Who's going to Cuba this year?

[RobBooth]

I didn't make it to Havana this trip but will be going back later in the year and Havana will be the sole destination.
The hotel shop had a really good selection but they weren't well kept. I popped in to buy a Cohiba Maduro 5 Genios but they were all dry and cracked!
Another hotel's shop was just the opposite with a superb selection and a massive walk-in humidor. They were happy for me to stand in there like a kid in a sweet shop too. I bought a fair few sticks from there, they even gave me a couple of small boxes to carry them away in.

[Deano]

Anything to avoid seeingme.

I've just taken another job so might be pushed back even further!

Yes I've changed job....again

[Drewmidorn]

So fickle.

[Seegarnub]

Has anyone attended the Habanos Festival before? Thinking that if I'm making a trip to Cuba it would be worth going out there while the festival is on and attending that at the same time.

[sheppsea]

Has anyone attended the Habanos Festival before? Thinking that if I'm making a trip to Cuba it would be worth going out there while the festival is on and attending that at the same time.

I haven't - but I would love to go! Convincing my wife that its a good idea may be problematic though...

[butternutsquashpie]

Still happening for me, but maybe more October....yet to be booked

When in October are you going, ol' master of the forums?

I might head out in the 2nd week or so... So either avoid or join

[PeeJay]

I haven't - but I would love to go! Convincing my wife that its a good idea may be problematic though...

Prices to Cuba in general seem to have gone up noticeably

[Seegarnub]

I haven't - but I would love to go! Convincing my wife that its a good idea may be problematic though...

From what I've heard it sounds like a cigar lover's paradise!

[Seegarnub]

Prices to Cuba in general seem to have gone up noticeably

What's the most cost effective way of going if attending the festival as well?

[RobBooth]

Keep an eye on Holiday Pirates website, they have last minute / good deals popping up all the time. They had a week on Holguin from Manchester for ?560 last week - we paid ?650 when we went early May. The flights to Havana from Holguin were expensive so if you want to visit Havana direct flights or holiday in Varadero where it's only a couple of hours drive seem the best options IMO.

[Ryan]

"What's the most cost effective way of going if attending the festival as well?"

From Surrey. Go Gatwick to Havana, flights with Virgin on Monday and Thursday as far as I know. For different days, go Air France, two flights daily from Paris.
For the festival, get tickets for the opening night and the Wednesday. You'll meet people there to get invites to unofficial events, cigar tastings etc.
Unless you want to see celebrities like Danny Glover or Paris Hilton, don't spend the $550 on the gala dinner. That'll buy you 100 custom rolls.
To save money, stay in a casa particular rather than a hotel. $25-$35 per night rather than $100-$150.
If staying in a casa particular, having a little spanish helps. My landlord has just about no English.
If it's your first trip to Cuba, I'd absolutely recommend a hotel. Havana is different enough already. The hotels have drinking water on tap and don't have power cuts, they have their own back up generators.

[Deano]

Air Europa also do flights, but via Madrid.

[Deano]

When in October are you going, ol' master of the forums?

I might head out in the 2nd week or so... So either avoid or join

Hehe...looks like next year now. Just accepted a new job and won't have the time off available (Virgin flights on thur/mon require 12 working days off)

[Seegarnub]

Thanks Guys, much appreciated!


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[TheMonk]

Air Europa also do flights, but via Madrid.

That's how I went, via Air Europa. Not the best of cabin crew on the flight to Cuba, but a great one on the flight back. Food is average.