Gadling

Summer Hotspot: Havana, Cuba

Jessica Marati — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Festivals and Events, Cuba, Caribbean

Havana's crumbling mansions, cobblestoned streets and vibrant salsa beats have long been a mystery to Americans kept off Cuba's shores by historic trade bans.

But in the past year, travel to Cuba has become much easier, starting with the lifting of certain restrictions by the Obama administration last January. That move was followed in April by a new set of Treasury Department guidelines, which makes travel easier for journalists, religious and educational groups and people-to-people exchanges. And now, even non-affiliated Americans can visit Cuba through new authorized tours from companies like National Geographic Expeditions and Friendly Planet Travel.

But with the loosened restrictions come the traveler's fear that Cuba's unique atmosphere will become distilled (read: ruined) with the inevitable onslaught of American tourists. If the Havana you envision doesn't include a McDonald's in the Plaza des Armas, this summer is the time to plan a visit. And with new, chartered flights from 12 US cities, travel to Cuba has never been easier.

Art lovers will particularly be drawn by the 11th Havana Biennial, which runs from May 11 to June 11. With a focus on "non-Western art," the Biennial will bring together more than 115 artists from 43 countries. The festival has traditionally aimed to represent concerns and conflicts in the developing world, and this year's event will explore the relationship between visual productions and the social imaginary - that is, the way artists imagine their surroundings and express themselves through cultural and historical references. With Cuba in such a state of transition, the Biennial will offer a unique opportunity to explore the country's rich history, conflicted present and unforeseen future through art. Who knows what Cuba will be like for the next one?

Continue reading Summer Hotspot: Havana, Cuba

Summer Hotspot: Havana, Cuba originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video Of The Day: 'Incubation' And 15 Days In Cuba

Jessica Marati — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Cuba, Photo of the Day, Video, Caribbean

"I wanted to see Cuba before it changes," starts off "Incubation," a short travel film by French multimedia artist Guillaume Le Berre. "But I'm the one that has been changed."

Through photos and videos captured over a 15-day trip, Le Berre offers a nostalgic look at life in modern-day Cuba. Some of the images are expected: smiling children playing baseball, grand automobiles from the 1950s, sexy salsa dancers at night. Others are more striking: men scavenging in garbage cans, vultures picking at animal carcasses, concrete walls with the letters "CHE" outlined repetitively. With Cuba's natural beauty juxtaposed against such contrasts, it's easy to see why the filmmaker was changed, and to remember what it is about travel that changes us all.

[via EcoSalon]

Video Of The Day: 'Incubation' And 15 Days In Cuba originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Friendly Planet Travel begins offering authorized travel to Cuba

Jessica Festa — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Cuba, News, Caribbean, Women's Travel, Luxury Travel

After several years, Americans are now able to travel to Cuba again under a new program from the U.S. Treasury Department. The aim of the program is to help Americans interact with locals of Cuba through educational exchanges focused on art, culture, music, and more.

As one of a handful of travel operators who have been granted a people-to-people license, Friendly Planet Travel will be operating two educational trips to Cuba that will allow people to immerse themselves in Cuban culture as well as learn about the country's past, present, and future. The first trip is a 5-day "Discover Havana" trip ($1,899) that allows Americans to interact with locals and learn about Havana's rich culture and history. The second trip, an 8-day "Colors of Cuba" trip ($2,899) is more in-depth and visits many culturally significant sites, such as Old Havana, Cienfuegos, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Trinidad.

Both of the trips include round trip airfare from Miami, a letter of authorization, entrance visa into Cuba, all land transportation, superior hotel accommodations, all meals, comprehensive educational programs, translator, and Friendly Planet guide. Trips will begin departing in March, 2012. For more information to see exact dates, click here.

Friendly Planet Travel begins offering authorized travel to Cuba originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Encounters in Cuba: Meeting the horse whisperer of Trinidad

Jeff Greenwald — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Cuba, Caribbean

"The map," philosopher Alfred Korzybski famously observed, "is not the territory." His words rarely seemed more apt than in Cuba: a country where the warmth of the people and the beauty of the landscape belie fifty years of bad American press.

As U.S. travel restrictions to Cuba loosen up, more and more travelers will fall in love with our island neighbor to the south. They will discover, as I did, that there are many kinds of social experiments, and that the one in progress since Cuba's 1959 revolution is in some ways better, and in some ways worse, than the one that began with our own Revolution in the 18th century.

They'll also find that a traveler in Cuba has two main choices where to stay: at one of the clean, often charming hotels located near each town's main plaza; or at a casa particular, the home of a Cuba family authorized to rent rooms out to foreigners. The latter is a wonderful way to meet Cubans, butcher Spanish in a forgiving atmosphere, and gain insights into Cuba's often bipolar society.

And the equation, of course, can work both ways: Sometimes it's the Cubans themselves who are transformed by their visitors.

This is exactly what happened to Julio Muñoz, Cuba's best-known horse whisperer.

Continue reading Encounters in Cuba: Meeting the horse whisperer of Trinidad

Encounters in Cuba: Meeting the horse whisperer of Trinidad originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nova Scotia, Cuban-Celtic-style

Rolf Potts — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Learning, North America, Canada, Cuba, United States, Budget Travel, Caribbean

One of the best things about travel is the ongoing chance to have your most basic assumptions overturned by the unexpected realities of a new place. This happened to me a few years ago, when I traveled to Havana to learn salsa dancing, and instead wound up learning how to play the bagpipes.

Bagpipes, I discovered, aren't some recent, quirky anomaly in this part of the Caribbean: The instrument was brought to Cuba in the late 19th century, when immigrants from Galicia and Asturias -- Celtic regions of Spain -- settled on the island. The bagpipers I met during my visit to Havana weren't middle-aged hobbyists, either -- they were hip young Cubans with a genuine passion for Celtic music.

Almost two years after I befriended these Cuban bagpipers, I had the privilege of accompanying them to Cape Breton, Nova Scotia for the fantastic Celtic Colors International Festival, a nine-day celebration of global Celtic music. Here, I was able to see my Cuban friends not just as musicians, but as first-time international travelers. What they found fascinating about Canada (such as the chaotic abundance of a Wal-Mart superstore) helped me see North America in a whole new way.

The audio slideshow above helps tell this story of my friendship with the bagpipers of Havana. Since that experience, they have gone on to host their own international Celtic music festival, called CeltFest Cuba, each spring in Havana. For more information, check out CeltFest Cuba's Facebook page.

Nova Scotia, Cuban-Celtic-style originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

National Geographic Expeditions announces tour to Cuba

Kraig Becker — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Cuba, News, Caribbean

Yesterday, National Geographic Expeditions announced an exciting new addition to its already outstanding line-up of adventurous travel itineraries.Thanks to a special license, issued to Nat Geo by the U.S. State Department, the company can now begin offering excursions to Cuba, with the first trip schedule to take place in November of this year.

This new ten-day expedition is aptly called Cuba: Discovering Its People and Culture, and features a great mix of history, art, music, and more. Highlights include exploring Spanish architecture throughout Old Havana, visiting the Bay of Pigs, as well as Ernest Hemingway's home and a tour of one of Cuba's legendary tobacco plantations. As with all Nat Geo Expeditions, travelers will be led by an expert on the chosen destination. In this case, that expert is travel writer Christopher Baker, who has years of experience traveling in Cuba, and has written several books about his experiences there.

Back in January of this year, the Obama Administration announced plans to ease travel restrictions to Cuba in an effort to normalize relations with that country and allow visitors from the U.S. to more easily venture there. This new itinerary from National Geographic is an indication that those restrictions are being lifted even further, potentially paving the way for unrestricted travel in the future. While it has been relatively easy for Americans to go to Cuba via a third-country, I know plenty of travelers who will welcome the ability to go directly there.

For dates, pricing, and a full itinerary for this trip, click here.

[Photo credit: National Geographic Expeditions]

National Geographic Expeditions announces tour to Cuba originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

10 countries Americans need advance visas to visit

Meg Nesterov — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Bhutan, China, India, Iran, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Turkmenistan, Belarus, Cuba, United States, Australia, Brazil, Paraguay, Suriname, Middle East, Caribbean, Hong Kong

We live in an increasingly borderless world and we have access to many countries that were closed (or non-existent) 20 years ago. As reported earlier this week, Americans are especially lucky with access to 169 countries visa free. Still, there are still many countries that Americans need advance visas to visit. Visa applications and processing services can cost several hundreds of dollars and take a lot of time and energy to obtain, so figure in that into your travel planning but don't let it discourage you from visiting.

Nearly all countries in Africa, the Caribbean, Central America, Western Europe, and the Middle East will give you a visa free or for a fee on arrival. See below for our guide to countries you will need to apply for advance visas, along with fees, useful information and links to consular websites.

Continue reading 10 countries Americans need advance visas to visit

10 countries Americans need advance visas to visit originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Traveler Q & A: Pavia Rosati

Alex Robertson Textor — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Zambia, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Sri Lanka, Syria, Vietnam, France, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, United Kingdom, Canada, Cuba, United States, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Caribbean, Hong Kong

Pavia Rosati is the founder of Fathom, a recently debuted travel website. Fathom is smart and beautifully designed. It's full of exciting short briefs about various destinations across the globe.

Rosati, as you'll see from her answers below, is an experienced editor and an avid traveler. Her enthusiasm for Fathom's subject matter is palpable and infectious. We love Fathom and can't wait to see how it's going to develop.

Q: Good day, Pavia Rosati, and welcome. How would you describe your occupation?

A: I am the founder and CEO of Fathom, a new travel website. It's my job to help connect you to places and experiences you didn't know you were going to love.

Q: Tell us about Fathom.

A: Fathom cuts through the clutter of the online travel space with stories and destination guides that are as practical as they are inspiring. People typically go to a travel website for one of two reasons: They know they're going to London, and they need to know where to stay and what to do. Or they think, "I have two weeks off...I like nature...Where should I go?" Fathom addresses both needs through two main sections: Guides and Postcards. Guides have quick information about the basics: hotels, sites, restaurants, and itineraries. Postcards are inspiring travel stories organized around the passion points of travel with a "I Travel for the ..." theme: I Travel for the Food, I Travel for the Thrill, I Travel for the Kids. We aren't motivated by what's expensive or what's trendy. We're interested in what's special and what's awesome. Sometimes that's a three-Michelin star lunch at Le Meurice; sometimes it's a five-euro falafel at L'As du Fallafel.

Q: What are you trying to do with Fathom that hasn't been done by other travel sites?

A: I wanted to create the one-stop travel website that I could never find. You know how the best travel guide is the email you get from a friend who lives there, detailing what you need to do and know? That's the spirit that motivates us. I used to spend 80 hours researching dozens of sites to boil my findings down to an essential nugget of information. Fathom aims to deliver that nugget. I don't want to wade through a list of 200 shops in Buenos Aires; I want 20 that are amazing. I want to know what locals know. I want pre-edited links to the best articles, websites, and online resources. Perhaps most importantly, Fathom recommendations are not driven by a mega travel agency's vast and impersonal database; our recommendations are personal and special.

Q: How do you anticipate Fathom developing? For example, will the city guides grow in number?

A: Absolutely. It's a big world, and we want to get everywhere. Postcards are updated continually, and we will launch several new guides every month. Reader feedback will be critical: We've had a lot of requests for Amsterdam since launching, so look for that soon. We want more Postcards from Fathom readers, a community we call the travel-proud. This fall, we'll launch Boutique, with our favorite travel products; Traveler Profiles, based on the popular Fathom Questionnaires; and My Itineraries, so readers can save the places they want to go.

Q: How did your decade at Daily Candy prepare you for this endeavor?

A: First and foremost, it's where I met my partner, Jeralyn Gerba, Fathom's editorial director. We had one priority at DailyCandy: We had to delight our readers every day. To achieve this, we had to be trustworthy, we had to recommend quality places, and we had to deliver information readers wanted in a way they wanted it. And it helped if we had a great time doing it. These are excellent editorial priorities. By the way, before DailyCandy, I spent four years running the Entertainment Channel at AOL. That taught me a thing or two about building and serving a big audience.

Continue reading Traveler Q & A: Pavia Rosati

Traveler Q & A: Pavia Rosati originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cuba: Nine US cities cleared for charter flights

Alex Robertson Textor — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: North America, Cuba, United States

Nine US airports have been approved for charter flights to Cuba, Reuters reported this morning. The Cuban travel agency Havanatur Celimar made the announcement on Friday.

The US government forbids commercial flights between the United States and Cuba, so all air travel between the two countries has to proceed on charter planes. The Obama Administration has already removed all restrictions on travel to Cuba by Cuban-Americans and eased the guidelines for travel to Cuba by US citizens more generally.

The general changes already enacted by the administration include an easing of restrictions on religious, academic, and professional travel and the return of people-to-people educational exchanges, which were outlawed by the Bush Administration.

The lucky nine cities approved by Havanatur Celimar: Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Houston, New Orleans, San Juan, and Tampa. Charter flights to and from Cuba already take off and land from Los Angeles, Miami, and New York.

[Image: Alex Robertson Textor]

Continue reading Cuba: Nine US cities cleared for charter flights

Cuba: Nine US cities cleared for charter flights originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ready to visit Cuba? Better be sure about that

Chris Owen — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, North America, Cuba, United States, Travel Deals, Caribbean, Travel Security

The good news is that, thanks to President Obama, you can visit Cuba. Policy changes encourage more contact between Americans and citizens of Cuba. The not-so-good news is that you probably won't be lounging on the beach all day and bringing back a box of Cuban cigars. Your trip will be jam-packed with required educational opportunities and an immersive Cuban experience.

The United States Treasury Department is once again granting the "people-to-people" licenses, created under President Clinton, stopped under President Bush, which greatly expand travel opportunities for Cuba-bound American visitors. Still, travelers won't be surfing the Internet to buy a flight, coordinating it with a hotel stay and rental car on their own any time soon.

Traveling to Cuba requires planning your trip through one of several groups authorized to operate the "people to people exchanges" and the rules are strict. The Treasury Department says the tours must "have a full-time schedule of educational exchange activities that will result in meaningful interaction between the travelers and individuals in Cuba."

Continue reading Ready to visit Cuba? Better be sure about that

Ready to visit Cuba? Better be sure about that originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 03 Jul 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Travel to Cuba? Yes, you can.

Chris Owen — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: North America, Cuba, United States, News, Travel Health, Caribbean, Travel Security

While restrictions still apply, the long-awaited guidelines defining who can travel freely to Cuba were released and made official this week. Supporters of the changes say more exposure to Americans will lead Cubans cutting the ties with their government.

The new rules allow journalists plus religious and educational groups to travel to Cuba pretty much whenever they want to. They also allow Americans to send up to $2,000 annually to Cuba. That is limited to $500 per quarter (up from $300) and that money must be intended to support private economic activity.

One of the biggest changes brings back licenses for people-to-people educational exchanges (like foreign-exchange students) which the Bush administration suspended. Back in January the Obama administration lifted some restrictions to Cuba.

But let's back this up a little bit. Are you looking to travel to Cuba? You can.

Continue reading Travel to Cuba? Yes, you can.

Travel to Cuba? Yes, you can. originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 24 Apr 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cuba gets broadband internet

Sean McLachlan — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Business, South America, Cuba, Venezuela, Caribbean

A new fiber optic cable from Venezuela will finally get Cuba into the age of broadband, the BBC reports.

Cuba has some of the slowest Internet access in the world because it has had to rely on satellite and international phone line communication. It's also hard to get, with a limited number of Internet cafes and virtually no private lines for regular people.

The new fiber optic cable stretches 1,000 miles from Venezuela and will make logging on 3,000 times faster. The Cuban government crowed that this line breaches the U.S. embargo. Florida is much closer to Cuba that Venezuela but no line can be built there under current law. Once again U.S. investors have missed out on an opportunity thanks to a short-sighted embargo that has done nothing to change Cuba's government.

Instead, the Cubans can say thanks to the Alianza Bolivariana para los Pueblos de Nuestra América, the Bolivarian Alliance for the Communities of our America. This group was started at the suggestion of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and includes Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Equador, Nicaragua, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The group is also developing its own regional currency, the SUCRE, which is already being used to a limited extent as a virtual currency to replace the dollar in international transactions. The plan is to eventually make it a hard currency to reduce American economic dominance in the region.

Cuba gets broadband internet originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Obama administration lifts some travel restrictions to Cuba

Sean McLachlan — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: North America, Cuba, United States, Transportation, Airports, News, Caribbean

The Obama administration is going to make travel to Cuba easier than it has been in decades, the BBC reports. Students and religious groups will now be allowed to go to the Caribbean nation, which has not had normal relations with the U.S. since Fidel Castro overthrew the pro-American government in 1959.

Specifically, religious groups will be able to sponsor "religious travel" to Cuba, and Cuban religious organizations will be able to receive remittances from the U.S. Universities and colleges will be able to send students there for educational purposes. Both of these groups will now be able to fly from U.S. airports on chartered flights.

The trade embargo will remain in place, although that was also lightened in 2009 when Obama allowed Cuban-Americans to go visit family and send money. Under the new rules coming into place, any U.S. citizen will be able to send up to $500 per fiscal quarter to non-family members in Cuba to help fund private business projects.

While Americans have been able to travel to Cuba relatively easily by going through third countries, this makes things a lot more straightforward. You still can't buy Cuban cigars legally in the U.S., but if you meet the criteria you can now enjoy an ice cream like this guy in a photo by user localsurfer from Gadling's flickr pool.

The reason for these measures is pretty obvious. Having been unable to assassinate Castro or get him deposed over the past 51 years, and having seen that the embargo hasn't led to regime change, the U.S. government is trying a more subtle approach. By encouraging contacts with religious groups and the intelligentsia, and by funding private enterprise through remittances, Obama hopes to encourage change from within.

Obama administration lifts some travel restrictions to Cuba originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 15 Jan 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Coast Guard ships would-be migrants back to Cuba

Chris Owen — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: North America, Cuba, United States

Seventeen Cubans found at sea over the last week, some in in home-made rafts, were returned to Cuba Saturday morning. An eighteenth would-be migrant was taken to the U.S. Navy base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to determine if asylum in a third country is possible.

While most were intercepted by the U.S Coast Guard, six were saved from a sinking raft by Royal Caribbean's Monarch of the Seas last Monday when a passenger on board spotted them in distress. "We gave them medical treatment. They were dehydrated,'' said Royal Caribbean's Cynthia Martinez adding "They were on the ship for less than 24 hours"

The Miami Herald reports that in the course of the week they were moved first on Monday to a 45-foot response boat, the 87-foot patrol boat Cutter Shrike, and then to the 110-foot Ocracoke out of St. Petersburg, Florida.

Shipping would-be migrants back to Cuba falls under the United States Wet Foot/Dry Foot policy. Dating back to the Clinton administration, the policy states that Cubans intercepted/rescued at sea are taken back to Cuba while those who make it to shore are allowed to stay.

Flickr photo by gnr

Coast Guard ships would-be migrants back to Cuba originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 12 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ten budget-friendly Caribbean destinations

Alex Robertson Textor — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Nicaragua, Budget Travel, Central America, Caribbean

If you get all your information about the Caribbean from travel magazines, you might find yourself convinced that a night's stay in the region will set you back somewhere in the neighborhood of $500. The Caribbean's super posh reputation has its roots in the region's tourism history; until relatively recently, tourism in the Caribbean was largely restricted to the very rich. And as one might expect in a region that has historically catered to the rich, there are lots of impossibly exclusive luxury properties in the Caribbean today.

But these resorts do not and should not define tourism in the region. There are many spots across the Caribbean where costs are low and the quality of experiences on offer is high. Here are ten destinations where low hotel rates, exciting activities, and compelling local culture make for real budget-friendly value.

If you find this post interesting, be sure to check out Gadling's archive of budget-friendly travel stories.

1. Carriacou, Grenada. North of the main island of Grenada is the laid-back island of Carriacou. There are some great beaches on the island (see above for evidence.) A fantastically budget-friendly place to stay is the lovely Green Roof Inn (from $40 for one; from $70 for two) north of Hillsborough, the island's main settlement.

2. Havana, Cuba. Day-to-day expenses in the Cuban capital can be quite cheap. Casas particulares (owner-occupied bed-and-breakfast establishments) can be found for about $30 for two, and meals can be cobbled together for very little. Cultural events are astoundingly cheap, and reasonable taxi rates can be negotiated. For a listing of good casas particulares, check out CubaParticular and Casa Particular.

3. Big Corn Island, Nicaragua. It is often forgotten that the Caribbean Sea extends to Central America. Big Corn Island off the coast of Nicaragua presents a fascinating mélange of English-speaking Creoles and Spanish- and Miskito-speaking transplants from the mainland. Though undeniably hardscrabble, Big Corn Island has some beautiful territory and some unbelievably cheap hotels. Try Princesa de la Isla (from $60, with excellent Italian meals on offer) and Martha's Bed and Breakfast (from $50). These are, by the way, among the most expensive places to stay on the island.

4. Saba. Referred to by locals as the "Unspoiled Queen," Saba is one of the most beautiful and least well-known corners of the Caribbean. A mountain jutting out of the sea, it has no beaches and few obvious tourist draws beyond diving. Visitors discover cute villages full of houses with gingerbread trim, lush hiking trails, and outstanding views. Check out the Ecolodge Rendez-Vous (from $75) and El Momo (from $50 for one; $65 for two).

5. Anegada, British Virgin Islands. It takes a concerted effort to get here, but once on this furthest-flung of the BVIs, accommodations can be quite reasonable. The limestone island boasts some of the loveliest beaches in the entire region, yet has seen surprisingly little tourist development. Neptune's Treasure offers double rooms starting at $110 in high season.

Continue reading Ten budget-friendly Caribbean destinations

Ten budget-friendly Caribbean destinations originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 22 Nov 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Havana Good Time: A helpful new Havana travel app

Alex Robertson Textor — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Gear, North America, Cuba, Internet Tools

Sutro Media has just released a very useful Cuba app for iPhone called Havana Good Time. Created by Havana-based travel journalist Conner Gorry, a Lonely Planet contributor who has lived in Cuba for eight years, Havana Good Time provides essential assistance for visitors interested in navigating the somewhat challenging Cuban capital.

All 125-plus entries were researched by Gorry herself. Restaurants, neighborhoods, bars, cafes, hotels, museums, and basic information are covered. There are recommended casas particulares in cool neighborhoods, detailed transportation tips, and tailored information for families, gay travelers, and budget travelers. There is especially careful attention to free and very cheap activities. Strewn throughout is an ongoing effort to bust a number of myths swirling around travel to and in Cuba.

There are lots of little insider tips here: a bar called Bazar 43 with whiskey shots for 50 cents; the hipster café located in the basement of the Café Teatro Bertol Brecht; a Chinatown pizza joint; and a Vedado restaurant-bar teeming with locals. There is an immediacy in these and other listings. And unlike many travel apps that feel somewhat formulaic, Havana Good Time seems like an invitation into a half-secret world.

Given the loosening of restrictions on travel by US citizens to Cuba expected to be announced soon by the Obama Administration, the timing of the release of the Havana Good Time app couldn't be better.

Havana Good Time retails for $2.99. There is no charge for update downloads.

(Image: Flickr/malias)

Havana Good Time: A helpful new Havana travel app originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 19 Aug 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Obama to ease Cuba travel for education

Tom Johansmeyer — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Cuba, News, Caribbean

You can only go to Cuba if President Obama takes the fun out of it. He's looking for ways to ease travel restrictions, particularly for educational and cultural trips. This follows last year's liberalization of travel to Cuba for Americans with family on the island.

Currently, Americans can only travel to Cuba on educational or cultural trips under certain conditions - e.g., if they are students or employees at qualifying universities and stack up against an additional set of requirements, such as conducting research toward a graduate degree.

According to a spokesman for the White House National Security Council: "We will continue to pursue policies that advance the U.S. national interest and support the Cuban people's desire to freely determine their country's future."

Obama's activity isn't new, according to Bloomberg News:

Travel and trade restrictions on Cuba have been adjusted by nearly every U.S. administration since then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower established trade limits in 1960, following Fidel Castro's revolution against the U.S.-backed Batista regime. Former President George W. Bush banned some educational exchanges not directly related to academic coursework in 2003, according to a report by the Congressional Research Service.

[photo by hoyasmeg via Flickr]

Obama to ease Cuba travel for education originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 08 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Travel writer and publisher Q&A: Julie Schwietert

Alex Robertson Textor — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Blogs, North America, Cuba, Mexico, United States, Books, Budget Travel, Central America, Caribbean

Julie Schwietert, known for her work with MatadorNetwork and Collazo Projects, is a writer, editor, and translator whose work bridges the worlds of service travel writing, culture, and politics. Though travel writing is a big piece of her métier, it's not its sum. This profile of Julie is the first in a Gadling series on writers and publishers who have found a way to turn their enthusiasms for travel into a profession.

Q: How do you fit into the travel writing and publishing world?

A: I'm a freelancer, though I work primarily for MatadorNetwork as writer, managing editor, and the lead educator of their travel writing program. I also write for print magazines. I contributed to the latest edition of Fodor's Puerto Rico, and I am waiting excitedly for August when it will hit bookstore shelves.

Q: How long has Collazo Projects been up and running, and what is it that you do?

A: I collaborate on Collazo Projects with my husband Francisco Collazo, who is a photographer, chef and translator. Collazo Projects is the online home for our writing and photography and other projects that haven't found a home elsewhere. It's in the process of evolving, though. We're considering turning it into a proper website that functions more as a portfolio with a blog rather than a straight-up photo/writing blog.

Continue reading Travel writer and publisher Q&A: Julie Schwietert

Travel writer and publisher Q&A: Julie Schwietert originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cuba, China to build new luxury hotel in Havana

Melanie Nayer — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 13:30:00 EST

Filed under: Cuba, Hotels and Accommodations, Caribbean

While the U.S. continues to talk tourism with Cuba, Caribbean developers will break ground on Havana's first luxury hotel later this year, the Latin American Herald Tribune reported.

The luxe-hotel is a joint effort between Cuba and China that will cost approximately $117 million (51 percent Chinese capital and 49 percent Cuban). According to reports, the hotel complex will have 650 rooms and cover an area of about 19 acres in the "Marina Hemingway" tourist center in western Havana.

This isn't the first project Cuba and China are working on together - China is Cuba's second-largest trading partner, so it's no surprise the two friends have joined together to create a luxury hotel for tourists. The two countries have a total of 13 projects currently in development and spanning various industries including mechanics, communications, agricultural production and tourism.

[via The Latin American Herald Tribune]

Cuba, China to build new luxury hotel in Havana originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Next stop: Cuba's Vinales Valley

Alex Robertson Textor — Fri, 28 May 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Cuba, Caribbean

Cuba's Viñales Valley is home to the Parque Nacional Viñales, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. The area is one of Cuba's top-level tourist attractions. It can be reached by bus from Havana for CUC$12 ($13), a journey that takes between three and three-and-a-half hours.

Located in the far western province of Pinar del Rio, Viñales is comprised of a beautiful and otherworldly karst landscape of enormous outcrops of limestone, called mogotes, which are surrounded by green fields. The contrast between the red, even orange, soil and the super verdant foliage is dramatic and very picturesque. A media-primed visitor might wonder why this landscape hasn't featured in any Hollywood films, at least before remembering about that pesky embargo.

Pinar del Rio is tobacco country, and in fact much of the agricultural production here is devoted to tobacco. Other crops include sugar cane, corn and various tubers. Farms in the valley sell their products to wandering tourists. There are fruits and vegetables on offer, as well as cane juice and cords of cigars. If you're lucky you'll be able to visit a tobacco farm during your hike and witness the various stages of tobacco production.

It is possible to tour the fields, mogotes, and caves independently, though most tourists plump for a local guide. Ours was extremely reasonable, at just CUC$3 ($3) per person per hour. Guides can be organized through casas particulares or hotels. Most walks are not particularly challenging, though shoes with a good grip are more or less obligatory.

For greater adventure, check out Viñales' burgeoning climbing scene via Cuba Climbing. More adventurous travelers might also be interested in taking a day trip to the Santo Tomás cave system some distance beyond the town of Vinales. Santo Tomás is Cuba's largest cave system.

Accommodation Tip:

Check out the simple, two-room Villa El Mojito, a casa particular run by an affable couple named Tita and Juanito. Tita serves up outstanding home-cooked dinners, and Juanito, formerly a bartender, goes by the nickname "El Mojito." He mixes delicious mojitos with muddled yerba buena grown in the casa's back garden. A twin bedroom at Villa El Mojito goes for CUC$20 ($21). Breakfast is CUC$3 ($3) per person; dinner begins at CUC$8 ($8). The freshwater shrimp and pork are dinner standouts.

Next stop: Cuba's Vinales Valley originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 28 May 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments