The largest Antillean island, which is involved in an ambitious program to develop its tourist industry, is promoting the diversification of options for foreign vacationers, many of whom are attracted by Cuba's rich history.

Hundreds of kilometers of excellent beaches, with white sand and warm crystal-clear water, provide a rich natural environment and good conditions for diving and nautical sports, in a country surrounded by sea.

However, the history of Cuba, discovered by Admiral Christopher Columbus in 1492, is one of the main dishes in a menu of offers for thousands of vacationers who visit this Caribbean island every year.

It is precisely that element that turns the Cuban capital, one of the seven villages founded by the Spanish colonizers and known at the time as San Cristóbal de La Habana, into a key piece in many tourist programs, especially in the city's historic heart.

That part of the city, also known as Old Havana, was declared Humankind's Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1882. Its 4.5 square kilometers are rich in exponents of colonial architecture, customs and traditions that are almost five centuries old.

For those who prefer to be surrounded by a centennial history, the company Habaguanex S.A. offers several lodging facilities in a network of hotels and inns, where the Valencia Inn takes a privileged position.

Inaugurated in 1989, Valencia Inn is located in Alderman Sotolongo's former house, originally built in the late 18th century, and has 12 rooms (including three suites).

The establishment, which worships Valencian traditions, has a privileged location, only a few meters from the Arms Square (one of the first plazas built in the city) and the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, and very close to first-class restaurants such Al Medina and La Mina.

From the Valencia Inn, those interested in Cuba's culture are at a walking distance from the Cathedral Square, the Wifredo Lam Center, the Guayasamín House and the Auto Museum, as well as the Conde de Villanueva Inn and the Santa Isabel Hotel.

The building's wooden ceilings and banisters, and the beautiful iron-wrought railings of its balconies provide light and coolness to the rooms, which are equipped with modern amenities such as a private bathroom and a minibar.

Among the attractions of the Valencia Inn are the Casa del Tabaco, which offers the best Havana cigars, and the La Paella Restaurant, where the specialty is the Paella (a Valencian dish), which has received several awards at international cuisine contests.

In the mezzanine of the colonial-style building, the Nostalgia Bar transports customers to the best years of the 1950s, with an offer that makes emphasis on the "bolero" (a Cuban musical genre), the performance of prestigious musicians, and a drink called "Sábanas Blancas" (White Sheets), which is the specialty of the house.

The excellent conditions of the Valencia Inn are integrated into those of its neighbor, the El Comendador Inn, in a unique complex that can meet the demands of modern tourism in a colonial atmosphere.