TRINIDAD & THE CENTER

CIENFUEGOS  VACATIONS

Cienfuegos is a prosperous modern city built around a fine harbor at the foot of the Escambray Mountains. Its 19th-century core was built with the help of French settlers from Louisiana, which explains why many of the town’s finest buildings are reminiscent of New Orleans. The main sights around Parque José Martí include the cathedral and the late 19th-century Teatro Tomás Terry, worth exploring for its florid interior. Closer to the harbor are the castle, Castillo de Jagua and the Palacio de Valle. Built in an appealing mixture of architectural styles, with Moorish influences to the fore, it is now a restaurant with a roof-top terrace that affords splendid views of the bay and surrounding countryside. Trinidad retains the atmosphere of an old colonial town, despite the influx of tourists. Founded in the year 1514, it was one of Cuba’s seven original towns, and the presence of many beautiful buildings dating from the 17th to 19th centuries accounts for its place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Apart from the cobbled streets and the houses painted in pastel colors, the main attractions include the elegant Parque Martí and several museums in the colonial mansions, the best of which, the Museo Romántico, having been beautifully refurbished in period style. The Taller Alfarero, a ceramics workshop where traditional techniques are still used, is also worth visiting. Many tourists stay not in Trinidad itself but at the nearby beach resort of Playa Ancón. Mention should also be made of the Torre de Manaca Iznaga (50m/165ft), a lookout tower offering great views of the Valley of the Sugar Mills (Valle de los Ingenios) and the Escambray Mountains. Santa Clara is a bustling city in the heart of an important agricultural region. Santa Clara is closely associated with the revolutionary hero Ernesto ‘Ché’ Guevara who captured the town for the Cuban revolution days before the resignation of the dictator, General Batista. Understandably, the Government promotes this lively town; it is also investing in the area’s other potential attractions, which include Remedios and the beaches around Cayo Las Brujas. Sancti Spíritus has a laid-back feel and a good range of state and private accommodation. The bridge over the Yayabo River is made of stone – the oldest one on the island. Strolling through the sleepy streets while admiring the colonial architecture is the main attraction. The best example of the style is the Colonial Art Museum.