One of the oldest countries in the Americas, Cuba boasts a fascinating history, diverse culture and great beaches, making it an increasingly popular destination for tourists worldwide.

Cuba's 500-year history is riddled with upheaval and change. A Spanish territory from its discovery until the Spanish American War ended in 1898, the country was rocked again in the 1950s by the rise of Fidel Castro and the Cuban Revolution, the seminal point in Cuba's recent history. Landmarks throughout the country – from Old Havana's Museo de le Revolution, housed in the old Presidential Palace, to the massive Che Guevara Mausoleum in Santa Clara – attest to a nation of self-reinvention, revolution and occasional contradiction.

Cuba is becoming increasingly tourist friendly, and with its hundreds of beaches and idyllic old towns like Trinidad, it's not hard to see why. Havana boasts nearby beaches like Santa Maria Beach and Playa del Este, while resort-bound travelers flock to Varadero and Caya Coco. Trinidad, a tiny gem of cobblestone streets and Spanish Colonial architecture, is home to Playa Ancon, possibly the best beach in the country.

After you've booked a flight and found the right hotel, peruse our pages to create an itinerary inspired by fellow travelers who've had their share of tan lines and Cubana Café.