Cuba

We love Lonely Planet’s description of Cuba: “Cuba is like a prince in a poor man’s coat: behind the sometimes shabby facades, gold dust lingers. It’s these rich dichotomies that make travel here the exciting, exhilarating roller-coaster ride it is. Trapped in a time warp and 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 and expect the unexpected…” For intrepid travelers this is the time to visit, as the country awakes from a deep slumber.

Western Cuba boasts white sand beaches, turquoise seas, lush valleys and quaint farming villages where life is slow and people are chill. Visit the Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve, and learn to salsa in the evenings. And of course Havana, with its art and culture (and vintage cars). It’s a place like no other.