Try the cha-cha and Che for your holiday!

It is the largest island in the Caribbean - and possibly the cheapest.

It has some of the longest beaches, the finest cigars, the best rum and the sexiest music.

It is of course, Cuba - and if you are looking for somewhere different for a holiday, they don't come any better.

The capital, Havana, is a World Heritage site because of its colonial buildings, fine churches, palm tree-lined avenues - and it's also a city of fun, laughter and music.

Wherever you go, somebody is singing and more are dancing.

Cuba is the home of salsa, the rumba and the cha-cha. And the Cubans know how to move.

Make sure you spend at least one night at the Palacio de la Salsa where you can dance the night away. If you want to see how the professionals do it, visit the Tropicana floorshow. Cuba has been providing rest, relaxation, fun and games for visitors for most of the last 100 years and was attractive as an offshore gambling capital for America's Mafia.

Indeed one of Havana's top hotels - the Nacional - was built by the Mob in the Thirties and visited by everyone from Winston Churchill to Nat King Cole and gangster Meyer Lanski.

While you may never want to leave Havana, force yourself.

The city of Trinidad is another World Heritage site with exquisite colonial villas, cobbled streets and the most romantic museum in the world.

And Sancti Spiritus has charm and a wonderful market. Then, of course there are the beaches - the best is at Varadero, about 90 miles east of Havana.

Food is mostly good, though mainly limited to fish, chicken or pork with beans, rice and a salad. However, the local beer is great, the rum is outstanding as, of course, are the cigars!

Bring some back - along with anything stamped with the face of Che Guevara. Wherever you go Castro's revolutionary comrade - killed in Bolivia 30 years ago - stares out from walls, buildings and paintings.

It's a great face and Cuba is a great destination - so go now!

HOW TO

GET THERE

KUONI (01306 742222) offer packages to Cuba. Six nights at the Hotel Nacional in Havana start from pounds 499, including flights. An optional one-or two-week extension in Varadero costs from pounds 799.

Copyright 1997 MGN LTD
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