Highlights of Havana, West and Central Cuba

DAY 1 : ARRIVAL IN HAVANA (- / - / -)

Arrival. Meet & greet at the airport by your English speaking guide and transfer to your hotel in Havana.

Accommodation with breakfast: COMFORT Casa Particular

DAY 2 : COLONIAL HAVANA AND THE 1950 (B / L / -)

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.

Accommodation with breakfast: COMFORT Casa Particular

DAY 3 : HAVANA – VIÑALES – HAVANA (APPROX. 400KM, 5H BY CAR) (B / L / -)

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.

Accommodation with breakfast: COMFORT Casa Particular

OPTIONAL in the evening : Havana Queens Show at "Casa Miglis“:

Enjoy an exclusive dinner show in the cosy and stylish atmosphere of Casa Miglis, one of the Top Restaurants of Havana, hosting the top contemporary dance ensemble in town. The Young talents of “Havana Queens”, winners of several Cuban „Lucas“ awards, will impress you with their dynamic and beautiful show combining the Nostalgic and the New Cuba. The location, Casa Miglis and its bar „Impala“ has become a meeting point for creative people and artists from all over the world. The owner – Swedish film producer Mr. Miglis is a passionate „aficionado“ of the Cuban culture. His film “El Medico - Cubaton” (2012/13) about the Cuban music scene was awarded at the New York Latino Film Festival. Swedish Chef Jonas Anderson offers a creative fusion of Cuban and Swedish cuisine.

OPTIONAL in the evening : TROPICANA – paradise under the stars :

Enjoy a nostalgic journey through Cuban Music and Dance from Cha-Cha-Cha to Mambo, from Son to Salsa and Afro-Cuba. More than 150 artists, dancers and musicians, including a big 1950s style live orchestra will entertain you in a beautiful garden ambience with a big open air stage. Since 1939 Tropicana has been known as one of the most famous Cabarets around the world with stars like Nat King Cole, Josephine Baker, and Frank Sinatra performing. Havana’s “Paradise under the stars” – a must when in Havana.

DAY 3 : HAVANA – VIÑALES – HAVANA (APPROX. 400KM, 5H BY CAR) (B / L / -)

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.

Accommodation with breakfast: COMFORT Casa Particular

DAY 4 : HAVANA – CIENFUEGOS – TRINIDAD (APPROX. 320 KM, 4H BY CAR) (B / - / D)

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.

Accommodation with breakfast: Colonial style hotel La Ronda (3*) or hotel E La Calesa (3*) or hotel and bungalows Las Cuevas (3*), set on a hilltop with panoramic views over the town, Standard room 

DAY 5 : TRINIDAD (APPROX. 80KM, 1.5H BY CAR) (B / L / -)

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.

Accommodation with breakfast: Colonial style hotel La Ronda (3*) or hotel E La Calesa (3*) or hotel and bungalows Las Cuevas (3*), set on a hilltop with panoramic views over the town, Standard room 

DAY 6 : TRINIDAD – SANTA CLARA – CAYO SANTA MARIA (APPROX. 195KM, 3.5H BY CAR) (B / L / D)

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 aHavana, 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.

Accommodation with All Inclusive: Hotel MELIA Cayo Santa Maria (4*), Classic Room

DAY 7 : CAYO SANTA MARIA – REMEDIOS – HAVANA DEPARTURE (APPROX. 440KM, 6H BY CAR) (B / - / -)

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 (or extension in the capital Havana, not included). 

End of the Tour