I’m planning on going to Cuba soon.  Yes Cuba!  I’m doing a lot of research so I’m going to share info I’ve found for other looking to travel to this hot new location.

The number one question I’m asking myself what city to visit in Cuba how to get there?!

When I visit Cuba I plan on visit a larger city.  A larger city at this time is just the wiser choice for a person traveling by themselves or not part of a tourist group.

The ten largest cities in Cuba

*The city or province has an airport in 

Now that we have some city options we need to know where the airports are and who flies there.

Havana will without a doubt be the number one location to visit in Cuba.  But there are offer location that will other a great Cuban experience.

Applications from six U.S. carriers to serve some of Cuba’s other nine international airports were approved in full, handing awards to American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue Airways, Silver Airways, Southwest Airlines Co. and Sun Country Airlines.  The winning airlines are required to begin their flights within 90 days of the start dates in their applications, which suggests services will begin this fall or winter.

Cuban airports are open to as many as 10 daily round-trip flights from the U.S., airlines can apply at any time for the additional routes.

My airline of choice is Southwest.  They offer the must customer friendly prices and over all customer service.  They’ll be flying later this year to Santa Clara and Varadero Airport.  They’re awaiting a decision on its Havana application.

With Cuba being a new location for the regular travelers where to stay is a huge question that’s still being answered.  Cuba isn’t really ready for a full on slot of American tourist just yet.  So the next question will be where to say?!

I’ve finally settled back in from my vacation.  I went to Toronto, Ontario Canada.  I’ve been to Toronto many time however this was the first time I went with my good friends Dana and LaMara.  Yes! The Passport Posse was back together.  It was great seeing LaMara again.  She has moved away to start her new life with her fiancé.  With us both being busy living life we don’t get to talk as much as we use to but seeing her again it was like she never left my side.  Dana, My anchor is always fun and is my go to travel partner.  She preparing to move away also witch made the trip bitter sweet.  Dana pointed out that I was a “good time cry baby.”  Which is true.  Happy times brings the tears and yes they flowed.  

The flight from Chicago is a short one.  I choose to fly Porter Airlines  (www.flyporter.com).  I had used Porter once before when I went to Montreal.  The service was first class and wanted to use them again.  Another bonus of using Porter was the airline flew in Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) only 1.5 miles from downtown Toronto.  The Bishop airport is the smaller of the two Toronto airports however it is idea for a traveler staying in or near downtown Toronto.  It’ll save you time & money from trying to make it from the big airport witch is much farther away.  

The airport was a short distance from our hotel.  I’m a loyal HHonors member.  HHonors is a loyal points program ran by Hilton hotels world wide (www.hilton.com)  I enjoy Hilton properties because for me they offer a standard of excellence.  I lived at a Hilton DoubleTree for a year.  Yes, lived.  It was my full time home and I haven’t stayed at another hotel since if Hilton is an option.

For this trip I stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Toronto Downtown.  I used the prepay option for an additional saving.  I suggest only using this option when your plans are set in stone because it’s nonrefundable.  The hotel staff was amazing and very knowledgeable.  The hotel was in one of the 5 China towns located in Toronto.  It was also about 3 blocked from Eaton Centre.  Eaton Centre is the starting point for everything in Toronto.  It’s the largest shopping center in downtown Toronto and offers shopping options for all budgets.  

I took a double decker bus tour with  citysightseeing (citysightseeingtoronto.com).  This is a on and off tour that goes all over the city.  The tours guides offer did you know type information though out the tour.  From start to finish if you choose not to get off it’s about 2 hours tour.  Again I prepaid for the tour to save of cost.

I ate at many great places while in Toronto.  Two however hit a high note.  One was Duffs Famous Wings  (www.duffsfamouswings.ca).  Walking down College street looking for a meal and a drink Duffs’ pulled me in by my noise and was no disappointment.  I tried 3 of their many favors.  I had the hot, hot honey garlic and bold BBQ.  I also tried 3 of their dipping sauces Duff’s Blue Cheese, Duff’s Creamy Dill and Ranch.  It also came with a side of delicious fries.  At the servers suggestion no on the menu I had a drink of Jack with cold apple juice.  It left me with a smile.  

The second restaurant and the main reason for my trip was lunch at the famous Resturant360 at the CN Tower (cntower.ca).  I’ve been wanting to dine there for years and never got the chance.  It was everything I’d imagine it would be.  While dining you are spinning 360° at one of the highest points of Toronto.  This gives you an amazing airy view of all of Toronto.  For a saving I choose lunch over dinner because the menu is a little pricy.  I scheduled lunch at the latest time possible before dinner service. I had the prix fixe 3 course lunch.  As an appetizer I had the classic shrimp cocktail witch included cognac infused cocktail sauce.  My main course was cold smoked long bone pork chop with caramelized onions.  It was plated with spaghetti squash,  cranberry gastrique & rosemary jus.  My last and dessert course was white chocolate orange cheesecake.  It was not only tasteful it was also filling.  

With the prix fixe lunch option you receive passes to the glass floor that looks down from seems like the top of the world.

This trip to Toronto was the best ever for me.  To be with my good girlfriends while exploring new places is what the good life means for me.  Be sure to use the hashtag #travelingwhilefat on social media to see all the pictures & video where you can find thefatgirloffashion.com 

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