Wife just dropped an absolute bomb.

[Johnny Thunder]

when and where Johnny ?

Three nights in Havana and eleven nights in Varadero.

Plaza Las Americas " shopping mall " Varadero was good for me , you have the price list which was spot on , ask for older boxes . theyr in the back , in the shop is mostly current year , just keep saying " older " and send em back into the back , a few minutes saves you years mate .

they dont get the ageing business , and get them to open all boxes for your inspection .

some pics on here of me in this shop in " travel " i think

enjoy .

That is excellent cheers wolfie.

[snooky]

I stayed at the Nacional in Havana, to smoke out in the the court yard is the best, this is a must, plus they have their own lcdh.
Then at the Blau at Varadero couldn't fault it.
I would buy your stogies in Havana at the right places ie Partagas factory, if still standing or the LCDH.
Loads of great places to see but beware the Con artists.
Enjoy

[Johnny Thunder]

Thanks snooky.

[Johnny Thunder]

For those that have been, or who know, could you please list any legitimate cigar outlets in Havana?

Thank you all so much.

[ACMCC]

All the best shops are LDCH, Partagas factory is very good and can be combined with a tour. One of my favourite LDCH stores is the one in Miramar:

5ta Y 16 LCDH & Restaurant 5ta Avenida y Calle 16. Miramar, Playa, Havana tel. (7) 204-7973. This has a great semi open restaurant that is good, it always has a good band on too. 1.jpg

[butternutsquashpie]

I stayed at the Nacional in Havana, to smoke out in the the court yard is the best, this is a must, plus they have their own lcdh.

The best and probable only place to get Humidor Edicion cigars (book series, custom humidors, etc). That's a must even if you stay at Varadero for a week. Take the bus down, pay for the night, and travel back

[RDBM]

Johnny,
Here's a list you might find interesting.
List of Casas del Habano, Paladares, Bars and Sights to see in Havana.



Casas Del Habano

La Casa del Habano, Partag?s
Industria #520 e/ Dragones y Barcelona, behind the Capitolio
Roller : Leopoldina "La China" / Manager Grecia Qui?ones
Casa del Habano, Hostal Conde de Villanueva
Mercaderes #202, e/ Lamparilla y Amargura, Habana Vieja
Roller : Reynaldo Jimenez
La Casa del Habano, Quinta Y 16
Ave. 5ta #1407 e/ 14 y 16, Miramar
Roller : Maria / PR Manager : Carlos Robaina
La Casa del Habano, Club Habana
Ave. 5ta e/ 188 y 192
Roller : Jorge / Manager : Leo

La Casa del Habano, Melia Habana
Hotel Melia Habana, Miramar
Roller : Yolanda

La Casa del Habano, Melia Cohiba
Hotel Melia Cohiba, Vedado
Roller : Juanita / Manager Vivian

Casa del Tabaco "La Escogida"
Hotel Comodoro, Miramar
Roller : Alex / Manager Andres/

Casa del Tabaco La Caba?a
La Caba?a Fortress
Roller : Jose Castelar "Cueto" / Manager Daniel
La Casa del Habano, Hotel Habana Libre
Calle L e/ 23 y 25, El Vedado


Paladares / Bars

Starbien (Great food?especially recommended : business lunch !)
Calle 29 #205 e/ B y C, Vedado
(+53) 7-830-0711

Iv?n Chef Justo (Great atmosphere and food)
Aguacate #9 esq. a Chac?n, Habana Vieja
(+53) 7-863-9697

Santy's(Best seafood, hidden away)
Calle 240A #3023 esq. a 3ra C, Jaimanitas
(+53) 5-286-7039

El Templete (Seafood/Spanish - highly recommended)
Avda. del Puerto

La Terraza del Centro Asturiano (Great food, large servings )
Prado 309
(+53) 7-864 1447 / 5-817 8778

R?o Mar (Good but expensive, by the sea)
Ave. 3raA y Final #11, La Puntilla, Miramar
(+53) 7-209-4838

El Litoral (By the US Embassy, great place to relax at the terrace, great food)
Malec?n #161 e/ K y L, Vedado
(+53) 7-830-2201

El Chanchullero (opens 1 pm, small, great food and atmosphere, cheap)
Teniente Rey #457 bajos, Plaza del Cristo, Habana Vieja
(+53) 7-872-8227

El Rejoneo ( Fresh Sandwiches, cheap, great garden )
11 Esq. a 84, Miramar, Playa
(+53) 7-203 5190

Corte del Pr?ncipe / Segio's (Italian, good, expensive)
Calle 9na esq. a 74, Miramar
(+53) 5-255-9091

La Fontana (Only the Bar !)
Calle 46 #305 esq. a 3ra, Miramar
(+53) 7-202-8337

La Guarida (The best - crowded -reservation is essential)
Concordia #418 e/ Gervasio y Escobar, Centro Habana
(+53) 7-866-9047

San Crist?bal (kitschy atmosphere, good food)
San Rafael #469 e/ Lealtad y Campanario, Centro Habana
(+53) 7-860-9109

D. Eutimia (touristy, good food, crowded)
Callej?n del Chorro #60C, Plaza de la Catedral, Habana Vieja
(+53) 7 861 1332

Espacios ( Great tapas, BBQ, private garden, good crowd )
Calle 10 e 5 y 7, Miramar
(+53) 7-202 2921

Otramanera (possibly the best quality Paladar in HAV right now)
A/C room inside, 2 tables in patio, reservation needed, my favourite choice.
Calle 35 e 20 y 41, Playa, close to the Casa de la Musica.
(+53) 7 203 8315

Casa Abel, Paladar and Cigar lounge by Abel Esposito, former manager of LCDH Partagas
319 San Lazaro esq/ Nicolas, Centro Habana
(+53) 7 860 6589

Gato Tuerto Jazz Club
Calle O entre 17 y 19, Vedado
(+53) 7-833-2224

La Zorra y el Cuervo Jazz Club
Calle 23 e/ N y O, Vedado
(+53) 7-833-2402

El Sauce (Great bands, large garden, Cubans)
Ave. 9na #12015 e/ 120 y 130, Playa
(+53) 7-204-6428

Don Cangrejo (By the sea, action)
Ave. 1ra e/ 16 y 18, Miramar
(+53) 7-204-3837

F?brica de Arte (Three storied old factory, art exhibitions, restaurant)
Calle 26 e/ 11 y 13, Vedado

Casa de la M?sica MIRAMAR
Calle 20 esq. a 35, Miramar
(+53) 7-204-0447

Salon Rojo (Meat market)
Hotel Capri next to Hotel Nacional


Sights to see

Hotel Nacional - The terrace and the Historical bar.

Plaza de Armas ( Hotel Ambos Mundos roof terrace, Hotel Santa Isabel roof terrace great views, Hotel sevilla roof garden )

Plaza Vieja ( Beer bar and Cafe El Escorial are OK )
Great Cigar lounge / Cocktail bar over Cafe Escorial "Azucar",
Owner Juan from Spain, run by his wife. Best Mojitos in town. Must visit.

Calle Obispo pedestrian area - start at either bottom or top and walk it. At top is La Floridita ( Daiquiris ) near bottom is La Bodeguita del Medio ( Mojitos ) both very touristy.

Bacardi Building - beautiful Art deco, take the lift to the top, great views.

Marti Monument - historical museum and great views from the top over Havana and Revolution Square.

Colon cemetery - walk the grounds, amazing tombstones, small city.

El Morro castle - very interesting, great little bar right at the bottom : 12 Apostoles named for the 12 cannons

La Caba?a fortress - The 9 pm gun shot show - great bar at the bottom : La Divina Pastora

Casa Fuster street in Jaimanitas next to Club Habana - a street decorated by Fuster a tile artist in the Gaudi style, beautiful !

Old Havana - walk the side/parallel streets of Calle Obispo from Capitol down to harbour.

The Rum museum (Museo del Ron) - next to Plaza San Francisco

Hope you have a great time.

[Johnny Thunder]

That is fantastic. Thank you.

[Johnny Thunder]

Am I correct in thinking that if I want some custom rolls, then the same precautions are required?
Only buy from the same recognised stockists, or do I need to be looking elsewhere?

[RDBM]

I'm lead to believe that like all things in Cuba buying off the street isn't a good idea. The Hotels and farms are probably the best places for custom rolls. Better to try a few first to find a blend you like.

[wolfie]

A couple of the LCDH had a roller outside for your custom rolls , maybe the same guy moving around , not sure .

[Johnny Thunder]

Thanks chaps.

[Johnny Thunder]

Our holiday to Cuba is put back until 2017. I really can't be too upset though.

My daughter has won a place on a summer school at Oxford University.

[PeeJay]

Our holiday to Cuba is put back until 2017. I really can't be too upset though.

My daughter has won a place on a summer school at Oxford University.

Take the sweet with the sour buddy

[Johnny Thunder]

I am absolutely blown away. I will take a copy of the letter we got and post it.