Re: Going the Casa route

[bellagio]

Whilst in Cuba on my last visit in October I checked out a Casa Particular in Banes and have decided to give it a whirl and spend New Year with my Cuban friends.
 
 I had a text yesterday confirming my accommodation had been reserved so today I booked the First Choice flight from Manchester departing on Saturday 30th December.
 
 The price of the flight has fallen by £70 over the past week and is £278 cheaper than the First Choice Gatwick flight two days earlier.  I still think it will fall further but I needed to be sure of getting the accommodation so I decided to book now, rather than later.
 
 I'll leave sorting out a car until I return from Cuba in mid November, as I expect I will need one.    This should be an interesting experience for me.
 
 I still haven't ruled out going back to the PCV on December 2nd (£806 for two weeks from Manchester) but I think I'll wait until I return and see what the situation is then.  Prices tend to fall for early December as it's not a popular time for Brits to travel - far too busy Christmas shopping.

[Gambitt]

Sounds like another Great Adventure, for our most frequent traveller!
 
 You'll have to let us know how it goes, for the others here who have thought of trying it.

[bellagio]

Had hoped to get the Casa for 20 CUC's per night but because Christmas and New Year is considered High Season I'm having to pay 25 CUC's per night.
 
 I suppose that's fair really.   Flight price is pretty steep at £429.28 but to book the PCV on that flight is £1062 and the Gatwick flight two days earlier the PCV is £1232.

[Bulldog]

Bellagio, are you going any where near the place Kimber is going to be at New Years...?

[bellagio]

Kimberley is staying at the PCV where I'm going on Wednesday.
 
 I'll be 60 kilometers away from there when I go for the New Year but, who knows, I may pop in for a visit.   I have the appropriate wristband so should have no problem getting in - just for a visit only of course.

[Kimber19]

Well Ken,
 Congrats, and I do hope that you come for a visit, when I read your post, I had no idea how close you would be to the PCV, you are not far at all. It would be wonderful to meet up with you in Cuba. I know you only arrive on the 30th, but we will be at the PCV til Jan 4/07.  I was hesitating sending you a note about your early Dec. trip, hoping you were going to be at the PCV the sametime as us, and now as it works out, perhaps we'll get a chance to enjoy a few drinks together!    :33:  
 Kimber

[bellagio]

I won't have any problem getting into the PCV,   Not decided what I'm doing about a car for that holiday yet.  
 
 I'll probably rent one at the airport like I did last time because the taxi fare alone to Banes from the airport will be 70 CUC's each way.
 
 However I'm not making any decisions on that until I return from this holiday in three weeks time.
 
 Obviously it would be great to meet up there and I'll be back in touch when I return.

[bellagio]

Talking of the price falling further, I knew I would be proven correct but didn't anticipate the fall being so soon after booking.   I think it will fall still further.
 
 When I went back to check the price had already dropped by £30 - that was less than 3 hours after I booked!!!!!
 
 Needless to say a grovelling email has rapidly been sent to Eclipse Direct appealing to their generosity to credit me that difference.   I'm not too hopeful though!!

[TheTraveller]

Hey Bellagio:
 
 If you aren't careful you will use your British Citizenship and be given Cuban; since you are there so often.   :D  
 
 I hope I can travel as much as you do when I retire.
 
 So do you only travel to the Holguin area or have you been to other parts of Cuba?

[bellagio]

I have been to Cayo Coco and Cayo Santa Maria.  My visits to Cuba now are more to explore the countryside with my friends rather than spend time on the beach or around the pool.
 
 That's the reason I'm taking the Casa route so I can stay in the town later in the evening and catch the night life atmosphere and find out more about the hard life in a medium sized town.

[flopnfly]

When you are staying in a Casa, what do you do with your passport, tickets, money etc.  
 
 Do they have safes like the resorts have?  
 
 Just curious.

[bellagio]

Didn't ask that question but I very much doubt it.
 
 I know it could backfire on me, but it's just something I feel I have to experience.  I realise 14 nights in the same room maybe difficult as it's not a 4 star hotel, but I'll be out with my friends all day and evening, so I'll only be sleeping there and I have viewed the room and it looks good.
 
 Also it will be considerably cheaper.   Food and drink are not a big issue for me.   Friendship is more important than anything.
 
 I have many wonderful friends in Canada (most of whom, in fact all of whom, post on this website) and I'm proud and pleased to say I also have quite a number in Cuba.

[bellagio]

Further to my grovelling email to Eclipse Direct I have today received this reply:
 
  Thank you for contacting Eclipse Holidays. Further to both your emails, I am pleased to advise we have reduced your
 holiday to todays price which is £401.68 and I have also added the £65.00
 multiple holiday discount onto your holiday. I will refund £92.60 back to
 your card you paid with. The refund can take up to 5 working days.
 
 I hope this information proves helpful.
 
 I think that they have been very fair with me and even though the price will no doubt drop near to the date I appreciate that is the nature of the business.   Incidentally the First Choice flight from Gatwick to Holguin two days earlier is priced at £687.68 so my discounted price of £336.68 is a real bargain.

[Milli]

:)  I think it is great that you are moving out of the AI "comfort zone" Bellagio.  I hope that you will share some of your experiences  when you return. I still say that it is much more interesting learning about a country through another person's eyes and experiences than through a guide book.

[bellagio]

Thanks Milli.
 
 I hope that I'll get plenty of unusual photos and come back with plenty of tales to tell.
 
 I'm prepared to go down this route ONCE.   If the accommodation is as good as it looked when I viewed it and I have running water for hot showers, etc. it shouldn't be too bad.  
 
 I can buy bottled water to drink and I really don't need too much food.  
 
 I am actually really looking forward to it.