Cuba Cultural Experience

We’ll be staying in a restored colonial property located in the Old Havana district. Offering style and comfort, we hope that you enjoy your stay in this privately-owned boutique ‘casa particular’. This evening you’ll no doubt be feeling a mixture of excitement, nerves and jetlag, so we’ll keep things simple and break the ice by having a cocktails and dinner at a small private ‘paladar’ restaurant in the Old Town. A great way to get to know your travel companions for the week ahead! The welcome meeting with local guide will be held at the casa lobby 19.30 this evening before heading out together to the Old Town. If arriving on a late flight, then instructions will be left in the casa so that you can choose whether to join the group at the restaurant or meet them the following morning at breakfast. Overnight: Hostal Jesus Maria or Posada de Chacon, Havana or similar

Meals: D

This morning we’ll dedicate to exploring Havana, a mesmerizing city full of quirks and surprises around every corner. Be sure to charge your camera/phone in advance because Havana is photogenic any way you look at it; brimming with beautiful colours, textures and faces. In the busy maze of narrow streets that make up the Old Town, we’ll explore on foot with our Cuban tour guide explaining some of the peculiarities and customs relating to life in the city. We will visit a food ration store, known as a ‘bodega’, as well as a market and some local small enterprises such as the design store 'Clandestina’. Our guide will today begin to explain the basics of Cuba’s economy and socialist society – this will be an ongoing discussion point, and you’ll be sure to learn a lot before leaving the country! We’ll have lunch at a local paladar in the Old Town. After lunch is free and you can spend the afternoon as you prefer before returning to our accommodation. Overnight: Hostal Jesus Maria or Posada de Chacon, Havana or similar

Meals: B,L

This morning, we focus on exploring Havana, a mesmerizing city full of beauty, Latino rhythms and soul. We’ll visit a music recording studio and meet some musicians playing contemporary music, learning about the modern-day music scene in Cuba. Late morning we’ll indulge in a hands-on cookery course to learn how to make a typical Cuban dish, and afterwards have lunch at the same paladar. In the afternoon we’ll enjoy a full immersion into one of Cuba’s defining art forms – dance! You’ll have the chance to learn the steps to Cuba’s most famous musical dance genre, salsa, in an informal and fun afternoon workshop exploring Cuban dance rhythms. Overnight: Hostal Jesus Maria or Posada de Chacon, Havana or similar

Meals: B,L

Today we will Explore Cuba's Afro Cuban Roots with a visit to Regla, home to one of Cuba's most important churches and where many Cuban Santeria Priests live. We will start with a walking city tour of the Old Town, including a visit to Beyond Roots, an organization which offers a fascinating insight into the Afro-Cuban cultural heritage, especially its religion, Santeria, which is practised by modern Cubans of all ethnicities. Cuba’s enormous colonial wealth was built on the enslavement of Africans, who worked the sugar cane fields and produced the “white gold” which made Cuba rich. We learn how Cuba’s Santeria religion springs is rooted in West African Yoruba culture, and we discover how it gave enslaved people the strength to survive terrible hardship. After lunch the balance of the day is free for you to explore on your own. Overnight: Hostal Jesus Maria or Posada de Chacon, Havana or similar

Meals: B,L

Today transfer to Viñales, stopping to visit Las Terrazas. Las Terrazas Community is a UNESCO biosphere Reserve tucked away in the Sierra del Rosario mountains.. The community is in a natural area of around 5000 hectars which is being developed as a sustainable rural economy for eco-tourism. Created after the Revolution to replant the area which had suffered badly from over-foresting, it's now a haven for migrating birds from the north. We visit the Las Terrazas Community and also take time in to lunch (included) in the Vegetarian Restaurant "El Romero" in Las Terrazas Reserve. From here we continue to Viñales in Cuba's western-most province, Pinar del Rio. The Valley is famous for its mogotes, or karsts - rounded mountains that seem to bubble out of the ground. This striking phenomenon dates back to the Jurassic Period when the area was a cave system that collapsed, leaving steep walls that turned into these unique mountains. This epic landscape also happens to be where the best tobacco in the world is lovingly grown. Overnight: Casa Haydee Chiroles or similar, Viñales

Meals: B,L

Today we’ll explore Viñales and surrounding area, getting a feel for life in rural Cuba as well as seeing some of the island’s most spectacular natural scenery. We’ll visit a typical ‘vega’ drying house where tobacco leaves are dried before getting selected and taken off to state-run cigar factories. We’ll try our hand at rolling some cigars for ourselves with the guidance of some experts! Cigars are synonymous with Cuba, and the province of Pinar del Rio is where internationally acclaimed cigars such as Monte Cristos and Cohiba come from. Afterwards, we’ll go back to the town for lunch (not included). In the early evening, we’ll regroup for a walk in the ‘Valle del Silencio’ and watch the sunset from a nice viewpoint before heading for Wilfredo’s Organic Farm, high on the hill above Viñales to enjoy sunset and a delicious organic dinner! Overnight: Casa Haydee Chiroles or similar, Viñales

Meals: B,D

Morning we drive towards Santa Clara, stopping at a paladar for a light sandwich and fresh fruit lunch on the way (included). Santa Clara is the site of the last battle of the Cuban Revolution. In December 1958 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, Batista fled Cuba soon afterwards. We visit the Mausoleum of Che Guevara, who died in Bolivia in 1967, but was laid to rest in Santa Clara alongside his comrades. The museum attached to the Mausoleum has many of his former belongings and is a fascinating insight into one of the 20th Centuries most revered icons. If time allows, we’ll visit the mausoleum on arrival. If not we’ll visit the following morning. This evening after dinner (not included) and, if you still have any energy, visit Cuba’s first openly LGBTQ+ bar/club El Mejunje. Founded in the 1990’s it has a rotating programme of concerts, drag shows and other events. Inclusive and friendly, it’s worth a visit. Overnight: Hostal Privilege or similar, Santa Clara

Meals: B,L

This morning we set off from Santa Clara after breakfast, heading towards the northern coast. At Caibarien we visit the Marcelo Salado Sugar Refinery. Sugar was the white gold of the Spanish Colonies and made Cuba the wealthiest island in the Caribbean. For 400 years sugar cane was grown throughout the island and, thanks to the backbreaking work of African slaves, filled the coffers of the Spanish Crown. When Cuba’s Revolution triumphed in 1959, all the sugar factories were nationalized and sugar continued to be the main source of income for Cuba, trading sugar for fuel with the Soviet Union. Understanding the importance of sugar is understanding Cuban history. After spending the morning in Caibarien, we head back towards Sta Clara, stopping for lunch at a visit to the pretty town of Remedios, one of the 7 original “villas” founded by the Conquistador Diego Velazquez. The town is famous for its annual firework battle which takes place on Christmas Eve. Return to Santa Clara for a free evening. Overnight: Hostal Privilege or similar, Santa Clara

Meals: B,L

From Santa Clara we head to beautiful Topes de Collantes, a natural park in the mountains above Trinidad de Cuba dotted with magical waterfalls and cool pools. You might like to stop for a dip as we go for a walk (approx. 2 hours) on the “Guanayara” trail. After a light lunch at the hacienda “La Gallega” we head downhill to the charming town of Trinidad, a World Heritage Site and the jewel in Cuba’s patrimonial crown. We’ll be staying in Casas Particulares in the old town and within walking distance of Trinidad’s best bars, restaurants and squares where live music venues which spill out onto Trinidad’s streets every night. After checking into our casa, we walk to a local restaurant to enjoy a dinner. Overnight: Hostal La Lola or La Moda or similar, Trinidad

Meals: B,L,D

This morning, we explore Trinidad together on foot. We set off first to the nearby “Valle de los Ingenios” which was one of the greatest producers of sugar cane in the 18th and 19th Century. This “white gold” made Trinidad’s landowners extremely rich and the wealthy sugar barons invested their fortunes in building fabulous homes and churches. Thousands of Africans were brought to Cuba to do the backbreaking work of tending the sugar cane fields. When slavery was finally abolished in Cuba in 1868, Trinidad’s fortunes slumped, it became a forgotten backwater where everything was preserved, as it was, as the years passed. We’ll visit local artisans this morning too: our first artisan visit will be in Manacas Iznaga at the heart of the Valle de los Ingenios. Manaca Iznaga is a small village which grew up around the former sugar plantation. We visit the plaza and slave watch tower and see how the local women continue traditional textile making particularly embroidery and lacemaking. Some of them sell some souvenirs and textiles (embroidered pieces), honey and fruits. We’ll visit a local initiative "Proyecto Manacu" led by Yanely Soris Quesada who set up a small place to teach and run training for youth and children about textile making, art and dance. After a morning of culture, it’s time to hit the beach! We’ll take a short drive to nearby Playa Ancon beach where we’ll enjoy a beach BBQ lunch and drinks, and time to enjoy the beautiful Caribbean Beach. Back to Trinidad before the mosquitos come out! After freshening up we head into Trinidad’s tropical streets and learn more about Cuban rhythms through a drumming class followed by dinner. Overnight: Hostal La Lola or La Moda or similar, Trinidad

Meals: B,L,D

After breakfast, take a short transfer to Cabagán, and head into the mountainous countryside for a day of riding, swimming and exploring Cuban Cowboy life! Spend the day in Finca La Lima, a privately owned cattle and arable farm which rears goats, sheep and cows and grows typical Cuban crops such as sugar cane, black beans, rice and root vegetables. The farmhouse sits on top of the hill, and you have views across the countryside from all sides. Sit in a hammock and while away the hours in the deep silence of the countryside. On the full day visit to La Lima farm, you´ll have the opportunity to swim in the local creek, ride horses, milk a cow, make “guarapo” (sugar cane juice) and enjoy a typical Cuban meal cooked the traditional way over charcoal. Afternoon return to Trinidad where we’ll wander through the streets and discover its beauty. Dinner in a local paladar in the centre of town. Overnight: Hostal La Lola or La Moda or similar, Trinidad

Meals: B,L,D

Today we leave early for the Playa Larga stopping on the way to make a visit to Cienfuegos. This city is known amongst Cubans as 'The Pearl of the South' and its colonial centre was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005. Cienfuegos is the only city in Cuba founded by French migrants fleeing the slave uprising and revolution in Haiti in the early 19th century. After a visit to the Botanical Gardens we stop for lunch on the coast before continuing our visit to the centre of Cienfuegos. You can have a dip and freshen up in the Bay of Cienfuegos! After lunch we will continue to Playa Larga in the Bay of Pigs. We make our last stop today at Playa Girón for a chance to learn about the CIA-backed Bay of Pigs Invasion in 1961. Afterwards, we continue by bus to Playa Larga. Overnight: Casa Retiro del Sol or similar, Playa Larga

Meals: B,L,D

A leisurely start this morning with the chance for a swim in the Bay of Pigs, before traveling to Havana. As we leave the Zapata Peninsula, we will stop in the village of Palpite to visit the home of Bernabé, a local birdwatching expert who usually has many “zunzuncitos” (aka bee hummingbirds, the smallest bird in the world) living in his garden. After lunch on the way, we continue to Havana, arriving late afternoon. We check into our casa particular for our last 2 nights. The accommodation will be in the centre of Old Havana and within easy walking distance of all the main squares and sights. Overnight: Hostal Jesus Maria or Posada de Chacon or similar, Havana

Meals: B,L

Today is free for you to explore on your own. In the evening we’ll regroup at the casa and embark on a tour of Havana iconic 1950’s classic American cars. The tour will feature the lush woodlands of ‘Parque Almendares’ as well as Revolution Square and Malecon coastal road before ending in the Old Town. We’ll have a special last dinner together at a paladar restaurant with cocktails to toast to a wonderful adventure in Cuba! Overnight: Hostal Jesus Maria or Posada de Chacon or similar, Havana

Meals: B,D

Depart from Havana at any time or choose to extend your Cuban experience.

Meals: B