Leave the coast and head
inland to Santa Clara (2.5 hrs). Over 55 years ago Che Guevara, assisted
by just 18 guerrillas, captured the railway here, in a move that was
instrumental in the triumph of the Revolution. Today, this vibrant
university town is home to an excellent museum dedicated to the events
of the late 1950s and to Che Guevara. There is time to visit the museum,
Che's mausoleum and a monument and plaza dedicated to the man and the
Revolution. After lunch continue onto Havana by bus.
Viñales is a small, bucolic town tucked away in the Sierra de los
Organos, in the west of the island. The shady high street is lined with
trees, wooden colonnades and one-storey, red-roofed houses. Horse and
carts clatter along the main road and children play baseball with sticks
and stones outside the dilapidated whitewashed church in the main
square. There is a splendid old chemist's shop and a few other
bare-shelved stores, as well as a couple of salsa bars that attract a
lively crowd in the evening.
Breakfast included.