JazzHead

Has anyone attended the International Havana Jazz Festival? If so, what hotel and activities would you recommend? Thanks!

Wendy

When is this?

jeanh

Hi,<BR><BR>We'll be attending the International Jazz Festival in Havana in December of this year. The dates of our trip are the 11-18, I'm not exactly which days the festival actually takes place.<BR><BR>Anyone have any words of wisdom for a first time Cuba traveler?<BR><BR>Jean

Karen

You will love Havana. I took a really good walking map I got of the net with us and we did a great tour. Also the buggy ride at night is lovely.We were on a cruise that stopped there. Our three sons still talk about that day the most. There is music everywhere, every corner, every hotel you walk buy. We spent time in the Cathedral square just listening to the music and watching people it was incredible. We also went for an evening walk and good hear and see alot of preforming going on. The Cuban people were very friendly and were not pushy or threating in anyway. Nothing like Jamaica or Grenada or even Mexico, very safe feeling walking around Old Havana. They wanted to talk about Canada, Blue Jays baseball ect.. Do lots of walking and stopping at the local bars and read some of the posting on the walls from the likes of Hemingway ect. A truly unique city in many ways, nice for a visit anyways.Karen

JazzHead

Hi JeanH. What travel agency are you using? The package deals I've seen have been expensive for a one-week trip.

jeanh

I'm in the USA, so can't use a local travel agent. Traveling with Cross Cultural Solutions, it is expensive, but far less than a comparable tour offerred by the Alumni Association of the college that I graduated from. This tour is staying at the Parque Central, which wouldn't be my choice if I was traveling without the tour. I think Jazz Times magazine is co-sponsoring this tour.