I am pleased to welcome you to issue 13 of Cubaplus magazine. In all the years I have been l iving in Cuba I have witnessed wonderful moments and had unforgettable experiences. One of the many is the sensational Habanos Festival and I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity to be a part of it. I have had the pleasure of meeting some exciting people from Habanos, l ike Javier Terres, whom you will read and learn more about in this issue on page 18. This year Habanos Festival is featuring, among many presentations and events, the fact that cigar smoking is not just a guy thing, but is also growing among women. Hollywood celebrities have taken the art of cigar smoking to a new level. Cuban celebrity Lily García (on our cover) says there is no better way to relax than to enjoy a good cigar in a square in Colonial Havana. We write about Cuban culture in every issue of Cubaplus and this issue is no exception. You will find articles on the music and arts of this great island. We are also presenting eco tourism interests, such as Topes de Collantes, a must have experience.

I am certain that you will enjoy the articles and have fun reading and browsing the fabulous photos. The Cubaplus team is happy to read the input and positive statements that we constantly receive from our readers…keep them coming!

Dominic Soave, CubaPLUS Publisher