These Photos From Cuba Show What American Tourists Have Been Missing

As U.S. and Cuban governments announced a renewal of diplomatic relations on Wednesday, many in America may have already started dreaming of a trip to the island nation. A long-standing tourist destination for the rest of the world, the unique sights of Cuba are beautiful and fascinating, while simultaneously inextricable from the country's contentious political history.

While President Obama has already made it easier to travel to Cuba, his previous measures and today's announcements have stopped short of completely lifting the U.S. ban on visiting the country. Until all restrictions are gone, however, most Americans will still have to view Cuba from afar.

These photos show one side of what they're missing.

Taxi! #cars #Havana #cuba #vintage #pink #instapic #tapfordetails

A photo posted by Lamiya Boumlaki (@lamiyaboumlaki) on Dec 12, 2014 at 3:48am PST

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#Habana #cuba

A photo posted by Ibon Lopez (@ibonlog) on Dec 12, 2014 at 6:42am PST

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#havana #cuba

A photo posted by Camilla (@camillikum) on Oct 10, 2014 at 4:20am PDT

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Cuban highway from the 50's? #havanna #cuba #wanderlust #9monthsnomad

A photo posted by Tony S. (@tonystep) on Dec 12, 2014 at 9:30am PST

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Through the glass. #Cuba #Viñales #oldcars #Chryslers #cadillacs

A photo posted by Pictures by Fran Castaño (@fran_castano) on Sep 9, 2014 at 11:23am PDT

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Havana #cuba #havana #habana #lahabana #ciudad #capitolio #campidoglio #sky #travel #picohtheday #photooftheday

A photo posted by Chiara Galli (@lachiara) on Dec 12, 2014 at 2:33am PST

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#40inCuba pic.twitter.com/UVYi4S9HbQ

— S☮rоkin (@40_in) December 4, 2014

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A photo posted by Marcin Brzózka (@abeduloco) on Dec 12, 2014 at 9:12am PST

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Time for some change. Lift the embargo!!! View of the Capitol photo by @claudiapizza123

A photo posted by Saul Jesse Beas (@jesse_beas) on Dec 12, 2014 at 10:09am PST

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A photo posted by @matvyei on Nov 11, 2014 at 4:38am PST

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#taxi pic.twitter.com/0wVCQ6rUQ6

— Giles M. Cross (@Giles_Cross) December 6, 2014

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