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My parents have been 3 times they love it. The people are poor but very proud of their country they offer a tour of the local schools which my parents found very interesting. They took exercise books ans colouring pencils to give as gifts for the children.

There were shows in the hotel every night and the opportunity to swim with wild dolphins great watersports too.

The down side was the length of flight as they stop in miami for an hour.

I'd love to go.

My friend went (for a wedding!) a few years ago and loved it.

We went in 2008. Did a Thomas Cook Classic Cuba Tour. For one week we travelled around all the historic sites to the south then west to Havana for 3 days. It is a poor country but the tour guide(a Cuban) explained all there history, their oppression by America and how the state manages the economy, social welfare and education of the people.

Then internal flight back to Cayo Coco for a week beach holiday. That wasn't my favourite bit. In resort the choice of food was limited and the staff have come to expect constant tipping due to wealthier holiday makers thinking they are helping by giving things to the staff. At times it seemed a bit like begging.

But don't let that put you off but if you are interested in architecture and history I think more than 3 days in Havana are needed.

We stayed in the Holguin area (Guardalavaca) about 5 years ago and absolutely loved it, went with First Choice/Thomson and didnt have a stop over, flew direct.  I found the Cubans extremely friendly people and eager to please, I certainly didnt find them constantly expecting tipping, in fact it was the opposite.

From what I have been told if you go to Varadero, or Cayo Coco areas you go through a "tourist gate" and locals dont actually live there, just work, whereas in the Guardalavaca area locals live up the road and you actually find yourself mingling with them.  Indeed someone took out a bike from our hotel and got a puncture, altho they couldnt speak english an old boy came out and mended the tyre while his wife made them a cup of tea and some cake!  Our security guard at our hotel took us to a Cuban night club, we checked with the rep that we were safe to go and he said 200% so off we went, there were only 4 english people in the whole nightclub but we chatted and danced with the locals and had an absolutely fantastic night, when we came out there was no taxi but a local stopped and went to a hotel to phone one for us and stayed with us until we were in it safely.  Their hospitality showed no boundaries for us and for this reason I would definately return but I would return back to the same area.

Yes it is a very poor country but they are very happy people on the whole.

I have been a couple of times. I can't speak highly enough of it. Wonderful place, wonderful people. The "tourist" bit is Varadero which is a strip of land that sticks out from the island and on which all the big hotels are located. They are typical resort hotels and very nice. Havana itself is good although with the usual annoyance of panhandlers and people trying to sell you stuff everywhere. However, you get that anywhere really. Crime is very low and almost non-extistent.

Take dollars when you go. That is the only currency you'll need.

Wonderful place, you'll love it!