Discover more wonderful destinations at http://www.telemadrid.es/mxm After 50 years of blockade by the United States and much of the Western world, Cuba awaits a time of openness that its inhabitants welcome with the hope of a better future. We visit the largest Caribbean country at a historic moment, with locals who guide us through the highlights of Havana, a city frozen in time. José Carlos lives between Madrid and Havana. As we stroll along the majestic Paseo del Prado, we remember the brilliant past of the city in the mid-20th century. We get into a legendary 1957 Ford to discover emblematic buildings such as the Capitolio or the Lonja del Comercio. We visit Partagás, the most touristic tobacco sales point, and the La Corona cigar factory, where we see that the production of the prestigious Havana cigars is still completely artisanal. From there we go to the great Plaza de la Revolución, a legendary place in recent Cuban history and the epicentre of great celebrations. In the Jaimanitas neighbourhood we appreciate the Gaudi art of José Fuster, one of the most internationally recognised Cuban creators. And at the Hotel Nacional we remember the debauchery of the fifties in the gallery of the famous: royalty, bourgeoisie, actors, mobsters... everyone gathered around a shot of rum and the smoke of a cigar. Juanjo works for the Meliá Hotels chain, one of the more than 200 Spanish companies that operate on the island, and that must form an association with the State in order to be able to set up. We walk through Old Havana enjoying the authentic flavour of life on the street. And in contrast, we move to La Marina, one of the most exclusive areas of the city. We took a ferry with Juan Pablo from Old Havana to visit some of the towns in the bay, such as Casablanca, and we visited an open-air museum dedicated to the 1962 missile crisis. Back in the heart of the city, we walked along the main artery, Calle Obispo, and visited the curious Museo Maqueta and the Aquarium, where they told us about manjuarí, a freshwater fish from prehistoric times. Finally, we visited the El Laurel restaurant, one of the oldest paladares in Cuba, private houses dedicated to the hospitality industry for about twenty years. Roberto, who at 24 became the youngest bank branch manager in Spain, decided to settle in Havana to dedicate himself to the export of Cuban products. We discovered the Plaza de la Catedral, territory of santeras, and visited the legendary Bodeguita del Medio, the best-known establishment in the city. We visit the church of San Lázaro and learn the great secret of our Madrilenian: he is a babalawo priest, a condition that makes his house a sacred place. Finally, Varadero awaits us (about 135 km from Havana), with its 18 km of beaches with crystal-clear water, and the main leisure tourist destination in the country.