Cuba overview

Arrival in Havana. Welcome at the airport by your local English speaking guide. Transfer from José Martí International Airport to your accommodation in Havana. Accommodation for 2 nights, in a local house, breakfast included. Dinner at your own expense and overnight stay.

Discover, on foot, the colonial district of Havana, declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 1982 and considered one of the 7 Wonder Cities of the World since 2014, by visiting:
- Paseo del Prado, one of the most beautiful avenues in Havana;
- the Bacardí building, the first Art Deco building built in the city of Havana (exterior);
- the Parque Central, with its esquina caliente, where they always talk about baseball;
- the Grand Theatre of Havana, home of the Cuban National Ballet (exterior);
- the Capitol, a replica of the one in Washington and the symbol of Havana (exterior);
- the Plaza del Cristo, an ideal place to get away from the tourist masses and see how Cuban daily life works;
- the Convent of Santa Clara, the largest and oldest convent in Havana, with its colonial-style garden;
- the parish church of Espíritu Santo, the oldest church in the city;
- the Alameda de Paula, Havana's first promenade;
- Calle Mercaderes, an almost complete replica of the original 18th century street;
- the Plaza Vieja, one of the busiest in the city; and
- the Rum Museum, which shows the history of rum and ends with a tasting.
Approximate duration: 4 hours. Lunch free.

Continuation of the guided tour of colonial Havana, on foot, visiting :
- San Francis of Assisi Square, with the convent as an expression of religious art (exterior);
- Oficios Street, one of the main shopping streets of Havana since the 18th century;
- the Plaza de Armas, the oldest square in the city;
- La Real Fuerza Castle, the oldest fortress in all of America (exterior);
- the Cathedral Square, one of the most beautiful and harmonious in the city;
- the Bodeguita del Medio, famous for the Mojito, much loved by Hemingway (exterior);
- Obispo Street, a pedestrian shopping street in the heart of the old town;
- the Ambos Mundos Hotel, the first residence in Havana of the famous writer Ernest Hemingway, (exterior); and
- the Floridita bar, emblematic of the city, with a free Cuban cocktail.
Approximate duration: 4 hours.

In the evening, free time in the city. As suggestion: Café Taberna, for dinner and traditional Cuban ive music, with some members of the mythical group Buena Vista Social Club; Tropicana, Cuba's most famous cabaret, for an evening under the stars and in a festive cabaret atmosphere; Gato Tuerto, temple of the bolero and romantic song; at La Zorra y el Cuervo, Havana's jazz club, etc. Dinner at your own expense and overnight at a local's house.

Departure to Las Terrazas, a community located west of Havana. Stroll in the heart of a beautiful landscape of lush and varied vegetation, to admire the nature that is offered to you, visiting :
- the old Cafetal Buenavista, where you can learn about the process by which coffee is obtained in an artisanal way;
- the house of Polo Montañez, famous singer and composer of the region;
- the Café de María, with a tasting of one of the great coffee specialties;
- the Hotel La Moka, a special example of respect for nature; and
- the San Juan River, for a refreshing swim.
Approximate duration: 5 hours. Lunch at a local restaurant.

Then, continuation to Viñales. Lodging in a local house for 2 nights, breakfast included.

In the evening, free time in the village. Suggestions: Polo Montañez Cultural Center, in the small central square, to enjoy traditional Cuban music live; Palenque de los Cimarrones, a discotheque located at the exit of one of the caves of Viñales; El Patio del Decimista, an ideal place to get closer to the Cubans and its typical rhythms. Dinner at your own expense and overnight stay.

Discovery of Viñales, considered one of the most fascinating places in all Cuba. In a calm and welcoming setting, this village is an ideal place to relax, in contact with nature and to do outdoor activities, in a site classified as a Cultural Landscape of Humanity by UNESCO. Discover the village and its surroundings, famous for its mogotes, small rocky hills with rounded shapes, by visiting :
- its shady alleys lined with colourful houses, surrounding the central square and its beautiful colonial church ;
- the cave of the Indian, with a small walk in the river that flows inside;
- the Mural of Prehistoria, to taste one of the best piña colada cocktails in the country;
- a tobacco plantation, to meet the peasants, visit the drying kilns, appreciate the spitting and shoemaking process, and a demonstration of rolling; and
- the viewpoint of the Hotel Los Jazmines, offering a unique view of the Viñales Valley.
Approximate duration: 3 hours. Lunch free.

Free time in town. Some activities are optional.

In the evening, free time in the village. As suggestion: Polo Montañez Cultural Centre, in the small central square, to enjoy traditional Cuban music live; Palenque de los Cimarrones, a discotheque located at the exit of one of the Viñales caves; El Patio del Decimista, an ideal place to get closer to Cubans and its typical rhythms. Dinner at your own expense and overnight stay.

Departure to Playa Larga. Lunch free.

Free time for snorkeling in the waters of the eastern coast of the Bay of Pigs (Playa Larga, Cueva de los Peces, Playa Girón, etc.), to enjoy its magnificent coral formations that practically surface.
Then, continuation to Cienfuegos, the only Cuban city founded by French people. Lodging for 1 night, at a local's house, breakfast included.

In the evening, free time in Cienfuegos. As a suggestion: Club El Benny, the most famous discotheque of the city, offering a show and then, current music; El Cubanísimo, a discotheque with a good young atmosphere (closed on Mondays); La Terraza of Club Cienfuegos, to enjoy live Cuban music with a beautiful view of the sea. Free dinner and overnight stay at a local's house.

Discover Cienfuegos, known as "the pearl of the south", by visiting :
- its avenues founded by the Frenchman Jean-Claude de Clouet in 1819;
- the Prado, the longest street of its kind in all Cuba;
- the José Martí Park, declared a National Monument;
- the Triumphal Arch, a unique construction in Cuba, dedicated to the country's independence;
- the Tomás Terry Theatre, one of the most elegant eclectic buildings in the whole city;
- the former Ferrer Palace, a magnificent neoclassical building from which one of the best panoramic views of the entire city can be contemplated;
- the Palacio del Valle, a building built in the form of a Moroccan kasbah with a terrace offering one of the most beautiful sunsets (small cocktail in hand).
Approximate duration: 3 hours. Lunch free.

Free time in town. Some activities are offered as an option.
Then, continuation to Trinidad. Lodging for 3 nights in a local house, breakfast included.

In the evening, free time in town. As a suggestion: Casa de la Música de Trinidad (open every day), the most renowned site in the city to enjoy traditional Cuban music live and in the open air; the Daiquirí bar, a warm and informal site, where locals share with visitors over a drink and Cuban salsa ; Casa de la Trova de Trinidad (open day and night), to listen to typical Cuban rhythms and share them with the local population; Palenque de los Congos reales, with presentations by Afro-Cuban music groups; Ayala Disco, located inside a natural cave, with a very modern atmosphere. Free dinner and overnight stay with the locals.

Discover the city of Trinidad, one of the first cities founded and declared a World Heritage Site in 1988, by visiting :
- The Plaza Mayor, framed by venerable houses, enhanced by some majestic royal palms and surrounded by elegant white gates;
- the Church of Santísima Trinidad, one of the largest temples in the country (exterior);
- the Romantic Museum, one of the most beautiful palaces in Cuba or the Palacio Cantero, to learn about the history of Trinidad since its foundation and enjoy the magnificent views of the city from its tower;
- the tavern La Canchánchara, to enjoy a typical cocktail as local musicians play Cuban music;
- the former Royal Prison, which has undergone changes in its use but is still a firm exponent of colonial-era military architecture in the city; and
- Piazza Carrillo, also known as the Céspedes Park, the first leisure square and the most popular site where social, economic and cultural life takes place.
and culture of Trinidad, far from the tourist masses.
Approximate duration: 3 hours. Lunch free.

In the afternoon, free time in the city. Some activities are optional.

In the evening, free time in the city. As a suggestion: Casa de la Música de Trinidad (open daily), the most renowned site in the city to enjoy traditional Cuban music live and in the open air; the Daiquirí bar, a warm and informal site, where locals share with visitors a drink and Cuban salsa ; Casa de la Trova de Trinidad (open day and night), to listen to typical Cuban rhythms and share them with the local population; Palenque de los Congos reales, with presentations by Afro-Cuban music groups; Ayala Disco, located inside a natural cave, with a very modern atmosphere. Free dinner and overnight stay with the locals.

Horse riding excursion to Topes de Collantes, natural park of the region :
- A ride of about 5 km in an eco-tourist trail extending the mountains (suitable footwear to be provided because of the steep terrain);
- discovery of the species of flora and fauna of the region, as well as the tropical forest and coffee plantations; and
- swimming in natural pools and in one of the several waterfalls in the park.
Typical lunch in the park. Approximate duration: 5 hours.

In the afternoon, free time in town. Some activities are optional.

In the evening, free time in town. As a suggestion: Casa de la Música de Trinidad (open daily), the most renowned site in the city to enjoy traditional Cuban music live and in the open air; the Daiquirí bar, a warm and informal site, where locals share with visitors over a drink and Cuban salsa ; Casa de la Trova de Trinidad (open day and night), to listen to typical Cuban rhythms and share them with the local population; Palenque de los Congos reales, with presentations by Afro-Cuban music groups; Ayala Disco, located inside a natural cave, with a very modern atmosphere. Free dinner and overnight stay with the locals.

Train excursion to the Valley of Los Ingenios, a former 19th century sugar factory, home to numerous sugar refineries, where more than 11,000 slaves worked. The train ride (formerly steam-powered and whose availability will be confirmed on site) is quite picturesque, crossing the valley, including an old wooden suspension bridge. Discovery of the region, by visiting :
- the community of Iznaga, whose specialty is hand embroidery for tablecloths, with its sugar cane juice vendors and dozens of street vendors;
- the hacienda restaurant, the former family home of the owner of the region's sweetshops;
- the Manaca-Iznaga tower, built to watch over and ensure the good work of the slaves in the surrounding sugar cane fields, today offering a magnificent view of the valley.
Approximate duration: 4 hours. Free lunch.

Continuation to Camagüey. Lodging for 1 night in a local house, breakfast included.

In the evening, free time in town. As a suggestion: El Cambio bar, to enjoy traditional Cuban music; Yesterday bar, ideal for lovers of pop and rock from the '60s; Fotograma center, site of the Cuban bolero. Dinner at your own expense and overnight at a local's house.

Departure to Bayamo, a nice little town that preserves practically intact the Cuban traditions. Lunch free.

Discovery of the city:
- the Céspedes park, seat of the Bayamo brass band every Sunday;
- the Parish Church Mayor of San Salvador, one of the first churches founded in the country (exterior);
- the Bayamés promenade, the main shopping street of the city;
- the window of Luz Vázquez, witness to a love story between two inhabitants of the colonial city and the history of an entire nation; and
- the San Juan Evangelista Tower, the remains of the first church in all America to make open-air burials.
Approximate duration: 2 hours.

Continuation to Santiago de Cuba. Lodging for 2 nights, in a private home, breakfast included.

In the evening, free time in the city. As a suggestion: Casa de las Tradiciones, an authentic place with an intimate atmosphere, located in the French Quarter; Casa de la Trova, a typical and folkloric place to discover Cuban music and dance. Dinner at your own expense and overnight stay.

Stroll in the city of Santiago de Cuba, visiting :
- the Santa Ifigenia cemetery, with its magnificent monuments and mausoleums;
- Antonio Maceo Revolution Square, a symbol of the revolution;
- the Cuartel Moncada, dedicated to the beginning of the Cuban revolution;
- the Plaza de Marte, a favorite of the locals;
- Casa Diego Velázquez, the oldest colonial house in Cuba;
- Céspedes Park, the heart of the city; and
- the streets and alleys that lead to or from it (Heredia, Padre Pico, etc.), including the Escalinata Padre Pico, which is an obligatory place to visit.
Approximate duration: 4 hours. Lunch free.

In the afternoon, free time in town. Some activities are optional.

In the evening, free time in town. As a suggestion: Casa de las Tradiciones, an authentic place with an intimate atmosphere, located in the French Quarter; Casa de la Trova, a typical and folkloric place to discover Cuban music and dance. Dinner at your own expense and overnight stay.

Departure to Baracoa, following La Farola, an impressive road, one of the seven wonders of civil engineering in Cuba. Lodging for 2 nights, at a local's house, breakfast included. Lunch free.

In the afternoon, visit of the first of the seven colonial cities founded and the oldest city of Cuba :
- the archaeological museum Cueva del Paraíso, a small atypical museum but of great historical and cultural value OR the municipal museum Fort Matachín, an imposing military construction;
- the central plaza of the city, with its church Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Baracoa; and
- the malecón, to soak up the beautiful view and the local atmosphere.
Approximate duration: 3 hours.

In the evening, free time in the city. As a suggestion: Casa de la Trova, to enjoy the local traditional music live; La Terraza bar, with its show and Cuban music. Free dinner and overnight stay at a local's house.

Excursion to El Yunque. Visit to the community of Mabujabo, located 6 Km from downtown Baracoa, passing by the coconut oil extraction plant, founded by French families during the Spanish colonization. Enjoy the exuberant vegetation and fruit trees around the El Yunque campsite and the beautiful mountain front road. Start the climb of 575 m, enjoying the plantations of cocoa, coconut and fruit trees in the area. At the top of the mountain enjoy the vast panoramic view of the city of Baracoa and the Alejandro de Humboldt National Park. Swimming in the natural swimming pool of the Duaba River, with crystal clear waters. Note: You should always walk across the Duaba River as there are no bridges to cross it. Approximate duration: 8 hours. Lunch free.

In the evening, free time in town. As suggestion: Casa de la Trova, to enjoy the local traditional music live; La Terraza bar, with its show and Cuban music. Dinner at leisure and overnight at a local's house.

Departure to Santiago de Cuba. Accommodation for 1 night, in a local house, breakfast included. Lunch free.

In the afternoon, free time in the city. Some activities are optional.

In the evening, free time in the city. As a suggestion: Casa de las Tradiciones, an authentic place with an intimate atmosphere, located in the French Quarter; Casa de la Trova, a typical and folkloric place to discover Cuban music and dance. Dinner at your own expense and overnight stay.

Departure to Holguín, home to a great cultural wealth and the site of many events throughout the year. Lunch free.

Discovery of the "city of parks", visiting :
- Julio Grave de Peralta Park, the site of the most important political and social events in the city;
- Calixto García Park, a beautiful and monumental square in the centre of the city, considered the expression of the identity of its inhabitants;
- the Plaza San José, one of the most beautiful squares in the city; and
- the Loma de la Cruz, located at 261 m above sea level and with 458 steps, offering an exceptional view of the whole town.
Approximate duration: 3 hours.

Continuation to Gibara, a small and peaceful fishing village, spared from the tourist masses. Accommodation for 1 night, in a local house, breakfast included.

In the evening, free time in town. Suggestions: Ocio Club, ideal place for a family evening; El Faro, bar-restaurant with an exclusive view of the sea; La Loja, bar recreating the cultural traditions of the city. Free dinner and overnight stay with the locals.

Visit of Gibara, known as "the white city" and its surroundings:
- the port of Gibara, the most important port for trade during the colonial era;
- the Batería de Fernando VII, the military construction at the origin of the city;
- traces of the old wall; and
- the bay of Bariay, where Christopher Columbus landed.
Approximate duration: 3 hours. Lunch free.

Continuation to Camagüey. Lodging for 1 night in a local house, breakfast included.

In the evening, free time in town. As a suggestion: El Cambio bar, to enjoy traditional Cuban music; Yesterday bar, ideal for lovers of pop and rock from the '60s; Fotograma center, site of the Cuban bolero. Dinner at your own expense and overnight at a local's house.

Discovery of Camagüey known as "the city of tinajones". Stroll through its narrow and labyrinthine streets, which often take us to beautiful hidden corners:
- the historical center, the largest and best preserved of the island, registered in the patrimony of the humanity by the UNESCO;
- the Plaza del Carmen, the most beautiful and least visited of the city;
- the Ignacio Agramonte Park, located in the heart of the city;
- the Plaza San Juan de Dios, a charming square surrounded by colourful old buildings from the colonial era; and
- Casino Campestre Park, the largest urban park in Cuba, the green heart of the city and a place of memories.
Approximate duration: 3 hours. Lunch free.

Continuation Sancti Spíritus, colonial city. Panoramic stroll in the city, visiting :
- the historical and colonial center; and
- the Yayabo Bridge, the oldest in Cuba.
Approximate duration: 1 hour.

Then, continuation to Santa Clara, known as the city of Che Guevara. Lodging for 1 night, at a local's house, breakfast included.

In the evening, free time in the city. As suggestion: El Mejunge, emblematic site of the city of Santa Clara. Dinner at your own expense and overnight at a local's house.

Discovery of Santa Clara, known as the city of Che Guevara. Discovery of the city, visiting:
- the monument to the armored train, a battle that demonstrated Che Guevara's military talent;
- the Plaza de la Revolución;
- the museum dedicated to Che, with many relics;
- the Mausoleo de los Mártires de la Revolución, dedicated to the memory of Che and his companions who fell with him in Bolivia;
- the Leoncio Vidal Park, the nerve centre of the city; and
- the La Caridad theatre, an architectural jewel of the city (exterior).
Approximate duration: 3 hours. Lunch free.

Continuation to Remedios, a small town dating from the 15th century, very peaceful and charming. Discovery of one of the oldest cities in Cuba, by visiting :
- the church of San Juan Bautista, home to small jewels unique in the world; and
- the urban center.
Approximate duration: 2 hours.

Continuation to Jardines del Rey (Las Brujas, Ensenachos and Santa María cayos), an archipelago located in a Biosphere Reserve area and home to one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Accommodation for 2 nights in a 4****NL hotel, all included.

Free time to enjoy the beautiful beaches of turquoise water and white sand of Jardines del Rey, all included. Optional: all the excursions offered at the hotel (snorkeling, catamaran trips, etc.).

Free time to enjoy the beautiful beaches of turquoise water and white sand of Jardines del Rey, all included. Optional: all the excursions offered at the hotel (snorkeling, catamaran trips, etc.).

Then, from 3pm, transfer to Havana. Accommodation for 1 night, in a local house, breakfast included. Dinner at your own expense and overnight at a local's house.

Discover modern Havana, in an old American car from the 50's, while visiting the city of Havana:
- the Colón cemetery, which has become a monument thanks to its tombs and works of art;
- the Revolution Square, the meeting place of Cubans during the most important moments of the country;
- a cigar factory, which shows the process of elaboration of Cuban cigars, all handmade, with the possibility of buying some of them in its shop;
- Los Presidentes Avenue, surrounded by statues of famous Latin American presidents;
- John Lennon Park, home to a life-size statue of the famous English composer and member of The Beatles;
- the University of Havana, spirit and expression of youth (exterior);
- The Rampa, one of the most popular avenues for Cubans in the city centre;
- the gardens of the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, emblematic of the country; and
- The Malecón, an avenue by the sea, very popular and also a symbol of Havana.
Approximate duration: 3 hours. Lunch free.

Then, 3 hours before take-off, transfer to the José Martí airport in Havana.