For a Half Day

Finca Vigía: In 1939, Hemingway bought this farmhouse and surrounding orchards some 15km (9 miles) east of Havana in the village of San Francisco de Paula. The entire house (writing studio, living room-cum-bar, sleeping quarters, even his bathroom) have been preserved exactly as Hemingway left them. Visitors are only allowed to look through the windows (though a small tip to museum guards may help gain entrance). Bring a picnic to fully enjoy the verdant grounds, Finca Vigía (tel: (7) 910 809) is open from 0900 to 1630 (Closed on Tuesdays, Sundays and rainy days). Nearby is the village and small harbour of Cojimar, founded in the 17th century and captured by the British in 1762. Here, Hemingway kept his boat, El Pilar, (now dry-docked near the swimming pool at Finca Vigía) and went fishing with Gregorio Fuentes, who inspired the title character in The Old Man and the Sea. Hotel tourist desks can arrange Hemingway Trail tours by minibus.

Playas del Este (East Havana Beaches): Just 25 minutes from Havana, the Playas del Este (AKA Havana Riviera) stretch along the north coast from Bacuranao (18km/11 miles east of Havana), to Guanabo (27km/17 miles east of the city). The entire stretch of this long coastline consists of fine, white sandy beaches and crystal-clear water. Visitors should note, however, that except in the tourist hotels, the area has very few facilities and is absolutely packed with Cubans escaping the city on the weekends. Crowds are much thinner between October and April, when Cubans shun the beach because the water is 'cold'.    

Jardín Botánico Nacional (National Botanical Garden): On the outskirts of the city, the ‘lung of Havana' provides a great opportunity to learn about flora in general and Cuban specimens in particular. The 600 hectare (1483 acre) park is full of greenhouses with cacti and tropical plants, plus hundreds of palm specimens and a tranquil Japanese Garden with a vegetarian restaurant. Most hotel tourist desks can arrange this tour, but the gardens are only 25 minutes from Havana by car.


For a Whole Day

Las Terrazas: This artistic community nestled in the foothills of the Reserva Sierra del Rosario (a UNESCO biosphere reserve) makes a delightful escape from Havana's noise and grit. In between browsing original art in the artists studios open to the public, visitors can frolic in waterfalls, go for a hike, or simply take a cold beer lakeside. For a real rush, try the adrenaline-pumping zip-line that soars over the community. Hotel tour desks can arrange this excursion, but with a hire car, you can get there in 90 minutes. If you want to stay, take a room at the utterly charming Hotel Moka (tel: (48) 778 600; www.hotelmoka-lasterrazas.com).   

Viñales Valley: For pure natural beauty Viñales Valley with innumerable mogotes (limestone hills) rising up from the lush green valley floor, is unparalleled. The fertile Pinar del Río province is where the best tobacco in the world is cultivated and there are plenty of local tobacco farms, replete with cigar rolling (and smoking) field hands, in the area to visit. Stop by the hotel Los Jazmines for a breathtaking view of Viñales Valley, before rambling around the quirky and extraordinary Jardín de Caridad. Bus tours can be arranged at most hotel tourist desks.

Varadero: For those who need reminding that they are on a Caribbean island, a trip to Varadero, Cuba's premier beach resort, is a must. Probably the island's best-maintained road leads from Havana along the north coast to Varadero, situated on a 24km- (15 mile-) long isthmus that reaches out into the Atlantic. It only takes two and a half hours from Havana to reach the powder soft sands and turquoise, warm sea that has attracted visitors to these shores for generations. There is also no shortage of facilities for refreshments, entertainment and watersports. A daily tourist bus goes from Havana to Varadero - the hotel tourist desks can provide more information.