Beautiful Cuba

Visiting: Cuba

Beautiful Cuba

Explore Trinidad's Spanish-style churches, Hang out in Havana's historic haunts, Feel the rhythm of Cuba's famous nightlife, Visit Cuba's Palacio del Valle in Cienfuegos, Explore Trinidad's Spanish-style churches, View the vibrant orchids of mountainous Soroa, Be welcomed on a homestay with a friendly Cuban family

Travel to Cuba and enjoy a relaxing week-long adventure while immersing yourself in the history, culture and natural beauty of this colourful Caribbean island. Cuba's imminent political and cultural change makes it something to experience now before it evolves. Wander through Havana’s glittering colonial architecture, soak up the clear mountain air among Soroa’s vibrant mountain orchards, relax on Playa Ancon’s vast white beaches and admire Trinidad’s unrivalled ambience. From old cars to fragrant cigars and with plenty of salsa in between, this trip has it all and is the perfect introduction to all things Cuban.

An arrival transfer from the airport to your hotel is included in your tour provided that you arrive on day 1 of your tour, or your pre-tour accommodation is booked through Imaginative Traveller. Please advise flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to departure if you wish to have this transfer provided.

You can arrive at any time on day 1 as there are no activities planned until the important welcome meeting tonight. Your leader will leave a note at reception telling you where and when this important meeting will take place. Please ask a member of reception for this information. After the group meeting there is the option of joining the group for dinner.

Havana grew from an obscure port to a bustling hub when gold and silver that was being pillaged by the Spanish from the New World was taken to Spain. While the ships gathered in growing numbers, the pirates were not far behind and the treasures resting in Cuba's ports were attacked again and again by Dutch, English and French pirates. The Spanish built fort after fort for protection but the English eventually captured the territory. An economic boom followed due to the English lifting the Spanish trade restrictions. Spain eventually exchanged the Florida territory for the island, but these years left an indelible mark on the city and the country, and Havana is slowly restoring its beautiful colonial buildings.

The best place to start any Havana experience is in the Old City. Havana's Old City is one of the best preserved and was designated a World Heritage Site in 1982. The streets are lined with colonial architecture, 16th century fortresses and countless churches. Make sure you visit La Catedral San Cristobal de la Habana, described by the novelist Alejo Carpentier as 'music set in stone'. Also worth seeing is the Palacio de los Marqueses de Aguas Claras (now a restaurant) and the Plaza de Armas, complete with a statue of Manuel de Cespedes, one of the leaders of the independence movement. There are plenty of good museums to check out including Museo de la Revolucion and the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes.

While in Havana you must try a Coppelia ice cream. You can join the hundreds of locals who line up to eat the delicious ice cream that is heavily subsidised by the government to keep the populace happy. There is a Coppelia in every major town in Cuba. Sometimes there is just one flavour available, a whole bowl of which could set you back about 10 cents. You can however pay up to $3 if you want to skip the queue and go the section where the prices are in Convertible Pesos (CUC) rather than the local pesos (CUP).

Ice cream in hand, why not head to a local baseball game. This is a great experience as the local atmosphere is very colourful and unique and can get quite rowdy at times. Baseball is by far the number one sport in Cuba so the locals can get very passionate about it. It is also interesting to note that the only advertising is government community announcements such as: sport is good for your health! The season runs from October to May.

Our accommodation in Havana is located near Cathedral Square, the hotel has a bar and restaurant on site. Room facilities include air-conditioning, en suite bathrooms, safe, tv and telephone.

Included Activities

Complimentary airport arrival transfer

Informal Salsa lesson

Optional Activities

Afro Cuban Religion Tour, Havana - USD7.00

Baseball game (Oct - Apr), Havana - USD3.00

Buena Vista Social Club, Havana - USD5.00

Cigar Factory Tour, Havana - USD12.00

Ernest Hemingway tour, Havana - USD30.00

La Cabana Fortress canon blast ceremony, Havana - USD10.00

Morro-Cabana Fortress, Havana - USD6.00

Tourist bus day pass, Havana - USD5.00

Tourist bus to the beach (return), Havana - USD5.00

Tropicana Show, Havana - USD75.00

Walking tour of Old Havana, Havana - USD8.00

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

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On the morning day 2 in Havana, your leader will take you on an walking tour of the Old Havana. This tour includes a visit to the cathedral, Plaza de Armas, San Francisco de Asis, Plaza Vieja and Central Park amongst other cites. Entry fee to the Camara Oscura lookout at Plaza Vieja is included.

Later we head west from Havana and toward the dramatic limestone pin-cushion hills of the Pinar del Rio province and the rural town of Vinales.

It's about a 3 hour drive in our private minibus, and we break the journey at Soroa, which is a tiny mountain resort town in the heavily forested Sierra del Rosario. We have lunch here and there is time to take a tour of the impressive orchid garden which boasts 700 different species.

Vinales is a small and charming rural village. Its probably the easiest place to mix with locals in Cuba who are very sociable and love nothing better than to drink rum and dance the night away. There are only 3 bars in this town so it is difficult to get lost.

The scenery around Vinales is some of the most picturesque in Cuba. There are many outdoor optional activities available including rock climbing, exploring the area on motor-scooters or bicycle, hiking through the tobacco fields and to caves in the mountains.

Tonight we stay in a homestay. Room facilities include air-conditioning or ceiling fan.

Included Activities

Orchid Garden tour

Valley walking tour

Optional Activities

Beach excursion, Vinales - USD30.00

Bicycle hire (per hour), Vinales - USD2.00

Botanical gardens, Vinales - USD1.00

Caving, Vinales - USD20.00

Cooking class, Vinales - USD30.00

Cueva del Indio, Vinales - USD5.00

Hike to waterfall (enroute to Vinales), Soroa - USD3.00

Horseback riding (per hour), Vinales - USD5.00

Live music venues, Vinales - USD1.00

Palenque Cave, Vinales - USD1.00

Rock climbing, Vinales - USD20.00

Salsa lesson (per hour), Vinales - USD8.00

Accommodation

Homestay (2 nts)

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On the morning day 2 in Havana, your leader will take you on an walking tour of the Old Havana. This tour includes a visit to the cathedral, Plaza de Armas, San Francisco de Asis, Plaza Vieja and Central Park amongst other cites. Entry fee to the Camara Oscura lookout at Plaza Vieja is included.

Later we head west from Havana and toward the dramatic limestone pin-cushion hills of the Pinar del Rio province and the rural town of Vinales.

It's about a 3 hour drive in our private minibus, and we break the journey at Soroa, which is a tiny mountain resort town in the heavily forested Sierra del Rosario. We have lunch here and there is time to take a tour of the impressive orchid garden which boasts 700 different species.

Vinales is a small and charming rural village. Its probably the easiest place to mix with locals in Cuba who are very sociable and love nothing better than to drink rum and dance the night away. There are only 3 bars in this town so it is difficult to get lost.

The scenery around Vinales is some of the most picturesque in Cuba. There are many outdoor optional activities available including rock climbing, exploring the area on motor-scooters or bicycle, hiking through the tobacco fields and to caves in the mountains.

Tonight we stay in a homestay. Room facilities include air-conditioning or ceiling fan.

Included Activities

Orchid Garden tour

Valley walking tour

Optional Activities

Beach excursion, Vinales - USD30.00

Bicycle hire (per hour), Vinales - USD2.00

Botanical gardens, Vinales - USD1.00

Caving, Vinales - USD20.00

Cooking class, Vinales - USD30.00

Cueva del Indio, Vinales - USD5.00

Hike to waterfall (enroute to Vinales), Soroa - USD3.00

Horseback riding (per hour), Vinales - USD5.00

Live music venues, Vinales - USD1.00

Palenque Cave, Vinales - USD1.00

Rock climbing, Vinales - USD20.00

Salsa lesson (per hour), Vinales - USD8.00

Accommodation

Homestay (2 nts)

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Our journey via Havana to Trinidad takes around 9 hours.

For most visitors to Cuba, Trinidad is their stand-out favourite destination (well, for the ones that make it this far anyway). No other colonial city in Cuba is so well preserved, and the local residents are extremely friendly and festive. Trinidad is steeped in religion, none the least of which is Santeria, which is one of the Afro-Cuban religions (related to Voodoo) that is practised in Cuba.

La Villa de la Santisima Trinidad was founded by Velazsquez in 1514 and the defender of indigenous rights in the Americas, Fray Bartolome de Las Casas, attended over the settlement's first mass. The future conqueror of Mexico, Hernan Cortes recruited sailors here for his future expedition into that land. The town was fairly inactive until the 1800s, when French refugees fleeing a slave revolt in Haiti landed here en mass and brought with them sugar cane cultivation. The new residents settled and farmed in the Valle de Los Ingenios, just northeast of the town. Vast wealth flowed into the local economy from sugar cane cultivation and the area produced one third of the country's sugar at one point. The sugar boom was terminated by the two wars of independence, but the wealth generated by the industry remains visible in the town's once grand mansions, colourful public buildings, wrought iron grill-work and cobble-stoned streets. The town and area also saw a lot of action during and following the triumph of the Revolution, as gangs of counter revolutionaries hid out and struck from the safety of the mountains. The Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra los Bandidos and the Casa de los Mártires de Trinidad, chronicles the struggles of this period in the town's history.

There are some great Spanish-style churches to explore here and nearby is the Valle de los Ingenios, where sugar plantations stretch out as far as the eye can see. For some beach side fun head down to Playa Ancon for some long stretches of white sand. This is a good place to pull on the snorkel and have a peak and Cuba's underwater world. For more land based activities go horse or bike riding, but be warned, Cuba's bicycles, just like its cars, are vintage. There are also some great treks to be made in the nearby Sierra del Escambray mountains.

While in Trinidad, you can visit a folklore dance and music show at an open-air venue. Cuba has a hugely rich and varied dance and music tradition that draws its roots from as far a field as Africa and France. Many musical styles that have greatly influenced music worldwide originated in Cuba, such as Mambo, Cha-cha-cha, son, and rumba.

Trinidad has a strong Afro-Cuban community and some of the Afro-Cuban religions are also represented in these shows. By now hopefully you have learnt a few steps of salsa and can join in with the locals.

Tonight we stay in a homestay. Room facilities include air-conditioning or ceiling fan.

Included Activities

Afro-Cuban folklore show

Optional Activities

Ancon beach (transport), Trinidad - USD4.00

Bicycle rental (full day), Trinidad - USD5.00

Cayo Blanco island catamaran cruise, Trinidad - USD45.00

Horseback riding, Trinidad - USD20.00

Live music venues, Trinidad - USD3.00

Massage, Trinidad - USD25.00

Moped rental, Trinidad - USD24.00

Musical instrument lesson (guitar, double bass, tres, percussion - per hour), Trinidad - USD10.00

Salsa lesson, Trinidad - USD5.00

Scuba diving (2-tank dive), Trinidad - USD60.00

Snorkelling trip, Trinidad - USD15.00

Steam train ride, Trinidad - USD10.00

Trek to waterfall (taxi and entrance fee), Trinidad - USD27.00

Accommodation

Homestay (2 nts)

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Our journey via Havana to Trinidad takes around 9 hours.

For most visitors to Cuba, Trinidad is their stand-out favourite destination (well, for the ones that make it this far anyway). No other colonial city in Cuba is so well preserved, and the local residents are extremely friendly and festive. Trinidad is steeped in religion, none the least of which is Santeria, which is one of the Afro-Cuban religions (related to Voodoo) that is practised in Cuba.

La Villa de la Santisima Trinidad was founded by Velazsquez in 1514 and the defender of indigenous rights in the Americas, Fray Bartolome de Las Casas, attended over the settlement's first mass. The future conqueror of Mexico, Hernan Cortes recruited sailors here for his future expedition into that land. The town was fairly inactive until the 1800s, when French refugees fleeing a slave revolt in Haiti landed here en mass and brought with them sugar cane cultivation. The new residents settled and farmed in the Valle de Los Ingenios, just northeast of the town. Vast wealth flowed into the local economy from sugar cane cultivation and the area produced one third of the country's sugar at one point. The sugar boom was terminated by the two wars of independence, but the wealth generated by the industry remains visible in the town's once grand mansions, colourful public buildings, wrought iron grill-work and cobble-stoned streets. The town and area also saw a lot of action during and following the triumph of the Revolution, as gangs of counter revolutionaries hid out and struck from the safety of the mountains. The Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra los Bandidos and the Casa de los Mártires de Trinidad, chronicles the struggles of this period in the town's history.

There are some great Spanish-style churches to explore here and nearby is the Valle de los Ingenios, where sugar plantations stretch out as far as the eye can see. For some beach side fun head down to Playa Ancon for some long stretches of white sand. This is a good place to pull on the snorkel and have a peak and Cuba's underwater world. For more land based activities go horse or bike riding, but be warned, Cuba's bicycles, just like its cars, are vintage. There are also some great treks to be made in the nearby Sierra del Escambray mountains.

While in Trinidad, you can visit a folklore dance and music show at an open-air venue. Cuba has a hugely rich and varied dance and music tradition that draws its roots from as far a field as Africa and France. Many musical styles that have greatly influenced music worldwide originated in Cuba, such as Mambo, Cha-cha-cha, son, and rumba.

Trinidad has a strong Afro-Cuban community and some of the Afro-Cuban religions are also represented in these shows. By now hopefully you have learnt a few steps of salsa and can join in with the locals.

Tonight we stay in a homestay. Room facilities include air-conditioning or ceiling fan.

Included Activities

Afro-Cuban folklore show

Optional Activities

Ancon beach (transport), Trinidad - USD4.00

Bicycle rental (full day), Trinidad - USD5.00

Cayo Blanco island catamaran cruise, Trinidad - USD45.00

Horseback riding, Trinidad - USD20.00

Live music venues, Trinidad - USD3.00

Massage, Trinidad - USD25.00

Moped rental, Trinidad - USD24.00

Musical instrument lesson (guitar, double bass, tres, percussion - per hour), Trinidad - USD10.00

Salsa lesson, Trinidad - USD5.00

Scuba diving (2-tank dive), Trinidad - USD60.00

Snorkelling trip, Trinidad - USD15.00

Steam train ride, Trinidad - USD10.00

Trek to waterfall (taxi and entrance fee), Trinidad - USD27.00

Accommodation

Homestay (2 nts)

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The journey from Trinidad to Cienfuegos takes approx. 1 hour. On the way we call in at the island's best botanical garden, which houses some 2,000 species, 70% of which are exotics, including rare tropical plants with important medicinal uses.

Cubans are known to be very proud people, and the citizens of Cuba's third largest port city call their town La Perla del Sur (The Pearl of the South).

Cienfuegos' appeal lies partly in the European flavour of its colonial centre, with a wide Parisian-style boulevard and elegant colonnades. There is ambience enough here to have inspired Cuba's most celebrated 'son' singer to write the words 'Cienfuegos is the city I like best'. He was born nearby, which may have helped.

While here we take a visit to the Palacio del Valle. Once a modest home for a local trader, this palace is now Cienfuegos' architectural pride and joy. The entire edifice drips with ornate carvings in Venetian alabaster.

Again, there is plenty of nightlife all within a very short walk of our centrally located hotel.

Tonight we stay in a hotel located in the very centre of Cienfuegos, which has a distinct colonial character. Hotel facilities include air-conditioning, en suite bathrooms, a restaurant, bar and swimming pool.

Included Activities

Visit to the Palacio del Valle

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

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On the way back to Havana, we pass by Santa Clara to visit the Che Guevara mausoleum and memorial. Che's remains were brought to rest here after they were found in a remote corner of Bolivia in 1997, where he was assassinated by the CIA-backed Bolivian army. There is an impressive bronze statue of Che bearing his rifle. Inside the museum, you can learn about his amazing life and see photos and exhibits such as his famous black beret.

On reaching Havana we return to our hotel and it's time for a final night of salsa. Hit the streets and celebrate a fantastic adventure.

There are no activities planned for day 8 and you are able to depart the hotel at any time. Check out time from the hotel is at 12 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel.

Included Activities

Visit to Che Guevara Mausoleum and Museum

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

!item

On the way back to Havana, we pass by Santa Clara to visit the Che Guevara mausoleum and memorial. Che's remains were brought to rest here after they were found in a remote corner of Bolivia in 1997, where he was assassinated by the CIA-backed Bolivian army. There is an impressive bronze statue of Che bearing his rifle. Inside the museum, you can learn about his amazing life and see photos and exhibits such as his famous black beret.

On reaching Havana we return to our hotel and it's time for a final night of salsa. Hit the streets and celebrate a fantastic adventure.

There are no activities planned for day 8 and you are able to depart the hotel at any time. Check out time from the hotel is at 12 noon. If you are departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel.

Included Activities

Visit to Che Guevara Mausoleum and Museum

Accommodation

Hotel (1 nt)

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Key: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner