Travel blog

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For more than half a century the American view of Cuba has been largely based on black and white movies and long-ago nostalgia. This “forbidden fruit of travel” is now opening its doors to curious travelers fortunate enough to earn a coveted spot on a U.S. State Department ‘People to People’ tour like the ones offered by travel company YMT Vacations. Before you go, here are some tips on what to pack when traveling to Cuba:

I don’t like to fly. However, if it means getting somewhere I really want to go, I will put up with my own misery for the end result. Going to Cuba was just such a destination. We left San Diego airport early morning July 1, the beginning of an unforgettable adventure.

Most of my friends and family had reacted the same way when I told them of our travel plans. Comments ranged from “How exciting!” and “That’s on my bucket list!” to “Why?”  Regardless of the viewpoint, the initial response was always one of surprise. I suppose it’s not a common destination, at least not for Americans. That may change soon.

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Ropa Vieja in Spanish literally means “old clothes.” As the national dish of Cuba, it gets its name from the shredded strands of meat and vegetables that resemble colorful rags. No one knows exactly where the dish originates, but there is some chatter that claims the recipe was brought to Cuba from the Canary Islands. Hearty enough to eat alone, this beef stew is usually found heaped over mounds of rice or soaked up on top of crusty Cuban bread. If you are interested in Cuban cuisine or just love to try new things, you might love the Cuban food recipe below! The beef can be cooked and shredded the day before and refrigerated overnight to save time and amp up the flavors of the steak.

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As the first and last of the Spanish colonies in the Caribbean, Cuba has a Spanish influence that you can taste. Once a major trading port, Havana welcomed boatloads of immigrants from the European country and, along with them, their distinct culinary flavors.