Cuba is an island nation with 11-million+ residents living as slaves, the property of a ruthless and murderous military dictatorship. For almost 53 years, the human rights of Cubans have been systematically and brutally violated, compiling an abhorrent record consisting of tens of thousands murdered, hundreds of thousands imprisoned, and almost 2 million people exiled, all for their political beliefs. For Cubans, the island is a nightmarish hellhole where they are treated as property of the Castro dictatorship and denied the most basic human rights.

However, for travel agencies in the U.S., the misery of the Cuban people is considered to be "forbidden fruit":

Now you can travel to Cuba

There is an exciting travel destination back on the map in 2012. It is what I refer to as the "forbidden fruit" of the Caribbean, also known as Cuba.

Although it is just 90 miles from Key West, Cuba has been off limits to travelers from the United States since 1961 with the exception of special licenses. In January 2011, the license process became a lot easier with the re-introduction of government-sanctioned "people-to-people" trips.

If you have ever found yourself sailing through the Caribbean and wondering what is happening beyond those lights off in distance as the cruise ship captain points out Cuba, now is your chance.

Make sure to read this article so you can see the itinerary, which includes visits to the Bay of Pigs museum, cigar factories, and several Castro propaganda outlets.