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It’s a funny thing isn’t it? You discover the most idyllic, secret, fascinating or unusual place in the world but unfortunately you are not usually alone! We all want to find the latest ‘undiscovered paradise’, but the truth of the matter is that in today’s age of accessible travel, the world is a much smaller place and the secret places are becoming fewer and fewer. But take heart, on a Cuba holiday it’s possible to get creative and with a little effort and a whisper in a few ears, you can still find some unusual things to do off the beaten track. Why not hire yourself an old Cuban car and hit the highway for a road trip with a difference?

Camaguey

Situated in the middle of Cuba, Camaguey has all the charm of Old Town Havana without the crowds. Colonial architecture lines the streets and although it’s not as picture-postcard perfect as some of the better known towns you may see on your Cuba holiday, its faded, 1950′s, tumbleweed exterior is an intrinsic part of its charm. It really is the authentic Cuban lifestyle on display. The locals are friendly in a curious kind of way and will be happy to engage in a bit of banter over a plate of the Cuban staple, beans and rice. If you feel a sudden romantic urge wash over you in Camaguey, you’re definitely in the right place! The Wedding Palace is Camaguey’s answer to Las Vegas and is a veritable marriage factory. All day long, loved-up Cubans file in the back door, change into suits and dresses supplied by the venue, and get driven around the block in a beaten-up car to arrive in style to the fanfare of the wedding march through tinny, rusty speakers. Guests are welcome so go along and sneak into some photos for an unusual souvenir from your Cuba holiday!

The Napoleon Museum of Havana

What, you may ask, is a museum dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte doing popping up in an article about a Cuba holiday? Not one of the city’s better known museums, it is nevertheless well worth a visit if you’re more into culture than crowds. It seems that a former prominent Cuban businessman was an avid collector of memorabilia of the famous emperor and amassed one of the most important collections in the world. When the businessman left Cuba during the revolution, he donated the collection to the government and the museum was established. Hundreds of fascinating relics like guns, telescopes, portraits, books, his famous funeral mask and even a toothbrush can be found in the museum. It is a wonderful insight into his life and its unusual geographic setting adds to the experience. The building itself is a wonderful Florentine style palace and its imposing facade belies the treasure trove inside.

El Guinol Nacional (Havana Children’s Puppet Theatre)

For a truly warm and genuine Cuban experience El Guinol Nacional (the Havana Children’s Puppet Theatre) is a delightful escape. A popular attraction for the local youth of Havana, the puppet theatre was established in 1963 in an old cinema of the Focsa building, which is the largest (and possibly the most unusual looking) building in Havana. The best local actors, writers and craftsmen collaborate to produce a non-stop succession of plays and sketches based on classical children’s literature. The puppets, dummies and clowns, which are the stars of the shows, are an eclectic assortment of traditional and modern design. It is a wonderfully different place to visit on your Cuba holiday and for a little bit of adult fun you can stay for a comedy show on a Tuesday evening.

Rossella Colella is a Cuba holiday specialist for key2holidays, an online tour operator for your Cuba holiday as well as holidays to other destinations in the Caribbean; the Indian Ocean, the Far East, Egypt, Southern Africa, Italy & the Mediterranean, Canada, Australia and the Pacific. key2holidays has a dedicated team of experienced travel consultants to share their knowledge and help you to plan and book your ideal holiday.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/taking-the-queue-out-of-cuba-1575035.html

Ever read a book that’s moved you enough to want to peel back the pages and step through an imaginary door into the world of the characters, and that’s described the place to you in such vivid mouth-watering detail that you felt you could almost reach out and touch the landscape through the paper in your hands? You know you have. The massive, magnificent continent of South America has been the inspiration for many authors of some classic novels which have become the tomes of our times. From the lyrical twists and turns of the Orinocho in Venezuela and Colombia; through the steamy jungles of the Amazon in Brazil and Peru; and down to the heart-stopping beauty of Chile and Argentina; each country tells its story in its own way. Wouldn’t it be nice to kick off your business clothes, throw your toothbrush in a backpack, and set off hiking South America on a journey through the pages of your favourite novels?

Colombia

Acclaimed novel ‘Love in the time of Cholera’ by Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez is the beautifully complex tale of finding love in strange and unusual circumstances. Whilst the city in the tale remains unnamed, Marquez’s descriptions and his own personal history led to the common conclusion that it is Cartagena in Colombia. Situated at the mouth of the Magdalena River, Cartagena today is a wonderfully preserved colonial city. Apart from being an important port, the city has a fascinating history. A stroll though the narrow streets of the Ciudad Amarullada (the old walled city) will take you back to the charming days of old; and for a stunning view out over the entire city and port, a visit to the Convento de la Popa will not disappoint. From Cartagena it is only a short side trip to the famed ‘Lost City’ of Ciudad Perdida, or Parque Nacional Tayrona, which offers wonderful opportunities for hiking South America’s unspoilt terrain.

Chile

The passionate prose of prolific Chilean author Isabel Allende has been translated throughout the world and, her first book – ‘The House of the Spirits’ – became a much-loved bestseller. The story is an epic tale of the South American Trueba family and charts their romantic, spiritual and historical quests as ultimately, their destiny overtakes them. Chile is home to some of the world’s most spectacular landscapes, and hiking South America’s central Andes Mountains will be the journey of a lifetime. You can also trek through Patagonia across the rugged terrain of the monumental Torres del Paine National Park and experience the endless beauty of its glaciers and lakes. The narrowest country in South America, hiking is not confined to the mountains and there is over 4,000 miles of breathtaking Pacific coastline to explore as well.

Brazil

Brazilian author Paulo Coelho is a household name and, although his novels are set all over the world, many of his main protagonists retain a distinctly South American flavour. His inimitable style challenges the reader in more ways than one, but his wonderfully descriptive writing style has secured him a faithful following. A visit to Paulo Coelho’s Brazil will take you on a journey where his imagination becomes your reality. Brazil covers nearly half the continent’s area, and hiking South America’s largest country can cover the vast remote interior rainforests; voyages up the mighty Amazon River; endless miles of pristine beaches; and of course the world’s biggest and best party – Rio.

Tony Maniscalco is the Sales and Marketing Manager for Ramblers Worldwide Holidays. Operating since 1946, they now offer over 250 guided group walking holidays in more than 90 different countries. On holidays hiking South America with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays, you can walk the most scenic locations & landscapes at the best value prices.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/south-america-by-the-book-1575072.html