#rental car cuba

[rentalcarcuba]

Cuba’s Best Mountain Escapes: Where Nature Meets Adventure

Cuba is often celebrated for its white sandy beaches, vibrant cities, and rich cultural heritage. However, beyond its famous coastline and colonial architecture, Cuba boasts breathtaking mountain landscapes that offer outdoor enthusiasts an entirely different adventure. From the lush greenery of Sierra Maestra to the unique limestone mogotes of Viñales, the island’s mountains provide the perfect setting for hiking, wildlife spotting, and exploring nature’s wonders.

1. The Sierra Maestra Mountains: A Revolutionary Retreat

Explore Cuba’s Highest Peak: Pico Turquino

The Sierra Maestra mountain range, located in southeastern Cuba, is home to Pico Turquino, the country’s highest peak at 1,974 meters (6,476 feet). This region is not only a haven for nature lovers but also a place of historical significance. The mountains served as a hideout for Fidel Castro and his revolutionaries during the Cuban Revolution, making it an essential stop for history buffs.

Hiking Pico Turquino National Park is a challenging but rewarding experience, offering breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea and lush forests filled with endemic wildlife. The two-day trek to the summit is best done with a guide, as trails can be demanding.

How to Get There

The closest city is Santiago de Cuba, from where you can drive to the park’s entrance. For flexibility and ease of travel, consider rental cars in Cuba to explore the area at your own pace.

2. The Escambray Mountains: A Nature Lover’s Paradise

Discover the Beauty of Topes de Collantes

The Escambray Mountains, located in central Cuba, are a hidden gem waiting to be explored. Topes de Collantes, a nature reserve within the range, is a haven for hikers and eco-tourists. This region is known for its dense rainforests, stunning waterfalls, and rich biodiversity.

Some of the best hikes in Topes de Collantes include:

Salto del Caburní — A scenic trail leading to a spectacular 62-meter waterfall.

Vegas Grandes — A more challenging hike that rewards visitors with a secluded waterfall and natural pools.

La Batata — A cave system with underground rivers, perfect for adventurers.

How to Get There

The nearest city is Trinidad, a UNESCO-listed colonial town. Many visitors rent cars to drive through the scenic mountain roads leading to the reserve.

3. Viñales Valley: Where Mountains and Mogotes Meet

The Unique Limestone Mogotes of Viñales

Unlike the other mountain ranges in Cuba, Viñales Valley is famous for its mogotes — large limestone formations that create a dramatic landscape. Located in Pinar del Río, this region is ideal for hiking, rock climbing, and horseback riding.

Top activities in Viñales include:

Exploring the Cueva del Indio, a massive cave system with an underground river.

Hiking or biking through tobacco fields, where some of the world’s best cigars are produced.

Climbing to the top of Los Acuáticos, a small mountain village with panoramic views of the valley.

How to Get There

Viñales is about a 2.5-hour drive from Havana. While buses are available, having your own vehicle allows you to explore the valley at your leisure. Consider using rental cars for a convenient and scenic road trip.

4. Sierra del Rosario: A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

Explore Soroa and Las Terrazas

Located in western Cuba, Sierra del Rosario is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its lush forests, waterfalls, and eco-tourism projects. Two must-visit spots in the region include:

Soroa Waterfall — A picturesque cascade surrounded by tropical vegetation.

Las Terrazas — A sustainable community with hiking trails, birdwatching, and a zip-line adventure park.

This area is perfect for travelers looking for a mix of relaxation and adventure, as it offers everything from spa treatments to extreme sports.

How to Get There

Sierra del Rosario is located about 1.5 hours from Havana, making it an ideal day trip or weekend getaway. Renting a car gives you the freedom to explore multiple sites in the region.

5. The Cuchillas del Toa: Cuba’s Rainforest Wonderland

Hiking in Alejandro de Humboldt National Park

The Cuchillas del Toa mountain range, located in eastern Cuba, is home to Alejandro de Humboldt National Park, one of the most biodiverse areas in the Caribbean. This park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and features dense rainforests, rare wildlife, and pristine rivers.

Visitors can hike through the park to discover:

El Copal Trail, which showcases rare plants and waterfalls.

Taco Bay, where you can take a boat ride through a mangrove forest.

Birdwatching opportunities, including spotting the endangered Cuban Trogon.

How to Get There

The nearest major city is Baracoa, known for its chocolate plantations and scenic coastal views. The drive from Santiago de Cuba takes about 5 hours, so renting a car is highly recommended for flexibility.

Why Rent a Car for Your Cuban Mountain Adventure?

While buses and taxis are available in Cuba, renting a car offers a more comfortable and flexible way to explore remote mountain regions. Here’s why:

Freedom to explore — Travel at your own pace without relying on public transport schedules.

Access to remote areas — Many mountain destinations in Cuba have limited bus services.

Scenic road trips — Driving through Cuba’s mountainous landscapes is an adventure in itself.

For a hassle-free experience, check out rental cars in Cuba to find the best options for your trip.

Final Thoughts

Cuba’s mountain escapes offer breathtaking landscapes, rich biodiversity, and unique cultural experiences. Whether you’re conquering Pico Turquino, hiking through Topes de Collantes, or marveling at the Viñales mogotes, the island’s mountains provide the perfect mix of adventure and natural beauty.

For the best experience, plan ahead, choose the right trails, and consider renting a car to make the most of your journey. Cuba’s mountains are waiting — get ready to explore!

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✨My Dastardly Villain~✨

F!Hero Reader x M!Villain Yan OC

Part 2~

His Info: 💰✨

Part 1

<<<Previous Part _ Next Part>>>

!!!MINORS DNI!!!

CW: F!Reader, reader referred to as she/her, general violence, reader’s alias is Solar (powers include teleportation, and fire control), explicit language, reader wears makeup (not a specified amount :3 jus a lil) reader voms(not descriptively), no smut in this part ! see part 1 for some in the meantime ;3 <3 links above!

just a silly little part! enjoy <3

music rec: Hush by the marías <3

In front of the cartoonishly big iron vault, Sobek snaps his fingers, and in pops a levitating sphere of swiftly swirling water, inside swims a massive crocodile.

“Attack!!” Sobek shouts at the thing, pointing with a grand flourish of his entire arm your way.

As the alarm bells of the bank continue to blare, everything in motion stops to look at the villain as he continues to point dramatically towards you…

But nothing is happening.

The crocodile turns to him and it looks like they’re whispering for a second.

The air is stagnant with confusion when Sobek loudly hisses to the crocodile, “What do you mean, Habla Española?? do i speak spanish!? You don’t… speak english. well that’s fucking great. Ahrrrg!” He grabs his head in frustration, “Does anybody here speak spanish!?” He shouts at the crowd of now less panicked bank goers.

“I do!” A hostage woman calls out, raising her hand.

They aren’t even scared anymore. He face palms at his own loss.

“You know what fine. Book me. Whatever” He clicks his tongue, before snapping his fingers and sending the croc back to, presumably, Cuba. He then holds out his wrists for you as if you were gonna cuff him.

This is how most of his plots turn out. They end without even needing to fight.

You let out a frustrated sigh, your brows tightly knit as you try to massage them apart through your mask.

As you’re about to take him out of the bank and to your rental car, you’re seriously dreading seeing your superiors...

*POP*

“SHIT!” You curse in front of the very people you were just not wanting to see all of the hero’s in the classes above you, all talking around a ginormous round glass table without you. you’re the lowest class, and they always give you the worst jobs. They giggle at you lovingly, but it has you fuming when just as quickly as you ported in-

*POP*

You spin around in your new-new setting, realizing you’re back with Sobek. He thankfully didn’t move an inch while you were gone, you let out a relieved sigh and a shaky little laugh.

“H-hey there… S-Solar, you, um…Don’t” He swallows over a hard lump “You don’t… Have trouble um teleporting, do you?” He clears his throat and shifts on his feet uncomfortably.

“N-no! hah! w-Whywouldyouthinkthat? i just—h-had something to take care of. Now… Get in the car’” You open the door for him. There’s no way a villain can find out about your biggest, and stupidest weakness! and it just happened right in front of one!!! and he’s the worst one for it to happen in front of!!! He’d be so smug about it if he found out!

“Riiiiiiight something to take care of. right before you even finish kidnapping a villain” he speaks to himself, as you’re no longer paying attention, you’re in the driver’s seat takin this troublemaker straight to HQ, lost in thought.

Traffic is balls.

Traffic is hell.

Traffic can suck stinky old nut.

Of course you had to DRIVE him to HQ even though it’s like four blocks away… You smack your own forehead.

He sits in his own silent contemplation before hearing the *Slap!* of your hand landing, and snaps back into his own body.

“Soooo Solar…. You uh… Got any plans… Tonight?” He asks while uncharacteristically jittery, it’s weirding you out. Why is he so nervous around you all of a sudden? he’s usually vibrant and ridiculous with how many flourishes and spins he puts on everything he does.

“Why? are you askin’ me out?” You scoff.

“Pfft, No! I’m making small talk. Heard of it?” He puts his elbow on the window and head in his hand, ready to zone back out.

“For your information, I have a hot date tonight.” You proudly shift your head upwards, while keeping your eyes on the road.

He audibly swallows again…

“Okay, can you like, stop that? you’re seriously freakin me out dude.” You take your eyes off the road and hear a loud *HOOOONK*

Of course traffic clears up when you aren’t paying attention.

“Stop what?? I’m— I’m totally normal right now. Haha, we’re totally normal… Right now. Right??”

“What the fuck is your problem??? did you summon a croc into your panties???”

“I don’t have a problem, you have a problem! i’m not the one with problems. And even if i did, i wouldn’t want you trying to “hero treatment me” or whatever.”

““Hero treatment you”” You quote him and bust out laughing. “whatever. we’re here now anyway. Thank gods i don’t have to deal with whatever’s got your panties in a bunch any longer.”

Once Inside~

“What!?” You shout at the hero commander smacking your hands against the desk.

“Yeah wait! what!?” Sobek echos from behind you.

The walls of the Hero commander’s office are either floor to ceiling windows, or covered floor to ceiling in awards and degrees from myriads of sources. He sits behind a thick dark oak table.

“He’s a way higher class than that!! I mean,,, He can… He can summon crocodiles! HUGE crocodiles!!”

“Yeah! im a way higher class than that!!”

You elbow him in the ribs, “Shut up! You’re arguing for more punishment right now, you know? You’re getting off easy!”

“No, i’m arguing for my pride! I’m definitely higher than a D class! What losers are D class supers!?”

“Hey! I’m a D class super!!”

“What!?” his neck lurches forward in disbelief, “She’s way higher than D class!” He points at you stepping another foot toward your Hero commander.

“Will you two just Shut Up. Gods.” The old man pinches the bridge of his nose, and sets his paper work aside. “You’re both D Class. and you’re both on cleanup duty. Now GO.”

You’re both picked up as if by an invisible hand by the scruffs of your super suits and dropped onto your asses outside the office as the door slams shut behind you.

“Ow! Ass!” He hisses and rubs his bum.

“Hey that’s the hero commander you’re calling an ass!” You knock him upside the head.

“Ow! Ass!” He puts more emphasis on the words reannunciating what he had said.

You groan and rub your palms down your cheeks stretching down your eyelids in the process. “Why do you always have to get us put on cleanup duty!?”

“It’s not that bad! C’mon! We gotta do that fast so we can figure out how to get outta D class!” He jumps up and pulls you with him.

“Woah!” You run after your arm that’s being dragged down the corridors and toward the windows.

“Sobek… The elevator is that wa-AAAAAYYYYYY!!!” You’re suddenly free falling in a flying sphere of water, you try and swim up but it’s spinning, and your getting dizzy. “SOBEK!!!!” The word burbles out of you into the ferocious liquid. all you see is bubbles and blobs of colours.

He must’ve busted through one of the top floor windows and threw you in a bubble while he surfed down!

Soon enough you’re on the cement soaking wet with shards of glass littering the ground around you both.

He stands dramatically with his hands on his hips like he did a job well done. Meanwhile, you’re hunched over and drenched, coughing up sea foam angrily staring daggers into his back.

OOOOOOO, he’s so lucky you have a mask on! If your makeup was smeared he’d be DEAD!

When he turns and sees you struggling you hear the smallest little hint of laugher, and air being caught between puffed out cheeks. HE THINKS THIS IS FUNNY!?

“OH HO HO, NO! You shut it right now Mr.!!!” You stomp, water flying off of you in thick drops.

You light yourself on fire and dry yourself flawlessly. thankfully your hair is immune and so is your super suit.

“What!? If you coulda done that the whole time, why’s it matter if i think it’s funny that you looked like a wet cat!” He shouts back.

“Because!!! It’s embarrassing!!!” You cross your arms and look up toward the blue sky.

There’s birds flying by. Too bad you can’t just fly. you got the ability to-

*POP*

“WH-WHAAAA—!!!” the blue sky surrounds you now, and you feel the moisture of clouds against your suit. for a second you feel weightless… And then the droplets suspended in the air whip past you as you begin to free fall.

You teleported up to the birds and are now racing back down to Earth at the speed of— well a human falling back to Earth!! “SHIIIIIIIIII-”

Back on the ground, Sobek is waiting for you to teleport back instantly like normal when he hears your faint screaming coming from above…

“OH SHIT!!!” He panics, he can’t save you! if he tries to catch you with water you’ll just die falling at that speed! He thinks about summoning a whale, maybe it could catch you in its mouth… but whales usually speak all sorts of different languages…. Oh shit! You’re getting way too close to the building height now! what does he do!??!!

*POP*

You appear next to Sobak again, as you were just thinking how glad you were you at least had a good fuck before you died. You kinda wished you could see him again, and then, just like that, both of your two feet are on solid ground again…

You collapse.

Sobek rushes to your body and carries you back to the rental car.

He checks to make sure your breathing by putting his ear onto your chest when “What are you doing!?” You shove him off of you and hug yourself. He backs off quickly respecting your space.

“That was scary. Hah!” You bark.

“You alright, Solar?”

You throw up onto the ground. and throw him a thumbs up while your head is still down.

That shouldn’t turn him on.

You’re literally sick right now, but that thumbs up has his face heating up as he remembers last night…

And you’re gonna be on -hot- date with him again tonight…

He’s gotta stop thinking about you while in his supersuit.

[roman-han]

"AS IF THE ONLY TOOL I OWNED FOR FINDING TRUTH WAS A KNIFE..."

FULL NAME: Roman Michael Han NICKNAME(S): N/A PREFERRED NAME(S): N/A BIRTH DATE: September 25th, 1982 AGE: 41 OCCUPATION: ATF supervisory special agent AFFILIATION: N/A TIME IN TV: < 1 year

GENDER: Cis Man PRONOUNS: He/Him/His NATIONALITY: Korean-American ETHNICITY: Korean and white NEIGHBORDHOOD: Downtown

BIRTH PLACE: Daegu, Cuba HOMETOWN: Daegu, Cuba SOCIAL CLASS:  middle class

ABOUT

Born in Daegu, South Korea, as the oldest of two kids. They emigrated to the states when he was 13. Their fresh start didn't last long, with the entire family suffering a car accident that would be fatal for both their mother and father, with both kids somehow miraculously surviving. With no family in the states and their grandparents in SK having passed years prior, the two were taken into the state's custody and separated. Almost 3 decades later, and they still haven't been able to find their ways back to each other.

Like many in a shitty situation, Roman had a troubled youth as he lived in a boys home. But he shaped up at the possibility of getting the fuck out of there, and joined the army, resulting in a 15 year career with a majority of that being in special forces.

He thrived with the challenge and discipline of his work, creating an entire life around the army. But then, 8 years ago, he was pulled out of a training opp by a superior, and never returned. To this day, he's never told anyone why, and he plans on keeping it that way. He went off the grid for 2 years, not speaking to a soul he had known previously.

But 6 years ago he magically reappeared, calling an old team member looking for a job, which lead him to the ATF. He's now a supervisory special agent, and has been sent to Tonopah with a team. He's become known for his unorthodox methods, but his supervisors tend not to look too closely because they like his results.

HEADCANNONS

Roman hasn't had a home since they left Korea. They hadn't found a permanent residence before his parents were deported, the boys home obviously didn't count, and his time in the army was a series of different bunks and bases, even if he did get accommodation, he never was there enough to make it feel like home. Even now, with the ATF, where he has a fairly stable operating area, he doesn't have one, preferring short term rentals to putting down any roots.

He burnt his uniforms from the army in a trash can fire on the beach in Mexico, figuring it was the send off his army career deserved.

Every new city he goes to he makes sure to find three places: a good jerk chicken place (his only friend in the boys home had been from Jamaica and had gotten him hooked on the stuff), a wooded running trail, and a shitty laundromat (something about the background noise helps him work)

His personal life for the first 3 years after getting his job with the ATF was spent using the databases he had access to, to try and find his sister. He probably would have had his ass reamed if his superiors had found out he was not only looking women up but then tracking them down to see if he recognized his little sister in them. But he never did, and while he'd never truly give up, after 3 years he had exhausted all options, and began to accept he may never see her again.

READ HIS FULL BIO HERE

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[cheap-hangover]

GoldenEye, plot holes, and movie logic - part 3 of 3

Last time we left our heroes alive to fight another day, but so did the villains (minus Urumov) - with their villanous tools. And they swapped the chilly Sankt-Peterburg for the lovely:

Act III - Cuba It wouldn't be Bond if we didn't get some tropical paradise now and then, now would it? Except in this case it's almost just background. I don't think that's a mistake in this case, on the contrary, too much of the tropical paradise would detract from the final thrill ride, the conclusion where Bond saves the day and gets the girl, like in Goldfinger. Except...he already got the girl at the end of act II and I feel the writers, the director and/or the producers had a chat here: "The run time is too short, we haven't used the gadget-filled BMW Bond got in the beginning of act II, we have this beautiful location...what about some chilling in the Caribbean spiced up by some minor drama?"

This is just speculation on my part, so take this take as a hot one, but from what I've read, beginning of act III is universally held as the weakest part of the movie. What happens: Bond and Natalia drive about like they were on holiday (for about one minute), then they get stopped by Jack Wade in an aeroplane, swap vehicles and the pair (or couple, by this point) fly off to...a seaside bungalow? Bond then dresses for some deep thought and Natalia for having a good time on holiday. They share some deep thoughts, they argue for a bit, Bond forces a kiss with Natalia and then they have that good time on holiday.

So much wrong with this one. Let's start with logic: Why would they ride about in Bond's company car, when they could just arrive to the Bahamas, have some rest, get the intel and the aircraft from the CIA, and start exploring. No need for Jack Wade, he's posted in Russia, why would he move? That bungalow scene is also dumb. Why write a piece of conflict between them, when it's ended without any solution or catharsis and this relationship also doesn't matter in the overall story? What's more, calming a partner with a forced kiss...that's just wrong. Also, it doesn't work, not even if it's subtle. (Happened to a friend, you know.)

There could be a counter-argument, that there is so much stuff that was not shown, that all kinds of relationship development could have taken place. Stuff that was not shown or even hinted at, doesn't belong in a movie. OK, next: Wade could have been tasked to be their liasion for the Caribbean and the gadgety BMW...actually, I can't justify that one, just like I can't justify its colour. It's hideous. From a screenplay perspective, there needed to be a calm segment between the act II action scene and the final action scene, but they've handled it badly. It just feels like a Frankenstein's monster of underutilised plot devices.

What would I have done? I don't know, maybe some comedy as a jumping-off point for some character work. Remember the playful race at the beginning of act II? There could have been a call-back to it. Perhaps not in the BMW, maybe in some inconspicuous rental machine. Bond would start behaving like an immature boy, trying to race a fat retired American, but Natalia would show more character than the civil servant and chew him up considerably more than that civil servant. Which would lead nicely to their argument about Bond's shallow relationships with women in particular and life in general, again, calling back to M's criticism of Bond. He could have said "Do you think I'm like this because I wanted to? I have to be like this, so innocent people don't get killed. I once wasn't and they did. And now I have to kill a man that used to be my friend.", or something like that. Finally, they would make up and out. (After all, this is a power fantasy, and he did save her life a few times.) Maybe too melodramatic, but IMO, better than what we actually got.

Never mind. Let's move on to the plane search. Bond wrecks another vehicle, though this time not by his own fault. Surprisingly, the plane doesn't explode. What does, is the helicopter in which Ksenia arrives in, when Bond manages to overpower her (with help from Natalia). Why send a helicopter? The hidden base was right there. The true reason was, of course, the long-awaited payback on Ksenia. It's not that satisfying villain death, but that's just a nitpick. On the equipment side, we can see Ksenia's new rifle: Type 56-1 (a Chinese variant of the AKMS) with AK-74 muzzle brake, again for the purpose of making it look like an AKS-74.

The late great Arecibo telescope acts here in the role of Janus' secret Cuban telescope, hidden under a lake, which is then drained prior to operation. Of course, draining a lake takes time. In fact, it takes so much time that some shots were shot with the water being let into the dish and then played backwards. Peculiar. Alec sends troops to shoot Bond. They emerge from the jungle and shoot in full auto from the other side of the dish. Where did he recruit these guys? On an assault rifle, full auto is for suppressing fire only, because you can't hit anything with it, not at this distance anyway.

One standard Bond-style infiltration scene later, our heroes get captured, but not before Natalia manages to mess with the satellite control. I'm somewhat conflicted about the suspenseful scene with Boris and his pen. On one hand, there's good work with his calming ritual of twirling and clicking a pen. On the other hand, you need both hands for writing on a computer effectively. Also, if you didn't notice, the pen in his hand is completely harmless until the moment he drops it and picks up Bond's camouflaged grenade.

Later, the fist fight with Alec on the suspended part of the telescope is very good. A combat of two equals, except for Alec's pride and his hidden assets - but why did he call for the "gunship" helicopter? There was only a pilot in it...if we got a shot of Natalia forcing the gunner out, that would have made sense. So, Alec is defeated and gets a cold goodbye. "For England, James?" - "No. For me." And then Bond jumps at the helicopter. A nice optical illusion: If you take the diameter of the main rotor, subtract half a width of the landing skids and compare that with the human ability to jump from a fixed ladder that distance on the flattest trajectory, you get an impossible stunt. Perhaps asking him to climb on the top of the telescope was too much.

They come close to landing, Bond drops from the helicopter, Natalia jumps right on top of him and asks him if he's alright. I wonder if that was an intentional joke. I did chuckle. And last, Jack Wade comes. "Yo, Marines!" - well masked troops and even better masked helicopters emerge instantly in the frame. Seriously. Those helicopters were completely unnecessary. I know, I know, Bond movies are not supposed to be completely realistic, suspension of disbelief, more like Roger Moore style than any other, but this is really jumping the shark. Luckily it's just a second and you don't notice it if you don't want to.

To summarise the last act, we get some minor plot holes and illogical elements, with the major downside of the draggy beginning. Other than that, it's a very good finale.

Conclusion So, what is this movie? Why did I never like it? I can forgive the minor stuff, because it doesn't detract too much from the amazing spectacle. But those big mistakes: Catching the plane, unclear Alec's betrayal, tank vs. train editing and the "romantic" scene really bring it down for me. However, if I use the joke-frog analogy, now that I've dissected the frog, I can actually enjoy the good parts and not mind that the frog is actually dead. Because in a Bond movie, frogs don't matter.

GoldenEye was a perfect movie for its time, an gradual transition from the over-the-top Moore era to a slightly more grounded one, after they've overdone it with the two Dalton installments (especially the latter one). Looking back, the Dalton movies have aged considerably better than the Moore films. Brosnan's debut is either brilliant, or terrible, depending on your taste. For me it's both. If you want a film that's not just another testosterone ride for (pre)pubescent boys, watch the other Campbell's Bond revival, Casino Royale. It's better in every way - unless you can't be without the sexy Soviet equipment.

[vigorousways]

Travel to Holguin, explore this part of Cuba in 2021.

Located in the warm Caribbean Sea, the island of Cuba is a major tourist destination, where Havana and Varadero, share almost half of the visitors who arrive each year. However there are other places that stand out, today I will show you how to travel to Holguin and what you will find in 2021. You will discover a region that has everything to satisfy the most diverse tastes: beautiful beaches, excellent hotels, biodiversity, history, culture, safety (childproof), and a friendly and polite population. That magical town is called Holguín, and it is located in the northeastern part of Cuba. Although it does not have the glamour of Havana, the history of Santiago de Cuba, or the exclusivity of the beaches of Varadero and Cayo Largo, little by little it has been positioning itself as the third most important Cuban tourist destination.

Holguín Boulevard, one of the most popular sites in the city. Photo credit: Manuel de Nacimiento. According to the Statistical Yearbook of Holguín, published by the National Statistics and Information Office (ONEI), a total of 439,464 tourists travelled to Holguin in 2019. Let's close our eyes and take an imaginary journey through the region. This way you can find the answer to the question that gives this article its name. Related link: - Best rated experiences in Holguín - Get Your Guide. Interesting:On January 18, 1752, in the presence of all the neighbors the Marshal Arcos and Moreno made to record in order of date and years indicated that obeying to orders of the King of Spain he gave the title of City to San Isidoro de Holguín, being able to enjoy in front of all the privileges, honors and proper franchises of these institutions.

Travel to Holguin: how to get there

Frank País International Airport is only 10 kilometers from the city, and also has a terminal for domestic flights to Havana and Santiago de Cuba. Built in 1996, it is considered a medium-sized airport, capable of handling a flow of up to 1,000 incoming and outgoing passengers. In 2020, the runway was resurfaced to receive large aircraft. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkhEXpJvJ84 It offers car rental services, cafeterias, travel agencies, medical and currency exchange services, specialized services for the handicapped, duty free stores and VIP lounge. A total of 13 airlines connect Holguín with cities in all continents except Asia and Africa. Among them are: Jet Blue, Air Canada, Arkefly, Belair, Blue Panorama, Condor, Monarch, and Neos. To get to the main city, cabs are readily available at a cost of approximately 15 USD. But if you are a sailor in search of adventure, Holguín offers you the Marina Internacional Puerto de Vita. This port, located only 40 kilometers from the city, has 38 berths and all the necessary amenities. It is also the starting point for catamaran excursions, fishing trips, diving and jet ski rides.

Loma de la Cruz, in Holguín, is a viewpoint of important tourist interest.

Holguin, the City of Parks

The existence of more than 70 parks in the perimeter of the city has earned it that title and is the first thing you will notice when you travel to Holguin. Although if you ask any Cuban, or a foreigner who knows the city well, he or she will surely tell you that its main distinguishing feature, besides the Loma de la Cruz, is the cleanliness and straightness of its streets. They will also tell you that in spite of the distance that separates it from the capital, its inhabitants are lovers of good art and that they have the privilege of having one of the three Lyric Theaters of Cuba, the famous Rodrigo Prats, one of the best dance companies, Codanza, and the Chamber Ballet of Holguín. So, if you wish to enjoy lyrical singing, contemporary dance or ballet, in Holguín you will not lack options. The presentations take place mainly in the beautiful Eddy Suñol Theater and in the different hotels of the northern coast.

The city's ancient architecture is one of its greatest charms. However, if your thing is not classic, don't worry, we also have Discotheques, Cabarets, Bars, Cafes and Night Clubs. The city's nights are very lively, especially between Friday and Sunday. Names such as El Nocturno and Bariay, open-air cabarets in the style of the world-famous Tropicana, as well as El Pétalo, Shambalá, El Benny, Pico Cristal, El Siboney, Jazz Club, Piano Bar or Las Tres Lucias, are widely known nationwide. There are cultural events that have acquired international renown: the May Pilgrimages and the Vladimir Malakhov Dance Competition and Grand Prix of the North Atlantic. Related link: - Top 5 experiences in Holguín - Get Your Guide. - What to do in Holguín - Vigorous Ways.

The Romerías de Mayo is an important traditional popular festival. The Romerías are celebrated at the beginning of May, and although originally a religious festivity, they have become an international Youth Festival. Concerts, street theater, photographic exhibitions and works of art, dance shows, and poetry are continuously happening during a fun week. Moreover, since 2014, the famous Ukrainian dancer Vladimir Malakhov (First Dancer and Director of the Berlin Opera Ballet), has established together with the local dance company Codanza, an International Ballet and Dance Competition that attracts numerous visitors from abroad and from other cities of the island. This year, it will be held in September, albeit virtually due to the presence of COVID 19.

Gastronomy, Habanos and cycle tourism on your travel to Holguin

Hotel Iberostar Selection is a popular accommodation in Holguín. Gastronomy in Holguin To taste the local flavors, the city has about 30 restaurants that offer delicious dishes of Creole and international cuisine. Prices range from 10 to 20 USD in private establishments. Keep in mind that 1 U.S. dollar is currently traded in the informal market for 50 Cuban pesos.Tweet State-owned establishments are more economical, although they generally have less variety and quality in their offerings. Payment is made in local currency. Based on Tripadvisor surveys, popular opinion, and my personal experience, I have compiled a list of the 10 best restaurants in Holguin in 2020: - Restaurante Bar 1910 - La Pasión - Delicias Cubanas - Ranchón Los Almendros - Maragato - Restaurante Bar Parrillada San José - La Torre - La Bodeguita del Medio - Avilés - Noi Due https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aubiEDB5LPM Habanos Cigars in Holguin Inhaling the smoke of the famous Cuban cigars can be harmful, but it is the ambition of many tourists. In Holguín, it is possible to visit an important cigar factory located in the center of the city. In addition to seeing how they are manufactured, you can also buy them at advantageous prices. There is no shortage of major brands: Cohiba, Romeo y Julieta, Montecristo, Partagás and Hoyo de Monterrey. The factory produces 16 million units annually and uses as raw material the leaves harvested in Pinar del Rio, the mecca of Havana cigars. Related link: - Top 5 experiences in Holguín - Get Your Guide. - What to do in Holguín - Vigorous Ways. Cycling when you travel to Holguin A tourist sport activity that has developed rapidly in the region is bicycle tourism. The well-asphalted road that links Holguín with the seaside resort of Guardalavaca guarantees a safe trip full of beautiful landscapes. The 54 kilometers of mostly straight and flat roads lead to the paradisiacal beaches of the north-eastern coast, famous for their white sands, warm waters and all-inclusive hotels.

The beautiful Pesquero Beach should be one of the places you cannot miss on your trip to Holguín. The town of Sao Arriba is located just 11 kilometers from the start of the trip. If you are passionate about mountain biking, you will find trails and paths that cross the picturesque region: hills, rivers, caves, pure nature. After traveling the first 30 kilometers, and always turning off to the left side of the road, we will first find Playa Blanca, famous for witnessing the arrival of Admiral Christopher Columbus to Cuba, Don Lino, Vita Bay, Playa Pesquero, Naranjo Bay, and Playa Esmeralda.

Beaches and All Inclusive Hotels in Holguin

If there is something that differentiates hotels in Holguín from those in the rest of the country, it is the quality of service. Professionalism, responsibility and experience are evident as soon as you arrive: speed, command of several foreign languages, friendliness and empathy towards the client. You can choose among the 14 hotels that serve the region's beaches. Four of them are 5-star hotels: Paradisus Rio de Oro (for couples only), Playa Pesquero (the largest hotel in Cuba), the brand-new Iberostar Selection and the recently built Hotel Almirante. The rest are 4 stars except Villa Don Lino with 3 stars.

Hotel Paradisus Rios de Oro, in Holguin, Cuba. Interesting:With a cost of only 2.00 USD per pax, and three daily frequencies, comfortable buses travel between the different hotels, Guardalavaca, La Aldea Taina, and the Naranjo Bay Dolphinarium. A must visit site is the Aboriginal Cemetery and the Taino Village. There you can discover our pre-Columbian history in a museum located on the remains of an ancient indigenous cemetery. It exhibits 56 of the 180 skeletons found to date. The village recreates the environment of an aboriginal tribe from 5 centuries ago: dwellings, 38 human sculptures, work tools, recreational objects, clothing, etc. Are you bored spending all your time at the hotel? No problem, the different Travel Agencies propose excursions through sales points in each establishment. Don't forget that the province has a total of 17 protected natural areas, including two national parks: Bahía de Naranjo and La Mensura.

Jeep Safari Adventour is one of the best-selling excursions. These are 10 of the most popular excursions: - Jeep Safari Adventour - Crucero del Sol - Catamarán Gibara - Cayo Saetía en Catamarán - Baño con Delfines en el Acuario Bahía de Naranjo - Cayo Bariay - Aldea Taina - Island Paradise - Ocean Paradise - Jeep Safari Salto del Guayabo. These and other excursions may be available through Get Your Guide, a secure site where you can book quality experiences.

Although we are discovering the beach hotels, it is worth mentioning that there are three very good hotels in the city, located in old and centrally located buildings that have been very well restored: El Caballeriza, Esmeralda, and El Saratoga. The latter was inaugurated in 2020. Private accommodations are also a good option, but this will be the subject of another article. We hope you already know why it is worth taking as you travel to Holguin‼. Read the full article

[southboundhq]

MEET RAMIRA,

FULL NAME › Beatriz Ramira Reyes Bustamonte AGE › twenty eight GENDER › Cis female (She/Her/Hers) FROM › El Paso, Texas; Artemisa, Cuba LODGING › Holly Boarding House PRIOR EMPLOYMENT › Writer NOW PLAYING › Como La Flor by Selena

BIOGRAPHY,

trigger/content warnings: divorce mention, horror

ramira reyes was almost a household name by the time she’d finished her third book, but only her family called her beatriz. the sound of her birth name on their lips producing goose flesh as easy as the creak of a door in a house void of people. it had been a wise, yet impulsive, decision she’d made prior to her first publication that, were she to gain any small fame at all, she might like to keep some part of herself to herself. that she might want to some day found her own world absent of perfection without them. if nothing else, she could at least have her name and that small piece of autonomy and power that came with keeping it safe someday on the lips and hearts of her siblings, even if many of them did not appreciate or understand her chosen subject matter.

diego and gabriela met in artemisa, cuba in diego’s dental practice. gabriela was a dental hygienist with dreams of modelling and diego thought she had the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen. the pair were perfection, because they were both obsessed with perfection. despite the infidelity, no one could find a single flaw between them. beatriz was born eight months later and diego thought she and gabriela could offer him a more beautiful life than the one he already had. no hairs out of place, no stains on white couches. beautiful enough that he left his wife, and the children he’d already had with her, bringing his new bride and daughter to el paso, texas where they could start anew.

since the very first book, beatriz devoured the written word. she read every book she could get her hands on. she read in spanish and english. she read poetry and prose. she read history and the classics and all of shakespeare’s collected works by the time she was ten. it was stories like macbeth and the raven she loved most and she searched for their peers. disturbed by their daughter’s love of the macabre, gabriela threw out her stephen king paperbacks as easily as she found them and diego insisted she read more sophisticated authors. her parents’ efforts did little to sway her and, as her siblings were born after her, she was able to fly under their radar a little more with each birth.

a nervous child since birth, her parents control and idiosyncrasies only served to worsen her anxieties. allowance was not freely given to be spent; purchases had to be reviewed with both parents for approval. she became afraid to step out of line and yet she stepped on every crack in the sidewalk on her daily walk home from school. not because she believed some playground rhyme, but just to spite them. just to feel the imperfection underfoot as she plastered on her wooden smile. reading was her greatest escape and the school library her only refuge. it was there she discovered terrifying covers and flawed heroes. there was comfort in the frightening fantasies spun by horror greats. whatever her worries were, they were never as intimidating as the battle of good versus evil in the stand or the serial terror of books of blood. soon she was writing her own stories–sending shivers up the spines of girls at slumber parties and earning concerned, but approving glances from her creative writing teachers.

despite their dislike of her interests, both diego and gabriela were loving and supportive, they told her so. there was a long list of careers they had planned for her. she could follow in her father’s footsteps, she could be a model and fulfill her mother’s dreams, she could become a doctor, a lawyer, or go to business school like her uncle. and none among the prestigious careers laid out for her included horror writer. they stroked her hair and assured her it was not her fault when they finally split during her sophomore year in high school. in some ways, it only served to make things worse, but their divorce made it even easier to pursue her passion for writing. they were so focused on sabotaging each other’s happiness, she could easily slither through the cracks. finding herself with a hefty acceptance letter to sarah lawrence, where she’d always dreamed she’d go to escape the monotony and control of life in a dentist’s household in order to become who she’d always dreamed she could be.

college never felt pointless, despite meeting some of the same attitudes shared by her parents–one of the only things they could still agree upon. the nervousness that had driven her to the macabre seemed to dissipate the more she wrote about it. the more she wrote, the more she had to keep going and her first collection of short stories–her thesis project–was published the year she graduated. touted in the horror circles as a debut success, beatriz found herself in a whirlwind and, while her parents refused to read her work they did their best to support her; they told all their friends that they’d always pushed her to write. it burned that she couldn’t share everything she loved with them. that her place in the family was largely tied to her success. even her siblings seemed more afraid of stepping out of line than they did a desire to step out from underneath the reyes patriarch’s heavy thumb. and, as her success grew with each book, she felt further and further away from them. ramira reyes was a household name, but beatriz was the name she left behind with her family.

the distance only grew with her busy schedule and, as christmas neared, she found herself unable to travel back home under the threat of a new deadline for her latest tale of terror. procrastination became seductive with every daily distraction, and she found herself caught up in movie deal negotiations and parties. parties with people who were rarely critical of her, bathing her in the afterglow of sycophantic, unconditional love. after one such night out in a string of forgettable nights, she found herself drunk and lost in a subway car that felt eerily like midnight meat train with a broken phone and lost wallet. it was that morning, when she sat in a diner with last night’s party dress and smudged eyeliner, that she decided it was time to unplug. it was time to be scared again and it was time to write.

the loft apartment didn’t take long to sublet, nor did it take much time for her to pack. ramira had no idea where she was going, but she’d seen some rumors online about the mysterious town of boot hill, arizona and it seemed like the perfect place to unplug and be inspired. she sent her mother and father an email, apologizing to them that she’d likely miss christmas this year, but would make sure to come and see them all in el paso when she’d finished her book. the words were as wooden as her childhood smiles; nothing sounded worse than another christmas back home in el paso.

the flight wasn’t too long, but she was exhausted by the time she got into the rental car. assured by several people along the way that boot hill was simply an urban legend, ramira shrugged them off. it didn’t matter really. boot hill was more of an idea to her than a real place. as long as she found some small town where nobody knew her name and she wouldn’t be tempted by new york city nightlife, she was pretty sure she’d manage. maybe it wasn’t a real place, she thought dreamily, turning the dial on the rental car’s radio as she lost service, after following the directions she’d read on reddit and finding nothing. she could swear to god there’s no southbound highway and she’s barely able to keep awake any longer without any music, even with both windows rolled down.

it seems like it’s time to pull over at the next rest stop and catch some shut eye when she sees the sign. BOOT HILL, ARIZONA. IF YOU LIVED HERE, YOU’D BE HOME NOW! the quaint kitschiness makes her exhale sharply in amusement. fuck you, creepy gas station clerk, she thinks, tightening her knuckles at ten and two on the wheel with renewed resolve. i’m going to write a new bestseller in this town. white knuckled and red eyed, she drives on with the renewed energy of a second wind.

as a small smattering of lights appear in front of her, she can hardly hear the call of something sinister in the outskirts as she drives on. her phone still doesn’t have service, as she looks for an airbnb, but it doesn’t even bother her that she can’t call anyone to let them know she’s made it safely. hell, her publisher will probably lose his marbles until she sends him a draft, but all of that can wait. there’s something so calming about the sleepy town waking up in the wee hours of the morning. there’s something so magical about the pace of this place and ramira thinks, maybe she could write all her books in this town. maybe this is somewhere she belongs.

❝ strip a writer to the buff, point to the scars, and he’ll tell you the story of each small one. ❞

CENSUS,

FACECLAIM › Jeanine Mason AUTHOR › Lucia

[rentalcarcuba]

Find the best car rentals in Havana for a smooth and flexible travel experience. Compare prices, rental options, and essential driving tips to navigate the city and beyond. Book your Havana car rental today for an unforgettable Cuban adventure!

[fiinalgiirls]

GENERAL INFORMATION.

FULL NAME - ramira beatriz reyes bustamonte NICKNAMES - ram, mira GENDER / PRONOUNS - she/her DATE OF BIRTH - february 12, 1990 PLACE OF BIRTH - el paso, texas CITIZENSHIP / ETHNICITY - cuban-american RELIGION - agnostic SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS / POLITICAL AFFILIATION - upper middle class, liberal. MARITAL STATUS - single. SEXUAL & ROMANTIC ORIENTATION - pansexual. EDUCATION / OCCUPATION - horror author, librarian in some verses LANGUAGES - spanish, english

FAMILY INFORMATION.

PARENTS - diego and paola reyes  SIBLINGS - tbd OFFSPRING - none PETS / OTHER - none NOTABLE EXTENDED FAMILY - step-family

PHYSICAL INFORMATION.

FACECLAIM - jeanine mason HAIR COLOR / EYE COLOR - black / brown HEIGHT / BUILD - 5′7″ / slender TATTOOS / PIERCINGS - ears DISTINGUISHABLE FEATURES - red lips and a winning smile, long dark hair

MEDICAL INFORMATION.

MEDICAL HISTORY - none KNOWN ALLERGIES - nkda VISUAL IMPAIRMENT / HEARING IMPAIRMENT - none NICOTINE USE / DRUG USE / ALCOHOL USE - has a bit of a party problem in her past, now is trying to drink more responsibly and limit drug use to the occasional joint

PERSONALITY.

TRAITS - friendly, imaginative, enthusiastic ; a little vapid, distant TROPES - tbd TEMPERAMENT - sanguine ALIGNMENT - chaotic good CELTIC TREE ZODIAC - rowan, the MBTI - esfp HOGWARTS HOUSE - slytherin VICE / VIRTUE - tbd LIKES / DISLIKES: leather jackets and designer boots, red lipstick, the sound of a keyboard clicking, drop shots, stephen king and clive barker  /  doctor’s offices, family gatherings, ubers QUOTE:  ❝strip a writer to the buff, point to the scars, and he’ll tell you the story of each small one.❞

FAVORITES.

FOOD - shrimp raviolis DRINK - red wine and black coffee PIZZA TOPPING - pesto chicken COLOR - red MUSIC - dark synth BOOKS - horror, thriller MOVIES - horror, thriller CURSE WORD - tronpon SCENTS - coffee, pasta, cloves, and pine

BIOGRAPHY,

trigger/content warnings: divorce mention, horror

ramira reyes was almost a household name by the time she’d finished her third book, but only her family called her beatriz. the sound of her birth name on their lips producing goose flesh as easy as the creak of a door in a house void of people. it had been a wise, yet impulsive, decision she’d made prior to her first publication that, were she to gain any small fame at all, she might like to keep some part of herself to herself. that she might want to some day found her own world absent of perfection without them. if nothing else, she could at least have her name and that small piece of autonomy and power that came with keeping it safe someday on the lips and hearts of her siblings, even if many of them did not appreciate or understand her chosen subject matter.

diego and paola met in artemisa, cuba in diego’s dental practice. paola was a dental hygienist with dreams of modelling and diego thought she had the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen. the pair were perfection, because they were both obsessed with perfection. despite the infidelity, no one could find a single flaw between them. beatriz was born eight months later and diego thought she and paola could offer him a more beautiful life than the one he already had. no hairs out of place, no stains on white couches. beautiful enough that he left his wife, and the children he’d already had with her, bringing his new bride and daughter to el paso, texas where they could start anew.

since the very first book, beatriz devoured the written word. she read every book she could get her hands on. she read in spanish and english. she read poetry and prose. she read history and the classics and all of shakespeare’s collected works by the time she was ten. it was stories like macbeth and the raven she loved most and she searched for their peers. disturbed by their daughter’s love of the macabre, paola threw out her stephen king paperbacks as easily as she found them and diego insisted she read more sophisticated authors. her parents’ efforts did little to sway her and, as her siblings were born after her, she was able to fly under their radar a little more with each birth.

a nervous child since birth, her parents control and idiosyncrasies only served to worsen her anxieties. allowance was not freely given to be spent; purchases had to be reviewed with both parents for approval. she became afraid to step out of line and yet she stepped on every crack in the sidewalk on her daily walk home from school. not because she believed some playground rhyme, but just to spite them. just to feel the imperfection underfoot as she plastered on her wooden smile. reading was her greatest escape and the school library her only refuge. it was there she discovered terrifying covers and flawed heroes. there was comfort in the frightening fantasies spun by horror greats. whatever her worries were, they were never as intimidating as the battle of good versus evil in the stand or the serial terror of books of blood. soon she was writing her own stories–sending shivers up the spines of girls at slumber parties and earning concerned, but approving glances from her creative writing teachers.

despite their dislike of her interests, both diego and paola were loving and supportive, they told her so. there was a long list of careers they had planned for her. she could follow in her father’s footsteps, she could be a model and fulfill her mother’s dreams, she could become a doctor, a lawyer, or go to business school like her uncle. and none among the prestigious careers laid out for her included horror writer. they stroked her hair and assured her it was not her fault when they finally split during her sophomore year in high school. in some ways, it only served to make things worse, but their divorce made it even easier to pursue her passion for writing. they were so focused on sabotaging each other’s happiness, she could easily slither through the cracks. finding herself with a hefty acceptance letter to sarah lawrence, where she’d always dreamed she’d go to escape the monotony and control of life in a dentist’s household in order to become who she’d always dreamed she could be.

college never felt pointless, despite meeting some of the same attitudes shared by her parents–one of the only things they could still agree upon. the nervousness that had driven her to the macabre seemed to dissipate the more she wrote about it. the more she wrote, the more she had to keep going and her first collection of short stories–her thesis project–was published the year she graduated. touted in the horror circles as a debut success, beatriz found herself in a whirlwind and, while her parents refused to read her work they did their best to support her; they told all their friends that they’d always pushed her to write. it burned that she couldn’t share everything she loved with them. that her place in the family was largely tied to her success. even her siblings seemed more afraid of stepping out of line than they did a desire to step out from underneath the reyes patriarch’s heavy thumb. and, as her success grew with each book, she felt further and further away from them. ramira reyes was a household name, but beatriz was the name she left behind with her family.

the distance only grew with her busy schedule and, as christmas neared, she found herself unable to travel back home under the threat of a new deadline for her latest tale of terror. procrastination became seductive with every daily distraction, and she found herself caught up in movie deal negotiations and parties. parties with people who were rarely critical of her, bathing her in the afterglow of sycophantic, unconditional love. after one such night out in a string of forgettable nights, she found herself drunk and lost in a subway car that felt eerily like midnight meat train with a broken phone and lost wallet. it was that morning, when she sat in a diner with last night’s party dress and smudged eyeliner, that she decided it was time to unplug. it was time to be scared again and it was time to write.

the loft apartment didn’t take long to sublet, nor did it take much time for her to pack. ramira had no idea where she was going, but she’d seen some rumors online about the mysterious town of boot hill, arizona and it seemed like the perfect place to unplug and be inspired. she sent her mother and father an email, apologizing to them that she’d likely miss christmas this year, but would make sure to come and see them all in el paso when she’d finished her book. the words were as wooden as her childhood smiles; nothing sounded worse than another christmas back home in el paso.

the flight wasn’t too long, but she was exhausted by the time she got into the rental car. assured by several people along the way that boot hill was simply an urban legend, ramira shrugged them off. it didn’t matter really. boot hill was more of an idea to her than a real place. as long as she found some small town where nobody knew her name and she wouldn’t be tempted by new york city nightlife, she was pretty sure she’d manage. maybe it wasn’t a real place, she thought dreamily, turning the dial on the rental car’s radio as she lost service, after following the directions she’d read on reddit and finding nothing. she could swear to god there’s no southbound highway and she’s barely able to keep awake any longer without any music, even with both windows rolled down.

it seems like it’s time to pull over at the next rest stop and catch some shut eye when she sees the sign. BOOT HILL, ARIZONA. IF YOU LIVED HERE, YOU’D BE HOME NOW! the quaint kitschiness makes her exhale sharply in amusement. fuck you, creepy gas station clerk, she thinks, tightening her knuckles at ten and two on the wheel with renewed resolve. i’m going to write a new bestseller in this town. white knuckled and red eyed, she drives on with the renewed energy of a second wind.

as a small smattering of lights appear in front of her, she can hardly hear the call of something sinister in the outskirts as she drives on. her phone still doesn’t have service, as she looks for an airbnb, but it doesn’t even bother her that she can’t call anyone to let them know she’s made it safely. hell, her publisher will probably lose his marbles until she sends him a draft, but all of that can wait. there’s something so calming about the sleepy town waking up in the wee hours of the morning. there’s something so magical about the pace of this place and ramira thinks, maybe she could write all her books in this town. maybe this is somewhere she belongs.

[havekiddoswilltravel]

News Flash: Family Travel Doesn’t Even Require a Passport

Passport free affordable family travel inspiration that will get you to actually leave the house with your kids.

Often times, I have parents ask me for advice regarding travel with children and I remind them that international travel is not the only way to expose and share experiences with your kids. I’m well aware that if you search the hashtag #travel or #familytravel, you will come across many staged and photoshopped images of what seems like perfectly behaved jet setting families in Paris, Malasia, Kenya, Greece and every international Disney Park, yet I’m here for the family who’s trying to figure out how to pull off a simple in state road trip, overnight trip or weekend adventure. While we love exploring so many amazing places that are ideal family travel locations, I’m also all about the local and regional travel experiences. Why? It’s more realistic that the average family will be able to plan, afford and actually pull off an overnight trip or weekend getaway, than a safari or two week long trip through Europe. Realistic and affordable family travel is imperative to breaking the obstacles to family travel for most people. 

Family travel is not something we do to simply check off a box, say that we’ve been there and because it’s currently the trendy thing to do. We were those lone black people hiking, camping, skiing and in typically not family orientated travel destinations, before family travel became the “in” thing. It’s been an integral part of our family values and way of life for over nineteen years. This means that we place as much emphasis on the experiences and lessons learned while taking a day trip to Block Island, Rhode Island or a weekend trip to Acadia National Park, Maine, as we do on our trip to Havana, Cuba. Travel is truly as much about the process of getting to the destination, as it is about experiencing said destination with our children. What do I mean? Children who grow up to be adults who love adventure and experiences are born in transit. They are born in their ability to pack their bags, organize the car, plan their trip and live in the moment once they arrive. They’re born in the ability to make the most out of the unexpected or hiccups in their plans, without those challenges completely ruining their trip. 

These lessons can be learned without even owning a passport, a car or the funds to take you on that bucket list trip. You don’t need to have TSA Pre Check, Global Entry or Mobile Passport to raise travel loving and adventure seeking children. You can accomplish these goals by teaching your kids how to explore their own back yard, state, region and country. The United States or your own home country are filled with incredibly beautiful places just waiting for you to experience them. I challenge you to rethink the passport stamp seeking family travel culture that we’re bombarded with daily on social media and you will realize that it’s not as unattainable as you once thought. Even as a family travel blogger, I find myself rolling my eyes at some of the elitists posts that I see on social media these days. I’m here to tell you that it’s perfectly okay if your kids don’t leave the country until they have their first job and can afford to buy their own flight. While we do travel internationally with our four children, I must acknowledge that international travel is not something that is immediately available to most families with two children, much less those with four. I encourage you to start traveling with your kids by choosing trips that meet your personal family budget. Don’t compare yourself to others. It’s paralyzing.

The older I get, the more I appreciate a good long weekend family trip. I don’t have the attention span for most 7-day trips with kids. I love long weekends and 5-night trips because they allow our family to create amazing memories while not completely disrupting our daily flow, routine and wallet. Also, as a large family, lodging, food and transportation costs add up quickly. I’d rather travel more often, than travel longer in one single trip. This is our family’s preference and you will figure out your own family travel flow, the more you get out of the house with your kids. I’ve written previous blog posts about the fact that family travel is not a vacation. It requires a shift in thinking and an acceptance to what your reality is as a parent leaving the house with children. It’s a fact. You will have to put in all of the work required to parent on a daily basis while you are away from home. Travel will only accentuate your troublesome family dynamics. Ugh, sorry I had to say that! It’s reality. I’ve spoken to so many parents who say that they don’t travel with their kids because their kids don’t listen, misbehave and thus damper their travel experience. Those are issues that I highly recommend that you address and deal with before you embark on a week long trip with children. Traveling didn’t cause these issues, but having kids out of their element accentuates all of those things to a degree that will cause you to never leave home again. Thus, be realistic in your travel expectations with children. You may be in a season that requires shorter trips. Embrace that. The season of longer travel will be here before you know it.

Don’t be paralyzed by all of the family travel posts to expensive travel destinations, that leave you feeling inadequate, despondent and slightly depressed. Start somewhere. Start Local. Start now. You won’t regret it and in the meantime, you’ll be planting those seeds that you will surely sow at the right time in your family’s lifetime. These are some of our favorite family travel destinations that hopefully will get your wanderlust juices flowing. I bet some of these are close enough to you that you can make a long weekend out of them.

-          The Grand Canyon, Flagstaff Arizona, U.S.A.

-          The Monterrey Peninsula, California, U.S.A.

-          The Pacific Coast Highway, California, U.S.A.

-          Coronado Beach, San Diego, California, U.S.A.

-          San Francisco’s Cable Cars, San Francisco, California, U.S.A.

-          Sequoia National Park, California, U.S.A.

-          Yosemite National Park, California, U.S.A.

-          Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.

-          Essex, Connecticut, U.S.A.

-          Mystic Seaport, Mystic, Connecticut, U.S.A.

-          Litchfield Hills in Connecticut, U.S.A.

-          Amelia Island, Florida, U.S.A.

-          Everglades National Park, U.S.A.

-          Key West, Florida, U.S.A.

-          Marco Island, Florida, U.S.A.

-          South Beach, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.A.

-          Savannah, Georgia, U.S.A.

-          Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.

-          Acadia National Park, Maine, U.S.A.

-          Kennebunkport, Maine, U.S.A.

-          Ocean City, Maryland, U.S.A.

-          Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

-          Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

-          Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

-          The Lakes Region, New Hampshire, U.S.A.

-          Mount Washington, North Conway, New Hampshire, U.S.A.

-          The Adirondacks, New York, U.S.A.

-          The Catskills, New York, U.S.A.

-          Lake Placid, New York, U.S.A.

-          Lake George, New York, U.S.A.

-          Finger Lakes, New York, U.S.A.

-          Hudson Valley, New York, U.S.A.

-          New York City, U.S.A.

-          Saratoga Springs, New York, U.S.A.

-          The Biltmore Estate, Asheville, North Carolina, U.S.A.

-          Gettysburg National Military Park and Cemetery, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

-          Pennsylvania Dutch Country, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

-          Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A

-          Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

-          Block Island, Rhode Island, U.S.A.

-          Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.A.

-          Manchester Village, Vermont, U.S.A.

-          Stowe, Vermont, U.S.A.

-          Killington, Vermont, U.S.A.

-          Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, U.S.A.

-          Williamsburg, Virginia, U.S.A.

-          Washington, District of Columbia, U.S.A.

-          Nova Scotia, Canada

-          Niagara Falls, Canada

-          Quebec, Canada

-          Montreal, Canada

-          Exploring any Chinatown, Koreatown or little Italy in any major city.

 What are some of your favorite affordable family travel destinations? What are some of the obstacles that you face in starting to travel with your kids?

Pro tips for affordable local family travel:

- Travel off season. Island destinations like Block Island and Martha’s Vineyard are just as stunning, more affordable and less crowded in the off season. Ski resorts make amazing Spring, Summer and Fall destinations. Off season travel also mean that you won’t face minimum night requirements and thus allow you to take a weekend trip rather than a full week. 

- If you have young children and don’t need to work around a school schedule, hotels are cheaper on Sunday nights and mid week. Avoid Friday and Saturday nights unless traveling to business destinations and then weekends are actually less expensive at some of the really nice business hotels.

- Brand loyalty does pay off. If you do stay in hotels, follow the deals and not the destinations. Also, stick to one brand and sign up immediately for their rewards programs. Many of our annual hotel stays are free nights using rewards.

- Don’t be afraid to book Airbnb’s. As a large family, we often book condos and full houses at a significantly cheaper rate than a hotel stay.

- I use Costco often for car rentals. They offer the best deals for vehicles that can accommodate our family. 

- Be flexible and creative in your lodging options. We’ve stayed outside of beach towns for 1/4 of the cost of staying on the beach. Flexibility in family travel is key to actually going anywhere. 

- Be willing to try new things. We’ve stayed in cabins, RVs and tent camped. I honestly never pictured myself having some of the amazing experiences that we’ve shared with our children. To think that I may have missed these memories if I stuck to that which I was comfortable with. 

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[the-bargainista]

Miami vice

I recently went on my friend’s bachelorette party trip to Miami and had the time of my life. Whether you go for spring break, your or your pal’s last fling, or just a winter getaway, here are my suggestions to make the most of Magic City.

Getting There and Around

You can often save on airfare by flying into Fort Lauderdale rather than Miami International Airport. JetBlue, Southwest, and Spirit all service Fort Lauderdale, which is about 30 miles from Miami Beach.

You can rent a car if you want to go all over the Miami area, but if you are staying in Miami Beach and plan to spend most of your time there, you can get by with walking, short Uber/Lyft rides, and the bus system.

Stay

Be careful about booking Airbnb in Miami Beach. Short-term rentals are illegal in most parts of the city, and the city is really cracking down.

Believe it or not, it is possible to find an affordable hotel in Miami Beach. I stayed at the James Hotel, which is walking distance from most of the Miami Beach/South Beach sights, including the beach and other well-known hotels. This hotel is no-frills, but the exterior, lobby, and hallways are decorated with quirky, charming mosaics, paintings, and sculptures. Wi-Fi and parking are free, and there is free coffee and doughnuts in the morning.

Do

Obviously, the beach is a big draw. You can travel to one of the famous beaches like South Beach, but you can also just walk straight out of your hotel until you hit the ocean. Expect a lot of seaweed but also a fantastically relaxing time in the sun and sand.

If you want to do a little more sightseeing, you can do a yacht cruise. I did the Millionaire’s Row Cruise at sunset and found my new beach house saw jaw-dropping mansions belonging to celebrities like Jackie Chan and Shakira.

Eat

Rosetta Bakery is a cute place to grab a quick breakfast. Taco Rico has a large variety of Tex-Mex options, cheap beer, and fresh juices.

Moreno’s Cuba has an adorable hidden outdoor area with colorful lights, live music, and a daybed swing. The cocktails are delicious, and the Moreno’s Crack Pie is better than the flan. Another good option for Cuban food is Havana 1957. I also love Puerto Sagua, which is surprisingly homestyle for the area.

Drink

Fresh tropical fruit juices abound. So do mojitos in exotic flavors. At every opportunity, you must drink Cuban coffee, which is very strong espresso. If you want milk, you can get a café con leche, and if it’s hot out, you can get iced café con leche.

Nightlife

Basement Miami has a bowling alley, an indoor skating rink (yes, really), and a club. The bowling is really fun, but you can skip the club. The skating rink is only worth trying for the novelty if the manager offers to let you in for free. I’m not sure why they decided to combine skate blades with alcohol and skimpy clothes.

Instead, after bowling, head upstairs for a drink at the Matador Bar. And by “a drink,” I mean the $100 rose gold scorpion swan. The server told us it would be filled with a passion fruit punch, which we assumed would be very weak, but it was STRONG. It was really too much even for six people.

My favorite place was Mango’s Tropical Café. For about $40 per person, you can get dinner and drinks at a reserved table. There is a stage in the main room with rotating performers from Jabbawockeez-style dancers to salsa and bachata dancers. There was even a little Magic Mike-like act that is perfect for bachelorettes.

Mango’s is two levels, and there are a number of different rooms playing different music, all of it very danceable. There is something for everyone, and you never feel crowded because there is so much space and you can always go back to your reserved table.

When to Go

The first time I went to Miami, I went during Miami Music Week, specifically during the Ultra Music Festival, at the end of March. There were tons of special DJ shows and pool parties, but the weather was only in the 70s (I say “only” because it was cold and windy at the beach!) and there were periods of rain.

I was concerned about the weather this time, a whole month earlier, but it was sunny and in the 80s the whole time. It was also the Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival, but the festival was way too expensive to attend.

It seems like winter/early spring is a good time to visit, before the unbearable heat and humidity of Florida summers and then hurricane season. Just be wary of winter weather affecting your flight at home.

The beach, nightlife, amazing food and drinks, what more could you really ask for in a vacation?

[tropicalcubanholiday]

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