A woman who has her 50th birthday with family in beauty, wanted to celebrate in Cuba, is a bare-bones trip returned. She paid 11,000 euros for a stay in a four star hotel. On the spot was her dream to smithereens beaten. “It was horrible,” she says.

Gayle Evans from the English Birmingham went to Cuba with the whole family. “The children are great. It was the last chance to put them all together.” So booked them for 11,000 euros (10.000 British Pounds) a vacation. Her husband Steve, two daughters Ayla (19) and Gabby (12), and son Jaz (23) with his girlfriend Laura (23) were allowed to participate. The first holiday with the whole family abroad.

“for Weeks on end we have dreamt about idyllic beaches, beautiful pools and delicious cocktails.” As promised in the brochure. Hotel ‘Brisas del Caribe’ was described as a luxurious base in the popular resort town of Varadero.