Classical Cuba

Welcome to Cuba! Our adventure will begin with a welcome meeting at 6:00 PM in Havana. If your flight arrives before this time, we will have some time to explore the city on our own, we could take a walk in Havana to discover its colorful mix of '50s American colonial architecture. Those who wish can participate in optional activities such as, Havana - Leonardo da Vinci's Camera Obscura or the National Museum of Fine Arts.

We will spend the morning enjoying a short tour of Old Havana with our local guide. Founded in 1519 by the Spanish and declared a World Heritage Site in 1982, this well-preserved area within the capital of Cuba has remained virtually unchanged, making it one of the most impressive historic cities in the Caribbean. We will walk through Havana's oldest square, Plaza de Armas, delve among the architecturally eclectic buildings flanking the 16th-century Plaza Vieja, admire the basilica of San Francisco de Asis, and visit the Cathedral with its elaborate baroque facade. Afterwards, we will head to Soroa, a lush enclave nestled in a picturesque valley and rightly known as "Cuba's rainbow". We will stop for lunch and visit a beautiful orchid garden where we will learn the medicinal secrets behind Cuban wild herbs, before continuing our journey to Vinales. Located in the province of Pinar del Rio, Vinales is a landscape of agricultural and tobacco fields dotted with limestone outcrops. The scenery here is among the most picturesque in Cuba, and there are many ways to take it all in; we will ask our leader for information on optional activities available including cycling, walking through the tobacco fields, and mountain excursions to explore the vast cave system of Gran Caverna de Santo Tomas or a visit to Soroa's Orchid Garden.

This morning, we will enjoy a walking tour through farms, tobacco plantations, and lush cultivated lands for a glimpse of rural life in Vinales. We will learn more about the simple lifestyle here and observe firsthand the farmers growing tobacco for some of the world's most expensive cigars. For dinner tonight, we will savor a true farm-to-table experience with a meal included at an organic eco-farm. We will indulge in a variety of fresh produce, from numerous vegetables and salads to meats, seafood, and sauces, all while admiring the expansive views of the verdant valley. Afterwards, why not go to a characteristic bar and meet some of the residents of Vinales? This small and charming rural village is one of the easiest places to socialize with the locals in Cuba, who are very sociable and many of them love nothing better than to drink rum and dance all night!

We will start the day by traveling to a peaceful sandy arch on the southern coast of Cuba, commonly known as Bay of Pigs. We will uncover the Bay of Pigs invasion, the battle between the United States and Cuban revolutionaries that led to the first defeat of a U.S.-backed acquisition in Latin America. Then, we will stop for a dip in its calm waters, with an exceptional variety of corals and fish: it might be Cuba's best-kept secret. We will then continue along the picturesque coast to Cienfuegos, a slice of Paris in the Caribbean. This is the jewel of the south, a seaside city with relaxing streets and dazzling buildings that strike a beautiful pose on the water. Founded in 1819 by French immigrant pioneers, the elegant architectural influence these settlers brought with them earned the city a UNESCO World Heritage site. We will enjoy a photo stop at the Palacio del Valle, which is the architectural pride and joy of Cienfuegos. We will learn more about its history as we admire the beauty of its intricate Venetian alabaster carvings and, if we feel like it, why not go up to the roof for a sunset drink.

Perhaps we'll start the day with some Cuban coffee (served black, strong, and super sweet), then we'll say goodbye to Cienfuegos and get on the bus for a short trip to Trinidad, a beautifully preserved colonial town located on the picturesque Caribbean coast. There's no doubt that it's one of the most charming destinations in Cuba, a great place to stroll around, with almost every scene offering a photographic opportunity. We'll watch how the locals nonchalantly smoke their huge cigars on the thresholds of their homes and listen to the rumble of old Chevrolets. We'll start by walking along the cobblestone streets and admiring some of the colorful colonial architecture on display (a city included in the UNESCO World Heritage List), then we'll feel the Cuban rhythms during an informal salsa lesson - a great way to boost our confidence in preparation for Trinidad's nightlife! Those who wish can participate in optional activities such as visiting the Romantic Museum in Trinidad or the National Museum of the Fight Against Bandits.

The old-fashioned atmosphere and the friendly people of Trinidad make it an exceptional destination for many visitors to Cuba, and the practice of Santeria (an Afro-Cuban tradition similar to voodoo) here will make the city even more intriguing. We will enjoy a free day to visit Trinidad at our own pace. There are some great Spanish-style churches to see, and nearby is the Valle de los Ingenios, where sugar plantations stretch as far as the eye can see. We might take a dip at the nearby Playa Ancon and relax on the long stretches of white sand or rent a vintage bike and pedal through the colorful streets of Trinidad. If we're feeling energetic, we could hike in the Sierra del Escambray (the local mountains), simply asking our leader to help us decide! This evening, a folkloric show of dance and music at one of the open-air venues is highly recommended: a great opportunity to immerse ourselves in the culture of Cuban music and dance with African, French, and Spanish influences. Those who wish can add services/activities such as, entrance to venues with live music or the Trinidad-Ancon beach shuttle bus or even a massage.

On the way back to Havana, we will stop at Santa Clara to visit the mausoleum and memorial of Che Guevara, where we can gain a rare insight into the legacy of the revolutionary leader. Che's remains were brought here after being found in a remote corner of Bolivia in 1997, where he was assassinated by the Bolivian army with CIA support. The memorial features an imposing bronze statue of Che wielding his rifle, and inside the museum, we can learn about his extraordinary life and see photos and artifacts such as letters, firearms, medical devices, and other interesting items, including his famous black beret. Upon arrival in Havana, we will stop at the Revolution Square and get ready for one last night of celebrations where we can toast to an incredible adventure in beautiful Cuba! Those who wish can participate in optional activities such as the entrance ticket to the Jose Marti memorial tower or attend the show at the Buena Vista Social Club.

Our journey ends this morning after breakfast, check-out is at 10:00 AM. If we wish to stay in this colorful capital, we can extend our tour by participating in one of the following optional activities, such as the cigar factory tour, the half-day Ernest Hemingway Tour, or the visit to the Morro Castle.