Hello to all the experts out there. I have been reading so many posts that I am at the overload point. Canadian Steve you sound very knowledgable so hopefully you can help with some questions. We are stay in Varadero but we do want to explore other areas and are not adverse to leaving those accomodations for a night here and there. I am wondering what you know of a bus system. I would like to see Trinidad and it sounds like I could easily want to spend at least a full day if not even two. Of course we will go to Havana but then again would we be better off to take a bus and find a hotel and explore on our own. Any great web sites that can be of help would also be great. Many thanks to all Wendy

Hi Wendy:

Well here goes......

While I have stayed in Varadero, I admit to having a special fondness for Havana. I find it a captivating city and have spent literally weeks there wandering around. I haven't made it down to Trinidad YET, but for sure it is on my must-see list. From all reports I think it is also a must see location. Trinidad is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as is Habana Vieja (Old Havana) If you love old architecture you will love these spots.

Here is a link that I have for bus schedules in Cuba.
http://www.usacubatravel.com/bus.htm
I'm not sure how current it is, but it will give you a rough idea of costs/timing. Depending on how many of you are travelling intercity, sometimes you can bargain a cab ride down to almost the same as the bus fare. We did this with 4 people from Varadero to Havana and the total was only $50 USD. Bus would have been $10 each, so it was close enough that the convenience was worth the extra few bucks.

Here are a couple of other links that will give you some good info.

http://www.transtur.com/eng/

www.1click2cuba.com
(lots of other links through this site)

http://www.cuba-junky.com/

http://www.cubamania.com/

www.cubalinda.com

http://www.ibiblio.org/cuba/links.html

http://www.cubaroutes.com/maps/main.aspx?lng=2

http://www.habanosdecuba.cu/



As to accommodation when you travel around, you might consider staying at a Casa Particular. A Casa Particular is a LEGAL private home that offers Bed & Breakfast type accommodation. They are very reasonable (you negotiate individually with the owners) and offer a nice change from the standard tourist hotel accommodation. Also it's a great chance to see more of how Cubans live.

And last but not least, feel free to check out my personal Cuban photography website to see so of what I go to Cuba for. Besides photos, there is also full descriptions of what you are looking at.
Note that the site is bandwidth limited (it's a free hosting site) and that there is NO www in the URL. If you can't get in today, try again tomorrow. Each day is limited to about 50 visits by people.
http://photopilot.tripod.com

Enjoy the Cuban experience. Any other questions, just let me know.

Oh, and you might also want to drop into the Caribline Cuba forums where there are lots of other crazy Canadian Cuba lovers. Lots of good advice there as well.
http://www.caribline.com/islands/cu/forum.shtml

Steve

Steve?????????? Did you have anything to do with the old D&D board? If so e-mail me, I want to show you some pics from Jamaica...............Dan

Message to Dan:
No idea what the D&D board is. I am just a Toronto Canada based photographer/designer and traveller who happens to enjoy Cuba. I'll offer advice when I can, based on my travels. I have set up the Cuban photo site because so many of my friends have expressed and interest in Cuba and thought this would be a good way to show some of what captivates me. Sort of my own personal National Geographic article so-to-speak.
Thanks.
Steve

Sorry Steve, thought you might have been an old friend I lost contact with; the similarities were worth a try...Dan