Travel Arrangements
br br brDon’t look for that amazing Cuban airfare and hotel deal online.brAccording to Pousa, Americans wishing to visit Cuba need to obtain abrgeneral or specific license for travel. As a travel agent certified by thebrCuban government, Pousa is able to apply for the appropriate license forbrher clients and plan trips to the Caribbean island that have—up untilbrlast December—been out of reach for Americans. Traveling around thebrcountry can be a confusing venture. But a good place to start is with anbritinerary chosen for you by the professionals. Horizonte Caribe offersbrunique tours to immerse clients into the culture of Cuba and its people.br
Pousa is a native of Cuba, and the memories she and her businessbrpartner have of growing up there are the foundation of what HorizontebrCaribe hopes to bring to its clients. Their exceptional local knowledgebrand long-time personal contacts allow them to create a variety of bespoke vacations.
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All Havana Has to Offerbr
As you plan your Cuban vacation with Pousa and her team, you’llbrwant to keep in mind that all
roads lead to Rome—or in this case,brHavana. All flights to Cuba originate in Miami and land in thebrcapitol city. Known as a “mini New York,” Havana is an exotic citybrwith Cuban culture radiating from the streets. According to Pousa,brthere is always a celebration going on in Havana.br
The hotels booked by Horizonte Caribe are luxurious and offerbrmany amenities. A favorite of Pousa’s, Hotel Saratoga in Havana, is home to a variety of accommodations, restaurants, bars and a spa.brThe hotel is decorated in both modern and traditional Cuban styles,brmaking your stay an authentic experience. Other hotels on her must-brstay list include Hotel Parque Central and any of the Melia chain ofbrhotels and resorts.
br br brCountless museums and historical markers speckle the Cubanbrcapitol. If you choose the Scenes & Celebrity tour, you’ll enjoy walkingbrtours and jaunts through the city in classic cars, reminiscent of Cubabrduring the 1950s.br
While in Havana you’ll have the opportunity to sip a mojito at LabrBodeguita, the drink’s birthplace, or to take a seat in the very bar—ElbrFloridita at the hotel Ambos Mundos—where Ernest Hemingwaybrspent his afternoons sipping his favorite drink, the daiquiri. But famousbrcocktails aren’t all you can enjoy in Havana.br
When grabbing lunch or dinner, visiting authentic Cuban-ownedbrrestaurants called paladars is the only way to go. Pousa recommendsbrher clients try Paladar Rio Mar, which offers Cuban food “with abrtwist.” It has a unique view of the Bahia de la Habana (Havana Bay)brand Vedado, which was an affluent part of Havana during the 1950s.brAlthough Havana may be the perfect starting point to your Cubanbrgetaway, keep in mind that Havana serves as a gateway to many otherbrcities full of tradition.
br br brOff the Beaten Pathbr
Lily and her team can set up catered tours of Cuba touching on specificbrlocations and activities chosen by clients, but remember, HorizontebrCaribe has a number of already put-together agendas. Another pointbrto note is that not all locations on the tour may be named specifically.brFor example, one tour may lead a group of clients to a certain art studio,brbut on another trip to the same city, clients will be taken to an entirelybrdifferent one. There’s always something different to do, see or explore.br
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On the City & Country tour, clients will not only explore Havana,brbut the country towns of Cienfuegos and Trinidad as well. You’llbrexplore the countryside towns not only by visiting locations withinbrthem, but through interaction with the people of the region. Forbrexample, in Cienfuegos you’ll visit a cigar factory and learn about thebrimportance of tobacco to Cuba’s economy.
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Trinidad, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is considered thebr“crown jewel” of Cuba’s colonial cities. On this leg of the tour, you’llbrbe once again immersed in the culture by speaking with locals—brnot just the tour guide.br
The most popular package offered by Horizonte Caribe is thebrSalsa Workshop. Clients travel to Cuba to take Afro-Cuban dancebrlessons by day and practice their moves at various salsa clubsbrby night.br
What to Expectbr
Horizonte Caribe is not your typical travel agency. Pousa and herbrteam recognize that it is much easier to immerse clients in thebrculture of the country in small groups of five to six rather than largerbrgroups. In addition, the contacts the travel agents have in Cubabrallow for a truly customized agenda. Your trip will be fitted to youbrand your fellow travelers. Once in Cuba, you will be matched withbrEnglish-speaking guides to take care of the necessary translations.br
And one final note Pousa wants potential tourists to know:br“Don’t expect to stay at any beachside resort and spend your daysbrbasking in the sun.” Americans are still not allowed to rent or stay atbrbeach houses and resorts. While it is possible to visit the seawall andbrthe beaches, it’s best to make it just one of the many stops on yourbrCuban vacation. Besides, according to Pousa, you can visit Cuba fivebrtimes and still not see all this beautiful country has to offer.