Captivating Cuba

I've just come off the phone to the sweetest couple and their Cuban holiday plans have got me pining for a holiday on the island yet again. Bill and Joyce wanted to do something really special to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary and as a Cuba holiday is full of so many incredible experiences, from salsa lessons to swimming with dolphins, I knew that they had picked the right destination. Sadly, as tempted as Joyce was with a salsa holiday she simply couldn't convince her husband. However, they both professed to be somewhat creative people and so I suggested that they try a painting holiday on the island.

Bill and Joyce both loved the idea, but simply could not agree on a destination. Bill was rather taken with the idea of painting the old colonial buildings of Havana and its impressive Cathedral Square; he also felt that the many art galleries in the region would provide both him and Joyce with artistic inspiration. However, Joyce was having none of it; she felt that she was much more adept at painting rolling landscapes and wanted to take her holiday in the scenic Vinales Valley. This destination has hills which date back to the Jurassic period and its rolling green tobacco fields are ideal for painting. The couple wanted some time to discuss it amongst themselves and, whilst I'd suggested a multi-centre break, were adamant that they wanted to spend their anniversary in just one destination.

Two hours later, Joyce called back and said that the couple had agreed on a city break in Havana. Considering that she was so adamant on painting in scenic Vinales, I was surprised that she didn't sound a little more upset. However, as I talked her through a selection of hotels in Havana, I was certain that I could detect more than a hint of happiness in her voice. I wondered what Bill had said or done to convince her, but I certainly wasn't going to ask. In the end the couple opted for the Saratoga hotel, which is considered to be the most luxurious in the area of Old Havana. Bill and Joyce, quite rightly, wanted to spoil themselves on their anniversary break and I felt that the Saratoga with its stunning marble staircases and sweeping columns was the perfect place for them to do this. So we'd booked the flights, the painting part of the break and the 5* hotel; was there anything else that the couple wanted to make their wedding anniversary particularly memorable? "Actually, there's just one thing", said Bill, timidly "could you possibly add salsa lessons onto our itinerary"?

Jasna

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