Essence of Cuba

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
Today you will get acquainted with Cuba's capital city by taking a guided walking tour through the crumbling splendour of the UNESCO World Heritage listed site, Habana Vieja (Old Havana). Wars and revolution have done little to damage its heritage, making it one of the finest examples of a Spanish colonial city anywhere in the Americas.

You will first enjoy a short walking tour around Old Havana including its most important squares and fortresses. You will then be picked up at the Plaza de Armas in your chauffeur-driven, classic American car for a scenic drive along the Malecón seafront to the elegant suburb of Miramar with a stop at Revolution Square. Finally we include a traditional Cuban lunch, a visit to the Ernest Hemingway museum and drop you off at your hotel.

This evening is at your leisure. You might want to consider taking in a cabaret show at Havana's famous Tropicana nightclub, which boasts more than two hundred performers, a fabulous orchestra and astonishing acrobatic feats.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Vinales Day Tour
Today we'll travel to Pinar del Rio province, in the west of Cuba, and to the small village of Viñales located in a valley of the same name, which possesses some of Cuba's most dramatic landscapes and is the world's best tobacco growing region. The beautiful, fertile valley is surrounded by unusual limestone outcrops known as ‘Mogotes'. A visit here is a great way of gaining an insight into life in rural Cuba and you'll be served a traditional Cuban lunch.

On the way in from Havana, you will enjoy a visit to a working tobacco farm, where you will learn about the lifestyle of local farmers as well as about the growing of tobacco. In Viñales, we include a visit to the ‘Mural de Prehistorica' where a history of evolution is painted in bright colours on the side of a Mogote. After enjoying this spectacular environment you'll travel back to Havana where the evening is free.

Breakfast and Lunch included.

Havana – Cienfuegos Tour - Trinidad
This morning you will be picked up by your driver guide and transferred in your private vehicle to Trinidad, approximately four hours' drive south-east of Havana. Along the way, you'll have the opportunity to stop whenever you would like and there are several spectacular Caribbean beaches where you might like to enjoy a swim.

Before arriving in Cienfuegos, Australian's may be interested to stop in a small town along the way called Australia. You will have time to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant (own expense) in Cienfuegos, before embarking on a guided tour of this laid back maritime city known as the 'Pearl of the South', due to its lovely location on a picturesque bay. Walk through the city's well preserved colonial centre and learn about its proud musical tradition and its famous musicians like Benny More.

Later we continue onto Trinidad following the panoramic coastal road.

Breakfast included.

City Tour
Trinidad, often referred to as the Soul of Cuba, is one of the main highlights of the island and today we'll include a walking tour of the main sights of the city. The city was founded in 1514 by the Spanish conquistador Diego Velasquez and became a major centre for trading sugar and slaves for almost two hundred years. The wealth generated by the landowners during this region's dark past is reflected by the well restored colonial architecture found in Trinidad's colonial centre, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.

After further walking the cobble stoned colonial heart of Trinidad, you will have the afternoon free to enjoy this beautiful place. We suggest you consider a drive out to Playa Ancón to relax on the beach or a sunset cocktail.

Tonight we recommend you check out one of Cuba's classic venues, Casa de la Musica. This informal outdoor gathering has a good mix of tourists and locals with a great chance to listen to live music and watch some salsa dancing.

Breakfast included.

Santa Clara Tour & Return to Havana
On the way back to Havana we stop in at the town of Santa Clara, a key city in the Cuban Revolution. Upon entering Santa Clara, there is a huge statue of Ernesto Ché Guevara, to commemorate his death and that of the revolutionaries who died along with him in Bolivia. There is also a museum and mausoleum (closed on Mondays) here dedicated to his amazing life.

Its one final night of the tour in Havana, and your tour guide will have some suggestions for a farewell dinner and fun night out.

Breakfast included.

Departure
Our representative will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.