Leave your expectations at the door since this is one country that moves to its own Afro-Cuban rhythms. As you stroll through the streets of Havana Vieja, you'll feel as though you've been transported back in time (Old Havana). Cadillacs in every color imaginable speed past spotless colonial buildings. Even though the city's sherbet facades have been vacant for a while, they nonetheless exude a raw beauty that is distinctively Cuban. A wide variety of cobblestoned communities with lively casas particulares (private homestays) and a fascinating fusion of Latin and Caribbean cultures can be found outside of Havana. Visit the well-known tobacco fields in rural Vinales in the west, dance the night away to salsa and mojitos, or just unwind on Varadero's beautiful sandy beaches. You're sure to be amazed if you go with an open mind.