A Taste of Cuba

Land only clients will meet the group at the start hotel.

Today we travel to Vinales Valley, in the west of Cuba. Famous for its

rolling tobacco plantations and collection of limestone karsts dotted along

the valley, it's not hard to see why Vinales was awarded UNESCO World

Heritage site status. Joined by a local resident we walk through the 'Valley

of Silence' to soak up rural Cuban life as farmers tend to their crops using

traditional farming methods. We'll also visit a tobacco farm to learn about

one of the island's most famous exports and meet with a local tobacco farmer

to help understand the growing process. After checking into our overnight

accommodation in Casa Particulares, we visit an organic farm in the hills of

Viñales for a sunset dinner overlooking the valley.

This morning we set off on a long drive eastward to Cienfuegos. We stop for

lunch at the Bay of Pigs at a small beachfront restaurant with a large Cuban

welcome. The speciality here is fresh fish caught by local fisherman just off

the coast. Time permitting, you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the sea. This

region of the Zapata Peninsula is a National Park and swamp providing a

habitat for some of the most important bird species in Cuba. We are joined by

a local nature expert who will introduce us to the natural landscape and

characteristics of the area. We will also have some time to explore the Giron

Museum, which exhibits items from the failed invasion by CIA-backed Cuban

Americans. Afterwards we will carry on our transfer to Cienfuegos. The city

of Cienfuegos is full of architectural delights and Cuban spirit, with a

beautiful main square and restored buildings. On arrival we check into our

casas for the night. Tonight, we enjoy a Cuban themed evening which will

include Cuban music, delicious roast pork, rum and dominoes prepared by our

fabulous host Lily.



Today's travel time is approx. 7 hours.

This morning we will start by having a city tour on Bici Taxis. One of the

best ways to get around is by Bici Taxi, a fun tour using Cuba’s

eco-friendly and typical city transport. Each Bici Taxi can accommodate two

people and will be pedalled by a local resident (most of whom like to

introduce their guests to reggaeton music!) The Bici Taxi tour is a great

time to talk to local Cienfuegos residents and have a go at practising your

Spanish.



Afterwards we depart Cienfuegos and drive down the coast to Trinidad.

Trinidad has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988 and is perhaps the

best-preserved colonial town on the island. Exploring Trinidad can feel like

entering a time warp, its colourful, cobbled streets and horse drawn

transportation whisking us back. There are many interesting museums housed in

old colonial buildings and music drifts through the streets and plazas,

bringing the town to life. We have a walking tour with a local resident who

will give us an insider perspective of what it’s like to live in

Trinidad. The tour of the city will also include a visit to the ‘Casa

Templo de Santaria de Yemaya’ where we will find out about the Santeria

Afro-Cuban religion.



We'll stay overnight in charming Casa Particulares, private Bed and Breakfast

accommodation in local Cuban houses. Our dinner this evening will be at a

private paladar where a local collective of musicians will perform

interpretations of classic Cuban trova songs. This is sure to be a lively

evening and a wonderful opportunity to enjoy Cuban music with its distinct

rhythms.

This morning we transfer to Playa Ancon making a short stop to visit the

picturesque fishing village of La Boca. This is a popular spot with local

fishermen, who we will meet and get a chance to speak to about the fishing

industry in Cuba. Then we will carry on to Playa Ancon and enjoy some time

on the beach. It is a great place to swim or you can simply just dip your

toes and relax. Afterwards we have an authentic Cuban lunch prepared for us.

Back in Trinidad we join the Santander family and enjoy a pottery-making

class. Here we will learn the skills that have been passed down by several

generations of this Cuban family before making our very own pottery with the

guidance of a family member.



Also this afternoon we meet a Cuban barman who is an expert at making the

perfect mojito! They will give a mojito making lesson and everyone in the

group will have a go at mixing their own in the authentic Cuban

way. Afterwards we’ll take part in a salsa class with Cuban dance

partners. There will be one dance partner for each member of the group, to

assist with teaching the correct salsa moves. Trinidad is known for its

nightlife, so after we’ve learnt the basics of salsa we’ll go to the

town’s ‘Casa de la Trova’ live music venue to listen to local musicians

playing authentic Cuban music. This venue is always lively and sociable, with

plenty of local Cuban’s keen to let us practice our dancing with them! 

After breakfast we will visit a traditional embroidery project in Trinidad

which showcases traditional embroidery project in Trinidad.



As we have a long transfer today, we will bring packed lunches with us from

the hotel. Leaving Trinidad we head to Manaca Iznaga, where we learn about

the sugar growing history surrounding the Valle de los Ingenios, a hugely

important industry for Cuba during the 18th and 19th centuries.



We will also visit an idyllic country farmhouse run by a charming couple, a

botanist and farmer. On the property they grow medicinal plants, fruit, and

have a small coffee plantation. As well as being welcomed into their house

for a ‘cafecito’ we’ll have a short walk around the property with the

owners, learning about small-scale agriculture techniques and industry in

rural Cuba.



Our next stop is Santa Clara, the site of the last battle of the Cuban

Revolution in December 1958, just before Fidel Castro took Havana. Che

Guevara and his troops ambushed an armoured train carrying arms to Santiago

de Cuba and this was a major turning point in the Revolution. We visit the

Mausoleum of Che Guevara and his comrades who died in Bolivia before driving

back to Havana for dinner at a private paladar.



Today's travel time is approx. 5 hours

This morning we set off for a walking tour of old and new Havana, Cuba's

capital and the largest city in the Caribbean. Havana is a busy, bustling,

energetic capital. The area of Old Havana is often described as a living

museum, with its marvellous monuments, cathedrals and palaces. This is the

finest surviving Spanish colonial complex in the Americas. Preserved by a

combination of minimal war damage, post-revolution restoration work and the

millions of dollars invested since it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage

site in 1982. During our tour we visit a ration store, food market and

artisan market.



There is no better way to see Havana than by classic car, and so in

the early evening we continue our tour of the capital in style, travelling

in immaculately looked after classic cars in vibrant colours. Visiting both

the old and new areas of the city, we discover the distinct neighbourhoods of

the capital, stopping at points of interest for explanations and stories.

Feel free to ask questions about why the streets of Cuba are filled with

classic American cars manufactured in the 1950’s and how on earth the

owners manage to maintain them!

This morning is free to relax or do some last minute sightseeing in Havana's

old town before those on group flights transfer to the airport in the

afternoon.

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