him and I've smoked a number of them. Fabulous! You wouldn't, by any chance, know where his shop is?


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[Manning]

Hi George, check out my prev posts on our Cuba visit Feb 2011, sure you'll find some tips there. Enjoy you trip of a life time!

yea deffo check out simons posts on cuba gives alot of tips ad interesting info.

[monkey66]

Mon's? Would that be Enrique Mons? My son-in-law's father has a contact who brings these back for him and I've smoked a number of them. Fabulous! You wouldn't, by any chance, know where his shop is?


ISent from my iPhone by iGeorge

No but PeanutPete does!

[peanutpete]

No but PeanutPete does!

George Mons shop is in club Havana a gated leisure/sports club have not got the address on me but i am sure a google search will find it if not i have the address at work

[PoohBore]

It's on the map I posted. The most westerly flag

[RickMG]

You are going to have the best time of your life and an experience to match. We went last February and were lucky enough to be there for the Cigar Festival and able to stay at the Hotel Nacional where all my friends who were there from this board and Ireland were every evening. We were there on the people to people tour so it too was legal and best of all our evenings were free.

To be sure you get authentic Cuban stick with La Casa del Habanos stores. Also be sure to visit the Partigas Factory right behind the capitol building (I mean right behind it). They have a great store and bar there. Also, if you're not staying at the Nacional be sure you're there each evening or afternoon or morning for a smoke on the greatest cigar smoking terrace in the world. The Mojitos are to die for and very inexpensive. The Nacional has a wonderful cigar store inside it but it's not easy to find if you don't know where it is so ask.

Cigars are very cheap there too and they are the same price in every store since it's controlled. Here are some photos from our trip last year. Have a great time and please report on your trip and post photos when you come back.

Just hit slideshow and they'll go by every three seconds.

https://picasaweb.google.com/110244124349788805908/CubaFriendsThereForTheHavanaFestival2012

[Fratton]

If you are stuck in Havana try a few hours up on the terrace at Ambos Mundos (Hemingway's Hotel). Myself and Mrs Anfield found this so relaxing she has included it as part of the honeymoon timetable !!!

[Ryan]

Just hit slideshow and they'll go by every three seconds.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1102441...naFestival2012

Great pictures Rick! I hadn't seen all of those before. Shame you're not making it this year, we'll do it again..