All photos in this picture gallery are by David Stanley, who researched and wrote first two editions of Lonely Planet Cuba, published in 1997 and 2000. Stanley first visited Cuba in 1975, and over next four years he represented a Canadian tour company on Isla de la Juventud, at Varadero, and in Havana. Since then, he has revisited Cuba dozens of times.

oAre you fed up with your mundane day-to-day working life? oDoes thought of getting out of bed in morning when it is cold and dark outside depress you? oAre you dreaming of starting a brand new life overseas? oWould you like to find out how to make your dream life a reality?

Research shows that at any one time more than half of us are dreaming of a new life overseas, but few actually succeed in making transition from fantasy to reality – I’ve done it, and I know others who have too, but at same time whenever I speak to my friends ‘back home’ I hear same old same old “I wish I had your courage…”, “I wish I could do what you’ve done.”

It’s true, to completely turn your life on its head and start your life all over again in a foreign country is an incredible undertaking. But those of us who have actually bitten bullet and taken chance have reaped rewards.

The quality of life I now enjoy is unsurpassable! I left my 50 hour working week and 15 hour commuting week behind, I gave up rainy grey days and I established my own business on one of sunniest spots on earth! And you know what – though at times it has been oh so hard – I don’t regret a single moment of what I’ve done!

So, would you like to know how to overcome your fears and practically deal with every stage of planning that goes into getting a new life?