/Cuba

This alligator-shaped island is by far the largest and most populated of Caribbean countries. Once the No 1 travel destination in the area and known as the Pearl of the Antilles, Cuba became a Red Pearl after a revolution placed communist Fidel Castro in charge.

Known for the finest rum and cigars, the People's Republic of Cuba has been off-limits to most Americans for the past 35 years. Canada has partially filled the trade gap with an export business which doubled in the past four years and now amounts to more than $400 million.

The island of 11 million inhabitants played host to more than a million visitors in 1996, 30 percent more than in 1995. Old Havana is slowly being restored as an open-air museum. Art and culture thrives.

For the most part, food is not on par with other Caribbean tourist destinations. Black beans and rice, nicknamed Cuban Caviar, still remains a basic everyday dish. Not recommended are government hamburger establishments popularly known as "McCastro's". Highly recommended is the ice cream made in Havana and featured in the Oscar nominated Cuban film, Strawberry or Chocolate.

French fashion/fragrance mogul Pierre Cardin reportedly wants to establish a Havana version of Maxim of Paris, one of the world's most starred, toqued and forked eateries. French bread is now available and Club Med plans a village at Varadero Beach. All this should boost Cuban gastronomy.

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