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Vinales - Rum, cigars and scenery

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Want a taste of the best that Cuba has to offer? Well, this is a great way to do it.
You take in two of the most famous things that Cuba has given to the rest of the world, rum and cigars and then thirdly take in some of the beautiful, lush country side.

Favourite spots:

The best thing about the rum factory was tasting the end result; not too bad I must say.
Then on to a Cigar factory, no, there were no samples there! But you basically get to see the whole process from leaves through to final packaging. The poor workers are constantly on show.
Then out of the towns and the scenery is sublime, lush, green, and red soil and the farmers still working with their oxen ploughing the ground.

What's really great:

I enjoyed the peace and quiet of being in the countryside.

Accommodations:

The hotels in Cuba are pretty forgettable and this one was no exception. In fact I don't think it had a name. The best thing about it was the view from the balconies.
There was a restaurant where they served average meals and being in Cuba where else but to try the world famous cocktail the Cuba Libre. It was a disgrace, easy to tell that the staff get the same money whther they please the customers or not.

Other recommendations:

The tour also takes you in to a cave and to a mural painted by a student of Diego Rivera.
Because of the high cost of hiring a car etc the best way to get out in to the countryside is to purchase a day tour with an extension if you wish to do something like this.
It is worthwhile as it does mean you see more than just Havana.

Published on Wednesday December 4th, 2002 by downundergal

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