Destination Country: Cuba
Regions/Cities include: Havana Soroa Vinales Bay of Pigs Cienfuegos Trinidad Santa Clara Havana	Activities include: Sightseeing & discovery in a small group of solo travellers

Cuba

Vintage cars, fragrant cigars, sultry salsas, tasty mojitos, history, scenery, people - it's all rolled up in to the one truely amazing seductive destination.  

2020 Departuress: 10 Feb, 13 Apr, 13 Jul, 23 Nov

 

Day 1:  Havana

Bienvenido a Cuba! Welcome to Cuba! A complimentary arrival transfer is included with your trip. There will be a welcome meeting at approximately 6pm this evening.    Day 2: Soroa / Vinales

Enjoy a walking tour of Old Havana, a perfect first taste of the city. Your local guide will show you the cathedral, Plaza de Armas, San Francisco de Asis, Plaza Vieja and Central Park. Later you'll make the drive to Soroa, a lush enclave nestled in a beautiful valley. You'll stop in for lunch and tour the orchid garden there. Continue to lovely Vinales, where tobacco and agricultural fields lie side by side and limestone outcrops dot the landscape. The scenery here is some of the most picturesque in Cuba. There are many ways to take it all in, including cycling, walking through tobacco fields and hiking to mountain caves (all optional activities).

 

Day 3: Vinales

A walking tour of the farmlands and crops is included today. Learn more about the simple lifestyle here and see first hand the farmers who grow tabacco for some of the most expensive cigars. Vinales is a small and charming rural village. It's probably the easiest place to mingle with locals in Cuba, who are very sociable. Many of them love nothing better than to drink rum and dance the night away. Later head to an ecological farm for an included dinner. 

 

Day 4: Bay of Pigs / Cienfuegos

Head towards Cienfuegos today, it is a long travel day. You will be stopping via the Bay of Pigs not only to enjoy the stunning surrounding but to learn more about the botched US Military counter-revolutionary invasion, and you could even opt for a swim in the crystal clear water. Then the short drive to your destination for the night, Cienfuegos. This is the gem of the south, a seaside town of relaxing streets and dazzling buildings that strike a beautiful pose by the water. You will enjoy a photo stop at Palacio del Valle, which is Cienfuegos' architectural pride and joy. Learn more about its history as you take in the beauty of its intricate carvings of Venetian alabaster. If you haven't done so already, perhaps try some Cuban coffee while you're here – it's served black, strong and super sweet.

 

Day 5: Trinidad

Today you will board the bus for a short drive to Trinidad. There's no doubt it's one of Cuba's alluring destinations, a great place to wander around, with almost every scene offering a photo opportunity. Watch as locals casually smoke their huge cigars on the doorsteps of their homes, and hear the old Chevrolets rumbling by. Kick things off by strolling along the cobbled streets and marvelling at some of the colourful colonial architecture on display (this town was put on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1988 for good reason). An informal salsa lesson is included so you are confident to be involved in the nightlife scene.

 

Day 6: Trinidad

Enjoy a day of free time. There are some great Spanish-style churches to see, and nearby is the Valle de los Ingenios, where sugar plantations stretch out as far as the eye can see. For some seaside fun, head down to Playa Ancon and stroll its long stretches of white sand. You can go for a snorkel too. Just be careful when you're in the water, as sea urchins can be a problem here. Back on the land, you can go cycling or hiking. If you rent a bicycle, be careful on the cobblestones, and remember your bike will be of the vintage variety. The trekking is great in the Sierra del Escambray, the local mountains. A folklore dance and music show in one of the open-air venues is highly recommended – a great chance to immerse yourself in Cuba's African, French and Spanish-influenced music and dance culture.

 

Day 7: Santa Clara / Havana

On your way back to Havana, you'll stop in at Santa Clara to visit the Che Guevara mausoleum and memorial. In the museum you can get a rare insight into the legacy of the revolutionary leader, with some interesting ephemera and artefacts on display – letters, firearms, even medical devices. Upon arrival in Havana, stop by Revolution square then prepare for a final night of celebrations. 

 

Day 8: Havana

Your trip comes to an end this morning after breakfast. Recommended you stay a day or 2 later as there is so much to do in Havana!

 

Price:

from NZ$2195 per person twin share (if you choose twin share option we will do our utmost to find you a room mate of same gender)

$570 single supplement

 

Includes:

Meals

7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Private vehicle

Accommodation

Premium Guesthouse (6 nights), 1 night in a Standard Guesthouse

Included activities

• Havana - Leader-led Walking Tour of Old Havana
• Soroa - Orchid Garden (Entrance fee and Guide included)
• Leader-led Informal Spanish Lesson
• Vinales - Leader-led Orientation Walk
• Vinales - Half-day Valley Walking Tour including Tobacco Farmhouse (Guide included)
• Vinales - Salsa Dance Lesson (1 hour)
• Vinales - Farm to Table Dinner at an Eco-friendly Ranch
• Bay of Pigs - Visit & swim
• Cienfuegos - Leader-led Orientation Walk
• Cienfuegos - Palacio de Valle (Entrance fee)
• Trinidad - Leader-led Orientation Walk
• Santa Clara - Che Guevara Mausoleum and Museum
• Havana - Revolution Square

Excludes:

International airfares

Insurance

Visa

 

IN