Trinidad, Cuba

Located approximately 4 hours southeast of Havana, Trinidad , founded in 1514, is considered the best preserved colonial city in Cuba. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988, the heart of Trinidad has been well preserved. The Plaza Mayor is a central attraction in Trinidad, surrounded by many museums, including a Museum of Architecture. The Plaza is truly picture perfect although it was quite obvious that the locals were not permitted in the square park at the center of the Plaza.

ABOVE: La Santisima Trinidad, an 18th century church located on the east end of Plaza Mayor. The church's exterior is plagued by a black/green fungus. [click on image to view a larger picture]

ABOVE: A view from a roof top of one of the house museums. Directly in the distance is the beautiful Museo de los Romanticos.

ABOVE: A paladar on a side street of Trinidad - not far from the main square. Paladars offer great home cooking, great prices and a cozy setting. They are privately owned, must be run out of the house, can only sit twelve people at a time and must employ family members only. (click on image to see a really large view)