Cuba has lengthy known as to me.
It began with Havana, that moody 1990 movie the place Robert Redford performs a gambler drawn into revolution—and into the arms of Lena Olin’s enigmatic, defiant freedom fighter. Raul Julia, unforgettable as her husband, brings layers of class and tragedy to the story. The romance lingers, like smoke within the air.
Then, in fact, there’s Hemingway. He lived and wrote at Finca Vigía, simply outdoors Havana. For Whom the Bell Tolls and The Outdated Man and the Sea—each have been written there. He wasn’t alone. Third spouse Martha Gellhorn (watch Hemingway & Gellhorn, with Clive Owen and Nicole Kidman on MAX) and fourth spouse Mary Welsh additionally walked these halls. Graham Greene’s Our Man in Havana—certainly one of my favourite spy novels—provides one other layer to the mystique.
As a former ballerina, I’ve all the time been drawn to Cuba’s extraordinary legacy in classical ballet. It’s a worldwide powerhouse—celebrated for its emotionally expressive dancers, breathtaking method, and deep creative self-discipline. Two of my favorites, Xiomara Reyes and José Manuel Carreño, each skilled in Cuba earlier than gracing the stage at American Ballet Theatre. (He even had a spot on my wall for years, alongside the icons of that early aughts ballet period.)
And the music. Buena Vista Social Membership performs within the background of my reminiscences, though I haven’t set foot there. But.
Cuba additionally formed historical past. I bear in mind finding out the explosion of USS Maine, Hearst’s and Pulitzer’s yellow journalism, and the ensuing Spanish-American Battle. 4 months reshaped empires: Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines have been all acquired by the USA. And Cuba was, for a time, a U.S. protectorate. The echoes stay.
As we speak, Cuba stays underneath communist rule, led by Miguel Díaz-Canel. Press freedoms are restricted, but tradition—artwork, music, dance, poetry—nonetheless bursts by. Sure, People can go to, sometimes underneath the “Assist for the Cuban Individuals” class. Europeans want a vacationer card.
And everybody wants a curious spirit.
I almost went as soon as, over a decade in the past. A consumer’s current inquiry pulled me again to the concept — and the chances are extraordinary.
Assume Artwork Deco facades and Neoclassical splendor, Brutalist geometry beside Moorish arches. Outdated Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage web site, is just the start. Head west to Viñales, the place emerald valleys meet limestone cliffs and native farmers hand-roll cigars as their ancestors did. It’s wild. Lush. Untamed. Prepared.
Step right into a reimagined Cuba—sun-warmed, trendy, and irresistibly alive. Glide by Havana in a classic convertible, salsa drifting from an open door. Sip a mojito by candlelight. And hint Hemingway’s footsteps. Dance till the music tells you to cease.
For the traveler who craves substance and soul, class and authenticity, your Cuban story awaits.
Havana‘s Basic Automobiles
There is no such thing as a grander introduction to Havana than from the plush inside of a classic car. These gleaming American classics from the Nineteen Fifties are greater than mere automobiles; they’re residing testaments to Cuba’s enduring spirit. As your chauffeur navigates previous pastel-hued facades, bustling plazas, and the long-lasting Malecón, town’s inherent attract reveals itself in each flip.
However your journey into Havana’s coronary heart extends past the open street. You’ll be capable to entry a hidden workshop, a sanctuary the place grasp Cuban mechanics, fueled by ingenuity and a profound respect for custom, breathe life into these automotive legends. Their tales are a testomony to resilience, providing an unfiltered glimpse right into a tradition that transforms constraint into fascinating artistry.
Unwind and Indulge The Cuban Manner
As twilight descends, retreat to your lodge, the place the day gracefully culminates. Indulge within the best Cuban cigars, and savor aged rum or sip contemporary mojitos crafted exactly to your desire. Envision your self beside the pool, a dwell band weaving a tapestry of sound underneath the starlit sky, the night unfolding at your leisure—no schedules, no haste.
Whether or not it’s an beautiful dinner ready by your non-public chef, an impromptu sport of poker, or a refreshing midnight swim, the ambiance is unmistakably Cuban: serenely luxurious and vibrantly alive.
Our Prime 3 Handpicked Stays:
Casa Italia
A chic fusion of Cuban soul and Italian design, Casa Italia spans two meticulously restored mansions the place each element—from the Murano lighting to the artisanal pasta—is sourced from Italy. Its lush courtyard and serene pool space provide a refined, tranquil escape, making it certainly one of Havana’s most coveted boutique stays.
La Reserva:
Step inside this thoughtfully restored mansion and also you’ll discover an art-filled haven centered round a serene inside courtyard. The lodge’s signature restaurant, La Bodega, is a culinary standout, serving regionally impressed fare in an environment that feels each intimate and cosmopolitan.
Paseo 206
Charming and modern, Paseo 206 is the creation of a Cuban-Italian couple whose love story infuses each nook of this intimate boutique lodge. Its restaurant, Eclectico, blends old-world heat with contemporary Havana power, providing an inviting indoor-outdoor setting ultimate for lengthy, flavorful meals and spirited dialog.
Viñales, The place Time Stands Nonetheless
A mere few hours past town’s fascinating embrace lies Viñales, a panorama so cinematic it blurs the road between actuality and dream. Right here, emerald valleys cradle majestic mogotes, inviting you to discover on horseback, scale dramatic limestone cliffs, or just take up the tranquility with a superb cigar in hand. This magical valley is kind of the vacation spot for journey!
At an intimate, non-public tobacco farm, witness grasp artisans at work, their fingers expertly rolling cigars utilizing strategies handed down by generations. These are tales woven with threads of land, household, and craftsmanship, deeper than any guidebook might ever seize. A lavish countryside feast awaits, that includes a succulent entire roast pig, farm-fresh produce, and chilled drinks, all served with a heat that’s each unpretentious and profoundly private.
A Personal Yacht Affair
Ought to the decision of the ocean beckon, commerce the verdant valleys for the azure expanse of the Caribbean.
Aboard your non-public catamaran, set sail for the pristine white sands of Cayo Blanco. With an open bar at your disposal, a devoted crew attending to your needs, and the mild breeze caressing your pores and skin, the day unfolds in a sequence of idyllic moments: snorkeling amidst vibrant coral reefs, enchanting encounters with playful dolphins, and a freshly grilled seafood feast served on a secluded, postcard-perfect seashore.
This isn’t a collective tour; it’s your vessel, your curated soundtrack, your tranquil tempo.
Echoes of Hemingway
Step by the gates of Finca Vigía, and also you’ll really feel as if you’ve crossed into Ernest Hemingway’s non-public world—preserved in time, wealthy with presence. From 1940 till his departure in 1960, this hilltop property simply outdoors Havana served as Hemingway’s sanctuary, the place the place his literary genius flourished and his passions have been lived out in full. Remarkably, the interiors stay virtually precisely as he left them, making a deeply private, near-mythic ambiance—a residing time capsule of a legendary life.
Whereas entry into the home itself is just not permitted, giant open home windows and doorways provide an uncannily intimate view inside. You’ll glimpse his well-worn typewriter, nonetheless poised atop a shelf, the partitions lined with books, and the quiet echoes of a author’s day by day rhythm. Outdoors, wander the tropical grounds to search out Pilar, his beloved fishing boat, resting underneath a pavilion, and pause on the small pet cemetery—every marker a testomony to Hemingway’s profound love for animals.
Finca Vigía is greater than a historic house—it’s a portal into the soul of a person whose legacy nonetheless pulses by the pages of Twentieth-century literature.
Culinary Artistry
Cuba’s culinary panorama is present process a quiet, but profound, revolution. Every morning commences with a personalised breakfast—a vibrant array of tropical fruits, freshly baked breads, and wealthy Cuban espresso. From there, each meal turns into an exploration.
Sip bespoke cocktails on a panoramic rooftop terrace, as soon as an oil manufacturing facility, now a beacon of contemporary design. Savor genuine flavors at a bustling café in Outdated Havana, surrounded by the convivial spirit of native life. Whether or not it’s connoisseur sophistication or heartfelt home-cooked fare, eating in Cuba is an act of connection — to tradition, to historical past, to the fleeting fantastic thing about the current second.
Boxing with the Spirit of Havana
Step into Rafael Trejo Boxing Health club, Havana’s open-air temple to certainly one of Cuba’s most celebrated sports activities. Tucked into the guts of Outdated Havana, this storied health club pulses with the grit, rhythm, and self-discipline which have formed generations of world-class Cuban boxers. Right here, you don’t simply observe—you’re feeling the thrum of gloves on leather-based, the bark of coaches calling out drills, and the quiet depth of younger fighters chasing greatness.
Whether or not you’re moving into the ring for a coaching session or just soaking within the ambiance, that is greater than a exercise—it’s a front-row seat to Cuba’s fierce pleasure, athletic excellence, and enduring ardour for the candy science.
Contained in the Studio: A Personal Encounter with Cuba’s Inventive Soul
Enterprise past the floor of Havana and into the guts of its vibrant inventive scene by a uncommon, intimate encounter with two of Cuba’s most compelling modern artists. Of their non-public studios—typically tucked behind unassuming façades—you’ll witness their course of unfold in actual time: brush strokes on canvas, sculpted kinds taking form, daring colours echoing the rhythm of the streets.
This isn’t a gallery go to. It’s a dialog — about inspiration, heritage, resistance, magnificence, and the day by day lifetime of an artist in Cuba. By way of their tales and their work, you’ll acquire a richer, extra nuanced understanding of Cuba’s dynamic cultural id—and depart with greater than reminiscences. You’ll depart with a connection and a deep appreciation of Cuban artwork.
Past the Itinerary
That is removed from an ordinary mass-market itinerary or a fleeting spotlight reel. It’s a meticulously curated, deeply immersive expertise, conceived for many who cherish privateness, profound cultural engagement, and easy luxurious. You’ll take pleasure in unparalleled insider entry, bespoke touches, and absolutely the freedom to form your days exactly as you need.
Whereas Cuba could not boast the overt opulence of extra typical luxurious locations, its true richness lies in its boundless authenticity, fascinating rhythm, and indomitable soul. When paired with our meticulous planning and elevated service, Cuba transforms into an unparalleled playground for the discerning traveler — one who seeks not merely lovely surroundings, however a profound and fascinating story to inform.
Able to Write Yours?
Whether or not you yearn for a serene escape with cherished buddies, a fascinating romantic interlude, or a cultural deep dive in contrast to every other, Cuba extends an irresistible invitation. Permit us to make sure your reply is nothing lower than exquisitely styled.
Allow us to orchestrate your subsequent extraordinary escape.
Personal experiences. Seamless logistics. Unforgettable moments.
That is luxurious redefined, Cuba-style.