Cuba has a long history dating back to early settlements by the Arawaks and Columbus' arrival in 1492. It was occupied by the Spanish for centuries until gaining independence in 1902. The Cuban Revolution from 1953-1959 led by Fidel Castro overthrew the US-backed dictatorship and established a communist government. In the post-revolution period, Cuba struggled economically after the collapse of the Soviet Union and a US embargo. It has since embarked on a process of liberalization under Raul Castro. The document provides an overview of Cuban history, politics, culture and recommendations for experiencing Cuba through its people, music, art, food and nature.

1. CUBA
JOHN FAITHFULL | STEPPES BEYOND
Cuba

2. Where in the world?

3. • EARLY ARAWAKS, COLUMBUS (1492) & SPANISH OCCUPATION, GB OCCUPATION, SPANISH
REOCCUPATION, US INTERVENTION
• CUBAN INDEPENDENCE FROM SPAIN IN 1902
History & Legacy

4. • CARLOS MANUEL CESPEDES – PADRE DE LA PATRIA
• DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE & 10 YEARS WAR
Revolution & Counter Revolution

5. “NEW CHALLENGES, NEW VICTORIES” REVOLUTION: 1953 – 59
82 FIGHTERS ARRIVED ON THE GRANMA & AS FEW AS 12 TOOK THEIR REVOLUTION TO THE PEOPLE

6. • “THE FIRST GREAT DEFEAT OF IMPERIALISM IN LATIN AMERICA”
Bay of Pigs

7. Museum of the Invasion

8. • POST REVOLUTION & THE SPECIAL PERIOD
• COLLAPSE OF SOVIET UNION / US EMBARGO / CURRENCY SWITCH & HAVING TO RESORT TO TOURISM

9. Consequences: Architecture

10. Trinidad De Cuba

11. TRINIDAD DE CUBA

12. • TRANSPORTATION & GETTING AROUND
• VINTAGE CARS: MASTERCLASS IN MAINTENACE

15. THE SOCIAL,ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL BUBBLE
SERVICE ?

16. RAUL CASTRO & LIBERALISATION
Changes: Selling Cuba and the Revolution

17. REVOLUTION IN PRODUCT, SERVICE & EXPERIENCES

18. HISTORIC HOTELS: SANTA ISABEL

19. CONCORDIA - CENTRO HABANA (VERY COOL PLACE IN A BUZZING & VERY CUBAN PART OF
HAVANA)
CASA PARTICULARES

21. FINCA KENIA IN TRINIDAD

23. Meet The Cubans : Your Hosts

24. • CUBAN HOME STAYS – A VERY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE.
• NOT FOR EVERYONE.

25. Guides: Heroes Of The Tourism Revolution
Expert Guiding & Behind The Scenes Experiences
LAKSHI DADI
NELSON PEDRO

26. Exciting New Modern Artists, Galleries & Studios

27. FABRICA DE ARTE

28. ARTS & CRAFTS – THINGS TO BUY

29. MUSIC: NOT ALL ABOUT BUENA VISTA
EL SAUCE

30. LA GUARIDA - HAVANA
Revolting Food?: Paladares (Private Restaurants)

31. PALADARES
LA GUARIDA, EL COCINERO, O’REILLY, STARBIEN

32. Wildlife?

33. TEMPLO YEMALLA
Quirky Cuba

34. RAUL & BARACK’S LOVE-IN
THE AMERICANS ARE COMING………….AGAIN!

35. Havana’s Capitolio

36. THE PAST

37. THE FUTURE

38. CUBA DELIVERS

39. STEPPES TRAVEL IN LATIN AMERICA

40. FIN