Cuba Discovery

Arrival
On arrival at the airport you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in a classic American car.

Havana, Cuba's colourful capital, is like no other place on earth. The minute you step outside the airport you will know exactly what we are talking about - the classic American cars, the cobbled streets, the fading, peeling paintwork, we guarantee that Havana will be one of the major highlights of your adventure.

Old & New Tour City Tour
Walk along Havana’s busiest street "Calle Obispo" and tour around the four most fascinating squares in Old Havana: Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de Armas and Plaza San Francisco de Asis. On the way visit the social project "Guarderia Padre Usera". The project belongs to the Catholic Church attended by nuns. The goal is to to help and support children from families with economic problems: e.g. they have single mothers, women who prostitute themselves, etc. Later, enjoy a panoramic tour in an American vintage car around the “modern” part of Havana with the revolution square.

Lunch on the way and in the afternoon visit the Finca Villa Vigia, where Hemingway used to live.In the evening intimate performance of the dance artists "Havana Queens" in the Paladar "Casa Miglis". The private restaurant is one of the "Top Ten Paladares" in Havana. This show group was nominated in Frankfurt (LEA) in 2016 for the best show of Germany, participated in the German TV series “Dream Ship“ in 2017 and has already received millions of clicks on YouTube.

In the year 2012 the director Rosario Garcia Rodriguez - graduated of the well-known Cuban dance academies “Escuela Nacional de Arte“ (ENA) and “Instituto Superior de Arte” (ISA) - and the Swiss Patrick Hofer founded the dance ensemble “Havana Queens” which is today an integral part of the dancing scene in Cuba. Their repertoire ranges from classical ballet to Flamenco, Modern Dance to Rumba and Salsa. An insider-tip for the young Cuba and a cultural highlight with sex appeal during a stay in Havana.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Havana to Vinales
Early in the morning along the highway into the heart of the green western part of Cuba. Enjoy the simple life style in the countryside at the beautiful valley of Viñales with its dramatic limestone rocks. Visit the a tobacco farmer.

Boat tour through the Indian Cave and make a short stop at the prehistoric wall painting (Mural de la Prehistoria) paínted by the mexican artist Leovigildo González Morillo. He was a pupil of the husband of Frida Kahlo named Diego Rivera. Rustic lunch at "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.)

In the aternoon visit the "Jardin Botanico de las Hermanas Caridad y Carmen Miranda". The small botanical garden was created in 1918 by Caridad and her sister. Meanwhile, the son takes care of the estate with countless orchids, lilies and even turkeys. After a short tour through the beautiful garden, some home-grown fruits can be tasted.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Excursions from Vinales
The day begins with a panoramic view from Rachel an Tony's ecological farm. Later excursion to Cayo Jutias and enjoy a nice beach day. On the way back have an early sea-food dinner in the authentic fishermen village of Puerto Esperanza. A Cuban family offers home cooked dinner in a tiny private restaurant - it is a great contrast to the stylish Paladares in Havana - which only a few years ago served their food in the exact same manner.
ALTERNATIVE program if the road to Cayo Jutias is in bad condition: Day trip to relax at one of the most beautiful beaches in Cuba. Early in the morning (8:00 h) until Palma Rubia. Continuation with a small boat to the island Cayo Levisa, once a popular fishing zone of Hemingway. Relax at the beautiful sandy beach or go on a snorkeling excursion (optional) or just enjoy the Caribbean scenery. In the late afternoon travel back to Vinales. OR spend the day at the Finca Lechuza. Next to a refreshing bank river there is this idyllic place to take a bath and a rustic restaurant. An authentic experience to enjoy a bath together with locals.

Breakfast and Dinner included.

Vinales - Bay of Pigs - Cienfuegos
In the morning towards the central regions of Cuba. Stop in Guama and continuation along the legendary bay of pigs with a stop to take a break and have a swim, then continue until Cienfuegos. Enjoy French colonial flair during a city tour and tour around a local trade school to learn specifically about the artisans’ formation. Dinner in the private restaurant Ache. One of only two surviving private restaurants from the austere 1990s. Interesting decor includes caged birds, the seven dwarfs recreated as garden gnomes and a wall relief map of Cienfuegos’ cultural icons. Roast pork is the specialty of the house.

Breakfast and Dinner included.

Travel to Trinidad
In the morning visit the fortress "Castillo de Jagua". In the past, this fortress used to protect the city of Cienfuegos against pirates. Today, it is a Museum. Further on to a colony of over 2000 flamingos in the mangroves of the reserve "Laguna Guanaroca". The mix of the freshwater from the "Rio Arimao" and the saltwater from the bay creates a diverse habitat for turtles, endangered plant species and over 130 different bird species.

Further on along the panorama coast road until Trinidad - UNESCO world heritage. Only 5 kilometres away from Trinidad city (and 15 kilometres away from "Topes de Collantes") you will find the "Parque El Cubano" declared as a World Heritage Site. The trail "Huellas de la Historia" goes through several natural pools until reaching the waterfall "Salto de Javira". In the evening dinner in a recommendable private restaurant with nice ambiance.

Breakfast and Dinner included.

Day at Leisure
Walking tour through the cobbled lanes. Trinidad has a strong artistic tradition and its artists, though not as widely recognised as those from Havana, nonetheless have carved successful national and international careers. Visit some of the most successful contemporary artists in the city. In a relaxed environment you can learn more about their personal stories, works and what makes them tick as artists. Lunch in one of the private restaurant with nice ambiance. In the afternoon excursion to the nearby fishermen village La Casilda and the beaches of the city Playa Ancon.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Trinidad to Cayo Santa Maria
Excursion to the main island and visit the "Museo Nacional de Camilo Cienfuegos". Impressive museum in Yaguajay in honor of the revolutionary hero Camilo Cienfuegos, who took control over the barracks of the village through a decisive battle. The exhibition provides information about the life of Camilo, as well as facts and memories about the struggle of the revolutionaries. The statue "El Señor de la Vanguardia" (man of the vanguard) adorns the modern square in front of the museum.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

At Leisure
Excursion to the main island and visit the "Museo Nacional de Camilo Cienfuegos". Impressive museum in Yaguajay in honor of the revolutionary hero Camilo Cienfuegos, who took control over the barracks of the village through a decisive battle. The exhibition provides information about the life of Camilo, as well as facts and memories about the struggle of the revolutionaries. The statue "El Señor de la Vanguardia" (man of the vanguard) adorns the modern square in front of the museum.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.

Cayo Santa Maria to Havana
A representative will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to Havana airport for your departure flight.

The drive will take approximately four hours, so if your flight is an early departure we will need to reduce your stay in Cayo Santa Maria by one night and replace this with a night in Havana.

Breakfast included.