Experiencing the Real Cuba

When you think of Cuba, you probably think of last century’s political upheaval, of iconic images of Che, of the ageless Fidel and his defiant cigars, but there's far more to Cuba than its politics. The island is also one of the most beautiful (and biggest) gems of the Caribbean, a place with its own special culture and rhythm.
If you want to get close to the country's legends and experience its sights and sounds, then it may be time to explore the myriad cheap holidays to Cuba and prepare yourself for the unique magic of the Pearl of the Antilles.

• Literature

Although there are a number of notable Cuban writers, the most famous to put pen to paper in Cuba was Ernest Hemingway. A classic pre-revolutionary American tourist, Hemingway viewed Cuba as his home away from home.
Reading ‘The Old Man and the Sea’ it is easy to understand the impact of Cuba on Hemingway’s writing, and no trip to Cuba would be complete without a few trips to drink rum in a street-side bar - one of Papa Hemingway’s favourite activities. He also used to enjoy deep sea fishing off the coast of Cuba. If you are a fan of the legendary author, then why not book yourself a trip to do the same?

Hemingway statue - El Floridita bar

• Dancing

Cuba is famous for its music and dance. The combination of African and Spanish heritages means that there are a number of dances that truly capture the spirit of Caribbean living.
The Mambo, the Salsa and the Cha-Cha are all famous dances that Cubans and tourists of all ages enjoy. Whether you consider yourself a dance pro, or simply like to snap your fingers to the beat, head out to one of the many dance halls throughout the island for your chance to experience some of these world-famous moves, accompanied by some of Cuba’s infectious rhythms.

Cuban band and dancers at a tavern

• Cars

When you think of Cuba, one of the most typical scenes that spring to mind is the beautiful American cars from the 1950s parked on a warm and dusty road. The decline in US-Cuban relations after the revolution meant that no new cars were imported from the United States, and so many Cubans instead focused on keeping their existing cars running. The 1950s Chevrolets, Fords and Cadillacs give a sense of old-school glamour to the country, and a glimpse into the Cuban resourcefulness and ingenuity that keeps these old engines ticking.   There are a number of cheap holidays to Cuba available if you book in advance. So why not dust off your dancing shoes, bring your Hemingway, and head off to a Caribbean island with a singularly different culture and identity?

Classic car in Cuba

Another vintage car in Cuba

Airport Car Parking in England

When you're going away, it's well worth booking your airport car parking space in advance. Whether you're booking a regional airport like Leeds Bradford, or you're using a large international airport and need to book car parking at Manchester Airport, booking ahead is usually the cheapest way to book your space - and it generally ensures the best availability too.

Some car parks sell out much more quickly than others, particularly on-site parks close to the airport terminal. These are usually the most expensive and they generally only become more expensive the longer you wait to make your booking. If you reserve your space several weeks, or ideally several months in advance, you'll probably notice a discount on the cost of car parking. Plus, you can often take advantage of additional discounts offered by parking operators. On top of that, when you book in advance that's one more thing ticked off the list, and one less thing to pay for as your holiday draws near.

As for how to book car parking, you can go direct to the airport and book online via their website, or you can use a third party operator. Off-site car parks are generally all managed by third party operators, but you can also use these companies to book on-site parking too. For instance, if you need car parking at Manchester Airport, you can book this through Thomas Cook Extras. Thomas Cook is one of the best-known and most trusted names in travel, so when you book with them you can expect a straightforward booking process, quality parking and a high level of security. They also offer a price promise, so you can expect the best value too.

However and wherever you book, make sure you do it as soon as possible and well in advance of your departure date. It's one less thing to think about, so all you have to do is jet off and enjoy your time away.

If you're traveling in the US and planing a visit on the West Coast check out the SFO airport car services that will enable you to explore the area in comfort even when you're on a budget.

Manchester Airport

Leeds historical centre 

Salford Quays Manchester 

The Mojave aircraft graveyard

Located in California, on the Mojave Desert, the Mojave aircraft graveyard is officially called The Mojave Air and Space Port.
The location is of course a general purpose airport but it serves also as a good place for flight testing and aircraft storage.
The storage part is the most impressing, because the desert is dry and covers a large area, a huge number of planes are stored here.
Numerous large Boeing, McDonnell Douglas, Lockheed, and Airbus aircraft owned by major airlines are stored at Mojave. Other than large commercial planes, the military also uses the airport for storage so you can also see some war legends.
This is a spectacular place, way more interesting than a special designated aviation museum. Eventually the planes that reach end of flight are scrapped at Mojave but some are used for parts or are refurbished and get to fly again.
And a quick tip for those interested to come to the US: getting a visa is not easy even if you are based in some parts of Europe, luckily there are some good options to get a 'ESTA USA' online.

 Planes in storage at the Mojave aircraft graveyard

Retired USAF fighter at Mojave 

Retired F-4 at the Mojave aircraft graveyard

Convairs in storage at Mojave

The Gaudí Buildings in Barcelona

Antoni Gaudí, world famous for its masterpiece La Sagrada Família church in the Eixample district of Barcelona, worked on many other amazing projects in Catalonia.
Barcelona owes a lot to Gaudí, his style is indeed unique and incomparable. The UNESCO World Heritage list for Barcelona includes seven Gaudí buildings and designs.

1. Park Güell, completed in 1916, a large garden complex in Barcelona with stunning mosaics and many interesting buildings.

2. Palau Güell, completed in 1890, a private house built by Gaudí for Eusebi Güell, a rich Catalan entrepreneur.

3. Casa Milá, completed in 1910, a private housing building also known as La Pedrera, a controversial building on Passeig de Gràcia, Barcelona.

4. Casa Vicens, completed in 1885, the first major work of Gaudí, a private mansion built for Manuel Vicens.

5. La Sagrada Família, with the construction still in progress since 1884, a monumetal Roman Catholic church in Barcelona. The symbol of the city nowadays.

6. Casa Batlló, completed in 1906, close to Casa Milá on Passeig de Gràcia is a remodel of a previously built house.

7. The crypt at Colònia Güell, completed in 1905, an unfinished work by Gaudí. He started building a church there and only managed to complete the crypt due to lack of funding. The building is famous for it's proposed design.

Ski in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Someone mentioned after I published my article about tourist attractions in New Mexico that I should talk a little about skiing in New Mexico and especially in Santa Fe.
If you like top services for hotels & condos in America you can find luxury ski deals online with Supertravel.co.uk, but if you are looking for budget accommodation Santa Fe is a great place to visit.
Ski Santa Fe is located just north of the city and has a big range of slopes so both beginners and ski experts can have a good time. Those who like the extreme can experience Big Tesuque, this is a spectacular out-of-bounds trail.
The ski infrastructure is quite impressive; the locals say that lift lines are very rare considering the seven lifts can carry up to 10000 skiers per hour. 
Keep in mind that there are no lodges at the ski area, but there are some nice cafés and food courts where tourist can relax and get something to eat.
The ski resort is also family-friendly, the Chipmunk corner is a fun and safe place where parents can take their kids to learn the sport. A varied selection of training packages is also available for tourists of all ages and this makes the resort very beginner friendly.
If you are in the area for more than a couple of days try to keep some time in order to explore the town of Santa Fe. This is a wonderful middle sized town with some of the oldest most beautiful buildings in America. The town centre is easy to explore on foot and has a lot to offer, it's great for shopping and the restaurants are usually very good.

Canyon Road, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Ski lift, Santa Fe ski resort 

On the slopes of Ski Santa Fe

Tips for cruising the Canary Islands

Only a few hours of flight-time separates the Canary Islands from most of Europe, but their vibrant mix of desert-island shores, bright green vegetation and volcanic rocks might give you the impression you're on another continent entirely. Their popularity shows no sign of waning, so as another season brings thousands of heat-seekers through the airports on their way to Tenerife and Lanzarote, it might be a good time to try traveling the Spanish archipelago a different way.

Cruises around the Canary Islands can offer a more relaxed approach to your Mediterranean holiday, and even cut out the airport completely. Many disembark from Spain, Italy or major cruise ports in the islands themselves, such as Las Palmas on Gran Canaria. However, some now sail directly from places like Southampton, giving UK passengers a leisurely few days to adjust at sea.

Tours typically last anything from a week to 12 days, although if you're looking to combine your trip with a few cultural stops around the Iberian Peninsula like Lisbon, or perhaps head onto Morocco afterwards, month-long itineraries are available.

Though temperatures are balmy year-round, the best time to cruise to the Canary Islands is generally outside of the July-September rush, or off-peak January to February. This said, it's worth looking out for last-minute summer deals online, as you may be able to get a full package for a fraction of the price, often with things like meals and drinks included.

Some cruise lines also include lesser-known Canary destinations; perfect for those looking to escape the tourist-heavy beaches elsewhere. The smaller islands boast a wealth of quiet beauty, from the lagoons of northern Fuerteventura to the lush Valle Gran Rey on tiny La Gomera. Wine-lovers should look out for cruises calling at the Portuguese island of Madeira, where the Botanical Gardens of port town Funchal are also worth a stroll.

Nearly all major cruise lines travel to the Canaries every year, so it should be fairly straightforward to find an itinerary to suit you. Another advantage of cruising Iberia and the Canary Islands is that you won't need to exchange your Euros every time you dock and with reliably warm weather throughout, there's no need to pack for different climates. Simply kick off your deck shoes and prepare to be escorted around some of the most enviable holiday destinations in Europe, all in the space of one trip.

Guided excursions on-shore are normally extra, but with historic cities like Santa Cruz de Tenerife, exploring independently is often just as appealing on a cruise stop here. Remember to check out the old town of Vegueta if your ship is calling at Las Palmas, and don't miss a day trip around the mountainous landscape of Timanfaya National Park on Lanzarote.