Villa Clara

Villa Clara Province is the second largest producer of sugar in Cuba, with other crops, particularly tobacco, playing an important part in the local economy. In the south, the mountain resort of Hanabanilla in the Escambray Mountains is being primed for tourism. It is this area's natural beauty which holds most appeal to the visitor.

Historically, Villa Clara, one of the country's central provinces, has been regarded as one of the most strategically important areas of Cuba, although the area has yet to be recognised as one of Cuba's premier tourist destinations, there are some good beaches in the north and the capital of the province, Santa Clara, home to one of the country's four universities, is interesting enough to warrant a visit.

Santa Clara:

A buzzing provincial town, with a pleasant Parque Central, Santa Clara is most famous for its connection with Che Guevara, whose attack on a Batista troop train in the city in December 1958 helped persuade the dictator that his days were numbered.

This provincial capital is well worth visiting, beyond the suburbs you'll find a buzzing place with streets lively with people going about their daily lives, and the city benefits from having a large student population. The centre seems well looked after and relatively litter-free. A startling sight to anyone arriving from Havana.

There are some interesting museums worth taking in and the small brick red-tiled houses lend themselves to an atmosphere of calm and discretion. For most people the area Parque Vidal is the most eventful place in the city, as well as being the geographical heart of the city, it is also its social centre and there is usually some sort of entertainment going on at weekends. A monument marks the spot where revolutionary hero Leoncio Vidal was killed , and benches line the promenades that cross and circle the park. On the plaza's north.

Remedios:

This town is a typical, but beautiful, example of Spanish colonial architecture. The intrusion of the sugar and cattle industries have not detracted from its laid-back atmosphere. The centre is marked by the Plaza Marti and, as with all Spanish cities, the streets span out from the Plaza with well thought out symmetry. The Plaza Marti is similar in style to the Plaza Mayor in Trinidad.

Other interesting things to see are The Museum of the Remedion Parrandas and The Church of San Juan Batista de Remedios.