Relaxed through 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 casa in Havana.

Accommodation : COMFORT Casa Particular

Day 2 : COLONIAL HAVANA AND THE 1950 (B / L / D)

In the morning pick-up through your English speaking guide. The day starts with a visit of one of the most famous tobacco factories, e.g. Partagas, H. Upmann, Romeo y Julieta or La Corona. Explore the skilled hands of the "torcedores" (cigar rollers) during their production of the the best cigars in the world. Later walking tour through the old town to explore the most important sights and squares: "Plaza de Armas" with the "Palacio de los Capitanes Generales" and "El Templete", "Castillo del la Real Fuerza", "Plaza de la Catedral", "Plaza San Francisco de Asís" and "Plaza Vieja".

On the way enjoy a cocktail at Hemingways "Bodeguita del Medio"or on the terrace of "Ambos Mundos Hotel", where he wrote ""For Whom the Bell Tolls". Lunch at a popular private restaurant, e.g. "Antojos" or similar.

In the afternoon panoramic tour in an American vintage car of the 50ies around the modern part of Havana. Start the circuit along the "Malecón" passing the magnificent 5th avenue until the residence and diplomat district Miramar with its impressive mansions. On the way aperitif at the legendary "Nacional Hotel" still enchanted by the spirit of the Mafia bosses and other "Celebrities of the 50ies".

Dinner in a restaurant with a special ambience, Casa Miglis. Cuba’s unique restaurant with a creative mixture of Swedish-Greek-Cuban cuisine. It is located in Centro Habana in a very stylish apartment.

Accommodation : COMFORT Casa Particular

Day 3 : HAVANA – VIÑALES (200KM, APPROX. 2.5H BY CAR) (B / L / -)

In the morning drive to Marianao to the theatre and sport centre Jesus Menendez.

Visit a training session of "Havana Queens", the hippest dance ensemble in the city. Authentic introduction to the world of young dancers with a live performance and possibility to chat with the manager. Continue the journey on the "Tobacco Route" further into the west of the island. Stop at the provincial capital Pinar del Río. Panoramic tour through the "Mogote valley" with its impressing skittle rocks and the picturesque town of Viñales, surrounded by magnificent nature.

On the way lunch "criollo" at a tobacco farmer e.g. at the Paladar of "Alberto Vitamina", where the traditional Cuban dish "grilled pork, rice and beans" are cooked with love. (As an alternative its possible to order chicken rather than pork - must be ordered at least 1 day before via the guide.)... Afterwards enjoy an "anti-stress-cocktail" on the Bio-Finca "El Paraíso" or an aperitif at "Balcón del Valle". Both places with panoramic view over the valley.

Accommodation with breakfast: Hotel E Central (3*), or similar, Standard Room 

In the evening INCLUDED : 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.

Day 4 : VIÑALES – PUERTO ESPERANZA – LAS TERRAZAS/SOROA (OR HAVANA*) (150KM, APPROX. 3H BY CAR) (B / L / D)

In the morning a light hiking tour through the stunning tobacco valley with stops at the "bohios" (farmer's houses) of the local farmers called "campesinos". Continue the journey to the coast on to the fishing village Puerto Esperanza. Still a sleepy nest which does not offer anything particularly new at first sight. But Cuba does have big plans with this district. It is supposed to enlive the surrounded keys with day trips tourism and as well hopefully breathe new life into the small town with a cruise shipping port.

For lunch continue to the small, very rural, local community of El Rosario, which hasn’t been changing much for the past 60 years since it has been founded after the Cuban revolution. Lunch at “Casa Prima”, a charming ecological hostal located next to a sea. The Suiss owners opened the casa and garden focusing on permaculture. Or alternatively at “Casa Changuita” which with its 360 degree panoramic views reaching from “Cayo Ines de Soto” to the “Mogote Pan de Azucar” compensates for the road in bad condition leading to it.

Later passing through the foothills of the Sierra Rosario – UNESCO Biosphere Reserve - up to the eco-community Las Terrazas. After a walking tour through the town with its crafts colony and the ruins of the former French coffee planation dinner at the local paladar "La Fonda de Mercedes".

Accommodation with breakfast: Hotel La Moka (3*) or Hotel Soroa, Standard room

*Depends to the availability of the hotel La Moka in Las Terrazas, the overnight could also be instead in Vinales, Soroa or Havana. If the overnight is not confirmed in Las Terrazas the dinner would be in another recommendable restaurant close to the confirmed hotel. 

Day 5 : LAS TERRAZAS – BAY OF PIGS – CIENFUEGOS (370KM, APPROX. 5.5H BY CAR) (B / L / D)

In the morning drive on the almost empty "Autopista", where you see more bicycles and horse carriages than cars to the central part of Cuba. Coffee stop at the farm "Fiesta Campesina" with its mini-zoo up to the legendary bay of pigs (failed landing of the der Cuban exiles 1961) passing Playa Larga and Playa Girón in direction to Cienfuegos.

On the way buffet lunch with the opportunity to take a refreshing bath at "Caleta Buena". In the late afternoon walking tour along the main square "Parque Martí" with the renowned "Teatro Terry", where once Caruso performed and continue to the peninsula "Punta Gorda" with the Moorish style "Palacio del Valle" and the white yacht club. Dinner e.g. in the paladar "Villa Lagarto” with views on the bay of Cienfuegos.

Accommodation with breakfast : Hotel MELIA San Carlos (4*) or similar, Classic Room 

Day 6 : CIENFUEGOS – SANTA CLARA – SAGUA LA GRANED – ISABELA DE SAGUA – CAYO SANTA MARIA (300KM, APPROX. 5H BY CAR) (B / L / D)

Continue to the historic Santa Clara, where Che Guevara achieved his most important victory and found his final resting place. Visit of the Revolution Square as well as the Che Guevara memorial. Later continue to the northern coast toward the hidden jewel Sagua La Grande and birthplace of the famous painter Wilfredo Lam - still areal secret for discoverer. Architecture in the neoclassical style of the XIX century as the former "Spanish Casino" and the "Bank of Canada", still witnesses of charm of the past times.

Rustic lunch at a restaurant built over the sea on stilts near to the small fisher town Isabela de Sagua with view on the offshore keys and a sunken shipwreck. Late in the afternoon continue passing a 47 km long dam cross the sea in direction of the island paradise Cayo Santa María.

Accommodation with All Inclusive : Hotel Melia Cayo Santa Maria (4*), Premium room 

Day 7 : CAYO SANTA MARIA (B / L / D)

Time for Sun & Beach.

Accommodation with All Inclusive : Hotel Melia Cayo Santa Maria (4*), Premium room 

Day 8 : CAYO SANTA MARIA – REMEDIOS – SANCTI SPIRITUS – SUGARMILL VALLEY – TRINIDAD (220 KM, APPROX. 3.5H BY CAR) (B / - / D)

In the morning drive to the colonial Remedios, famous for its annual fireworks festival "Parrandas". Walking tour along the its idyllic main square and continue to from tourism less frequented Sancti Spiritus with its romantic "Yayabo bridge". Walk through the pedestrian zone and further on to the valley of the sugar mills with the hacienda of the former sugar baron Iznaga and the legendary slave tower with panoramic view. In the late afternoon arrival at Trinidad – classified as Cultural World Heritage by UNESCO with its impressing colonial architecture.

Dinner at e.g. museums paladar "1514" with its unique decoration based on wine glasses and valuable chinaware pieces. Afterwards strolling through the romantic musical night life with live-music and dance listening to Salsa und Son among the locals, e.g. at the at the stairs of "Casa de la Música" on the main square or at the "Casa de la Trova".

Accommodation with breakfast : COMFORT Casa Particular 

Day 9 : TRINIDAD (B / - / D)

The day starts with a walking tour around the cobbled streets and the idyllic squares passing the mansions of the former sugar barons. Visit of one of the numerous museums e.g. the city museum at "Palacio Cantero" or the romantic museum in the "Palacio Brunet". On the way stop to enjoy a liquor made of honey in the rustic bar "La Canchánchara".

Afternoon at leisure e.g. for an excursion to the caribbean beach Playa Ancón. Dinner at e.g. paladar "La Redaccion", a former newspaper printer’s.

Accommodation with breakfast : COMFORT Casa Particular 

Day 10 : TRINIDAD – TOPES DE COLLANTES – VARADERO / HAVANA (270 KM, APPROX. 5.5H BY CAR) (B / - / -)

On a magnificent panorama route with view on the sea, passing coffee plantations drive to the mountains of the Sierra Escambray up to the "Topes de Collantes" with its healthy microclimate. Continue through the mountains to the "Autopista", along the expansive citrus plantations in direction of the western part.

Detours into the city of the horse carriages Cardenas to Varadero (in case of beach extension) and/or back to the airport of Havana and check-In for your flight back (or extension in Havana).

End of the Tour