Who Was Ernest Hemingway?
Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) was an American author. He won the Pulitzer Prize in fiction in 1952 for The Old Man and the Sea and the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1954. Sadly Hemingway suffered from depression and he took his own life at home in 1961. His most famous novels include The Sun Also Rises, A Farewell to Arms and For Whom the Bell Tolls. Engage in Cuba day tours with VC Tours to discover Hemingway and his connection to the island. It’s one of the best tours in Havana!
What is his Connection to Havana?
Hemingway first visited Havana in 1928. He left his home in Key West, Florida to visit Spain. En route, Hemingway made a 3 day stopover in the city where he stayed at the Hotel Ambos Mundos. In 1932 Hemingway again visited Cuba to fish in the annual marlin run. Finally in 1933 Hemingway moved to Havana saying that it felt like home and that Cuba brought him luck in his writing. In 1940 he finally bought a bungalow named Finca Vigia.
What Can You See on Our Cuba Day Tours to Connect You to Hemingway?
Pay a visit to El Floridita and indulge in a daiquiri. This historic fish restaurant and cocktail bar is famous for being Hemingway’s favourite watering hole and the daiquiri his favourite drink. There’s even a life sized statue of him sitting at the bar.
Similarly you can indulge in a mojito at La Bodeguita del Medio, said to be Hemingway’s other favourite bar. On the wall is a handwritten quote stating, “My mojito in La Bodeguita. My daiquiri in El Floridita” with Hemingway’s signature allegedly at the bottom. Some argue that Hemingway did not drink mojitos or frequent La Bodeguita because of the lack of evidence in his writing representing them. Nonetheless La Bodeguita remains famous for its connection to Hemingway and is visited by legions of adoring fans.
Last but not least venture to Finca Vigia, Hemingway’s house which is now a museum. This is where he wrote The Old Man and the Sea and much of For Whom The Bell Tolls. This is also where Hemingway bred cats starting with a gray angora that he brought from Key West. Lastly, on the grounds of Finca Vigia you can see Pilar, Hemingway’s wooden fishing boat.
Best Tours in Havana to Discover Hemingway
Spend as much time as you like in all Hemingway’s favourite spots with VC Tours. Our knowledgeable drivers and guides will chauffeur you from place to place while teaching you all about the history of the sites visited. Our Cuba day tours give you the chance to step back in time in our classic hard top cars or convertibles. Come and experience our top notch customer service and discover why we’re so highly rated.
