Cuba

Thanks to its unusual past, there really is nowhere else in the world quite like Cuba. After the communist Cuban revolution, deep in the throes of the Cold War, the USA put strict trade sanctions on Cuba in retaliation for the country claiming American oil refineries. As a result, the flow of goods into Cuba has been very limited, and in some ways the country seems preserved in the past with 1950s-era cars and buildings.
The cultural aspect of Cuba is well worth the trip. Visit Old Havana and the Museum of the Revolution, take in the charm of the old-fashioned towns, treat yourself to a Cuban cigar at a tobacco plantation or factory tour, get some salsa dancing lessons and hit the Havana night clubs.
Many visitors come just for the island’s natural beauty. Soak up the sun on the white sand beaches and dip in the emerald-blue sea. Venture further out to take advantage of world-class snorkelling and diving sites such as Punta Frances on Isla de la Juventud where you can see an underwater tunnel, manatees and hawksbill sea turtles, or the Guanahacabibes National Park.