Cuba Culture by Cubaheritage
Cuban culture is world-renowned. Its colourful history is eloquently expressed in its fabulous architecture, its national traditions and local customs. The island boasts four UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Cuba’s international reputation for ballet, and for popular and classical music, goes from strength to strength. The restoration of its historic cities and the care of its beautiful countryside are acclaimed by conservationists all over the world. The exhibitions of its contemporary artists win international critical acclaim. Those who appreciate the Arts, colourful history, wonderful weather, good food and absolute exclusivity find Cuba hard to resist. Havana used to be one of the world’s grandest cities, a fact eloquently attested to by the extraordinary variety and quality of its architecture. It is now one of the world’s most exclusive venues for very special events. Our clients, who usually wish to visit the island incognito, always require special arrangements to be made for their stay and for the parties they wish to host whilst they are here. Our Havana staff are here to help, to advise, to suggest ideas, to create specially-designed events and to ensure that all your social and travel arrangements run smoothly.
San Cristobal Travel Agency
The San Cristobal Agency is part of the commercial operation of the Office of the City Historian of Havana, the organisation responsible for the restoration of the historical centre of Cuba’s capital. The Oficina del Historiador de la Ciudad de La Habana was set up in the 1930's by the first City Historian, Emilio Roig de Leuchsenring. When Dr Roig died in the early sixties he was succeeded by Eusebio Leal Spengler, who has steered the organisation to the world-renowned position it holds today. The Office of the City Historian of Havana is now a large and complex institution employing over 7,000 people in the restoration of the colonial heart of the city, not only in terms of its built heritage but also in the way of life of its inhabitants, for Dr Leal and his team are also dedicated to bringing about a social renaissance in Old Havana. In 1993 a law was passed by the Cuban government which enabled the Office to establish a commercial division, all profits from which are immediately invested in further restoration, in a laudably virtuous circle. The San Cristobal Agency (which was named in honour of the city founded as La Villa de San Cristóbal de La Habana) is part of that network, as are all the hotels and most of the restaurants in Old Havana; thus anyone booking Old Havana hotels or the services of San Cristobal may be assured that they are supporting the restoration of the historical heart of the city and the improvement of the quality of life of its inhabitants.