When you land at Jose Marti Airport in Havana, a new world awaits you.

First there’s a crowd of excited Cubans

They're waiting for family to arrive from Miami. This is a scene you will soon become accustomed to in the streets of this great city because Cubans are, above all, a sociable people.

Next you step outside the airport doors and get knocked over by the tropical air which contains a quality you may not have felt for a long time, so get ready for an attack of genuine nostalgia.

The 20 mile ride into the heart of the city takes you past factories, homes and apartment buildings mixed amidst tropical vegetation.

You'll encounter a different world

Even a bakery is adorned with slogans

People saunter and socialize, snacking from street vendors, riding in 1950s autos, or getting their hair cut on someone's porch.

You will feel relaxed, because your taxi driver does not have a cell phone or a GPS and he is not chewing gum or chewing your ear off.

In fact, he has a worn shirt and a calm air. Since his English is probably limited, it’s a good idea to practice your Spanish or mix a bit of both languages. And remember, a smile works magic.

You are so lucky to have landed here now

Cuba is almost the last place on earth to be kept under wraps, in a virtual time warp. No matter what your age, if you want to relive the Fifties you have come to the right spot.

The vintage cars, slow pace of life, friendly smiles from strangers; these disappeared from much of the modern world long ago. So drop by the Partagas Cigar Factory, light up the best cigar in the world and then savor it in the place where it was born.

Welcome to Havana... a city like no other in the world today

Put on your walking shoes. Watch out for the plentiful potholes, and let’s take a look at Havana unwrapped.