Baracoa, Cuba

In the eyes of many visitors, Baracoa is quite simply the most beautiful place in Cuba. Set on the coast on Cuba's southeast tip and protected by a deep curve of mountains, its isolation has so far managed to protect it from some of the more pernicious effects of tourism which have crept into other areas of the island. Self-contained and secluded, the tiny town vibrates with an energy that is surprising for such a small place.

Baracoa was the first town to be established in Cuba, founded by Diego de Velázquez in 1511 on a spot christened Porto Santo in 1492 by Christopher Columbus who, as legend has it, planted a cross in the soil. The early conquistadors never quite succeeded in exterminating the indigenous population, and today Baracoa is the only place in Cuba where direct descendants of the Taíno can still be found. Their legacy is also present in several myths and legends habitually told to visitors.

Surrounded by awe-inspiring countryside – whose abundance of cacao trees makes it the nation's leading chocolate manufacturer, with local brand Peter's widely available – Baracoa has become an absolute must on the traveller's circuit. Although many will be happy enough to wander through town, enjoying its easy charm, there are also several tangible attractions including an excellent archeological museum with one of Cuba's best collections of pre-Columbian artefacts. Another of Baracoa's notable exhibits is La Cruz de la Parra, the celebrated cross reputed to have been erected by Christopher Columbus himself. It is housed in the picturesque Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, on the edge of leafy Parque Independencia, a local gathering point.