Arrival in Havana, the capital of ancient charm and the economic/cultural centre of Cuba. Transfer to accommodation. Departure for a walking tour of the historic centre (declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982) which, with its 5 square kilometers, is the largest colonial centre in Latin America, visiting : Plaza de Armas, exterior visit of the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales (the highest expression of the Cuban Baroque style), which is the former official residence of the governors of Havana, Plaza de la Catedral, La Bodeguita del Medio which is a bar/restaurant where the famous “Mojito” cocktail was born, the Ron Havana Club Museum to learn about the Havana Club rum making process.
Lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, panoramic minibus tour of the Museo de la Revolución, Parque Central, Gran Teatro de La Habana, Capitolio Nacional de Cuba, Malecon (waterfront), University Hill, Plaza de la Revolucion. Return to hotel. In the late afternoon, panoramic ride around Havana in a vintage car. Dinner in a local restaurant.
Overnight stay in Havana
Day 2 – 20 March: Havana / Viñales
Breakfast and departure to Valle de Viñales, the westernmost province of Cuba where the best tobacco in the world is grown. During the trip you will be able to admire valleys of royal palms (National Tree of Cuba). Stop at the Mirador de Los Jazmines, a viewing point to admire the valley. Visit to the Casa del Veguero (tobacco plantation), to learn how local tobacco production takes place.
Panoramic view through the Valle de Viñales and entrance to the astonishing Mural de la Prehistoria, located above the natural wall of Mogote Pita, in the Sierra de los Organos; it was created from a drawing by the artist Leovigildo Gonzalez Morillo with the intention of representing the evolutionary process of life from his point of view. The mural has a length of 120m and is the largest open – air painting in the world.
Visit the Cueva del Indio (Indian Cave), considered one of the wonders of UNESCO, is a cave formed by solid limestone formations, with galleries named after famous people. It can be visited partly on foot and partly by going up the underground river by boat. Lunch at a local restaurant.
Dinner & overnight stay in Viñales
Day 3 – 21 March: Viñales / Cienfuegos
After breakfast, departure for the Bay of Pigs; located in a bay dominated by the Castillo de Jagua (1742), it is one of the most important cities in Cuba, especially for trade. Its beauty is extraordinary and attracts thousands of tourists every year. This is also why Cubans call it the “Pearl of the South”.
The Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Purisima Concepcion, built in the mid-19th century, has a neoclassical façade and two tall towers, three arched entrances and tall windows with images of the apostles. Panoramic visit of the Tomas Terry Theatre, a beautiful colonial-style building, built at the end of the nineteenth century, where Enrico Caruso and Sarah Bernhardt performed.
A panoramic visit to the Palacio del Ayuntamiento which, in 1842 already served as presidential housing, town hall and prison, is now not accessible to the interior, but its exterior is certainly worth contemplating.
Visit to the Arco de Triunfo and the the José Martí Park with its glory, home to the Retreta de Cienfuegos. Lunch in the restaurant of the Palacio de Valle, a majestic Moorish-style building built in 1917 characterized by its Moroccan qasbah shape abundantly decorated, with colourful tiles and turrets. After lunch, check – in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight stay in Cienfuegos
Day 4 – 22 March: Cienfuegos / Trinidad
After breakfast, start a city tour of Trinidad, one of the first cities founded by the Spanish in the sixteenth century and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Visit to the Iglesia Parroquial de la Santísima Trinidad, one of the largest temples in the country and characterized by its three-bell tower. Visit to the Romantic Museum (formerly Palacio Brunet) containing a rich exhibition of furniture from the nineteenth century. Walk through the historic centre and visit the handicraft market along the narrow streets of the town.
Stop at the Bar “La Canchanchara” for tasting the typical cocktail of the area considered the oldest in Cuba, made with rum, lime, honey, water and ice and served in an earthenware cup. Lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, depart for a visit to the Manaca Iznaga Tower, 45 meters high, located in an old sugar mill of the eighteenth century, 15 kms from Trinidad, in the Valle de Los Ingenios; arriving at the highest point of the tower (about 42 meters high), you can see the entire plantation, the house and the sheds of the slaves.
Return to Trinidad. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 5 – 23 March: Trinidad / Topes De Collantes / Trinidad
Breakfast at the hotel.
Excursion to the Topes de Collantes Natural Park, in the Sierra del Escambray, an ideal place for ecotourism lovers. Trek along the “El Reino de las Aguas” trail in the “El Nicho” Park. Free time for a refreshing swim in its natural pools.
Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, return to Trinidad. Dinner at hotel and free evening to visit the city’s music venues (among our proposals: Palenque de Los Congos Reales).
Day 6 – 24 March: Trinidad / Santa Clara / Havana
After breakfast, depart for Santa Clara, known as the “Liberal City” for the struggles for independence and the Cuban Revolution that gave it to the historical and cultural importance necessary to understand Cuba.
Arrival and visit the imposing Mausoleum dedicated to Ernesto Che Guevara, where the members of his commando and Che Guevara himself are buried.
Visit the Tren Blindado Museum, where you can see the authentic train taken by the rebels during the Cuban Revolution in December 1958.
Lunch at a local restaurant ”Los Caneyes” or similar. After lunch continuation of the journey to Havana. Arrival at the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 7 – 25 March: Mexico City
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Havana airport for flight to Mexico City.
Arrival at Mexico City airport. Transfer to the hotel in central Mexico City. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight Mexico City.
