Open Jaw :: On The Town ::

With Martha Chapman
04JUL08

Felix Naranjo of Cubanacan

A waterfall awaits on a jeep excursion

The glorious beach at Cayo Blanco

“Undiscovered” Cuba Showcased In Toronto

It’s clear that the Le Treport Banquet Hall in Mississauga is home to many celebrations – and it recently was the venue for a bit of a love-in for some 180 travel agents and Cubanacan.

The reason for the festivities? To bring the message to Toronto-area agents about a corner of Cuba which is largely off the beaten path, but dearly loved by the Canadians who have discovered it: Granma Province and the Club Amico Marea del Portillo, accessed through the airport at Manzanillo.

As agents learned, this area is rich in history as it’s considered the cradle of the revolution, where Fidel and Che hung out. Nowadays it boasts white sandy beaches such as those accessed on the island of Playa Blanca a short distance from the hotel, as well as historic cities. The nearby mountains, with their forests and waterfalls, make for a scenic day tour by jeep. Agents in the crowd commented that their clients return again and again (though who can beat the couple from Dundas, Ontario, at over 80 visits?).

As Felix Naranjo of Cubanacan put it, “We invite people to be a part of our family.” And as no Cuban evening would be complete without music, the band struck up some sizzling hot tunes and agents moved onto the dance floor to show their best moves – Cuban-style, of course!