Viňales a Pinar del Rio
VIŇALES a PINAR del RIO
| Ploché údolí Viňales v provincii Pinar del Rio bezesporu patří k nejmalebnějším scéneriím Kuby. Nachází se 20 km severně od města Pinar del Rio a právem patří k nejvíce navštěvovaným místům na Kubě vůbec. Charakteristckým rysem Viňales jsou tzv. mogoty (sloní hřbety) tvořené útesovými vápenci, které vznikly v pradávných jurských mořích (před cca 160 miliony let). |  | |
 | Malebná krajina Viňales odjakživa přitahovala nejrůznější cestovatele, romantiky a rovněž tak i filmové štáby. Mezi jinými tady vznikly i dva díly legendárního seriálu 30 případů majora Zemana : Rukojmí v Bella Vista a Poselství z nezámé země. |  |
| Zkrácenou osmi minutovou verzi Rukojmí v Bella Vista (se scéneriemi Viňales) si můžete prohlednout zde. | |
| Ačkoli příjemných hotýlků je zde víc, jednoznačně nejhezčí vyhlídka je z hotelu Los Jasmines na okraji Viňales. Ubytovat se zde je však prakticky nemožné, neboť je téměř vždy vyprodaný. Na sklenku něčeho dobrého se zde však stavit můžete vždycky. |  |
 | Provincie Pinar del Rio je kubánskou (i světovou) tabákovou pokladnicí, kde rostou ty nejvybranější druhy. Hlavní zdejší tabáková manufaktura je v Pinar del Rio, nicméně drobných manufaktur je tu plno i v celém okolí. Zde se často plní sen každého doutníkového labužníka : dát si kubánský doutníček právě teď ubalený... Viňales a Pinar del Rio
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 | Poté, co se nědejší korálové útesy dostaly nad hladinu, zakousla se do nich svým erozivním zubem dešťová voda a vytvořila zde rozsáhlou síť velkých jeskyní. Ty sloužily v koloniálních dobách jako úkryt původních Indiánů před španělskými kolonizátory. Dnes jsou z nich zajímavé a poučné turistické atrakce připomínající předkolumbovskou epochu Kuby: např. replika indiánské skrýše zvaná Palenque či Cueva de los Indios (Jeskyně Indiánů) s ponornou říčkou, po které se jezdí na lodičkách. |  |
| Aktuální počasí ve Viňales a Pinar del Rio | |
| Fotogalerie Viňales a Pinar del Rio | |
VARADERO : beaches, golf and relax
| Varadero is called "the tourist capital" of Cuba. This biggest Cuban turistic resort has its own airport, and is located on the long and narrow Penisula de Hicacos on the Atlantic coast, about 140 km northeast of Havana. The coast of the narrow penisula, sticking out to the Atlantic ocan, is fringed by 20 km long sandy beaches. Although this summer resort was created in the 80´s of the 19th century, it experienced the biggest boom in the beginning of the 20th century, when the American-French billionaire Irenee Dupont de Nemours, who in his 49 years of age decided to leave the family company (chemical-technological imperium with 90 000 employees), and retire. During his tenure, many private villas were bulit there, in addition to a 9-hole golf course, later rebuilt to the 18-hole one. The second wave of building of new luxury hotels and casinos came in the 50´s of the last century. Their clients were mostly Hollywood jet set and American mafia – rumor has it that Al Capone used to come there to relax from his hard job. After the revolution in 1959, clients significantly changed - Hollywoood stars and financial magnates were replaced by comrades of socialist friendly countries. |  | |
 | Today, Varadero again enjoys the favour of international tourists who love sun, sand and reckless lounging. The offer of hotels is plentiful - from the most simple ones 2* (sometimes looking like hostels) to the luxurious ones all inclusive 5*. Suitable to everybody according their taste...and pocket. Tourists coming to Varadero should keep in mind two things : THAT Varadero was founded as a summer resort for American high society; in the winter period there can be both tropical weather and cold winds from the Atlantic ocean, and THAT you can enjoy the laze on the beautiful beaches, but you won´t get to know the real Cuba. To feel the real Cuban atmosphere, you have to look for it among local people on the streets of colonial Havany or Trinidadu ...in real Cuba |  |
 | GOLF IN VARADERO
Already in December 1931 there was opened the Du Pont´s nine-hole golf course, built according the design of the famous designers Herbert Strong and Sim Cuthie. However, after the revolution in 1959, golf was proclaimed as bourgeois whim, and was closed. The unique pictures of Che Guevara and Fidel from the year of 1961 playing golf don´t come from the euthusiasm for this sport, but it was meant like a personally adressed joke to the American president of that time, Dwight D. Eiesenhower. |  |
 | After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, and following opening of "touristic arms of Cuba", golf activities came into life again. Du Pont golf club was re-named into Varadero Golf Club, reconstructed into 18-hole course, and currently it is located on an area of 40 hectares among "Breezas", "Tuxpan", "Bella Costa", "Meliá Las Américas", "Meliá Varadero", "Sol Club Palmeras" and "Sol Club Sirenas" hotels. It has five par 5 holes, five par 3 holes and eight par 4 holes. Some Greens are – excepting the classic bunkers - protected by unique narrow sea gulfs (map of the course). |  |
Green fee 18 holes (green fee+ buggy + bag +clubs 95 CUC, that means around 76 EUR. Some luxury hotels include this fee to the whole accommodation price.
We are happy to make you an offer and reservation (in the best hotels for the best prices). - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. VARADERO : relax & golf | ||
| WEATHER IN VARADERO |
BARACOA
| This place is said to be the loveliest place in the whole Cuba. It is situated on the seashore of the Atlantic Ocean, in the landscape of the green mountains, covered by the denses forest with many palms and cacao-trees, and interwoven by many rivers. Christopher Columbus landed exactly there in 1492, and said the memorable sentece, that it was the moct beautiful place which the human´s eye had ever seen. He named this place as Porto Santo, and as a symbol of the Spanish head, he have had a wooden cross held up there (La Cruz de la Parra). It is considered to be the one of the most important sacred relic in the whole Latin America today. It is placed in the scenic cathedral- Catedral de Nuestra Seňora de la Asuncion, on the edge of the green square Parque Independencia located in the historical town centre. Attention- the cathedral is opened only in the midmornig hours. |  | |
 | The crux La Cruz de la Parra brought by Christopher Columbus in October 28,1942 |  |
 | The considerable dominant in the neighbourhood is the mesa El Yunque (in translation it means an "anvil"), mossy of the dense primeval forest, where you can see the wild-growing orchids and pretty red aepyphytes. The top plateau was completely isolated from the rest of the World, and that is the reason, why you can see many miraculous palms and ferns groving only there. The journey on the top of the mountain takes about two hours. It is recommended to start at the capm El Yunque (3 km far from the road Moa). In 1511 Diego Velásquez found the first town in Cuba, named it Baracoa, and the history of the New World could have begun. ... |  |
Baracoa | ||
| Actual weather in Baracoa | Photo gallery Baracoa | |
GUANTÁNAMO
This well-known military outpost, which arised on the base of the U.S. and Cuban contract in 1901. The original aim of this cntract was to protect Cuban independence against Spanish tendency to get hold back this colony. But in practicular, the real intention was to protect the Panama Canal. It is necessary to point, that Cubans were really afraid of Spanish conquering, and the U.S. army was wellcomed. The yearly rate of rent was two thousands golds, which is about 4085 Dollars and contract was made for 99 years. However, it was required the agreement of both U.S. and Cuban sides. Therefore, the U.S. army unit, today´s Cuban enemy, has been staying in Cuba eventhough the strict Cuban disagreement. A part of the outpost are two airports, harbour for forty two war ships, and more than three thousands soldiers are on duty. The outpost is sorrouned by the minefields and many Cuban military standpoints, so that it is impossible to get inside. The only one posibility how to see it is the visiting of two places- Miradir Malones and Caimanera (with the historical museum). But Guantanámo is not "famous" olny because of the outpost- no less famous is the song Gauntanamera, which means the "Girl from Guantanámo".
Guantanámo
SANTIAGO DE CUBA
| It is often described as a jewel of the eastern part of the island. It is located close to a deep bay and high mountains, and you can meet with a typically relaxed lifestyle and a diverse mix of residents - Santiago used to be the first place where the first ships arrived with African slaves. The city was founded in 1515 by Diego Velasquez and named after the Spanish patron, Saint James (Santiago). For its convenient location, it became the gateway to the country and for a short period also its capital. However, its boom didn´t last too long. After the subsidence of the gold rush, several earthquakes and pirate raids in 1553, the governor of the island Gonzálo Perez de Angulo decided to relocate to Havana. Five years later, there was even issued an edict by which all foreign trade had to be directed through Havana, which finally relegated Santiago to the role of number two. |  | |
 | Most of the interesting places are located in the historical center of the town, near by a charismatic square Parqué Céspedes. This place (originally called Plaza de Armas) is famous for the courtesans searching for customers among tourists. On the eastern side of the park there is a stylish hotel Casa Granda, and the entire park is surrounded by a number of magnificent buildings. Here you will find the Town Hall Ayuntamiento, the former residence of the governor of Cuba (Casa del Gobierno), the former villa of Diego Velasquez (now Museo de Ambiente Cubano), or the famous Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion. |  |
 | The Catedral Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion was originally built in 1522, but was later destroyed several times by pirates, and earthquake, and then rebuilt again. Above the entrance to the cathedral you can see the figures of angels and statues of Christopher Columbus and Bartholomew de las Casas, protector of Indians. The current appearance of the cathedral dates from 1818 and the best view to the cathedral is from the rooftop terrace bar at hotel Casa Granda. |  |
 | Not far from the cathedral you can find the Balcon de Velasquez, a full size replica of the original fort guarding the entrance to the harbor. On the opposite direction from Parque Céspedes, towards Plaza Dolorez, there is another landmark that visitors of Santiago shouldn´t miss - Museo Emilio Bacardi Moreau. This is a museum founded in 1899 by a former mayor and a rum magnate Emilio Bacardi. The interesting part of the exposure are Bacardi´s private collections, gathered for several decades. In addition to works of art, there are whips and chains for slaves, wooden mats for cutting off hands or feet, and many another objects approaching Cuba's colonial period. Santiago de Cuba |  |
| Photos from Santiago de Cuba |
SANTA LUCIA
It is a modern resort ashore the Atlantic Ocean, close by the village Neuvitas. There used to be one of the eldest cities in Cuba called Santa Maria de Puerto Principe, lately renamed to Camaguey. But this rich city became a target of the Caribbean pirates, and was attacked and desolated. Therefore, in 1528 the Spanish guvernor decided to move it to the centre of the island, which is its current location. Despite this, pirates found it again, and in 1668 it was attacked by the "most famous" Caribbean corsair Sir Henry Morgan (1635-1688). Today is Santa Lucia a modern recreation centre, with the neverending sundy beaches and many hotel resorts.
In a diving point of view is Santa Lucia, thanks to a guaranteed appearance of the billsharks, one of the most interesting diving site. This remarkalbe species is said to be an human´s attacker. It can swim many kilometres against the stream and is able to attack aground (the most of its victims are swimmers and people on the beaches), while divers are out of harm´s way. The local diving outpost is called The Shark´s Friends.
Bullshark an Santa Lucia
Santa Lucia belongs to the favourite areas of the bullshark´s lovers,"advanced Cuban veterans", who got to know the basic Cuban jewels Kuby (Havana, Trinidad) and would like to flavour their adventures by some special delicacy..
