Cuban festival will showcase three culturally iconic items to visitors

The Cuba Tourist Board is inviting the world’s travellers to get the lowdown on the bottoms-up routine in Cuba, home to rum brands and rum cocktails that have built an international following.

And those attending an upcoming gathering on the tourist retreat of Cayo Coco will also be able to learn about the country’s famed cigars while having a cup of Joe Cuba-style at the same time.

The tourist board and La Casa del Habano El Exquisito, located at the Melia Costa Rey hotel on Cayo Coco, are inviting cigar aficionados and rum enthusiasts who “appreciate the finer things in life” to participate in the “very exclusive” Experiences & Traditions Caracol 2024. It will be held on the island from Oct. 23-25.

Participants will enjoy pairings, tastings, competitions and excursions related to rum, coffee and tobacco, all products closely associated with Cuba. They will also learn about local traditions and “indulge in the rich flavours of fine cigars, premium rum and exquisite coffee that blend together to create an unparalleled experience.”

“Whether you are a seasoned aficionado or simply curious, this event will offer a unique opportunity to discover and savor the perfect harmony between cigars, rum and coffee,” said Lessner Gomez, director of the Cuba Tourist Board in Toronto.

Participants will find a curated selection of the finest cigars, and, “guided by a knowledgeable connoisseur, sip on some of the best rums perfectly paired to complement the cigars and enjoy freshly brewed coffee that will elevate your tasting experience to new heights.”

Cuba’s rum culture has given the world the likes of daiquiris and mojitos, while Cuba says its cigars — which include the famed Cohiba brand — are unequalled.

La Casa del Habano Exquisito operates under the Habanos S.A. franchise, which runs over 150 Habanos houses around the world, “offering excellent service and the most extensive range of Habanos brands and Vitolas, preserved in a walk-in humidor with perfect conditions of temperature and humidity.”

The October event will address two main themes:

• Tobacco, rum and coffee: The magic triangle (History, religion and tradition. Pairing experiences)
• Pairings and Tastings: (The pairing, how to find the perfect combination between two totally different products. The tasting, the art of combining similar flavours, sensations and aromas to enhance the qualities of the drink and the Habanos)

Canadians attending can prepare for a wonderful experience of luxury, taste and sophistication, the tourist board says.

Among frequent Cuba visitors is Toronto travel personality Steve Gillick, who appreciates Cuban culture.

“Cuban culture is a unique blend of sensory indulgence, including rum, cigars, coffee, beaches, music, nature, and food,” he says. “On a tour of Havana’s Rum Museum, our guide Osvaldo told us that in Cuba, ‘all roads lead to rum.’ And in Cayo Coco, our guide, Israel, commented that “the world is perfect. We have rum, cigars and coffee.”

“None other than Juan Carlos Garcia Granda, Cuba’s minister of tourism, remarked, “‘rum is part of the culture. Rum is a part of life, along with cigars, coffee, beaches, and Cuban music.”‘ All these cultural elements are interwoven.

“And it’s good to know that visitors to Cuba who are not drinkers or smokers can engage in meaningful connections with the culture. A rum museum visit in Havana or a trip along the Ruta del Tobaco in Pinar del Rio, or a savoury, fresh, hot cup of coffee at La Maria farm in Moron, Cayo Coco, imparts the story of the Cuban people to visitors. The element of nature, which to some means beaches and to others, forests, farms, swamps, and mountains, adds to the allure of getting away from resorts and making a Cuban adventure personal and memorable.”

Gillick also praised Cayo Coco, stating it’s home ”unbelievably picturesque soft-sand beaches, where opalescent waters stretch over sand bars and coral reefs, with laughing gulls soaring overhead.”

Paul Nielsen of Toronto travel agency Paragon Travel is also familiar with Cuba and the Cuban lifestyle.

“As human beings, we depend upon certain things to support life,” he said. “Drinkable water. Safe food. Breathable air. Shelter. Beyond that everything else is optional. And oddly some of those optionals are weird variations on the previous. If you want a truly unique experience of these options, Cuba is a very special choice. Canada has a very unique relationship with Cuba and those of us who appreciate rum and tobacco can easily and without political angst travel just a few hours south c/o our tour operator friends Air Canada, Air Transat, Sunwing and WestJet Vacations. Pick up the keyboard/mouse and click your way onto one of their airplanes to Cuba to immerse yourself in their expertise in rum and cigars. At Paragon Travel we can bring you to Cuba for those experiences. Click and go… with us. Gracias todos.”