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The Cuban spring blossoms

Thanks to recent reforms, Cubans have gained many newfound freedoms: they can go on holidays abroad, buy a new car or... start their own company. Many are taking full advantage of the latter: recently overhauled private restaurants, hip cocktail bars and creative boutique hotels are blossoming in Havana.

Arts & Culture

One of the many ‘paladares’ in Havana

Dining in a revamped paladar

Cuban cuisine is not that celebrated: meals often consist of little more than rice and beans. But a new generation of paladares, the typical Cuban private restaurants, is showing that Cuban cuisine has a lot more to offer. A great choice is Le Chansonnier. Set in a beautiful colonial house with a modern interior, the restaurant is headed by Chef Enrique who treats his guests to nouvelle cuisine a lo Cubano. Start with the octopus carpaccio, followed by a duck breast and caramel flan for dessert. Arguably Havana’s best paladar.

X Alfonso

Drinking and dancing in an art factory

Havana’s hip locals gather in this former olive oil factory transformed into a gallery, eatery, cocktail bar, cinema and a nightclub. Inaugurated by Cuban musician X Alfonso, this art centre offers a host of activities: there are exhibits, fashion shows, dance performances and pop concerts, but guests can also just sip a mojito at the bar. On weekends, artsy Cubans and tourists dance way into the night. And whether it is opening night or not, there is always a lengthy line outside.

The stylish interior of Casa Vitrales

Spend the night in a Cuban boutique hotel

Casa Vitrales, in the historic centre of Havana, is a modern and comfortable version of the typical Cuban casa particular (accommodations in a private home). While preserving the old details of this colonial house, the 9 rooms have been equipped with modern conveniences such as box-spring beds and air conditioning. The rooftop terrace is perfect for breakfast or a drink, with wonderful views of the old city. The price is also pretty sweet: a double room starts at 25 euro. For 375 euro you can rent the entire house - with room for 18 people.

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ARTS & CULTURE

Since Barack Obama and Raúl Castro shook hands at a summit in Panama, Cuba is getting ready for a new American invasion - a peaceful one this time. It won’t be too long before the Caribbean island is flooded with American tourists. For now, Cuba is still a wonderful time capsule where progress seems to have stood still for half a century. Visit now, before it is too late.

ARTS & CULTURE

Ernest Hemingway instantly fell in love with Cuba when he sailed there in 1932 to go on a fishing trip. The American Pulitzer and Noble Prize winner roamed the world, from Chicago and Milan to Paris and Key West, but nowhere did he spend as much time as he did here: he lived in Cuba for almost quarter of a century. Following in the trail of the most famous Cuban import.

NIGHTLIFE

Everyone is familiar with the contagious sounds of the Buena Vista Social Club. The hot-blooded musical culture of Cuba can be encountered on virtually every street corner. Whether in the old night clubs of Havana, the swinging music cafés of Santiago de Cuba or during Carnival in Trinidad de Cuba, you will always find music and dancing throughout the entire island.

ARTS & CULTURE

The impressive building on the Plaza de la Revolución was once the Presidential Palace of Cuba. It now houses the Museo de la Revolución. The palace, which has a turbulent past, was world news in 1957 when a group of students rose up in rebellion against the former regime.

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