I absolutely love exploring new places, planning itineraries of days filled with sightseeing and adventures, of trying to see as much of a place as possible while also soaking up the culture. But, despite being incredible journeys that I wouldn’t change for the world, these sorts of trips can also be exhausting, and after full on trips to India and South America last year, we have been in desperate need of a simple relaxing break. Because everyone needs a relaxing holiday once in a while.

So for our respite from the cold English winter, we are jetting off tomorrow for 10 days to the paradise that is Cuba. Yes, you should be jealous 😉

Our itinerary is a pretty hectic one…sipping refreshing mojitos in the colourful capital of Havana while listening to rhythmic salsa music, and then soaking up some sunshine on the white sandy beach of Varadero. I couldn’t think of anything else I’d rather be doing.

Mojitos, daiquiris, pina coladas…you name it, I will be drinking it!

Even though this is mostly a relaxing trip, of course we won’t be going all the way to Cuba without seeing some of the country. There’s only a certain amount of research I’ve been able to do purely because travel to Cuba is off limits to so many people, but Havana seems to be full of culture, colour and vibrancy and I’m already wishing we had longer to spend there.

Some of my Cuban research

I’m sure it’s no surprise to anyone that food is a huge highlight for me when travelling and I love to sample as much local food and drink as I can. So when I heard that Cuba isn’t exactly the place to go for foodies, I was so disappointed that it almost had me cancelling the trip! But after doing as much research as I possibly could, I’ve come across some amazing sounding dishes, most of which seem to be found in the paladares around the city (restaurants that have been opened up in locals’ homes).

In fact I’ve found so many delicious sounding foods and restaurants that my original list of “Things to do in Havana” has very quickly turned into “What to eat in Havana”!

La Guarida, one of the paladares where we’ll be sampling some Cuban cuisine

The island is also notoriously bad for internet so we’ll be pretty much off limits for most of the trip. Part of me is panicking at the thought of not having any means of communication for 10 whole days while the other part of me is looking forward to just getting away from it all. Either way I will try to update (aka make you all jealous) as often as I can.

Out of every single blog, every guide book and every person I have spoken to, the view on Cuba is unanimous…it is an incredible place, and we cannot wait to experience it for ourselves.

If anyone has any last minute tips on Cuba, particularly Havana, let me know before we jet off in the morning. Otherwise I’ll see you in 10 days! 🙂