This unique adventure visits the highlights of Havana and Western Cuba, wander the cobbled streets of Old Havana, steeped in history and bursting with character, listen to the sensuous latin music spilling on to the streets from every doorway. Drive through the streets of Vedada in a 1950's Classic American Car, this area boasts architecture from Jugenstil to neo-Classical. Take the Tobacco Route through the province of Pinar del Rio, drive through the panoramic Mogote Valley with its impressive limestone rock formations, followed by a subterreanean river cruise through the Cueva del Indio.
Leaving Havana behind you will visit Santa Clara where Che Guevara had his greatest victory, visit the Che Guevara Memorial. Two nights will be spent in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Trinidad, this city was founded in 1513 and part of the original colonial heart of Trinidad has been painstakingly restored to its former glory. On your journey to Cienfuegos, before boarding the 'Cuba Dream' catamaran cruise you will tour through the Escambray Mountains and have the opportunity of joining the Guayanara Hiking Trail, walking through an area rich in endemic flora and fauna and with time of taking a refreshing dip in natural pools and under spectacular waterfalls.
Cruise the beatiful islands of Cuba and enjoy pristine beaches, palm trees, swimming at lonely islands, white sands, crystal clear waters and an untouched nature with tropical flora and fauna. Meet iguanas, wild monkeys, turtles and crocodiles and snorkel in a unique and spectacular submarine water world. The European captain and his Cuban crew will look after you and care for your well being on board, serving you cool Caribbean cocktails, fresh seafood and other specialties. For the more active guest snorkelling and fishing equipment plus 2 kayaks are available for your use.
Day 1
Sunday - Havana
On arrival at Havana Jose Marti International Airport you will be met by your tour representative and transferred to the Florida Hotel for four nights. Evening is at leisure for you to explore the city by foot, we recommend dinner at El Patio in Cathedral Square. Overnight at Hotel Florida or similar.
Day 2
Monday - Colonial Walking Tour Of Old Havana and 1950's Havana by Classic American Car
Begin your morning with a guided walking tour through colonial Old Havana including the Capitol Building, Calle Obispo, Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, Hemingways 'Bodeguits' Cathedral Square, Castillo de la Fuerza Real and lunch at The Patio or on the terrace of 'La Mina'. In the afternoon enjoy a tour by car through the Havana of the 1950s. First you will see Vedado with its variety of architecture from Jugendstil to Neo-Classic, the Revolution Square and the legendary cementery Colon. Further on through the former upper class residential area and todays diplomatic quarter Miramar, with beautiful mansions along the Quinta Avenida. In the evening pick up by a chauffeur driven American classic car, bringing you for a cocktail to the garden of the legendary hotel Nacional, known for its stories about the Mafia and other 1950s celebrities. Followed by a dinner in a restaurant with special ambience, e.g. the restaurant 'El Tocorro' in Miramar or the private restaurant Paladar 'La Esperanza' with 1950s flair and lots of antiques. Or the private garden Paladar 'La Cocina de Liliam'. Tonight you can take the optional tour to the legendary Tropicana Cabaret Show. Overnight at Hotel Florida or similar.
Day 3
Tuesday - Cigars, Rum and Hemingway
The day starts with a guided tour through one of the renowned tobacco factories (e.g. Partagas or H. Upmann). Watch the skills of the 'torcedores' (cigar rollers) while producing by hand the best cigars of the world. Further on into the outskirts of Havana to San Francisco de Paula, where you will visit Hemingways former home, Finca Villa Vigia, once meeting point of his famous friends from the film world, such us - von Gary Cooper or Marlene Dietrich. Later you will see the fisherman’s village of Cojimar, background for Hemingways nobel prize winning novel 'The Old Man and the Sea'. On a short walking tour through the village you will see the Hemingway memorial and his favourite bar and restaurant 'La Terraza', where he invented the cocktail 'Don Gregorio' named after the captain of his yacht Pilar. In the afternoon you will learn everything about the famous Cuban rum at the 'Fundacion Havana Club'. In the evening dinner between antique Spanish canons at restaurant 'La Divina Pastora' below the fortress 'El Morro' or at the elegant 'Cafe Oriente' in Old Havana. Overnight at Hotel Florida or similar.
Day 4
Wednesday - Pinar del Rio - Vinales
In the morning on the Ruta del Tabaco to the province of Pinar del Rio. Panoramic tour through the Mogote Valley, with its impressive limestone rocks and the pitoresque village of Vinales, where time seems to stand still. Visit at the 'Casa del Veguero' (tobacco farmer) and lunch 'criollo' at the Palenque, surrounded by beautiful nature. Further on to the Prehistoric Wall a huge painting on a big rock made by Cuban artist Gonzalez Morillo, followed by a boat tour on a subterreanean river through the Cueva del Indio. In the late afternoon back to Havana. Dinner on your own (not included).
Day 5
Thursday - Santa Clara - Trinidad
In the morning a longer drive via the autopista to Central Cuba and to the historic city of Santa Clara, where Che Guevara had his greatest victory and found his last rest. Visit of the Che Guevara Memorial and the Tren Blindado from the revolutionary war. Lunch at restaurant Los Caneyes and further on to the colonial town of Trinidad - UNESCO world heritage with unique colonial architequture. In the evening discover the romantic night life of Trinidad and dance to Salsa and traditional Son among locals, for example at the Casa de la Trova or the Casa de la Musica near the Main Square. Overnight and dinner at Grand Hotel Iberostar.
Day 6
Friday - Trinidad
A full day for Trinidad. The town, which was founded in 1513 had its most prospering time during the sugar boom in the 19th century. Visit the Romantic Museum in the Palacio Brunet and the rustic bar Canchanchara, where you can try the local honey licor. Lunch at restaurant Santa Ana, the patio of a former colonial prison. Or at restaurant El Jigue. Followed by an excursion outside of Trinidad to the Sugarmill Valley with the hacienda of the former sugar barons Iznaga and the legendary slave tower. In the late afternoon back to Trinidad. Overnight at Grand Hotel Iberostar.
Day 7
Saturday - Sierra Escambray - Cienfuegos - Boarding Cuba Dream
In the early morning drive to the Topes de Collantes along a specactular road with coffee plantations and panoramic views to the sea. Further on with Russian trucks or jeeps on adventurous roads through the fields and deep into the mountains of the Sierra Escambray. Hiking tour4 on the Guayanara-Trail following the Rio Melodioso through an impressing world of nature with a rich endemic flora and fauna. Time for a bath in natural swimming pools and below water cascades. Rustic lunch at Finca 'La Gallega', surrounded by mountains and beautiful nature. In the afternoon along the panoramic coast road to the City of Cienfuegos, characterized by its location around a wide bay and by its beautiful main square with french colonial architecture. In the evening stroll around the Parque Marti with the nostalgic Terry Theatre, where once Caruso performed and visit the Peninsula Punta Gorda with the mudejar-style Palacio del Valle and its typical wooden houses, before you board the Catamaran at the Yacht Club in the Marina for the sailing cruise 'Cuba Dream'. Overnight and dinner on Cuba Dream.
Day 8
Sunday - Cayo Guano to Cayo Largo
After breakfast start for the first sailing tour (4 hours) going with the wind to Cayo Guano del Este. Lunch and time for swimming and snorkelling in a small bay in the north of the island. Further on, setting the sails for Cayo Largo (2,5 hours). Anchoring at night in front of the long sand beach of Playa Sirena. Overnight and dinner on board.
Day 9
Monday - Cayo Largo
In the morning breakfast with panoramic view to Cayo Largo. Later visit the local turtle farm. Some of them over 100 years old. Lunch and time for relaxing, swimming, snorkelling or paddling with the kayaks, near the sandy white beach of Playa Sirena or Playa Paradiso. Further on to the Marina of Cayo Largo. In the evening (optional, not inclusive) visit of a nightclub/disco where you can dance to Cuban rhythms. Overnight and dinner on board at the Marina.
Day 10
Tuesday - Cayo Largo to Cayo Rosario
After breakfast sailing to the coral reef of Los Ballenatos, ideal for anchoring and snorkelling. Take a bath in the natural swimming pool of the Quinto Canal. In the late afternoon further on to the romantic dream island of Cayo Rosario. Anchoring in front of a beautiful pristine sand beach with blue crystal clear waters. In the evening enjoy a sundowner while watching a spectacular sunset. Overnight and dinner on board.
Day 11
Wednesday - Cayo Rosario to Cayo Cantiles
In the morning after breakfast time for beach life and swimming at on of the most beautiful beaches in the Canarreos Archipel. Snorkelling at the coral reef between thousands of multicoloured fishes. After lunch visit of Cayo Cantiles, where the guides of the national park will show you the different kinds of local animal species including crocodiles and even wild
monkeys. Overnight and dinner on board.
Day 12
Thursday - Cayo Cantiles - Cayo Rico
After breakfast enjoy a snorkelling tour at the reef of 'Quebrado del Rosario', before setting sail for Cayo Rico. Lunch and anchoring near the beach. Time for swimming and watersports. ...and for those who love the taste of a good Caribbean rum, the bar will prepare some refreshing „Mojito“ cocktails on the beach. Overnight and dinner on board.
Day 13
Friday - Cayo Rico to Cienfuegos
In the morning after breakfast continuing to Cayo Largo. On the way visit of the small island of Cayo Iguana by Dinghy boat. The Cayo is the home of hundreds of wild living iguanas. Lunch and anchoring at Cayo Largo. In the afternoon visit of the 'Gardens of the Tower' and time for some last souvenirs, which you can buy in the small shops of the village. Or simply relax and enjoy the sunset for example with a cocktail at one of the bars in the Marina. Final farewell dinner on board before sailing back overnight to Cienfuegos (or alternative: check-out in Cayo Largo and extension, for example at the Hotel Sol Cayo Largo (not included). Overnight and dinner on board.
Day 14
Saturday - Cienfuegos to Havana
Time to say good bye. After breakfast Check-Out at 10 am in the morning and private transfer from the Marina of Cienfuegos back to Havana. Overnight at Hotel Florida or similar.
Day 15
Sunday - End of tour
The day is at your leisure, you will be transferred to Havana Airport for your homeward or onward flight.
Guide Price
15 days
from £3390 per adult
Price Includes
International flights from London Gatwick to Havana with Virgin Atlantic, private transfers, 7 day private tour of Havana, Vinales and Trinidad, 7 nights catamaran cruise, full board basis while on the cruise, Cuban tourist card, private liability insurance for the boat and passengers.
Price Excludes
Landing and harbour fee of 115 Euro's per person, gratuities, personal travel insurance (compulsory), Havana airport departure tax 25 CUC's
Please call us for prices on your preferred dates, durations, room types and multi-centre options.
Departure Airports
London Gatwick
Arrival Airports
Jose Marti International
Flight time 9 hrs 40 mins
Highlights
- Havana
- Vinales
- Trinidad
- Cienfuegos
- Catamaran Cruising
- Cayo Largo
- Cayo Cantiles
- Cayo Iguana
Tour Route
- Havana
- Vinales
- Trinidad
- Cayo Largo