Whenever
I uncover a perfect gem of a destination that few people have yet discovered,
I'm always faced with a dilemma. Part of me wants to boast about my newest treasure,
while a big part of me wants to keep it to myself and share it only with my closest friends and those family members that I still talk to.
However, because it's the holiday season and I'm feeling generous, I'm going to share my latest prize with you, but I'm trusting you'll keep it to yourselves.
Cuba's Keys
Sleeping
peacefully off the northern coast of central Cuba is a string of coral islands that are to nature what poetry is to language. Cayo Santa Maria and Cayo Ensenachos are the crown jewels in this string of precious gems.
Here
you will find endless miles of flawless powder-sand beaches as soft as an angel's
whisper and as white as St. Nick's beard. The water, which is clear, warm and
calm for swimming, is a great painter's palette of every shade and hue of blue;
these are the beaches from which all others are painted.
Resorts
Off The Beaten Path
It is important when travelling to a holiday destination that is somewhat off the
beaten path to choose a resort with enough facilities and amenities to keep you
fully occupied and entertained.
One
such resort is Meliá Cayo Santa Maria; set in 12 hectares of coconut-scented palm
trees, blazing oleanders and lush foliage, it fronts onto 400 meters of white
powder sand. Meliá maximizes its ideal beach location by offering a veritable
ocean of watersport activities at no charge to hotel guests.
A
second favourite is Occidental Royal Hideaway Ensenachos, located on the secluded
Cayo Ensenachos beach. This luxury resort serves up 5 à la carte restaurants,
several bars, a disco, cigar lounge and, of course, a wide range of watersports.
Both of these all inclusive resorts rate 4 1/2 stars and are perfect for honeymooners
and spa lovers.
Discover Santa Clara
About 90 minutes from the Cayos is the town of Santa Clara, rich in historical significance
and the capital of Villa Clara Province.
It
was here on December 28, 1958 that Ernesto 'Che' Guevera, with a small group of
men, defeated Batista's troops despite being outnumbered ten to one. This proved
to be a decisive victory, as Batista fled the country two days later.
Now known as Che's city, Santa Clara houses an impressive monument to this heroic
figure as well as a museum and a mausoleum that houses his remains.