Day 1: Arrival in Havana
Meet & greet at the airport by your English speaking guide and transfer to your hotel in Havana.
Day 2: Colonial Havana
In the morning pick-up by your English speaking guide. During a walking tour
through Old Havana discover the most important squares and sites: Plaza de Armas, Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, El Templete, Castillo del la
Real Fuerza, Cathedral Square, Plaza San Francisco de Asis and Plaza Vieja. Enjoy a Cocktail in Hemingways „Bodeguita“.
In the afternoon American 1950s classic cars are waiting for a tour along the
Malecon and the splendid 5ta Avenida to the diplomatic and residential quarter of Miramar with its beautiful mansions and embassies. Enjoy an aperitif in the garden of the legendary Hotel Nacional overlooking the sea and the Malecon, with anecdotes about the Mafia and other “celebrities” of the 1950.
At 4pm pick up of your rental car.
We are happy to assist you with booking a CUBYKE e-bike excursion. In the evening possibility (optional, not inclusive) to visit one of the famous shows,
such as the “classic” Tropicana Cabaret or the show of “Havana Queens”, young and modern – a symbol of the “New Cuba”.
Day 4: Havana – Vinales – Havana
In the morning following the “Ruta de Tabaco“ along the “autopista” (Cuban
highway) to the province of Pinar del Rio. On the way visit a “veguero” (tobacco farmer), who will introduce you to the world of tobacco growing, followed by a panoramic tour through the Mogote-Valley with its impressing limestone rocks an, the “Mogotes” and the village of Viñales, surrounded by nature. After a visit of the prehistoric wall, a huge painting on a big
rock from the 1960s, enjoy breath-taking views over the Mogote-Valley during an “anti-stress“ cocktail at Finca Agro-Ecologica. In the late afternoon back to Havana.
Day 5: Havana – Bay of Pigs – Cienfuegos
In the morning start for a longer trip to Central Cuba, following the „autopista” the Cuban central highway, sometimes nearly empty without traffic and where you still can encounter strange “vehicles” such as horse drawn carriages, bicycles or even sleeping cows. After a coffee break at the farm „Fiesta Campesina“ with its mini-zoo continue along the historic “Bay of Pigs” (failed invasion of the Exile Cubans 1961) via Playa Larga and Playa Girón to Cienfuegos. Time for a refreshing swim at Caleta Buena.
In the evening aperitif at the mudejar-style Palacio del Valle on the Peninsula Punta Gorda.
Accommodation with breakfast: Colonial hotel MELIA San Carlo (4*) or Hotel La Union managed by MELIA (4*) both just a few steps from the main square, Standard room.
Day 6: Cienfuegos – El Nicho – Trinidad
The day starts with a stroll around the main square of Cienfuegos with its French colonial architecture and the nostalgic Terry Theatre, where Caruso once sang. Further on through the foothills of the Sierra Escambray for a hiking tour to the waterfalls of El Nicho.
In the afternoon to Trinidad, UNESCO world heritage with its unique colonial architecture. Walking tour through the historic centre and its cobblestone lanes to the Plaza Mayor, surrounded by the mansions of the sugar barons and the mighty tower of the church “Santissima Trinidad”.
In the evening on a stroll through the romantic nightlife of Trinidad you can dance with locals to live-music, Salsa and Son, e.g. at the stairs and terraces near the main square or at the local Casa de la Trova.
Day 7: Trinidad and the Sugarmill Valley
In the morning enjoy a tour with a local nostalgic steam or diesel train (depending if it is ready to operate) from the idyllic train station in Trinidad through a typical green Cuban landscape to the Sugarmill Valley. Visit of the Hacienda de Iznaga with breathtaking panoramic views from the top of
legendary slave tower. Later back to Trinidad.
Afternoon at leisure for a visit at one of several museums (e.g. the Museo Romantico at Palacio Brunet or the town museum at Palacio Cantero). Or relax at the sand beaches of Playa Ancon at the Caribbean Sea.
Day 8: Trinidad – Topes De Collantes – Santa Clara – Sagua La Grande
Today continue on a scenic road into the Sierra Escambray passing coffee plantations and a look-out point with panoramic views until reaching Topes de Collantes, known for its healthy micro climate. After a coffee break at the Casa del Café further on through the mountains to the historic city of Santa Clara, where Che Guevara celebrated his greatest victory and found his last rest. Visit of the Revolution Square with the Che Guevara Monument. Further on to the north side of the island to Sagua La Grande, a hidden gem, still nearly untouched by tourism and birth place of the famous Cuban painter Wilfredo
Lam.
Discover the town during a walking tour, with its antique iron bridge over the river and lots of neoclassic buildings of the 19th century, such as the former Spanish casino or the Bank of Canada, reminiscences of the charm and splendour of bygone times. In the late afternoon you will reach the colonial city of Remedios, known countrywide for its “Parrandas”. In the evening stroll around the idyllic main square with the church “Parroquia San Juan de Bautista” (mahogany altar of the 16th century).
Day 9: Remedios – Caibarien – Yaguahay – Cayo Guillermo
In the morning a short trip to Caibarien at the north coast and visit of the local sugar and steam train museum before you continue along the by tourists only rarely frequented northern route. Stop at Yaguahay with the memorial of Camilo Cienfuegos, friend and comrade of Che Guevara and one of the most important Comandantes of the Cuban Revolution. On a 37 km causeway
crossing the sea you will reach the offshore islands of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo in the early afternoon – a beach and nature paradise.
Time for relaxing.
Day 10: Cayo Guillermo – Camaguey
In the morning back to the mainland and along the “Carretera Central” to Camaguey, UNESCO world heritage and until the 1950s centre of the Cuban cattle-breeding industry and until today an important railway junction, also known as the city of the “Tinajones” (big clay jugs). After a stroll over Plaza
San Juan del Dios and Plaza Agramonte with the birth place of the Cuban national hero immerse into the labyrinth of lanes and small squares on a tour with the local Bici-Taxis, which in earlier times also served as a protection against pirates.
Day 11: Camaguey – Bayamo – Santiago
In the morning continue to East Cuba including a break at Bayamo, city of horse carriages and birth place of the national hero Manuel Cespedes, who in the 19th century proclaimed independence from the Spanish crown. It is also the place where the Cuban national anthem (“La Bayamesa”) was composed. Further on to Santiago, capital of the „Oriente“, city of the revolution and cradle of the Cuban “Son”. Visit of the cemetery Santa Ifigenia including the tombs of the Bacardi Dynasty, the poet and national hero Jose Marti and of
several Cuban presidents, among them also the late Comandante Fidel Castro.
Accommodation with breakfast: Hotel MELIA Santiago (4*), the leading hotel of Santiago in a high building similar to a sugar central and with panoramic views over the city and to the mountains of Sierra Maestra, Classic Room.
Day 12: Santiago – Biran – Banes – Guardalavaca
The day begins with a walking tour around the main square Parque Cespedes including the historic town hall, and Casa Velazquez, seat of the former Spanish Governeur and oldest house in town. Stroll through Calle Heredia to Plaza Dolores followed before you drive to the fortress El Morro, UNESCO
world heritage overlooking Santiago Bay and the coast. Back through the residential quarter of Vista Alegre with the mansion of the Bacardi Family.
Finally after a stop at the Revolution Square you will reach the “autopista” to Holguin. In the afternoon visit of the Finca Manacas in Biran, birth place of Fidel Castros where you will have some interesting insights into his childhood, youth, his parental home and the socio-economic conditions before the
revolution. Later via Banes or the capital of the province Holguin to the beach hotel in Guardalavaca.
Day 13: Guardalavaca
Time for Sun & Beach. Accommodation with All Inclusive: see day before
Day 14: Guardalavaca – Holguin – Departure
