6 Reasons to Spend Thanksgiving in CubaOur Magazine
Havana is only a 2-3 hour nonstop flight from U.S. gateways like New York, Charlotte and Atlanta, and even less from Florida, yet what awaits you is an experience unlike anywhere else you’ve been. A private group people to people exchange – one of the 12 legal reasons for U.S. citizens to visit Cuba – allows you really go below the surface to understand today’s Cuba, but still have a lot of fun and focus on only what interests you.
From contemporary art to Hemingway, the iconic rumba to world-class ballet, organic farming to baseball to mafia history and more….it’s impossible to not have a great Thanksgiving in Cuba!
Here are just 6 of many terrific reasons to consider heading to Cuba with family or friends for an unforgettable Thanksgiving.
#1 – Have an unforgettable Thanksgiving meal (and party)
Skip the bland turkey this year and go for one of several great options in Cuba.
If you’re a group staying in one of our hand-picked private villas, why not relax and let us bring Thanksgiving to you with an unforgettable private experience? One of our favorite chefs can prepare a menu custom-designed for you, while a bartender teaches you how to make the perfect mojito. After dinner, work off some of those calories dancing poolside with a salsa band and your personal dance teachers!
Just two of you traveling and prefer a luxury hotel stay? We’ve got options for you too. Meet one of our local chef friends to head to a few markets, to learn all about food production and agriculture in today’s Cuba before heading back to their home to prepare a fresh, traditional Cuban lunch together. Later that evening, enjoy Thanksgiving dinner of fresh seafood in one of our favorite privately-owned restaurants (paladar) before some drinks and live music.
#2 – Pack a swimsuit, not a winter coat
No gray skies and cold temperatures to worry about in Havana. After each fun and fascinating day of people to people exchanges, refresh with a dip in the pool at your private villa (or deluxe hotel) before you get ready for a night on the town.
#3 – Better shopping than Black Friday
Forget the long lines, overly aggressive shoppers, and mass-produced items back home, and instead pick up some unique, handmade gifts for loved ones. Whether you’re looking for clothing, home décor, jewelry, hand-rolled cigars, or even amazing contemporary art, our team of experts know just where to take you depending to find what you’re looking for.
#4 – Explore Cuba’s natural beauty
If you have time to get outside Havana, you’ll be able to better appreciate the biodiversity and beauty of Cuba. Go horseback riding in the lush Viñales Valley, heart of the tobacco region, enjoy a hike and bird watching with an expert in Topes de Collantes Park outside Trinidad, or explore the pristine coral reefs off the coast with a Cuban marine biologist. These are just a few of the endless options in Cuba.
#5 – Roll your own cigar
Where else can you walk through fields where the world’s best tobacco is grown, and then sit down with the farmer and learn how to roll your own? We’re partial to the ones in the Viñales Valley that the locals dip in honey, but even if you don’t smoke cigars it’s an experience not to be missed!
#6 – Disconnect, and then connect
Internet access is improving in Cuba, but it can still be frustratingly slow is limited to hotels and certain public squares. In this hyper-connected world, take advantage of the chance (excuse?) to just unplug for a few days. You’ll make far better use of your time just looking around, taking everything in, and connecting with all the wonderful people you’ll meet in Cuba – not to mention reconnecting with your loved ones traveling with you.
Ready to start planning your custom, private Thanksgiving journey to Cuba? Send us an email or call us today (877-333-4988).