Topic: Cuba

Thanks to the embargo against Cuba, the island nation has remained a bit of a mystery to many. Now CNBC has a first-hand look inside the communist country thanks to Pope Benedict XVI's visit.

The pope's visit to Cuba is providing a rare opportunity to see first hand the economic state of one of the last bastions of socialism, and whether or not a few new market-oriented laws are the start of meaningful change.

Hundreds of millions of dollars worth of goods have been exported from the U.S. to Cuba for the past several years, and it's legal—despite the fact that an embargo is still in place.

Many luxury goods have existed for centuries and enjoyed widespread popularity despite official bans, and stiff penalties and long prison sentences for those found trafficking in or purchasing such goods. What are some in-demand luxury goods that have been banned?