Cuba
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WELCOME ON THE COUCHSURFING CUBA WIKI PAGE !
Cuba is an island in Central America and the Carribean area.
CouchSurfers
Infos:
Surfing a local couch is not allowed in Cuba. Hosting a foreigner means that your host needs to require an authorization and pay a certain amount of money. Even, the local CS community is quite active and try to meet regularly. To be aware of what's happening, do not hesitate to join Cuba group.
Stats:
- June 07: 46 members
- October 07: 86 members (56 couches)
Introduction to Cuba
At the centre of the sweep of the Jura Mountains, on the shores of the largest expanse of water entirely within Switzerland, the Neuchâtel Region enjoys a privileged situation in every aspect. It offers an astonishing diversity of charming landscapes within a relatively restricted area. Moreover, a farsighted conservation policy, classing two thirds of the territory as protected areas, guarantees that the countryside will remain intact.
Neuchâtel, the canton with the highest concentration of watchmaking in Switzerland, is also the magnetic pole for microtechnology and nanotechnology with the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM), the University Institute of Microtechnology, the Jura School of Engineering (EIAJ), the Neuchâtel Observatory and the Neode Science and Technology Park; a quite remarkable density of research and development and innovative enterprises, the basis of our future. The Neuchâtel know-how and taste for innovation are also being expressed increasingly in the domains of biotechnologies, IT engineering, optics, renewable energies etc.
Architecture
Neuchâtel’s atmospheric Old Town is extremely attractive, and random wanderings through its steep alleys are as good a way as any to appreciate the golden beauty of the architecture, as well as the 140-odd street fountains, a handful of which date from the sixteenth century. From the rather anonymous Place Pury – hub of buses and shoppers alike – with the main artery of Rue du Seyon leading northwards, alleys to the west bring you to Place des Halles, perpetually filled with talkers and drinkers spilling out of a handful of cafés. The square itself is overlooked by fine Louis XIV architecture – shuttered facades and the turreted orioles of the sixteenth-century Maison des Halles. You’ll find informal lunchtime boules sessions on the nearby Rue du Coq d’Inde, a broad, tranquil courtyard away from the bustle. A two-minute walk east, on Rue de l’Hôpital, is the grand 1790 Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall), designed by Louis XVI’s chief architect Pierre-Adrien Paris.
The highlights of the Old Town are poised on the very top of the hill, accessed by the steeply winding Rue du Château. The Collégiale church, begun in 1185 and consecrated in 1276, is a graceful example of early Gothic. Stairs from Rue du Château bring you up to the east end of the church, with its three Norman apses. The main entrance (daily 8am–6pm), to the west, is crowned by a giant rose window of stained glass. Within the vaulted interior, the nave draws you along to the glowing transept, lit by a lantern tower, and the unique Cenotaph of the Counts of Neuchâtel on the north wall of the choir (shielded for renovations since 1997, and due for re-display in 2000). Begun in 1372, and the only artwork of its kind to survive north of the Alps, the monument comprises fifteen near-life-size painted statues of various knights and ladies from Neuchâtel’s past, framed by fifteenth-century arches and gables. Beside the church is the imposing Château, begun in the twelfth century and still in use as the offices of the cantonal government: entry is only on guided tours, which start from the signposted Door no. 1 (on the hour: April–Sept Mon–Fri 10am–noon & 2–4pm, Sat 10am, 11am & 2–4pm, Sun 2–4pm; free). The nearby turreted Tour des Prisons (daily 8am–6pm; 50c), remains of a medieval bastion, has panoramic views over the town, along with interesting models of Neuchâtel in different eras.
Culture
During the summer of 2002, Neuchâtel was one of five sites which held Expo.02, the sixth Swiss national exhibition, which was subject to financial controversy. The festival of the Fête des Vendanges, representing the wine harvest, is held traditionally in early Fall.
Notable people
Jean Piaget, Robert Miles, and Marcel Junod were all born in Neuchâtel. Friedrich Dürrenmatt lived in Neuchâtel the last 30 years of his life. Roger Schutz, founder of the Taize Community in France, was born on 12 May 1915 at the village of Provence near Neuchatel. He was stabbed to death on 16 August 2005 by a mentally deranged woman during a prayer meeting in Taize's Church of Reconciliation.
How to come to Cuba?
- By TGV, Neuchatel is only 4h away from Paris!
- Neuchatel-Bern: 1/2h by car, 40 minutes by car.
- Neuchâtel-Genève : 1h30 by car, 1h10 by train
- Neuchâtel-Zurich : 1h50 by car, 1h30 by train.
Different attractions in the area:
- Les moulins souterrains (The underground mills) du Col-des-Roches
- Les mines d'asphalte (Asphalt mines) au Val-de-Travers
- Le creux du Van (100 meters high cliffs)
- Les gorges de l'Areuse (The Areuse gorges)
- Les gorges du Seyon (The Seyon gorges)
- Le phare de Chaumonts (The lighthouse of Chaumont)
- Le col de la Vue des Alpes (The Alps' view pass)
- Le Laténium
- Several museeums
- Alpin and nordic ski tracks
- La Brévine (la Sibérie de la Suisse/ the Siberie of Switzerland)
Tourism information
This is the official website of Neuchatel tourism office
Tips
- Renting bike for freefrom april 26th to october 31st in the port of Neuchatel. Bring 20 CHF of deposit and your ID.
- In La Chaux-de-Fonds, you can rent a bike for free! If you see a pink bike in the street, you can take it and ride to wherever you want. When you don't need it anymore, just lean it against a wall and someone who needs it will take it.
- Internet connections: a free wifi is available at le café/restaurant "Le Petit Paris", Rue du Progrès 4(you have to bring your laptop with you). An cyber café is open daily at La Rue de la Ronde 1.
