Experiencing the heart and soul of a place is what travel should be about. Whether you are living like a local or sunbathing on pristine beaches, you only really 'get' a place when you uncover its spirit; that extra bit is what makes a trip unmatchable. The beauty of Cuba is that it lets you do just that.

So how do you go about unearthing this 'heart and soul'? Well we think the perfect approach to Cuba is to spend a few days in the bustling city of Havana before heading out of town to take in the glorious beaches.

The capital

Staying at the elegant Hotel Saratogo, a Havana landmark, all of your city adventures are within reach.

Take three days to enjoy the sights and sounds of the capital from the pastel coloured colonial buildings to the continuous beeping of yellow bubble taxi horns (don't worry it's more endearing than annoying). And definitely make time for a visit the legendary Partagas cigar factory where you'll be astounded by the meticulous detail that goes into producing each and every cigar by hand - from Montecristo's to Cohiba's, each brand requires a specific technique. At night, dance until sunrise in a Salsa club or kick back to chilled rhythms in one of Havana's infamous cigar bars.

Tropical hideaway

When you're ready to leave the city behind, head north to Villa Cabo de San Antonio. Relatively undiscovered and unspoilt by mass tourism, this secret setting is very much your own tropical hideaway.

It is home to Cuba's most unspoilt beaches and surrounded by crystal clear waters; you'll stay in a rustic beach side cabana waking each morning to the view of turquoise water and a deserted stretch of sand. This is the perfect setting for lazy days on the beach. But if you're in the mood for activity, why not try out some of the water sports on offer such as fishing or diving.

So if you're looking to get under the skin of a country, we can't recommend Cuba enough. Not only have you got the perfect combination of city and beach, but you'll really come away with a good taster of the country's fascinating and complex personality.

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