Karibik Hopping: Kuba, Panama, Dominikanische Republik

About the destination: Havana is a city that seems to move to its own rhythm: the distant roar of classic cars, the echo of son, salsa, and bolero spilling from doorways, and the sea breeze rolling in from the Malecón. In Old Havana (Habana Vieja), pastel-colored facades peel gracefully, revealing courtyards shaded by palms and wrought-iron balconies lined with laundry. Plaza Vieja and Plaza de la Catedral offer a perfect introduction to the city’s colonial soul, with baroque churches, restored mansions, and lively cafés where you can sip a mojito as you watch everyday life unfold. Beyond the historic center, Havana’s neighborhoods showcase different facets of Cuban culture. In Centro Habana, streets are more chaotic and authentic, with crumbling buildings, bustling markets, and locals chatting on corners. Vedado, once the city’s glamorous residential area, mixes art deco architecture with modern hotels, leafy avenues, and the famous Coppelia ice cream parlor. Don’t miss a stroll along the Malecón at sunset, when families, fishermen, and musicians gather along the seawall, and the city glows in the soft evening light. Havana’s cultural life is intense and ever-present. Music is everywhere: from impromptu jam sessions in tiny bars to polished shows at iconic venues like the Tropicana. Visit the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes to discover Cuban art, and explore Fábrica de Arte Cubano, a former factory turned into a cutting-edge cultural center, where galleries, live music, and performances share the same space. Classic car tours, cigar factories, and rum tastings offer a deeper look into some of Cuba’s most famous traditions. Travelers should be prepared for contrasts: beautifully restored plazas next to decaying buildings, limited internet access, and occasional shortages of everyday items. This is part of Havana’s reality and charm. Bring cash (preferably euros), expect slower service, and approach the city with patience and curiosity. If you do, Havana will reward you with genuine encounters, unforgettable sunsets, and the unique feeling of stepping into a living, breathing time capsule.

About the destination: Panama City is the capital of Panama. It is a very cosmopolitan city, with a modern and western vibe but proudly displaying its Hispanic and Indigenous roots. In recent years, Panama City has become an important hub of international commerce and banking. It can satisfy every interest since there are various museums, very nice restaurants and lots of places to dance and have fun in the evening outings. Panama City has a Picturesque and interesting Casco Viejo or Old Town filled with wonderful colonial architecture. El Casco Viejo is a charming neighbourhood, ideal for walking around its historic streets with beautifully restored colonial architecture, its churches and squares, its nice cafes and restaurants that mingle well with the remnants of old times. The Cathedral, the Interoceanic Canal museum, the History Museum are around The Plaza de la Independencia, the city’s main square. A lot more churches, museums and historical buildings are found in this area just a few blocks away from each other. The Palacio de las Garzas, where the President of the country lives, is two blocks to the north. On the east side there is Plaza de Francia and the beautiful walkway called Paseo de las Bovedas, with great views of the city. The amazing Panama Canal, considered one of the greatest engineering marvels in the world, is, undoubtedly, the one big draw of all tourists who come to the city. Growing, inviting, exciting, lively and sleepless, Panama City is the most cosmopolitan and vibrant capital in Central America.

About the destination: Punta Cana is the name of a region in the easternmost tip of the Dominican Republic. Covering about 420,000 m2, the region is home to a coastline of sandy white beaches and to a "town" of the same name. Located in the province of La Altagracia and population estimated at 100,000, the region borders the Atlantic Ocean to the east. To the north, it borders Bávaro and El Cortecito beaches. It also limits with Cabeza de Toro, Cabo Engaño and further west with Juanillo. Despite the area being fairly deserted, the proximity of Punta Cana to other major resort areas such as Bávaro and Uvero Alto make the town one of the top Caribbean destinations.