Havana, Cuba: the classic car tour edit.

This half term we took a quick flit to Havana in Cuba. It had been on our hit list for a while as one of those unspoilt kinds of places to experience. Then as soon as we’d spotted President Obama had popped over there to assuage old grievances we realised if we didn’t head there soon the tourist industry would be clogged with eager folk from across the pond heading down there for a little R&R.

Apparently, the usual plan of attack for a vacation to Cuba is to do a few days in Havana and then hot foot it to the coastline for the beaches. We were more interested in simply soaking up the city atmosphere, so we opted for a four-night stay in the Hotel Nacional de Cuba – a massive iconic building adjacent to the ocean and the famous Malecon where classic cars fly by carrying locals and tourists alike around the busy neighbourhoods.

On our first day, we took a 3-hour tour in one of those classic convertible cars and got a brilliant overview of the different sections of the city. Slightly akin to the hop on/hop off tour buses which most touristy destinations offer as a given, but with a little more gasoline infused fumey fun involved as your trusty steed coughs and splutters it’s way through the traffic.

It doesn’t take long to get classic car envy… after a morning spinning around with our guide Lazzaro in our twinkly blue one, we spotted a pile more to drool over parked up outside various posh hotels.

Millie wears Levi cut-offs, Equipment silk blouse, Dior sunnies and Sophie Anderson bag (similar here)

The thing that struck me most about cruising around the busy streets was just how incredibly beautiful all this faded elegance was. Candy coloured tenements stood side by side with crumbling facades of buildings which people still inhabit or have switched up into funky bars and restaurants to welcome the tourists.

We headed out of town to check out the Fuster arts neighbourhood, where the artist has decorated his own home and vast swathes of the neighbourhood with his Gaudi style ceramic creations.

Saving this one for a possible Valentine Instagram post… obvs!

From there it was back to the hubbub of the city…

Before heading to our base and a refreshing Mojito or two. 

Watch by Daisy Dixon available at H.Samuel.

For more Cuba pics head on over to my Instagram @notesbyastylist. We did most of our research on where to stay and what to do via Trip Advisor which is always a great place to start when planning a trip.