Inselhopping Karibik: Kuba & Dominikanische Republik

About the destination: Havana is the capital city of Cuba and the focal point of Cuban culture, rich in visual artists, musicians, poets, dancers, actors and writers and it is the base of the world famous Ballet Nacional. Havana is the kind of city where history oozes from every street and building and from every church and plaza. Vintage cars, baroque style buildings, grand mansions and palaces and beautiful courtyards adorn its streets. Walk along the famous Malecon for stunning views of the Bay and the Morro Fortress, which lies behind historical colonial style architecture. Old Havana, declared World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982, is the oldest part of Havana city and it is a mixture of narrow cobblestone streets, elegant beautifully restored buildings and ancient crumbling ruins. This part is merged with the most modern and eclectic buildings which give a touch of dynamic cosmopolitism. The dome of the National Capitol Building dominates the Havana skyline. Inside there is a statue of La Republica, the biggest indoor bronze effigy in the world. There is also an enormous and historic gallery, a 25-carat diamond that marks the exact centre of the city and the headquarters of the Cuban Natural History housing the country's largest natural history collection. There are two major cigar factories in Havana, the Partagas being the oldest. This working cigar factory is another “don’t miss” Havana experience. Havana is a unique and seductive city that hums with street life, joy and charm.

About the destination: It is the main city of the province with the same name. It is one of the seven villages founded by Diego Velázquez in the first moments of the conquest and Spanish colonization of the island of Cuba. From 1515 is the capital to the middle of the 16th century. The historic urban center was declared National Monument on 10 October 1978. It is said that is “the most Caribbean city of Cuba”. The main places to see in Santiago de Cuba are: -Castle of San Pedro de la Roca: declared Human Heritage by the UNESCO in 1997, which is the most complete and best preserved example of the Hispanic American military arquitecture, basically based in Italian and renacentist design. -Sanctuary of la Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre: it was declared Patrona de Cuba in 1916 and crowned by the Pope John Paul II during his visit to Cuba in 1998. The appearance of the Virgin de la Caridad is one of the legends of this city. The current sanctuary where there is a mass every morning is from 1927 and has a plate altar and other ornamental objects of big value. Below the cabin of the Virgin is situated the Miracle’s Chapel, a little enclosure where the believers deposit different compliment, with different values. -The Big Stone: treasure of the east Cuba. It is a big stone situated almost 1000 meters above sea level, witness of the volcanism of Paleógeno.

About the destination: Santo Domingo is the capital city of the Dominican Republic. Located on the south central coast of the island, it is considered the oldest European city in the Americas.The Colonial Zone is the perfect starting point for visitors to discover Santo Domingo. Here, between Independence Park and the Ozama River, you will find the first city built in the New World by European settlers. The first street in the Americas is Calle de Las Damas, featuring many examples of 15th and 16th century architecture, including the Ozama Fortress, the oldest fortress in the Americas, and the Alcázar de Colón. Of great historical interest is the Museo de las Casas Reales, the restored 16th century palace of the Spanish Court, which features a wonderful glimpse of the past. Nearby the walled city, visitors will find the Cathedral Basilica Santa Maria la Menor, considered the first cathedral in the New World. While touring the narrow streets of the Colonial Zone, visitors will feel that history comes alive here. The Zone ends at the Malecón. Also known as George Washington Avenue, El Malecón is a waterfront boulevard lined with bistros, bars and discos and is the location of the Dominican Carnival celebrated in February.Santo Domingo is a cosmopolitan and lively city full of historical colonial sites and oozing Latin charm from every street and plaza.

About the destination: Punta Cana is the name of a region in the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic. Covering about 420,000 m2, the region is home to a coastline of sandy white beaches and to a "town" of the same name. Located in the province of La Altagracia and population estimated at 100,000, the region borders the Atlantic Ocean to the east. To the north, it borders Bávaro and El Cortecito beaches. It also limits with Cabeza de Toro, Cabo Engaño and further west with Juanillo. Despite the area being fairly deserted, the proximity of Punta Cana to other major resort areas such as Bávaro and Uvero Alto make the town one of the top Caribbean destinations.