A Taste of Cuba

The group flight arrives in the afternoon and we transfer to our hotel in the
Miramar district of Havana.

*Standard Hotel*

Day 2

Today we travel to Vinales Valley, in the west of Cuba. Famous for its
rolling tobacco plantations and collection of limestone karsts dotted along
the valley, it's not hard to see why Vinales was awarded UNESCO World
Heritage site status. Joined by a local resident we walk through the 'Valley
of Silence' to soak up rural Cuban life as farmers tend to their crops using
traditional farming methods. We'll also visit a tobacco farm to learn about
one of the island's most famous exports and meet with a local tobacco farmer
to help understand the growing process. After checking into our overnight
accommodation in Casa Particulares, we visit an organic farm in the hills of
Viñales for a sunset dinner overlooking the valley.

*Casas Particulares
*

Day 3

This morning we set off on a long drive eastward to Cienfuegos. We stop for
lunch at the Bay of Pigs at a small beachfront restaurant with a large Cuban
welcome. The speciality here is fresh fish caught by local fisherman just off
the coast. Time permitting, you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the sea. This
region of the Zapata Peninsula is a National Park and swamp providing a
habitat for some of the most important bird species in Cuba. We are joined by
a local nature expert who will introduce us to the natural landscape and
characteristics of the area. We will also have some time to explore the Giron
Museum, which exhibits items from the failed invasion by CIA-backed Cuban
Americans. Afterwards we will carry on our transfer to Cienfuegos. The city
of Cienfuegos is full of architectural delights and Cuban spirit, with a
beautiful main square and restored buildings. On arrival we check into our
casas for the night. There are some great paladares in town and the 'malecon'
is usually a lively place to soak up the atmosphere with locals.

Today's travel time is approx. 7 hours.

*Casas Particulares*

Day 4

This morning we will start by having a city tour on Bici Taxis. One of the
best ways to get around is by Bici Taxi, a fun tour using Cuba’s
eco-friendly and typical city transport. Each Bici Taxi can accommodate two
people and will be pedalled by a local resident (most of whom like to
introduce their guests to reggaeton music!) The Bici Taxi tour is a great
time to talk to local Cienfuegos residents and have a go at practising your
Spanish.

Afterwards we depart Cienfuegos and drive down the coast to Trinidad,
stopping at Rancho La Vega farm en route.  During our visit we will have
time to enjoy some fruit drinks or coffees.
Trinidad has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988 and is perhaps the
best-preserved colonial town on the island. Exploring Trinidad can feel like
entering a time warp, its colourful, cobbled streets and horse drawn
transportation whisking us back. There are many interesting museums housed in
old colonial buildings and music drifts through the streets and plazas,
bringing the town to life. We have a walking tour with a local resident who
will give us an insider perspective of what it’s like to live in Trinidad,
before visiting the Santander Family and their artisan pottery workshop.
There will be the opportunity to have a go under the direction of this
skilled Cuban family.
We'll stay overnight in charming Casa Particulares, private Bed and Breakfast
accommodation in local Cuban houses. Our dinner this evening will be at a
private paladar where a local collective of musicians will perform
interpretations of classic Cuban trova songs. This is sure to be a lively
evening and a wonderful opportunity to enjoy Cuban music with its distinct
rhythms.

*Casas Particulares
*

Day 5

Today we visit Playa Ancon and enjoy some time on the beach. It is a great
place to swim or you can simply just dip your toes and relax. Afterwards we
have an authentic Cuban lunch prepared for us. Back in Trinidad we meet a
Cuban barman who is an expert at making the perfect mojito! They will give a
mojito making lesson and everyone in the group will have a go at mixing their
own in the authentic Cuban way. Afterwards we’ll take part in a salsa class
with Cuban dance partners. There will be one dance partner for each member of
the group, to assist with teaching the correct salsa moves. Trinidad is known
for its nightlife, so after we’ve learnt the basics of salsa we’ll go to
the town’s ‘Casa de la Trova’ live music venue to listen to local
musicians playing authentic Cuban music. This venue is always lively and
sociable, with plenty of local Cuban’s keen to let us practice our dancing
with them! 

*Casa Particulares*

Day 6

After breakfast we will visit a traditional embroidery project in Trinidad
which showcases traditional embroidery project in Trinidad.

As we have a long transfer today, we will bring packed lunches with us from
the hotel. Leaving Trinidad we head to Manaca Iznaga, where we learn about
the sugar growing history surrounding the Valle de los Ingenios, a hugely
important industry for Cuba during the 18th and 19th centuries

Our next stop is Santa Clara, the site of the last battle of the Cuban
Revolution in December 1958, just before Fidel Castro took Havana. Che
Guevara and his troops ambushed an armoured train carrying arms to Santiago
de Cuba and this was a major turning point in the Revolution. We visit the
Mausoleum of Che Guevara and his comrades who died in Bolivia before driving
back to Havana for dinner at a private paladar.

Today's travel time is approx. 5 hours

*Standard Hotel*

Day 7

This morning we set off for a walking tour of old and new Havana, Cuba's
capital and the largest city in the Caribbean. Havana is a busy, bustling,
energetic capital. The area of Old Havana is often described as a living
museum, with its marvellous monuments, cathedrals and palaces. This is the
finest surviving Spanish colonial complex in the Americas. Preserved by a
combination of minimal war damage, post-revolution restoration work and the
millions of dollars invested since it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage
site in 1982. During our tour we visit a ration store, food market and
artisan market.

There is no better way to see Havana than by classic car, and so in
the early evening we continue our tour of the capital in style, travelling
in immaculately looked after classic cars in vibrant colours. Visiting both
the old and new areas of the city, we discover the distinct neighbourhoods of
the capital, stopping at points of interest for explanations and stories.
Feel free to ask questions about why the streets of Cuba are filled with
classic American cars manufactured in the 1950’s and how on earth the
owners manage to maintain them!

*Standard Hotel*

Day 8

This morning is free to relax or do some last-minute sightseeing in Havana's
old town before those on group flights transfer to the airport in the
afternoon.

Day 9

**