Go see the former presidential palace that now houses the Museum of the Revolution. Inside are many exhibits solely dedicated to the revolution that took place in Cuba some 50 years ago. It is also the point at which Fidel Castro gave one of his famous speeches and the Americans conspired to shoot him.

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One for the history buffs, starts with the Che story which is fascinating and moves on through Cuba's more distant history and onto today's achievements in farming, health care, etc. Outside they have the boat in which Fidel and Che sailed to Cuba along with the other rebels and a display of military vehicles which were used during the Bay of Pigs crisis.

You will need some time to go round the whole museum, 2-3 hours, but if you have an interest in the history of Cuba it's worth it.

Calle Refugio 1, entre Monserrate y Zulueta, La Habana Vieja;

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Never really made it into the museum bit but there's a cafe attached that does fabulous chocolate drinks and truffles and chocolates made on the premises. Not much of an atmosphere but a little cool, calm oasis and a bit of a treat.

Calle Amargura, Habana Vieja

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If you want to see the unofficial take on contemporary Cuba, go to see the Cuban collection in the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, just behind the revolutionary museum.

Artists have consistently been given more freedom of expression in revolutionary Cuba so, apart from seeing some really accomplished contemporary art, you get an idea of what Cubans really think about the revolution, both the positive and the negative.

Calle Trocadero, e/ Zulueta y Ave. de Belgica, Havana, between Parque Central and the revolutionary museum
Tel +53 7 8613858.

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The Parque Central area is the place to stay when visiting Havana. A cheaper alternative to the Parque Central Hotel is the adjoining Hotel Plaza, which was built circa 1905 and has since been renovated, with a marvellous entrance and lobby. Rooms are small and dark, but you only use them for sleeping. No pool but you can use the one down the street at the Hotel Sevilla for a few CUCs (1.08 $ U.S.) One should visit the rooftop dining room at the Sevilla, have a drink at the sidewalk cafe of the Inglaterra, and see what's happening on the Inglaterra roof, Friday or Saturday (all within 1 minute from the hotel). The roof of the Plaza gives the best view of the Bacardi building just to the east. The Sevilla and the Telegrafo are intermediate in quality and price, between the Plaza and the Parque Central. Also, it’s very close to the two art museums (don't miss the modern one of Cuban art, in between the Sevilla and the Museum of the Revolution).

Ingnacio Agramonte 267, Habana Vieja, Havana, in the north east corner of Parque Centrale, adjacent to Hotel Parque Central. Food, drinks, bottled water, bank just across the street

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