Overview

On this holiday you can spend time enjoying the very best of Cuba, with some interesting and unique activities, great dining experiences at hand picked privately run restaurants, the chance to listen to some live Cuban music and maybe even have a  dance or two !

The combination of exploring Havana, experiencing rural life in Cuba amidst the most beautiful scenery at Vinales Valley and visiting the  contrasting colonial cities in the central region is one of the most popular journeys in Cuba. We can tailor your holiday to suit your interests and it can be extended with the chance to relax and explore a little independently. If you like walking or cycling we can incorporate this into the holiday with some early morning exercise , or maybe go jogging with one of our guides on a popular route for the locals. History buffs can enjoy more dedicated time in Cuba’s museums and we can discuss your individual requirements with you.

All our holidays can be fully guided throughout, or you can travel a little more independently and book a local guide for each visit or activity that you choose to enjoy. You can then use our private transfer service to move between each destination and add in free days for your own pursuits.

Spend the first three nights in Cuba’s capital city Havana, with the chance for an afternoon cruising the streets of Havana in a chauffeur driven old American car. Visit a real working cigar factory and  immerse yourself in historic Old Havana, learn how to make those famous Rum cocktails and get dressed up for a night at the Tropicana!

After a hectic few days in Havana, head to the peace and quiet of Vinales Valley and relax ! Be guided gently  through the spectacular scenery of this UNESCO preserved heritage  region and enjoy the chance to enjoy some outdoor activities such as walking , cycling , horse riding and even caving !  Or relax with a day on the beach at the unspoilt and idyllic  Cayo Jutias island.

Heading into central Cuba the holiday then focuses on the famous small colonial cities, with an initial overnight stop in Cienfuegos. The next day its an early rise to catch the flamingos and then to head into the mountains for the chance for a swim in the cool waters under one of Cuba’s largest waterfalls. Enjoy a couple of nights in Trinidad, regarded by many as a living museum. Continue to  Santa Clara, the revolutionary city and Che Guevara’ final resting place and then head to Havana and home.

Alternatively enjoy a few days of relaxation in the Caribbean sun with the beaches at Trinidad, Cayo Santa Maria,  Jibacoa or  Varadero all working well with the holiday itinerary.

Itinerary

Your long awaited holiday to Cuba starts at the airport as you embark on the flight to Havana. Upon arrival and after a warm welcome from our driver, a private transfer will take you to your accommodation in Old Havana There may be the chance to take a stroll and sample for the first time, Havana’s amazing street life before retiring to bed.
The first full day in Havana and you could meet up with one of our local Havana guides, ready for a fascinating and leisurely walk through Old Havana. Explore through the narrow streets , absorbing the amazing vibrancy of this historic old town. The main sights can be visited along with having a fascinating peek into the life of the local " Habaneros", how they live, shop, work and socialise in this unique neighbourhood. You can enjoy a traditional Cuban lunch in one of our handpicked private restaurants and the remainder of the day can be yours to enjoy your own exploration of Old Havana or head back to your accommodation to relax . Alternatively the guide can stay with you to visit one of Havana's museums , such as the Havana Club Rum Museum , the City Museum or Fine Arts Museum .
This morning, you could head to one of Havana’s fascinating working cigar factories in downtown Havana, to see how Cuba’s famous cigar brands are still hand made by the local workers ready for export around the world. We would suggest that a great spot for lunch could be overlooking the ocean on Havana's Malecon promenade and we can book you a table at one of our favourite places. In the afternoon an Old American vintage car could be waiting to whisk you off for a thrilling drive through this unique city. Visit the impressive Revolution Square overlooked by the mural of ‘Che’ Guevara and pass the elegant mansions in the exclusive Miramar district. Finish the tour with a spectacular drive along the Malecon, Havana’s seafront promenade. If your a social media person, this is your moment for the ultimate selfie ! Fancy learning how to make Cuban cocktails? We know a vibrant private tapas bar, where you can enjoy a cocktail making lesson. Homemade tapas will be provided for a light meal Tonight could be a good option for you to visit the world-famous Tropicana open air extravaganza of cabaret, dancers ,lights and amazing costumes that takes you back to the 1930s , or alternatively the Legends of Cuban Music performance in Old Havana, an intimate venue that oozes Cuban big band Latin music.
An early start and head west to the immensely picturesque UNESCO protected Vinales Valley, for a couple of days surrounded by impressive Mogotes and tobacco plantations and on arrival you can have a tour of the valley. Visit the controversial Pre-History Mural 120-metres Tall and one of the largest al fresco paintings in the world, commissioned by Fidel Castro. Eyesore or Inspiring ? Visit the world-famous tobacco plantations, meet the farmers and gain an insight into their lives. Head into the caves of El Indio, thought to have been a refuge of the Guanahatabey Indians as well as a burial site! You can also visit a local environmental artist project where a local farmer has created unique and amazing wood sculptures from natural debris found in the valley. Lunch can be planned at an organic farm restaurant. This family run cooperative is an award-winning food producer and dine on the terrace overlooking ‘Silencio’ Valley. After lunch explore the local area independently and we can certainly recommend and book a restaurant for you for dinner.
With so many activities available to enjoy in Vinales, today could start with an early walk up the hills to see the sunrise over the valley and meet the Los Aquaticos community, returning to your accommodation for breakfast. There are caves to visit, guided cycling including off road routes, leisurely or more strenuous walks or horse riding, including a beautiful sunset ride through the valley. Or for those who want a day on the beach, head to the beautiful Cayo Jutias island for a day to relax on one of Cuba's most beautiful beaches.
An early departure takes you towards the Bay of Pigs, the site of the failed CIA backed invasion of Cuba in 1961 that was repelled by Fidel, Che and their revolutionaries. Visit the small museum to learn Cuba's celebratory version of events!. Late afternoon arrival to the French inspired colonial city of Cienfuegos and you can take a sunset stroll along the promenade overlooking the bay.
Up early today for a date with a ‘flamboyance’ of flamingos in their natural habitat at Guanaroca Lagoon. Take a small rowing boat across the lagoon and get up as close as possible to view the flamingos. Continue to El Nicho, an area of waterfalls and natural pools hidden among the mountains and one of the most beautiful spots in Cuba. Enjoy a cooling swim under Black Creek Waterfalls, where water plunges more than 30 metres to a lovely natural pool with a rustic lunch available . Continue through the foothills of the Escambray mountains to Trinidad where tonight you can enjoy live music over a mojito or two in the picturesque centre .
Today you can meet one of our local guides for a walking tour of Trinidad. Wander through the historic cobbled streets and immerse yourself into the live of the locals and you can include a visit to one of the museums if you wish and also sample Trinidad's unique rum and sugar cane cocktail beware its delicious but very strong! This afternoon perhaps take a taxi to the nearby Caribbean beach of Playa Ancon for a few hours and stay for the beautiful sunsets there.
This morning after leaving Trinidad you can visit the historic Sugar Mill valley to see the old plantation houses and ghostly tower of Manaca Iznaga. Continue through the foothills of the mountains until you reach Santa Clara, a city of major historical significance. Visit Che Guevara's Mausoleum and the museum dedicated to his life as well as the Tren Blindado the train that was attacked by Che and a small group of his men, which was the turning point in the Cuban Revolution. After lunch, head to Havana or to your chosen beach area for a few nights.
If heading home today , enjoy some independent time in Havana before a private transfer takes you to the airport for your flight home If your at the beach ........enjoy !

from £2595 per person

We can create a tailor-made holiday to suit your budget.

We can create a tailor-made holiday to suit your budget and include all the visits, activities and meals as you require . We can uniquely pre book tables at the private restaurants in Cuba , a great option to enjoy the very best dining options INCLUDED: international flights from UK with Air Europa , Cuba tourist visas , accommodation in twin/double en-suite rooms on a B&B basis, return private airport transfers, private transfers between each location , guided tours of each location , lunch each day except departure day, cigar factory , 2 hour old car tour and cocktail lesson in Havana , visit to flamingo lagoon and El Nicho waterfalls near Cienfuegos and Sugar Mill valley at Trinidad .

Activities

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