Cuba is a baffling place for travellers. In some ways, it seems stuck in the 1950s, though the going prices tourists have to pay are remarkably modern. And while the monetary double standard proves irksome for some, it’s a reasonable price to pay for the unique environment on offer here. Meticulously maintained vintage cars ply the streets and colonial architecture abounds. Scuba diving and snorkelling are popular offshore activities in the trademark clear Caribbean waters. To get a real feel for the Cuban lifestyle head to the capital, Havana. Here you’ll find communist-era monuments standing in front of colonial heritage buildings. If you’re looking for the party, you’re likely to find it in Santiago de Cuba, where the raucous clubs and salsa-dancing venues are second to none.