Caribbean Fusion: Culture & All-Inclusive Bliss

About the destination: Havana is the capital of Cuba and the epicenter of Cuban culture, brimming with visual artists, musicians, poets, dancers, actors, and writers. It is also home to the world-renowned Ballet Nacional. Havana is a city where history seeps from every street, building, church, and plaza. Its streets are adorned with vintage cars, baroque-style buildings, grand mansions, palaces, and beautiful courtyards. Stroll along the famous Malecon for breathtaking views of the Bay and the Morro Fortress, set against a backdrop of historic colonial architecture. Old Havana, designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982, is the city's oldest section, a blend of narrow cobblestone streets, elegantly restored buildings, and ancient ruins. This area blends with modern and eclectic buildings, adding a touch of dynamic cosmopolitanism. The dome of the National Capitol Building towers over the Havana skyline. Inside, you'll find a statue of La Republica, the world's largest indoor bronze statue, a vast and historic gallery, a 25-carat diamond marking the city's exact center, and the headquarters of the Cuban Natural History Museum, which houses the country's largest natural history collection. Havana is home to two major cigar factories, with Partagas being the oldest. Visiting this working cigar factory is a must-do Havana experience. Havana is a unique and enticing city, buzzing with street life, joy, and charm.

About the destination: Varadero is a resort town located in the province of Matanzas, Cuba, and is one of the largest resort areas in the Caribbean. Primarily, Varadero is a tourist resort town, featuring over 20 km of pristine white sandy beaches. Tourism began to flourish in the early 1930s when Irénée du Pont Nemours, a wealthy American, built his estate on the peninsula. Besides its most prized asset, the beach, Varadero also offers natural attractions such as caves and a series of untouched cays that are easily accessible. There are also cultural, historical, and environmental attractions nearby, including the cities of Matanzas and Cárdenas, the Zapata Peninsula, and the resort of San Miguel de los Baños. Varadero, a duty-free port, also offers facilities for scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, yachting, and other water sports.

About the destination: Santo Domingo is the capital city of the Dominican Republic. It is situated on the south central coast of the island and is recognized as the oldest European city in the Americas. The Colonial Zone serves as an ideal starting point for tourists exploring Santo Domingo. This area, nestled between Independence Park and the Ozama River, is home to the first city established in the New World by European settlers. The first street in the Americas, Calle de Las Damas, is located here and showcases numerous examples of 15th and 16th century architecture, including the Ozama Fortress, the oldest fortress in the Americas, and the Alcázar de Colón. The Museo de las Casas Reales, a restored 16th century palace of the Spanish Court, is of significant historical interest and offers a fascinating look into the past. Close to the walled city, visitors can find the Cathedral Basilica Santa Maria la Menor, regarded as the first cathedral in the New World. As tourists wander the narrow streets of the Colonial Zone, they will feel as though history is coming to life. The Zone concludes at the Malecón, also known as George Washington Avenue. El Malecón is a seaside boulevard filled with bistros, bars, and discos, and is the site of the Dominican Carnival held in February. Santo Domingo is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city brimming with historical colonial sites and exuding Latin charm from every street and plaza.

About the destination: Punta Cana is the name of a region in the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic. Covering about 420,000 m2, the region is home to a coastline of sandy white beaches and to a "town" of the same name. Located in the province of La Altagracia and population estimated at 100,000, the region borders the Atlantic Ocean to the east. To the north, it borders Bávaro and El Cortecito beaches. It also limits with Cabeza de Toro, Cabo Engaño and further west with Juanillo. Despite the area being fairly deserted, the proximity of Punta Cana to other major resort areas such as Bávaro and Uvero Alto make the town one of the top Caribbean destinations.