Summer is here and it's time for everyone to relax and have fun in the sun. There is one place that always comes to mind: Cuba. With this summer, a new festival is coming out in Havana city, the lovely Cuban capital.

This season Old Havana gives you a warm welcome to its Summer Festival: a varied assortment of cultural and gastronomic offers for everybody. For those who are always eagered to embrace fresh entertainment choices in summertime, these offers will be an exciting and enjoyable experience to discover.

The Summer Festival in Old Havana is designed to be a non-stop party for the senses until the end of August. Starting in May, this festivity includes a wide variety of activities every day, so travelers can spend some quality time with their family while discovering the charms of this fascinating part of the city.

Every Monday there are Night Parties, including a performance of Spanish dancers at El Mesón de la Flota. For those who love traditional desserts, the Doña Teresa cafeteria offers a wide range of delicious sweets, resembling those made by our grandmothers. Another great thing to do while vacationing in Cuba is to learn how to dance with the sound of Caribbean rhythms. On Mondays, beginners can take lessons at the Ambos Mundos Hotel during mornings, where they'll get to know the different Cuban dances.

The first day of the week during this Summer Festival is a great opportunity to learn about the traditions and customs of Cuba. The 'Dominoes Afternoons', set in the Monserrate Bar, illustrate the liveliness of Cuban people, its "joie de vivre" and the cheerfulness of the players. Another interesting activity on Mondays is the exposition of the Cuban Beer's History, which shows the tradition of this emblematic beverage in the island.

The bustling atmosphere and the charms of Old Havana blend perfectly with the offers of the Summer Festival. On Tuesdays, visitors can enjoy musical shows at the Florida Hotel, or have some thematic night dinner at the Telégrafo restaurant, where carrying a fan is requested???. Vacationers can discover the magic of traditional Cuban music at Taberna de la Muralla, a bar where they'll have the benefit of Creole food, great beer and the performance of a trio or some music improvisers.

Wanna be a barman? Get your chance at Monserrate Bar or at the Castillo de Farnés and La Zaragozana restaurants, where visitors can prepare cocktails for their friends (and also for themselves!) under the guidance of a Cuban barman. A certificate honoring the skills to be a barman will be given.

At the middle of the week, The Summer Festival has organized dance and cocktail lessons. Apprentices will learn Cuban dances and to mix worldwide known traditional drinks. For "Boleros" lovers there are several activities at the Florida Hotel where singing anthological themes is the prime amusement option.

Also, there are many gastronomic choices to enjoy while relaxing in the midst of this enchanting city. One fun alternative is the Tropical Night at Cabaña Restaurant where a selection of fruits and the traditional 'saoco' can be degusted at the terrace. Visitors must wear a tropical outfit and at the end of the night the most original costume will be rewarded. In addition, the Zaragozana restaurant offers the Paella Night on Wednesdays, and visitors can prepare their own dish by choosing the ingredients of this popular Spanish meal. Moreover at Monserrate Bar people can bring along their guitar and improvise in the Night of the Troubadour.

Want to discover the magic behind the internationally famous Cuban cigar? On Thursdays there are two activities related to this emblematic product that will fascinate any kind of public. In the afternoon one can learn the art of tobacco from the know-how of professionals and rejoice with the exceptional mixes of the notorious cigar, with the delicious coffee and the excellent Cuban rum at the Conde de Villanueva hotel. At night time it's Celebrate Habanos Night in a city patio, including a Creole dinner animated with Cuban music, a fine Habano and a cup of delicious Cuban rum.

Thursday is also a day for music lovers because they can select the Cuban Corner at the Tejadillo Hotel with traditional Cuban music and some typical cocktails and snacks or, they can go to the concerts at San Felipe Nerí Oratory and enjoy the high quality of these performances; Or just have a good time at the terrace of the Santander Hotel with night presentations of some great "feeling" music.

Friday is an lively day in this Summer Festival. Visitors have a wide range of options to choose from during day and night. Old Havana is a sightseer's paradise and there really is no better way to explore it than on foot. The San Cristóbal Agency organizes tours through its main plazas so travelers can appreciate its splendor. Jazz is alive on Fridays at the Ambos Mundos Hotel with popular Cuban musicians having live performances in the afternoon.

Another singular ceremony takes place at Los Frailes Hotel, including a jug of sangria while listening to a local band playing wind instruments. Other classical concerts are taking place at Square of Arms and at the Church of Paula.

Furthermore, one can have fun in the "night of the longest son" at the Bosque Boloña Cafeteria. The popular Cuban music style can be enjoyed along with exquisite Creole food. But for all the dancers, there is the Cuban Salsa Night. At the bar of the Cabañas Restaurant visitors can amuse themselves with dances and casino (salsa) moves and there's a prize for the best dancers.

On weekends many of these activities are accessible. Anyway, there are some captivating options for the entertainment of all the family. On Saturdays there is the Night of Magic at Bosque Boloña cafeteria and visitors will have a blast from the past of "One Thousand and One Nights" in the patio of Al Medina Restaurant, where typical Arab dishes and Oriental snacks and cocktails are provided. For those who prefer the Italian way, the Party of the Harlequin at the terrace of La Dominica restaurant gives an Italian ambiance with offers of snacks and cocktails.

A touch of romance and poetry at sunset would be an excellent choice for the summer. This can be found at Café Neruda. Visitors can discover a spot of Chinese culture in the city as well. The Torre de Marfil restaurant offers popular Chinese food and guests can be entertained by a fortune-teller of I-Ching. Otherwise they can spend a delightful afternoon at the patio La Arcada of Tejadillo Hotel watching the typical summer fashion show.

Another interesting choice amid the Summer Festival is the Candles Night at Santo Ángel restaurant where all participants must carry a candle and at the end of the night there will be a prize for the most original one. Likewise, a unique experience during the weekends of the Festival is the Night of Santovenia's Count, the set for an exceptional dinner with colonial scenery at Santa Isabel Hotel. One more ingenious activity is The Hat Night; at El Patio restaurant, where all participants must wear a hat which can be the result of their own invention and the public will reward the most creative one.

Children also have their spot at the Festival. The terrace of Santander Hotel is the place where the Little Sailors of Santander perform a play.

Saturdays are also the days to learn about Cuban culture because there are performances of Cuban trios and The Guayabera Night is a great occasion to have an exquisite Creole meal wearing the lightweight shirt that is the symbol of traditional Cuban elegance.

On Sundays La Marina Bar is the place to become skilled at playing dominoes. The Cabañas Bar provides an original night with music and videos off all times, where visitors must wear a bell. And for those who aim to learn how to dance the Cha Cha Cha, the Cafeteria Bosque Boloña offers an amazing night with Cuban rhythms.

So get to know the Cuban way of life while experiencing the best of its music, its dance, its food, its customs and traditions in a city with a well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture, and authentic cultural heritage.

Discover the Summer Festival of Old Havana and let yourself go in leisure

with the busy schedule of celebrations and festivities of this season.