Havana

Effort is underway to preserve the wonderfully eclectic buildings of the Cuban capital, whose old town has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site but as of today, crumbling facades continue to define the urban landscape of the town center — the decadent charm of city streets to outsiders being of little consolation to locals who deal with the very real consequences of this rather sad state of affairs. Beyond Habana Vieja (the Old Havana) lie some fascinating attractions and emerging suburbs worth exploring on foot or by bike: from plush Miramar to the nightlife hub of La Rampa, residential Vedado sprinkled generously with eateries and bars, African heritage-defined Cayo Hueso and the beach community of Guanabo. With economic restrictions slightly loosening, Havana sees individual entrepreneurs make timid first steps in running private businesses, breathing fresh air into Havana's dining, art and design scenes.