Dreaming of a Cuba holiday suggests a multitude of images of this fiercely independent Caribbean nation; Vintage Cadillacs, crumbling and faded pastel-coloured colonial buildings, Bacardi in the sunset, Buena Vista Social Club and Fidel Castro.

Cuba’s turbulent past and defiant political stance have imbued it with an undeniable mystique - but beyond its historical intrigue, there’s plenty more to discover and enjoy about this unique travel destination.

The island is like one of its ubiquitous vintage cars - shabby but chic, erratic and unpredictable, but ultimately loveable. Fine cigars, salsa dancing, Afro-Latin beats - all these things and many more contribute to Cuba’s one-of-a-kind flavour.

Highlights of a Cuba tour or self-drive Cuba holiday include Havana; the laid-back little town of Vinales, the terracotta buildings of historical Trinidad; and picture-perfect beaches at Varadero, Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Largo del Sur.