| There's no doubt that Cuba is an amazing | | | | and something which will stay with you |
| holiday destination. Sure, I would say this | | | | forever. Various resorts including Varadero |
| given my job, but I like to think I would be | | | | and Holguin offer the activity, while those |
| just as enthusiastic about the island, even | | | | interested in the mammals, but a little wary |
| if my career didn't make it convenient to | | | | of getting too close can enjoy a dolphin |
| want to sell Cuba as a holiday destination! | | | | show. Bird Watching Cuba's vast and varied |
| If I were asked to name the main selling | | | | set of endemic bird life means that the |
| point of a holiday to Cuba rather than | | | | island is a wonderful holiday destination for |
| anywhere else in the world, it wouldn't be | | | | budding bird watchers. Endemic species |
| because of the weather, the history or even | | | | include the Cuban Green Woodpecker, the Cuban |
| the fine cigars (although all these points | | | | Trogan, the Cuban Tody and Cuban Blackbird. |
| are tempting in their own right), it would be | | | | If you're lucky, you may even see the Bee |
| for the huge variety of niche activities | | | | Hummingbird - though as it's the smallest |
| encouraging travel to Cuba - an amazing feat | | | | bird in the world, the chances are that you |
| for a comparatively small country. It's a | | | | might miss it! Golf A less well tapped area |
| horrible cliché of the travel industry, | | | | of Cuba's tourism industry, but what better |
| but Cuba is an island where there really is | | | | way of enjoying the Caribbean sunshine then |
| something for everyone. Here's a low-down on | | | | with a round of golf? Cuba's golf courses are |
| some of the niche activities you can get up | | | | on level ground, covered with well maintained |
| to while exploring the niche aspects of | | | | grass and lakes against a backdrop of |
| Cuba's tourism: Salsa Dancing Cuba is of | | | | breathtaking hills. Keen golfers will |
| course, very much the world's centre of salsa | | | | appreciate the spaciousness of the courses, |
| and there are plenty of options to strut your | | | | while beginners will be pleased to seek out |
| stuff once the sun has set. The bigger cities | | | | the advice of local trainers to improve their |
| - particularly Havana and Santiago de Cuba - | | | | game before getting serious! Painting It may |
| where there are plenty of larger venues for | | | | be unconventional a holiday focus as you can |
| Cuban holiday makers to dance the night away. | | | | find, but both budding artists and |
| If you worry your two left feet are going to | | | | appreciators of the art world will find Cuba |
| show you up against the naturals, getting | | | | a thought provoking backdrop with a thriving |
| lessons in the bigger cities is also | | | | art scene. The old style Colonial buildings |
| remarkably easy, and you'll be dancing like a | | | | of Havana make ideal subjects to sketch, and |
| pro in no time! Horse Riding Sure, this isn't | | | | if you travel to Cuba's Vinales Valley, |
| everyone's idea of a dream Cuba holiday, but | | | | you'll find an inspiring scene sure to |
| there are definitely a few going to be | | | | inspire anyone with artist's block. For those |
| enamoured by the idea of riding across the | | | | who prefer to enjoy rather than create, the |
| picturesque valleys of Trinidad, where the | | | | Havana National Museum of Fine Arts is a |
| ruins of old sugar mills are dotted across | | | | must, with various collections of Cuba art |
| the hills. The Vinales Valley is the other | | | | from colonial times to the latest hot |
| breathtaking area in which horse riding is a | | | | contemporary works. Weddings You may need to |
| must, and while beginners may feel a bit | | | | learn to horse ride, dive or play golf in |
| nervous, you can't beat the feeling of | | | | Cuba, but there's only one scenario when a |
| freedom and the majestic views that horse | | | | Cuban wedding would be appropriate (well, two |
| riding in Cuba provides. Deep Sea Fishing As | | | | - but your partner may not appreciate the |
| celebrity endorsements go, you can't really | | | | second! Planning a Cuban wedding can lead off |
| beat a classic figure of literature as a | | | | in many different avenues from an |
| spokesman for your island. Ernest | | | | unforgettable tying of nuptials on the golden |
| Hemmingway's extended 'holiday' in Cuba is | | | | sands of the island's many beaches, to an |
| well documented, as is his love of fishing on | | | | idyllic church service followed by a night of |
| the North West coast of Cayo Guillermo. | | | | boozy salsa dancing - a Cuban wedding has |
| Fishing is legal throughout the island, so | | | | enough variety to keep both families (and all |
| there are many unexplored hotspots in which | | | | the guests) happy at the once in a lifetime |
| to kick back, enjoy the weather and relax on | | | | celebration! This is only really scratching |
| your boat, letting your fishing rod do the | | | | the surface - the truth is that an island as |
| work. Diving There's places to dive all over | | | | versatile as Cuba is overflowing with |
| the world, but travel in Cuba offers a unique | | | | potential. The weather is almost always |
| experience for those looking to see the ocean | | | | perfect, the beaches and towns are romantic |
| surrounding it. For starters, the tropical | | | | enough for couples, while there is enough |
| fish are fascinating, colourful and varied, | | | | entertainment for families and singles. A |
| and the visibility of the clear ocean is | | | | holiday in Cuba has far more variety than |
| incredible meaning you won't miss a sight. | | | | such a comparatively small country should be |
| The waters are also warm - over 24 degrees | | | | able to offer! |
| centigrade all year round - meaning you won't | | | | |
| want to leave! Beginners will find the | | | | Emma Lelliott is the general manager of |
| facilities to learn to dive before they head | | | | Captivating Cuba, an independent Cuba holiday |
| out, meaning nobody has an excuse to ignore | | | | specialist. With offices in Havana and the |
| this amazing part of the Cuban experience. | | | | UK, Captivating Cuba can offer advice on |
| Swimming with Dolphins Swimming with dolphins | | | | every aspect of Cuba travel from Weddings to |
| is a Cuba holiday experience like no other, | | | | the best diving sites. |