There is no doubt at all that Cuba is a unique island full of interesting sights and sounds you cannot experience anywhere else in the world, but what it’s sometimes easy to forget is that there’s also a lot of exciting activities off the island – in the expanse of Caribbean waters that surrounds it

With the possible exceptions of Che Guevara and Fidel Castro, Cuba has had no more famous former resident than the Nobel winning author Ernest Hemingway The hard drinking, womanising, American author of masterpieces such as For Whom the Bell Tolls and A Farewell to Arms fell in love with Cuba after visiting it several times, and he lived on Cuba from 1940 until1960, shortly before his death

There are many reasons that people go on Cuba holidays – the sun, sands, culture and beauty are all major draws, but perhaps the main reason for the island’s popularity is based on its infamous history Of course it’s not all about the revolution, and there’s plenty for history buffs to see on a tour of Cuba

If you’re looking to sample a slice of rural Cuban life, then a stint in a Trinidad hotel could be just the ticket Located in the centre of the island, the city is labelled as a UNESCO world heritage site and is a hot sleepy town filled with colonial architecture and idyllic cobbled streets

As anyone who has gone on holiday to Cuba will know, Cuba is filled with a superb range of attractions Havana’s glorious colonial old town, the Che Guevara Monument at Santa Clara and the colourful streets of Trinidad are just some of the highlights in the cities

For a relaxing holiday away from the heavily visited areas of the island, a stay in a Cayo Coco hotel is a great choice Its lack of an international airport means that its 15 miles of beaches are largely off the radars of most tourists, making it a far more peaceful alternative to Varadero – but there’s a lot more charm to the area than that

Havana is a city steeped in history, and there’s certainly plenty of culture and echoes from the past amongst many of its main tourist attractions But for those who really want to absorb themselves in a historical holiday in Cuba, these luxury hotels in Havana all have their own claims to fame

If you are on holiday in Cuba, a visit to at least one of the island’s beautiful beaches is essential before you leave Cuba has some of the best beaches in the Caribbean – the fine sand and clear warm waters make this a superb destination for scuba diving, deep sea fishing, or just for swimming and sun bathing

As anyone who has been lucky enough to go on holiday in Cuba will probably tell you, the Cubans really know how to throw a party The island is a vibrant centre of dance, art and music, and the blend of Spanish and Caribbean cultures has given rise to a number of international festivals and annual carnivals that are a real treat for visitors and locals alike

Cuba is a fascinating country, and not just because of its revolutionary history Indeed, there are several interesting tidbits that few people know about – here are my 5 favourite interesting facts about Cuba – I’m confident there will be at least a couple of surprises in here