About me

Hi everyone!
My name is Rhianne and I'm an editor for a regional newspaper. I'm married to Lee and we have 2 kids, a dog and two cats. I wanted to write a blog as I love writing and decided on holidays and travel as this is what I love doing most! As a former travel agent I have been to quite a few places and would love to tell you my experiences.


Me and my daughter Lily

Archive for the ‘Cuba’ Category

October 21st, 2008

USA holidays

We thought this might be an informative post on the days in the year when the people from the USA take a holiday.

Like other countries around the world, the U.S. has its own set of holidays. Of course, each country has its own culture and culture allows people to celebrate holidays. Although holiday really means “holy day”, most of the holidays in the U.S. are not really religious. Instead, they are commemorative in origin and nature.

Because the U.S. is endowed with a rich and diverse ethnic heritage, it is still possible that some of the holidays celebrated in the U.S. can be traced from traditions and cultural sources. However, no matter where and how some of the American holidays started, holidays in the U.S. generally mean “celebration”! So to give you an idea on the American holiday celebrations, here are the 10 federal government-proclaimed holidays in the country:

January 1: New Year’s Day
Third Monday of January: Martin Luther King’s Day
Third Monday of February: Washington’s Birthday
Last Monday of May: Memorial Day
July 4: Independence Day
First Monday of September: Labor Day
Second Monday of October: Columbus Day
November 11: Veterans Day
Fourth Thursday of November: Thanksgiving Day
December 25: Christmas Day

Among the holidays mentioned, the most American is the Independence Day. This day is a big birthday party where all people in America are invited.

June 30th, 2008

Destination Cuba

Cuba’s gorgeous beaches and beautiful scenery have been attracting visitors since Columbus visited the country in 1492. With a lot of golden beaches, Cuba is perfect for a holiday in the sun. Scuba diving in Cuba is fantastic as the coral reefs are gorgeous. Cuba is full of variety and is proud of its cultural heritage. In Havana you can see traces of the colonial Spanish heritage while African and American influences can be heard in the sounds of the Cuban music. Expect from a holiday in Cuba to combine a rich cultural experience with relaxing days on the beach.

Havana
Havana is a mix of history, cultures and experiences. Its livley streets are filled with bars, cafes and the sounds of rumba. You can see a mix of influences from Europe, Africa and the Americas in Cuba’s capital city. There is so much to do and see, for example explore the museums and galleries of the old town, visit the colourful markets at Palacio de la Artesanía, or enjoy the well-known cabaret show at the Tropicana. Escape to the beach at Playas del Este or sip a mojito at one of the lively bars.

Varadero
Varadero is Cuba’s premier beach resort with its 20 km of stunning beaches and crystal-clear sea. The resort is placed on the Hicacos Peninsula which is on the northern coast of the island. If you want to get out, have a swim with dolphins at the aquarium, visit nearby Cardenas City, or enjoy the virgin beach at the close by nature reserve. At night you can choose from colourful costumed hotel cabarets, restaurants with delicious Cuban and international food or nightclubs where you’ll dance into the early hours.

Guardalavaca
When Christopher Columbus landed near what is now Guardalavaca back in 1492 he said it qas “The most beautiful land I have ever seen”. Today, both tourists and locals still say the exact same thing about Guardalavaca which is widely regarded as the most beautiful part of Cuba. Not only is the Guardalavaca beach gorgeous, try visit the Playa Pesquero and Playa Esmeralda which is surrounded by emerald green hills on a secluded bay. If you want a day away from the beach, visit the local capital Holguin, which is an interesting place to see a glimpse of the unhurried every-day Cuban life.

Santiago de Cuba
The castle of San Pedro del Morro guards the city of Santiago de Cuba and is partly surrounded by the Sierra Maestra mountains. Santiago de Cuba was declared a ‘National Hero City’ after its decisive participation to fight for independence and remains the cradle of the Cuban revolution. One of the country’s most stunning nature reserves, Baconao National Park, borders this historic city and with a combination of a laid back atmosphere, friendly hospitality and the gorgeous Caribbean sun, it’s easy to see why Santiago de Cuba is often referred to as Cuba’s ‘most Caribbean city’.