Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Cuba…like you have not seen before….     

“Tourists don't know where they have been, travellers don't know where they are going” - Paul Theroux

 

Real travelers love South America. Andean peaks, Amazonian rainforest, Patagonian glaciers, Incan ruins, colonial towns, white-sand beaches and vertiginous nightlife: the wonders of South America set the stage for incredible adventures. It is as though the continent was built for travel; a place that excites, thrills, challenges & infuriates.

 

Cuba is like a prince in a poor man’s coat: behind the sometimes shabby facades, gold dust lingers. If Cuba were a book, it would be James Joyce's Ulysses: layered, hard to grasp, frequently misunderstood, but - above all - a classic. Always meant nature as it should be, in so many places a tangled & vast wilderness not yet marred by human intervention. Stunning sights & adventures just waiting to be experienced. Come… Cuba is waiting. You just prepare to be charmed…..

 

An incredibly varied & exciting vacation destination, pulsating with a spectacular mix of people, traditions & landscapes. From the snow-capped peaks of the Andes to the undulating waterways of the Amazon, South America spreads a dazzling array of natural wonders. This is a continent of lush rainforests, towering volcanoes, misty cloud forests, bone-dry deserts, red-rock canyons, ice-blue glaciers & sun-kissed beaches. As landscapes go, there aren't many other places on earth that offers so much variety.

 

Be mindful of what you are getting into: South America can be a lifetime addiction. You would not realize this when you first hike on Andean trails & be awed by the pre-Colombian sites, but you come back for more. You will fall in love with the incredible wonders of this continent: its mist-covered peaks, thundering falls & vast rainforests. Add to this, the human-made treasures: buzzing indigenous markets, picturesque colonial towns & vibrant cityscapes. This is just the beginning, and in South America there really is no end.

 

You can hike past ancient Temples first laid down by the Incas, contemplate the awe-inspiring power of Iguazu Falls, or spend the day watching wildlife from a dugout canoe on one of the Amazon's countless igarapes (narrow waterways). You can barrel down Andean roads by mountain bike, go white-water rafting on class V rivers & surf amazing breaks off both coasts. And once you think you have experienced it all, head to the dramatic landscapes in Tierra del Fuego, go eye-to-eye with extraordinary creatures in the Galapagos, & scramble up tableland mountains in the Gran Sabana for a panorama that seems straight out of the Mesozoic era.

 

Sweat yourself dizzy on an Amazon canoe ride before ending the day caiman-watching on a black-water lagoon. Brave a white-knuckle bus ride down Peruvian slopes & be astounded by endless Andean vistas. Endure Patagonia’s wind-driven rain while chasing life-affirming sunsets or simply lose yourself (& possibly your belongings) in the break-neck chaos of Buenos Aires or Salvador.

 

South America's diversity doesn't end with geography. You will find colonial towns where cobblestone streets lead past gilded churches & stately plazas little changed since the 18^th century. You can haggle over colorful textiles at indigenous markets, share meals with traditional dwellers of the rainforest & follow the pounding rhythms of Afro-Brazilian drums corps. It is home to an astounding variety of living & ancient cultures, and experiencing it first-hand is as easy as showing up.

 

This is one of the world's great music destinations. Nothing compares to hearing the rhythms of Colombian salsa, Brazilian samba, Argentine tango & Andean folk music in the place where they were born. Buenos Aires' sultry milongas (tango clubs), Rio's simmering garrafeiras (dance halls), Quito's salsotecas (salsa clubs) - all great places to chase the heart of Saturday night. Yet this is only the beginning of a great musical odyssey that encompasses Peruvian trovas, soulful Ecuadorian passillos, fast-stepping Brazilian forro, whirling Venezuelan merengue, steel-pan Guyanese drumming, Paraguayan harp music & more. Simply plunge in - though you might want to take a dance class along the way!

 

The real reward, however, is the South American spirit. It seems like the entire continent approaches’ life with the enthusiasm of an old-fashioned road trip: windows down and stereo blaring. There is as much music as there are adventures to be had. Samba spices up the sandy streets of Brazilian beach towns, panpipes liven Andean markets, Argentine folklorica (folk music) trickles out of truck radios in the pampas, and the jolting rhythm of cumbia makes those Andean bus rides even more absurd. South America is a continent that engulfs you & change your state of mind, your outlook on life. As soon as you step foot on South American soil, the transformation begins.

 

From the snow-capped peaks of the Andes to the undulating waterways of the Amazon, South America spreads a dazzling array of natural wonders. This is a continent of lush rainforests, towering volcanoes, misty cloud forests, bone-dry deserts, red-rock canyons, ice-blue glaciers & sun-kissed beaches. As landscapes go, there aren't many other places on earth that offers so much variety. As landscapes go, there aren't many other places on earth that offers so much variety.

 

And now, let us talk about Cuba, timeworn but magnificent, dilapidated but dignified, fun yet maddeningly frustrating but still aa country of indefinable magic.

 

     Historical Heirlooms | Expect the Unexpected | Joie de Vivre & the Rhythms     

Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is a country comprising the island of Cuba, as well as Isla de la Juventud & several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located where the northern Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico & Atlantic Ocean meet. It is these rich dichotomies that make travel here the exciting, exhilarating roller-coaster ride it is. Trapped in a time warp & reeling from an economic embargo that has grated for more than half a century, this is a country where you can wave goodbye to everyday assumptions & expect the unexpected.

 

Bereft of modern interference, Cuba’s colonial cities haven’t changed much since musket-toting pirates stalked the Caribbean. The atmosphere & architecture is particularly stirring in Havana, Trinidad, Remedios & Camaguey where grandiose Squares & cobbled streets tell erstwhile tales of opulence & intrigue. Yet, despite pockets of preservation, many buildings still lie ruined like aging dowagers waiting for a face-lift.

 

With more funds, these heirlooms may yet rise again. Indeed, thanks to private investment, many of them have already been partially renovated, morphing into spectacular private homestays or retro-themed restaurants proudly showing off their weighty historical heritage. Private enterprise is displaying the first buds of a creative spring, while the big-name brands from that well-known frenemy in the north have yet to dilute the cultural magic. As a result, the country is rife with experimentation. Here a free-spirited cafe where earnest students sit around debating Che Guevara's contribution to world revolution; there is an avant-garde art studio where the furniture is as outlandish as the exhibits.

 

The vast majority of Cuba's tourists gravitate to the attractive arcs of white sand that pepper the country's north coast & offshore islands. But, explore beyond the beaches & you are in a different domain, a land of fecund forests & crocodile-infested swamps, abandoned coffee plantations & rugged mountains as famous for their revolutionary folklore as their endemic species. Cuba, once observed German scientist Alexander von Humboldt, is a kind of Caribbean Galapagos where contradictory curiosities exist side by side. Get off the beaten path & seek them out.

 

The exotic UNESCO World Heritage listed capital of Cuba & largest city in the Caribbean is a must-see. For centuries, Havana with its historic centre, has served as the gateway to the Gulf of Mexico. Today, Havana is the heart of the nation’s busy political, scientific & cultural life. Museums, theatres & concert halls, art galleries & cultural institutions are popular venues, while some - such as the National Ballet of Cuba, House of the Americas, Foundation of New Latin American Film & National Folkloric Dance Group - have won international acclaim.

 

The city’s first building, overlooking the entrance to a protected bay, dates back to 1519. Originally christened La Villa de San Cristobal de la Habana, the city became a depository for treasures that Spanish fleets brought to the New World. It also became the centre of trade & commerce between the old & new worlds. Havana’s strategic geographic position was a major factor in its rapid growth & the city decided to build a sea wall in the 17^th century, which took more than100 years to complete.

 

Cuba is a founding member of the United Nations, the G77, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organisation of African, Caribbean & Pacific States, ALBA & the Organization of American States.

 

Currently, it has one of the world's only planned economies dominated by the tourism industry & the exports of skilled labor, sugar, tobacco & coffee. Cuba has historically - both before & during Communist rule - performed better than other countries in the region on several socio-economic indicators, such as literacy & infant mortality & life expectancy.

 

Cuba is a melting pot of cultures, primarily those of Spain, Africa & the indigenous Tainos of Cuba. After the 1959 revolution, the government started a national literacy campaign, offered free education to all and established rigorous sports, ballet & music programs.

 

The rich Cuban music is the most commonly known expression of Cuban culture. The central form of this music is son, which has been the basis of many other musical styles like "Danzon de nuevo ritmo", mambo, cha-cha-cha & salsa. Rumba ("de cajon o de solar") music originated in the early Afro-Cuban culture, mixed with Spanish elements of style.

 

The Tres was invented in Cuba from Spanish cordophone instruments models (the instrument is actually a fusion of elements from the Spanish guitar & lute). Other traditional Cuban instruments are of African origin, Taino origin, or both, such as the maracas, guiro, marimbula & various wooden drums including the mayohuacan.

 

Popular Cuban music of all styles has been enjoyed & praised widely across the world. Cuban classical music with strong African & European influences & featuring symphonic works as well as music for soloists, has received international acclaim thanks to composers like Ernesto Lecuona. Havana was the heart of the rap scene in Cuba when it began in the 1990s.

 

Recognized Cuban artists include Gloria Estefan & Celia Cruz, Los Van Van orchestra, known as "the music machinery of Cuba", pianists Chucho Valdes & Frank Fernandez & Omara Portuondo, member of the Buenavista Social Club. Many Cuban artists have won Grammy Awards. Dance also holds a privileged position in Cuban culture & is considered an essential part of life. Classical concert dance is supported by the government.

 

South America is a continent that engulfs you & changes you – your state of mind, your outlook on life. As soon as you step foot on South American soil, the transformation begins.

 

Expect the Unexpected. From rural Vinales to urban Havana, it is as if the whole country is slowly awakening from a deep slumber. In Cuba, adventure is what happens on the way to having an adventure & that is just the beginning......now is a great time to visit, so get your spirit in gear & prepare for an unforgettable adventure. Come now & ride the wave Yep! Cuba is waiting & The Journeys is ready to take you on well, a journey (or journeys) of discovery.

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Come……be inspired & discover the World with us

 

We are in the process of updating our Offerings of experiential journeys to Cuba. Please contact us in the interim if you want to explore options & we will be happy to offer suggestions based on your personal preferences……