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“ before having lunch at one of the favoured private restaurants, e.g. paladar “La Moneda Cubana“. 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.
Day 3: Havana – Vinales – Havana
In the morning following the “Ruta del Tobaco“ to the province Piñar del Rio.
Upon arrival in Viñales panoramic tour through the Mogote Valley with its famous limestone rocks and to the village of Viñales, surrounded by beautiful nature. Visit of the prehistoric wall – a huge artwork from the 1960s painted on a big rock. Lunch “criollo“ e.g. at the paladar of “Alberto Vitamina“. Enjoy an “antistress“-cocktail at “Finca AgroEcologica” while enjoying the wonderful views over the valley. In the late afternoon back to Havana.
Day 4: Havana – Cienfuegos – Trinidad
Early 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 sleeping cows.
First stop in Cienfuegos with its French colonial architecture around the main square Parque Marti with the nostalgic Terry Theatre, where once Caruso sang. After a visit to the Peninsula Punta Gorda with its mudejar-style Palacio del Valle and the white YachtClub you will follow the panoramic coast road to Trinidad – UNESCO world heritage with unique colonial architecture. Dinner e.g. at paladar „1514“, like a museum with its unique decor of crystal glasses and precious porcelain. by a walking tour through the romantic nightlife of Trinidad, dancing to live music, salsa and son, e.g. at the stairs of Casa de la
Musica or in the famous Casa de la Trova.
Day 5: Trinidad
In the morning hiking tour at “Parque El Cubano” in the foothills of the Sierra
Escambray. After crossing a rope bridge and visiting the house of a local “campesino” (farmer) you will reach a waterfall, where you can take a refreshing bath in a natural swimming pool.
After lunch continue to the Sugarmill Valley with the hacienda of the sugar barons Iznaga, where you can enjoy breath-taking views from the legendary slave tower. In the late afternoon time for Trinidad with its cobble stone lanes and the beautiful main square overtopped by the tower of the church Santissima Trinidad and the mansions of the former sugar barons. In the late afternoon visit of a museum, e.g. the Romantic Museum at Palacio Brunet or the City Museum at Palacio Cantero. Evening at leisure.
Day 6: Trinidad – Santa Clara – Cayo Santa
In the morning start your journey to the historic city of Santa Clara, where Che Guevara celebrated his greatest victory and found his last resting place. Visit of the Revolution Square with the Che Guevara Monument and a local tobacco factory. During the visit of a tobacco factory you will watch the skillful hands of the “torcedores“ (cigar rollers) producing the best cigars of the world. Afterwards short lunch stop at the Museo Café
Revolucion – half museum, half coffee shop. Lunch snack midst old black and white photographs and other memorabilia – a homage to Cuba’s revolutionary past. Later on to Caibarien at the north coast. Via a 47 km causeway crossing the sea you will reach the off shore islands and Cayo Santa Maria.
Day 7: Cayo Santa Maria – Remedios – Havana Departure
In the morning journey back via Varadero to Havana or extension (not included) in Cayo Santa Maria. After a short stop in the colonial town of Remedios with its idyllic main square further on via Cardenas to Varadero for clients who want to extend at one of the beach resorts (not included). Finally to the airport of Havana and check-in for the flight back to Europe (or extension in the capital Havana, not included).
