Highlights of Cuba

We depart for Havana Cuba.

On arrival in Havana, we meet our local guide and transfer to our Havana hotel, our base for the next four or five nights (depending on your flight arrival times).

While we believe, it is a very exciting time to visiting Cuba, it’s continued economic development, and change has put a strain on the local tourist infrastructure, and is not at the same level as we have in Europe. You must take into consideration that certain standards in services levels and transport may not be what we are accustomed too. Water and electricity supplies can be unreliable, service and hospitability levels in restaurants, bars and hotels can vary to what we are used to in Europe.  Your guide may need to make changes to your itinerary at short notice as conditions can change from day to day. It is important to visit Cuba with an open mind, and with realistic expectations of what a visit to Cuba entails and enjoy everything this unique country has to offer. 

Let’s discover Havana! We set off on a half-day guided walking tour of the colonial city centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Built in Baroque and Neoclassical style, Old Havana is truly a fascinating place to explore. During the tour, we will see the Museo Capitanes Generales and the Plaza Vieja. From here we’ll visit the 18th century Cuban Baroque-style Palace of the Generals and the fortress of Castillo de la Real Fuerza. Along the way, we can discover some of Ernest Hemingway’s old haunts and perhaps enjoy a special Daiquiri (not included) in one of his favourite hangouts, the El Floridita bar, which features a life-size bronze statue of the famous writer. 

We have some time at leisure to further immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of Havana’s streets, plazas and avenues and explore them at our own pace, before gathering with the group for dinner in Old Havana. 

Dinner is included tonight, lets get together and enjoy dinner out.

Today there will be a full day excursion to the province of Pinar del Río.  As we travel the "tobacco route" to the western part of the island, we’ll enjoy a panoramic tour through Viñales Valley, also including a stop at the lookout point "Los Jazmines". 

Afterwards, we will walk down to an underground river through the cave "Cueva del Indio" and continue our journey by small motorboat. With its hanging vines and rocky wall surfaces, this extraordinary river region looks like it came straight out of a film. Inside the cave, we can view the ‘Prehistoric Wall,’ complete with a huge mural depicting the history of evolution. 

Also included today is a visit to "Casa del Veguero", a tobacco farm, to see the tobacco fields and drying house. 

Lunch in the afternoon and dinner this evening are included. 

Let’s begin the day with a half-day excursion to places that inspired Ernest Hemingway. We will visit the writer’s home, Finca Vigía, where he wrote For Whom the Bell Tolls in the 1930s. From here we continue to the fishing village of Cojimar, the backdrop for The Old Man and the Sea.  We’ll savour a cocktail (included) at a local bar before visiting the 17th century Morro-Cabana, the largest fortress constructed by the Spanish in the New World. Lunch is included today.

In the afternoon, we feel the wind in our hair and a welcome breeze, during a guided excursion of 1950s Havana in a vintage classic car. Cruising in our car we uncover fascinating sights at Revolution Square, the Malecon and the famous Hotel Nacional, with a stop at this landmark establishment. After our classic car experience, let’s relax and enjoy dinner (included).

Let’s see more, as we explore Havana at our leisure.  Strolling through the colourful streetscapes, we can admire the colonial architecture, take some photos and drink in the unique flavour of this lively and captivating city. 

After breakfast we check out from our hotel in Havana, and depart by coach for our next destination Varadero.

En route to Varadero, we make a brief stop and uncover some of the highlights of Matanzas, where we take a short stroll through its scenic streets adorned with monuments and historic landmarks. Next, we visit a traditional Cuban family farm nestled amidst lush greenery. Surrounded by a picturesque landscape with an array of trees including fruit and bamboo varieties, this farm is not just a place of agricultural innovation but also a conception for art and culture. Immerse yourself in the charm of this socio-cultural project, where farming meets creativity through their workshop, school, gallery, and locally crafted ceramics made by the very artists who cultivate the land.

Sit back and relax and soak up the country side while we enjoy a typical Cuban lunch and products from the farm.

After our busy venture we make our way to our final destination, Varadero.

We have arrived in Varadero! Time to soak up the relaxing atmosphere.

This will be our base for the next four nights, with a hotel stay on a simple all-inclusive basis (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and locally produced drinks included each day). All inclusive in Cuba is of a simple standard compared to Europe and other South and Central American countries. 

Today is a free day, to relax at our hotel and get to know our splendid beachside surroundings.   A local representative will offer an information briefing at the hotel, to inform us about the activities on offer in and around Varadero. 

 Let’s uncover more of Varadero’s surroundings as we set off on a boat trip, sailing upstream for an hour and enjoying the pristine nature of Cuba. As we float along, we will see lush green shores, crystal waters, mangroves, flora and fauna and different species of birds, like the Cuban Spoonbill and parrot which are native to these areas. 

After the cruise there will be a typical Cuban lunch (included), with free time to relax, perhaps take a swim or further explore. 

Later in the afternoon, we’ll transfer back to the hotel to spend our evening at leisure. 

Let’s savour more special moments on this day of leisure, as we embrace Varadero’s white sands, blue waters and warm weather.  If seeking more active pursuits, we can embark on a further sightseeing adventure of our choice, or take in some local shopping.  

This morning we bid farewell to Varadero and travel by coach along the panoramic coastal road back to Havana (180km).

Arrive in the very late afternoon and enjoy the last night in Havana, to soak up the Cuban atmosphere.

We say farewell to Havana, Cuba and depart for our return flights home after our journey of discovering the highlights of Cuba.