Day 1.
Arrival/Accommodation: Havana Arrival to Cuba in the afternoon. Meet & Greet at the airport, meeting the local tour guide and transfer to the hotel. Check in. Evening at leisure. Meal plan: Dinner is optional, price excluded.
Day 2.
Accommodation: Havana Havana – Museum of Rum – Hemingway After breakfast we start a full day sightseeing tour of Havana, one of the most beautiful cities of Latin America. Havana captivates everybody, this real Caribbean metropolis has a unique atmosphere, where a time travel tempt us, where the Colonial era, the mark of the ‘50s US mob’s mark and the retro, socialist present is simultaneously existing. We start a panoramic city tour of modern Havana, we cross Havana’s famous seaside promenade, the Malecon which is a favourite meeting place for locals, we can admire the mansions of the Paseo, then stop at the Revolution Square where the Jose Marti Memorial is located. On the way back to we drive next to the world-famous Colon cemetery that is one of the world’s richest graveyards with more than 500 statues, and arrive to the old town. We visit the Havana Club Rum Museum where we get acquainted with the making of the world famous Cuban rum, the growing and processing steps of sugar cane to follow through the process until it has matured, barrel filling, bottling, and we close the visit with a tasting. We can purchase the original Havana Club memorabilia, as well as can taste the typical Cuban drink called Guarapo made from fresh sugar cane and the excellent Cuban cocktail, Guarabana. After it we start to explore the old town on foot with its rich cultural and historical attractions, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. Visit the Plaza de Armas, the “Arms’ Square”, the Governor’s palace, while we can hunt local antiques at the authentic antique market, walk through the Plaza San Francisco where we look at the old Stock Exchange Palace and St. Francis of Assis Church and the Cathedral Square. Then we visit La Plaza Vieja, the “Old Square”. Our optional lunch will be served in a typical local restaurant. After lunch we join in Hemingway’s footsteps: we visit the famous Hotel Ambos Mundos where the “For Whom the Bell Tolls” was born. We visit the hotel room and the thematic exhibition. Then stop at Hemingway’s favourite places, La Bodeguita del Medio and La Floridita bars, where the world famous “Mojito” and “Daiquiri” cocktails began their journey of conquest. Then visit the outdoor exhibition of the Revolutionary Museum, where the famous ship Granma is exhibited, we can see the boat, which Fidel and the other revolutionaries landed to launch the revolution. In the afternoon return to the hotel. Evening at leisure. Meal plan: breakfast at the hotel, optional lunch and dinner Tropicana Show is optional, price not included.
Day 3.
Accommodation: Havana
Havana – Viñales Valley – Havana After breakfast we start a full day excursion to the western part of the country, the province of Pinar del Rio, 170 km from Havana, the picturesque Viñales Valley, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. Pinar del Rio province is also called the country’s “green” part. Our way leads along the lush tobacco plantations. This excellent climate is the secret to the excellent Cuban tobacco, the raw material of the famous Cuban cigars. Today we will learn about the making of cigars, the tobacco production and processing through to wrapping cigars. We turn into the house of an authentic Cuban tobacco producer family, who lead us through the plantation, a tobacco drying barn and we can look at the process of tobacco step by step. We learn how we can recognize high-quality tobacco leafs; learn the art of wrapping cigars as one of the famous Cuban cigars is made before our eyes. Next stop on our way is the exquisite Valley of Viñales, stopping at a lookout point where we can enjoy the breathtaking panorama with the remote scenery of “Mogotes” and mountains make this place deservedly a World Heritage site. Then optional lunch at a local family owned restaurant. After lunch we start hiking the Indian cave, and river boating inside the cave. Closing the program we visit the famous wall painting, the “Mural de la Prehistoria” that fascinates us with its unique technology of gigantic size. Late afternoon return to Havana. Evening at leisure. Meal plan: breakfast at the hotel, optional lunch and dinner.
Day 4.
Accommodation: Sancti Spiritus Havana – Santa Clara – Sancti Spiritus Breakfast at the hotel and we start our trip to Santa Clara. The City that achieved its significance during the Cuban revolution and located in the middle of the country. The fate of the revolution was decided here in December 1958, when the Che Guevara led division took the armoured train carrying supplies. Visit the famous armoured train, and the Che Guevara Mausoleum where the famous military leader and several companion rest. Optional lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch we continue our trip to Sancti Spiritus, a small colonial town founded 500 year ago in 1514, preserved in almost original state. Cuba’s oldest stone bridge, the bridge Yayabo, is within walking distance of our hotel. Optional visit to the Museum of Guayabera. Discover the small colonial city’s nightlife! Not to be missed opportunity to visit the famous Casa de la Trova, where a real, authentic salsa party takes place and we can dance the night away with locals and can peep how to dance the Cuban salsa from the locals while the local Cuban band plays the Caribbean melodies. Evening at leisure. Meal plan: breakfast at the hotel, optional lunch and dinner.
Day 5.
Accommodation: Cienfuegos Sancti Spiritus – Escambray Mountains – Sugar Mill Valley – Trinidad – Cienfuegos Breakfast at the hotel. Today, a real “Cuban Day” is ahead of us. Departure of Cuba’s second largest mountain, the Escambray Mountain. The mountain is not only famous for its rich flora and fauna, but also has a special role of climate separation as well. While the North side of the hill has lush and humid subtropical vegetation, with coffee-growing countryside, the southern side has a dry climate, and covered with bushes and many other dry zone plants like Agave. Our trip leads to the southern side of the mountain, to a Cuban Finca. At the Cuban farm, the “real Cuba”, the everyday rural life can be observed. You can also ride horses at the farm. Here we will have optional lunch, taste the typical Cuban dishes. After a short Caribbean siesta we continue our trip to the famous Valley of Sugar Mills that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and later the Manaca Iznaga estate. It is possible to climb the seven stories tower that offers a beautiful panorama. Then continue our trip to Trinidad, a small colonial town founded 500 years ago that was once attributed by the abundance of its sugar cane plantations. Here, we discover another face of Cuba. Our journey is made not only on ground but in time, too. Trinidad preserves the unique atmosphere of the colonial era. While walking along the small winding streets we have the feeling as if we would have flown back in time. Sightseeing in the UNESCO World Heritage city; visit the Plaza Mayor, The Tower of Contrabandido, the Cathedral, La Santissima Trinidad Square and the exhibition of the Romantic Museum. The museum is located in the palace of the town’s richest family with balustrade yard, marble floors, and neoclassical decoration; walking among the frescoes of the city’s wealthiest merchant family we can enjoy the assembled exhibition of articles. Later we walk in the old town and stop at the famous Canchanchara bar where you can sample the authentic drink of Trinidad, special cocktail still made from the original recipe of Aguardiente and honey, called Canchanchara. Later we continue our trip to Cienfuegos, also a World Heritage Site city. We arrive to our hotel, check in. Meal plan: breakfast at the hotel, optional lunch and dinner.
Day 6.
Accommodation: Varadero Cienfuegos – Bay of Pigs – Guama – Varadero Breakfast at the hotel. Panoramic sightseeing tour of the famous Malecon, passing by the beautiful seaside villas, stop at the Palacio del Valle, a unique palace with architectural richness. Then we head towards downtown Cienfuegos, where we continue a walking tour of the city of former aristocrats. Cienfuegos, founded by French settlers, has European-style architecture. Walk down the Boulevard of the city via the Prado; visit the Jose Marti Square, the Governor’s palace, the Thomas Terry Theatre famous for the excellent acoustics and the Cathedral. Departure to one of Cuba’s most important nature reserves, the world famous Zapata Peninsula, a bird and animal sanctuary which is located in the Montemar National Park. The first stop is the famous Bay of Pigs where the famous US disembarkation took place. The rich historical past of the Bay of Pigs is still vivid while now the area is famous for its beaches and diving sites. Here you have an optional lunch in a seaside restaurant, while there is opportunity for swimming and snorkelling in the Caribbean Sea. Then continue to Guama, the main attraction of the National Park. Speedboat tour of the natural lagoon, the Laguna de Tresoro, where the unspoiled nature can be observed, migrating and endemic birds and can be seen. Then visit the Aldea Taino, the reconstructed Taino Aboriginal Village where we learn about the customs of the ancient indigenous inhabitants. We arrive back to port by motor boat and visit the country’s largest crocodile breeding farm, where we can observe hundreds of these reptiles in their natural habitat. We visit the crocodile nursery; here the braves may hold the yet harmless infants in their hands. Departure to Varadero, arrival in the late afternoon. End of tour guide services. Meal plan: Breakfast at hotel, optional lunch during the program, all inclusive dinner at the Varadero hotel.
Day 7-8.
Accommodation: Varadero
Free time at Varadero; relax on the beach, use of All inclusive hotel services. The water sports of the hotel are free for your use: Hobie-Cat, Kayak, surf. Daily animation programs and night shows ensure your entertainment in the resort. Option for optional excursions at our representative during the info-meeting Meal plan: All inclusive
Day 9.
Farewell
Free time in the morning. Check out until noon. You can use the hotel facilities until the transfer. For extra cost, you can buy „Late check-out” services on site. In the afternoon transfer to the airport, leaving to home country.
