For Your Viewing Pleasure: The “Rick Steves’ Guide to Cuba” TV Special

Rick Steves’ Guide to Cuba,” a KCTS TV special based on a talk I recently gave on my Cuba adventure (from last January), is now yours to watch any time. (It is part of our extensive and growing Travel Talks library.) While it’s a simple production of my lecture, Seattle’s KCTS did a fine job, and I don’t think there’s a faster moving, more up-to-date, or more informative video out on Cuba. Play the video and join my family and me on a 40-minute trip across the island. (If you’ve traveled to Cuba, I’d love to read your thoughts on my thoughts — so many people are dreaming of taking a trip there.)

Comments

3 Replies to “For Your Viewing Pleasure: The “Rick Steves’ Guide to Cuba” TV Special”

  1. Really enjoyed your program and share your insights, having visited in February. I feel I need to go back now that I figured out how to do it.

  2. Rick,

    I’m glad you and your family enjoyed your visit.

    Here in Central Florida we have a large number of Cuban families. My Cuban friends have told me that they feel the US government should not promote diplomatic relations, trade, and tourism until the “commies” are out of power. When a freely democratic government has been firmly established then it would be a good time but not now. You should hear the stories I’ve heard and read about how horrible the Cuban people have been mistreated.

    Normally I agree with you on every travel related topic but on this issue please reconsider.

    Thank you,

    Jeff Doppelganger
    Tampa

  3. Dear Rick,

    As a Canadian, I have travelled to Cuba 7 times. I have spent two weeks in Havana, 7 weeks in Varadaro, 1 week in Holguin and visited Trinidad and Cienfeugos twice along with Santa Clara. Over the years, we have become friends with several Cubans and have had the opportunity to visit their homes.

    Your presentation was in line with my own experiences in Cuba. The people are very proud and friendly. They are better educated than most North Americans and have a great health care system. I agree with you about how safe the country is – I’ve never felt the least bit unsafe. Your piece on the revolution and the start of the embargo was fairly stated as was the notion that all countries have their own narratives.

    I would like to add several points to your presentation. First, while I realize that you were speaking to an American audience, I was surprised that you did not reference the fact that the US is the only country with an embargo – the rest of the world has been visiting Cuba for 50 years. We don’t need to get a license – a US requirement not a Cuban one – nor do we need to go on People-to-people tours.

    Second, I wouldn’t characterize the Cubans as living in poverty. Yes, they are poor in terms of income. One significant feature I have found in Cuba, as compared to other Caribbean islands, is the equality of income – you don’t have the extreme rich and the extreme poor. Your encouragement to compare Cuba to other Central American countries was spot on.

    I love this country and the people. They are fiercely proud of what they have achieved. I believe they will work to hang onto key aspects of their society. I hope that Americans will visit with an intention to learn and not judge or try to impose their own values.

    Thank you for your fair and balanced presentation.

    Brigid Hayes

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