El Presidente Posted August 29, 2018 Posted August 29, 2018 This was asked of me and I thought it a good idea to open it up to members experiences. You arrive at your casa 8pm Friday. Your flight leave 8am Monday. Make your perfect 72 hours in Havana. all detailed entries go into a draw for a sampler (drawn tomorrow )
benfica_77 Posted August 29, 2018 Posted August 29, 2018 Great question! looking forward to the answers!
luckme10 Posted August 30, 2018 Posted August 30, 2018 Friday 8:00 check into casa. 8:01 check out of casa an into Meliá Cohiba 9:00 grab breakfast. 10:00 am: It's time to stock up on Customs Customs Customs! Go around to the LCDH, get screamed at for being the 100th person to ask the merchant at lcdh, "tiene un behike 52?" and visit the custom rollers! Alejandro Gonzalez Arias Hotel Comodoro Cigar Shop at 3ra Ave. & Calle 84, Playa Leopoldina Gutierrez aka 'La China' Partagas LCDH at Calle Industria #520, Centro Habana Yolanda Medina Hotel Melia Habana LCDH at 3ra Ave. between Calle 76 & 80, Playa Maria Quinta y 16 LCDH at 5ta Ave. and Calle 16, Miramar Jorge Lopez Club Havana LCDH at 5ta Ave. between Calle 188-192, Playa Reynaldo Gonzalez & Jorge Conde de Villanueva LCDH at Mercaderes #202 corner of Lamparilla, Habana Vieja Juanita Ramos Guerra Hotel Melia Cohiba LCDH, at Paseo Ave. between Calle 1 & 3, Vedado Milagro Morales Hotel Nacional LCDH at Calle 21 & O, Vedado Arnaldo Alfonso Ibanez Hotel Palco LCDH at 146 Ave. between Calle 11 & 13, Playa Cueto El Morro Castle. La Habana del Este, Havana, Cuba 7:00 pm Dinner. Saturday: 9:00 am breakfast 10:00 catch a cab to hemmingway museum.12:00 grab lunch 2:00 catch a cab to old havana. Grab a daiquiris at la floridita. 4:00 Cab to partagas factory 5:30 Walk to check out Cuba's china town. (Funny to watch Cubans dress up as Chinese people..) 7:30 Dinner La Guarida, no reservations. Got a corner table on the roof with the best view. 8:40 Cab check out Castillo de San Carlos de la Cabana watch them fire the cannon. 9:30: go clubbing at night find some good salsa music and dancing. Sunday: Morning:Check out the Revolution museum and the art museum next door. Afternoon: Beach -playas de este. Evening:a play at Gran Teatro de La Habana in the evening Night: Get Drunk Monday: moan and groan and hall butt to airport. 3 1
cookj1 Posted August 30, 2018 Posted August 30, 2018 LCDH’s, in no particular order. Hotel National in the evening. Repeat! ? 2
Popular Post Derboesekoenig Posted August 30, 2018 Popular Post Posted August 30, 2018 That's odd, I was actually just thinking about this, and the fact that my next trip will be MAX 72 hrs on ground lol ok here goes: Day 1: Arrive and out of the airport after transferring cash (should be before lunchtime at this point), would have a driver lined up to pick me up. Immediately head to airbnb/casa, which will be near el malecon, to drop off everything but cash. Quick snack and drink and off we go. Head to Hotel Nacional because I have yet to acquire any ashtrays. Once those had been found, and I pick up a 50 cab of Lusitanias, I'll head straight to Partagas factory because it seemed to have an excellent selection out of all LCDH I visited last time. Will try to con my way into the VIP smoking area to catch a nice hour break, drinks and a snack maybe? At this point, I will head to Habana Vieja to score something before the stores start closing. Conde de Villanueva first, and there is another smaller shop nearby (cannot recall what it's called, but I have it mapped out/screenshot). For dinner, I would've already had my driver make reservations for La Guarida, and progressively get obscenely drunk throughout the rest of the night. Day 2: Probably won't wake up until lunchtime the next day. Slowly wake up, and make a nice pourover because I bring my travel kit wherever i go (judge all you want) while I relax and smoke for an hour out of the balcony, coincidentally facing my next LCDH. But first! Lunch. I'm thinking something simple, so just hit the closest open restaurant. Ate too much, so have to slowly waddle over to Hotel Melia Cohiba. I'm disappointed at what I see, so of course next stop! Hotel Comodoro to grab some La Puntillas! I am only half satisfied, so the last LCDH of the day will be the one that I haven't been to, and one of the most famous--LCDH at 5th Ave, or Quinta Avenida. Not sure what to expect at this one, but will most likely be disappointed, so I will be going with libations in mind. How to follow that? Well, a cigar of course. I'm famished at this point, so I will be dining at El Aljibe for some of that delicious arroz con pollo. I'm several drinks in at this point, and unfortunately go to their little attached shop, hoping not to get bamboozled like last time. No more fake (ish) Behike for me this time. He of course keeps pulling out these amazing boxes in which I couldn't find anywhere else, so in my drunken state, buy several boxes of everything that has been recently discontinued, and boxes of stuff that I had never seen before. Don't remember how I got back to the Airbnb because after buying the cigars, I was offered drink after drink after drink.... Day 3: I groggily awake and immediately have no idea where I'm at. Reality quickly sets in, and I go make double the coffee I usually do. Time to get outta this place. I go grab a quick breakfast after coffee + PLPC, and wait for the driver to pick me up to head to the airport. I actually manage to save an extra couple thousand $$ specifically for the airport shops. This is where I grab the rum and any hidden gems I can find. Oh no. The two ladies are here that kicked me out last time. I slide them $50 and have free reign inside. I'm by myself, thank god, and manage to find the holy grail, aged boxes that go back 10-15 years, ER Cuba, and jars I've only dreamed of finding. ......and then I wake up and realize it has all been a dream. Just kidding. I'm determined this time 4 3
treberty Posted August 30, 2018 Posted August 30, 2018 1st evening: I would bring a couple of cigars and go to the Nacional's patio to order a Cubano sandwich and a beer. Then some mojitos and cigars before going to bed early-ish in Vedado, near the Nacional. Day 1: Conde de Villanueva (custom robusto + coffee in the courtyard. Plaza Vieja - coffee at El Escorial. Walk around Old Havana... Lunch at El Chanchullero. Then I would hit Parque Central, Capitolio, the Partagas Factory store to grab some cigars and head down calle Obispo toward hotel Raquel awesome rooftop to smoke a cigar with a couple mojitos. For dinner I would probably go to Esto no es un Café at Plaza de la Catedral, smoke a minuto with dessert before heading to the Nacional's patio (again - just love it there) for my last cigar(s) of the day & nigthcap(s). Day 2: Old Havana again... start with LCDH of la Casa de las Artesanias, then go to Plaza de Armas, the Conde again (custom robusto + coffee in the awesome courtyard) and get a cab to hit the stores en route to/in Miramar (Comodoro, Melia Habana, Club Habana, 5ta Avenida) to get customs or search for hidden gems. Depending on how long that would take (which is usually not a short trip) I would grab a sandwich whenever possible. I would also go see Casa Fuster - which is simply stunning. Toward the end of the afternoon I would finally go to El Cocinero and spend the whole night there. Day 3: Early rise to get to the airport.... Ideally I would spend an extra day to go to spend some more time walking around aimlessly somewhere in the city, have dinner at Sia Kara or the Indian restaurant and spend the evening at Fabrica de Arte Cubano. Going to Havana is all about relaxing and not planning too much, imo. This thread makes me want to go back again this year! 2
stogieluver Posted August 30, 2018 Posted August 30, 2018 Unpack and head straight to the Nacional for drinks and a couple of smokes. Saturday morning, get up with Jorge and visit every LCDH and all the custom rollers to stock up on two or three each of their specialties. Make another stop at the Nacional for a couple of ashtrays, eat dinner, and hit the veranda for the rest of the evening for drinks and smokes. Sunday, sleep in due to the hangover. Eat a late breakfast and head to Old Havana for a laid back walking tour and visits to the bars for more drinks and smokes. Eat a very nice dinner and head back to the Nacional for more drinks and smokes. Monday, head home with the loot and some great memories of yet another great time in Habana. 1
inter4alia Posted August 30, 2018 Posted August 30, 2018 Very inspiring thread. Taking copious notes. Eat, drink, puff, repeat. Sounds like my kind of trip. 1
LLC Posted August 30, 2018 Posted August 30, 2018 First thing after I get settled where I am staying is to head to The National for cigars, Mojito’s and a Cuban sandwich for the evening. Saturday after breakfast go to the National again for a cigar and an Americano. Then off to Club Habana for Monsdales and a cigar. Followed by lunch and a cigar at El Alibe. Time to relax by a pool and enjoy the rest of the afternoon. Late dinner at La Terraza on the third floor terrace starting with a frozen Mojito then some grilled octopus and a lobster tail for the main course. Once I’m finished eating, stay at my table and light up a Sir Winnie or Lusi with an Americano and then maybe some rum. Sunday after breakfast go to The National for a cigar and an Americano. Then head to Habana Libre to check out there humidor and then to old Havana to visit a number of cigar shops in the area. At some point have lunch at Parq Central along with a cigar. Finish the afternoon in the VIP lounge at Partagas and check out there large humidor. Finish the evening back at The National for drinks, cigars and maybe a pizza when I get hungry. Monday wake up early to go to the airport and wonder why I didn’t book a longer trip. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Ericbrobes Posted August 30, 2018 Posted August 30, 2018 Great thread looking forward to reading answers.
Nino Posted August 30, 2018 Posted August 30, 2018 Never been to Havana for less than 3 to 5 weeks so just the thought of having only 72 hrs there would be a torture - last trip was only 9 days and it was hard enough .... ? Of course, if I lived in Key West I'd consider the idea .... every weekend ... ? 1 1
Nino Posted August 30, 2018 Posted August 30, 2018 22 minutes ago, SenorPerfecto said: Key West + a sturdy fishing boat to get you across = Make that a trawler .... a cigar trawler 1 1
JGD Posted August 30, 2018 Posted August 30, 2018 Friday Drop bags off at the Casa and head over the to Nacional. Have a Cuban sandwich, a few (or many) mojitos, and a few cigars on the patio. Saturday Wake up. Head back to the Nacional for a cigar and some coffee on the patio. Grab an ashtray and check out the LCDH. Head back to the casa to drop of said ashtray and any other purchases. Hire a driver for the day to take me to a few LCDHs - stop and smoke or purchase depending on what's going on. At some point, grab lunch at this gallery/ restaurant (I forget the name, but I have the card at home - it's owned by a German photographer that lives in Havana). Dinner at La Gaurdita (order as many key lime pie desserts as possible). End back at the Nacional for more mojitos. Sunday Wake up. More coffee and a cigar at the Nacional (man, do I love the patio). Walk around Old Havana, grab lunch wherever looks good. And try to stop by any LCDHs that I missed the previous day. Find myself back at the Nacional for one last night. Monday Sadly head to the airport and have all my facturas ready.
El Presidente Posted August 31, 2018 Author Posted August 31, 2018 We will keep this going over the weekend....but very impressed so far!
Ryan Posted August 31, 2018 Posted August 31, 2018 Friday 8pm Hotel Nacional, cigar, mojito, probably a ham and cheese on the patio. I'm out of the habit of making dinner plans on the first night due to flight delays. 10 pm head into Habana Vieja, see if there's some decent live music on in Floridita/Monserrate/Sia Kara. If not, back to Bar Sofia on La Rampa to see the band and see what's going on. 12 am pop into Gato Tuerto, usually to be disappointed these days but there could be a good band on. Good to visit some people there anyway. 1-2 am If I'm meeting local friends, out to Espacios/Tocororo for drinks "til late" and call it a night then. If I'm on my own or with some out of town reprobates, find out where the live music is that night and it's Don Cangrejo/Fantaxy/Mio y Tuyo "til late" probably followed by a night cap or "morning cap" somewhere. Saturday 10 am Cigar shops in Miramar, 5 y 16, Club Habana, Melia Habana etc. 1 pm Lunch probably in El Aljibe/Cocineros/Corte del Principe. 3 pm Cigar shops in Vedado, Melia Cohiba, Comodoro, Habana Libre, cigar and mojito at the Nacional. Then try to make time for the shops in Habana Vieja, Conde de Villanueva, Partagas etc. Finishing at Partagas for a cigar. 8 pm Dinner in La Guarida if I'm meeting local friends, then see where the music is that night, "til late" (see above) Sunday 10 am Talk a walk somewhere, Habana Vieja or Vedado, if it's raining then Almacenes de San Jose to have a look at the art. 1 pm Lunch with friends for Santys for 4 hours. 5 pm meet up with some locals for a cigar/pre dinner drinks 7 pm Early dinner Corte del Principe/El del Frente/La Foresta etc. 9 pm Centro Cultural de El Sauce for an outdoor disco 11:30 pm Fabrica de Arte to see what's going on there. 2 am Tocororo/Espacios for drinks "til late" or "Mio y Tuyo" for a last blow out. 5 am head to the airport, sleep on the plane. There are beaches in Ireland. 2
Ryan Posted August 31, 2018 Posted August 31, 2018 30 minutes ago, TNT009 said: Must not be any golf on the island...? There is golf in Cuba, 18 holes in Varadero and 9 holes near the airport in Havana. Varadero is a two hour drive, $120 green fees. What I've heard about the 9 holes near Havana, wherever you live in the world, there's a better golf course near you. There is talk of more courses in the works but that has been "in the works" for at least 10 years. A venture between the Cuban government, Terence Conran and Andrew McDonald (Ranald's brother) 1 1
MountainMilG Posted August 31, 2018 Posted August 31, 2018 " wherever you live in the world, there's a better golf course near you. " You owe me a new keyboard Sir, but I'm using this line from now on 1
LLC Posted August 31, 2018 Posted August 31, 2018 There is golf in Cuba, 18 holes in Varadero and 9 holes near the airport in Havana. Varadero is a two hour drive, $120 green fees. What I've heard about the 9 holes near Havana, wherever you live in the world, there's a better golf course near you. There is talk of more courses in the works but that has been "in the works" for at least 10 years. A venture between the Cuban government, Terence Conran and Andrew McDonald (Ranald's brother)If you look at some of the historic pictures at The National you can see there used to be a golf course right beside The National. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
bmf30180 Posted August 31, 2018 Posted August 31, 2018 I have 4 days coming up, but one days is in Viñales so that doesn't really count for this exercise. Day 1 my flight lands at 1:35 pm, so by the time I change some cash, grab my bags and find my driver, we should have enough time to stop at the LCDH 5th y 16 to buy a few boxes to get me going for the weekend before checking into the casa. After checking in and getting somewhat settled, take the stroll over to the National in search of the elusive ashtray, check out the humidor downstairs (hopefully say hello to Milagros). Venture out to the patio for a cigar and mojitos. Maybe hit a few bars, listen to some music to close out the first day. Day 2 quick breakfast at the casa, then arrange a car to visit all the LCDH's I/we can think of, checking off my list as we go and searching for my 'special occasion cigar' to set aside and enjoy for the next 25 years. That evening, hopefully get invited by my casa hostess to hang around with her and her friends for the evening (she's a party girl). If not, head out to La Rampa and the Malecon to mingle with the people. Probably end up at The National again. Day 3 Viñales Day 4 Walk around old town, have a few drinks, listen to the music, people watch and see if I can find any hidden gems in any of the LCDH's I may have missed. Day 5 head home and unpack my bags when the wife isn't around to see my stash. No real plans for dining as I don't have the experiences to draw from. Will likely rely of the recommendations of my hostess.
bmf30180 Posted August 31, 2018 Posted August 31, 2018 5 minutes ago, SenorPerfecto said: What does a driver cost, by the day? How do you work it? Some info here . I have seen a few others mentioned in other threads. My casa hostess has a friend with a classic American car that we'll probably use for a day and he's also the one taking us to Viñales. 1
Corylax18 Posted August 31, 2018 Posted August 31, 2018 Just wing it. That's what I've done when I go and its turned out great. I've been for as short as a long weekend, to as long as two weeks. 3 days aren't enough, 2 weeks is too much, at least for me. I think 7-10 days is the sweet spot, but I'm only coming from the states. If I'm flying a day each way from Australia I would probably want to stay a bit longer. Cuba will gladly crush your best laid plans to dust. The trip I took this April with @Ethernut and his dad was as close to perfect as you can get for 3 days. I don't remember the exact order, but it was something like this: Head straight to the Casa from the airport on the first afternoon, check in, dump the bags. Then to Club Habana to Pick up the Monsdale order, some PLMCs and some Coloniales. Then to Marea for G&Ts, Dinner, Sunset and Cigars. Cigars on the Casa porch and a little rum sampling to end the night. Next morning, breakfast and cigars on the Casa Patio, then to El Laguito for a tour, Lunch at Amigos del Mar, along with more stogies and G&Ts. Followed by a tour of Humidores Habana, over to the Comodoro to Pick up Puntillas and enjoy a few robustos with Alex. Dinner at 7 Dias, more cigars and rum on the casa porch to finish off the night. Other LCDH's tucked in along the way. Breakfast at the Casa, then to the Nacional for some cigars on the back patio, and a browse through the LCDH, LLLOOONNNGGGG Lunch at Santy, with Machine and the NBA Hall of Famer he was driving around that week. (I feel like an Ass for forgetting his name, Brian, do you remember?) More cigars at Club Habana, then Dinner/Drinks/Cigars at Lamparilla 316. More cigars and rum on the Casa patio to end the evening. Glory shots of the load and packing in the morning, then off to the Airport for the trip back. About the only thing that would make Havana better would be a Casino/Horse track like they had pre revolution. If I could spend a few hours a day watching the ponies or shooting craps I would never leave. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Antiguo+Hipódromo+"Oriental+Park"+de+La+Habana./@23.0727002,-82.4228657,745m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x88cd71000d781b6d:0xcd0aadbd62a95aa7!2sMarianao,+Havana,+Cuba!3b1!8m2!3d23.0695663!4d-82.4211025!3m4!1s0x88cd70ef6ad23731:0x6c414f80cf73dffb!8m2!3d23.0737935!4d-82.4197648 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental_Park_Racetrack 1
Derboesekoenig Posted August 31, 2018 Posted August 31, 2018 9 minutes ago, Corylax18 said: Just wing it. That's what I've done when I go and its turned out great. I've been for as short as a long weekend, to as long as two weeks. 3 days aren't enough, 2 weeks is too much, at least for me. I think 7-10 days is the sweet spot, but I'm only coming from the states. If I'm flying a day each way from Australia I would probably want to stay a bit longer. Cuba will gladly crush your best laid plans to dust. The trip I took this April with @Ethernut and his dad was as close to perfect as you can get for 3 days. I don't remember the exact order, but it was something like this: Head straight to the Casa from the airport on the first afternoon, check in, dump the bags. Then to Club Habana to Pick up the Monsdale order, some PLMCs and some Coloniales. Then to Marea for G&Ts, Dinner, Sunset and Cigars. Cigars on the Casa porch and a little rum sampling to end the night. Next morning, breakfast and cigars on the Casa Patio, then to El Laguito for a tour, Lunch at Amigos del Mar, along with more stogies and G&Ts. Followed by a tour of Humidores Habana, over to the Comodoro to Pick up Puntillas and enjoy a few robustos with Alex. Dinner at 7 Dias, more cigars and rum on the casa porch to finish off the night. Other LCDH's tucked in along the way. Breakfast at the Casa, then to the Nacional for some cigars on the back patio, and a browse through the LCDH, LLLOOONNNGGGG Lunch at Santy, with Machine and the NBA Hall of Famer he was driving around that week. (I feel like an Ass for forgetting his name, Brian, do you remember?) More cigars at Club Habana, then Dinner/Drinks/Cigars at Lamparilla 316. More cigars and rum on the Casa patio to end the evening. Glory shots of the load and packing in the morning, then off to the Airport for the trip back. About the only thing that would make Havana better would be a Casino/Horse track like they had pre revolution. If I could spend a few hours a day watching the ponies or shooting craps I would never leave. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Antiguo+Hipódromo+"Oriental+Park"+de+La+Habana./@23.0727002,-82.4228657,745m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x88cd71000d781b6d:0xcd0aadbd62a95aa7!2sMarianao,+Havana,+Cuba!3b1!8m2!3d23.0695663!4d-82.4211025!3m4!1s0x88cd70ef6ad23731:0x6c414f80cf73dffb!8m2!3d23.0737935!4d-82.4197648 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental_Park_Racetrack First of all, how did you get a tour at El Laguito? And who do I have to bribe to do this?? lol Where is Mareas? Rum sampling sounds divine. Lamparilla 316 is over by 305 O'Reilly right? Or am I thinking of something else?
Ethernut Posted August 31, 2018 Posted August 31, 2018 1 hour ago, Derboesekoenig said: First of all, how did you get a tour at El Laguito? And who do I have to bribe to do this?? lol Where is Mareas? Rum sampling sounds divine. Lamparilla 316 is over by 305 O'Reilly right? Or am I thinking of something else? El Laguito takes some serious connections. In native tongue they say, "it's not easy, but it's possible." The restaturant is called, Marea. Not Mareas. it's divine. South of Miramar on the way to Santy as I recall. Lamparilla is in Habana Viejo down an alley. Cheers mate! 1
Ethernut Posted August 31, 2018 Posted August 31, 2018 1 hour ago, Corylax18 said: Just wing it. That's what I've done when I go and its turned out great. I've been for as short as a long weekend, to as long as two weeks. 3 days aren't enough, 2 weeks is too much, at least for me. I think 7-10 days is the sweet spot, but I'm only coming from the states. If I'm flying a day each way from Australia I would probably want to stay a bit longer. Cuba will gladly crush your best laid plans to dust. The trip I took this April with @Ethernut and his dad was as close to perfect as you can get for 3 days. I don't remember the exact order, but it was something like this: Head straight to the Casa from the airport on the first afternoon, check in, dump the bags. Then to Club Habana to Pick up the Monsdale order, some PLMCs and some Coloniales. Then to Marea for G&Ts, Dinner, Sunset and Cigars. Cigars on the Casa porch and a little rum sampling to end the night. Next morning, breakfast and cigars on the Casa Patio, then to El Laguito for a tour, Lunch at Amigos del Mar, along with more stogies and G&Ts. Followed by a tour of Humidores Habana, over to the Comodoro to Pick up Puntillas and enjoy a few robustos with Alex. Dinner at 7 Dias, more cigars and rum on the casa porch to finish off the night. Other LCDH's tucked in along the way. Breakfast at the Casa, then to the Nacional for some cigars on the back patio, and a browse through the LCDH, LLLOOONNNGGGG Lunch at Santy, with Machine and the NBA Hall of Famer he was driving around that week. (I feel like an Ass for forgetting his name, Brian, do you remember?) More cigars at Club Habana, then Dinner/Drinks/Cigars at Lamparilla 316. More cigars and rum on the Casa patio to end the evening. Glory shots of the load and packing in the morning, then off to the Airport for the trip back. About the only thing that would make Havana better would be a Casino/Horse track like they had pre revolution. If I could spend a few hours a day watching the ponies or shooting craps I would never leave. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Antiguo+Hipódromo+"Oriental+Park"+de+La+Habana./@23.0727002,-82.4228657,745m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x88cd71000d781b6d:0xcd0aadbd62a95aa7!2sMarianao,+Havana,+Cuba!3b1!8m2!3d23.0695663!4d-82.4211025!3m4!1s0x88cd70ef6ad23731:0x6c414f80cf73dffb!8m2!3d23.0737935!4d-82.4197648 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oriental_Park_Racetrack Cory I think you blended Machine (on another trip) with us. I remember the story but dont remember the guys name.... and you are ass! hahaha Cant wait to see you again in Nov! 1
.png.15b5f6bc4159a73805a9f118f79a68ca.png)
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now