holidays in Cuba

2:35pm Friday 25th June 2010 in Holiday information

Thomson Introduce a New Cayo to their Cuban Programme

Holidays in Cuba have just taken on a whole new meaning. Watch out Varadero, Guardalavaco and Havana, there's a new Cayo in town. From summer 2011, Thomson's would like to introduce the breathtaking Cayo Santa Maria. Nestling just off the north coast of Cuba in the Atlantic Ocean, Cayo Santa Maria is part of the Jardines del Rey archipelago which when translated means 'Garden of the King'.

Landing in Santa Clara airport, you will reach Cayo Santa Maria by a manmade causeway built in the nineties having taken over a decade to complete. Maybe the local people wanted to keep this little piece of paradise all to themselves. Remote, secluded and so natural that it has been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The scenery here could be no prettier than if it were painted on a canvas and the beaches are pure and pristine. To the north of the island the sand lays practically untouched and immaculate dunes create the perfect secluded sunbathing spot. Vibrant coloured corals, rainbow-hued fish and the occasional turtle make life here just as interesting and beautiful below the water as above. To the south the terrain is awash with palm lined grassland, mangrove swamps and a labyrinth of creeks and lagoons.

Thomson has left nothing to chance with their range of accommodation on this beautiful island. All inclusive luxury with stunning views and fantastic facilities, some are ideal for families, whilst others are adult only. Some hotels offer energetic water sports whilst others have relaxing spa treatments available. Whatever you are looking for in your holidays in Cuba, Thomson and Cayo Santa Maria can easily provide.

For a change of scenery you can always head back along the causeway to nearby Cayo Brujas or Cayo Ensenachos. Here the rural villages have sun faded houses with rickety porches and the customary rocking chair creaking in the breeze.

On all holidays in Cuba, a trip to Havana is one certainly not to be missed. Although it is a long day trip it can be done in a short flight but is definitely worth the effort. Havana's old town makes you feel as though you have stepped back in time and is a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site. Baroque style buildings and pastel shaded houses line streets filled with huge fifties style American cars. Cuba's political hub revolved around the aptly named Revolution Square during the revolution and is where Fidel Castro and Che Guevara addressed the masses.

In stark contrast though is the Vedado region, bringing you right back into modern times with glass fronted skyscrapers, cosmopolitan bars and trendy art galleries.

So if you are thinking of taking holidays in Cuba during 2011, why not try Cayo Santa Maria, but be quick you want to get here before the rest of the world does.