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The Oakville Beaver Weekend, S a tu rd a y J an u ary 2 1, 2 0 0 6 - 21 © Many hidden gems in Cuba Cuba has m any different faces. Most of you know the famous ones -- destinations like Veradero, H olguin and Cayo Coco -- but other parts of the island have th e ir own unique appeal, and yes, they have lovely beaches, too. Recently, I tagged along as Hola S un hosted 48 travel agents and we visited a couple of destinations you may not know about. Santiago is th e second biggest city in Cuba, the m ost Caribbean, the m ost musical, and this tim e of year it's consid erably warm er than m ost other areas. And that includes the water. Except for the odd new car, the city seem s right out of movies of the `30s; it hasn't changed m uch at all. The city hosts houses Cuba's oldest palaces and m useum s, Velazquez's sixteenth-century m erchant house and the ele gant governor's residence. For many agents, this was their first trip to Santiago, if not to Cuba itself, and they were very impressed. Santiago is the m usic capital of this musical island, and yes, th ere is a Tropicana show in Cuba's sec ond largest city. It's im printed on my m ind because I was staying there dur ing the last Quebec referendum and CNN kept cutting in and out, leaving every Canadian on the property desperate for more information. Since then, it's had a com plete update. In fact I wouldn't have recognized it, except for the fact that it is built on a hill side, and there is an elevator .down to the rooms and the beach, a good choice for those who aren't very mobile. An agent who visits Cuba at least twice a year and often takes his family to stay at Bruises Sierra Mar says: "This is a hidden gem, m anagem ent is phenom enal. True value for dollar, I sell a lot of it." Diving is terrific according to a group of 20 divers from the Niagara Peninsula who were having a great time. A sister hotel, w hich is adults-only, offers a very differ ent vacation. High on a hillside 12 kilom etres away from Bruises Sierra Mar is the threestar Los Galleons. There are just 34 rooms, m ost of which have exquisite views. There is a lovely little pool, with shade, and the beach is lovely with its own beach bar and grill. Here's See Three p age 22 McTavish Travel i n f o r m a t i o n s e r v i c e LITERARY SOJOURNS For those of you who are looking for a trip that is above and beyond the ordinary, Horizon & Co. L ite ra ry Sojourns offer the opportunity to share ideas about literature and art in a relaxed setting. The days are made up of animated discussions in small seminars guided by a skilled and provocative discussion leader, a broad array of cultural activities, and ample opportunities to read, reflect and linger over a good meal and conversation. While literature is the primary focus, all facets of artistic expression are touched on, from music and film to street performances and underground theatre. Here are just a few examples of the Literary Sojourn offerings: GREECE: The C lassical M om ent - Immerse yourself in the natural beauty and gracious hospitality of Napflion, a timeless, romantic town guarded by the Venetian island castle of Bourtzi. Join discussions on the many aspects of Greeceis literary heritage, explore Napflionis beautiful fortress and visit archaeological sites such as Mycenae, Epidauros and ancient Corinth. KRAKOW: The Land o f Im agination and Longing - Rooted in the tragedy of World War II and the trauma of Soviet occupation, a generation found its voice through artists such as Nobel Laureate Czeslaw Milosz. Explore Krakow through the works of poets and writers to see how Catholicism and Communism, and the glory and anguish of Polish Jews, have shaped the new Poland. PARIS: They Came to Paris - Discover the meaning behind " The Lost Generation" as you wander the back streets of the Latin Quarter. See the homes and haunts of the e x -p a t. writers, where cultural and social history were made. Gather at a charming French cafe and discuss the works of Hemingway, Fitzgerald and Stein while you sip on a steaming cafe-au-lait. For more information, give us a call! Hopedale M a ll 1515 Rebecca Street, O akville {905)827-1100 travel@ m ctavish.com V is it M cTavish A t: Sam Ion This is also Cuba's m ost African city and it's a lively place, famous for its festivals, and Carnival (late June to late July). There is plenty to see and do, from the M useum del Carnival to the Plaza de Marta in the Plaza de la Revolution. This is, after all, the city called the "Cradle of the Revolution." Just 10 kilom eters south west of the city centre there's an imposing castle recognized as a World Heritage site by UNESCO, a great place to have lunch and take at least 25 digi tal photos. An hour away, is the threestar-plus Bruises Sierra Mar, a property I visited 10 years ago. 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