Viva Cuba

Day 1: Havana

Our trip starts today in Havana, but with no activities planned you may arrive at any time. There is a pre-departure meeting with your English-speaking Cuban tour leader at 7pm this evening. Please check the notice board in the foyer of your joining hotel for the exact time of this meeting and any other messages regarding your tour. Please bring your passport and travel insurance documents to the briefing.

Day 2: Havana

After breakfast we begin our exploration of La Habana Vieja (Old Havana). A common reaction of travellers exploring the city for the first time is to think they are on a Hollywood movie set! Old cars cruise the wide tree-lined boulevards and small alleyways, old men in straw hats puff on enormous Cuban cigars and lilting Cuban 'son' music fills the air. It's an intoxicating atmosphere and it is not hard to get caught in the rhythm of the city. Havana is a delightful place to explore on foot and is home to many beautiful galleries, museums, churches and monuments. After a day of exploration we can highly recommend that you stop in at one of Old Havana's many historic bars and enjoy a delicious and minty 'mojito' cocktail. Try the atmospheric bar, Dos Hermanos, which is tucked away down near the harbour.

Day 3: Havana

UNESCO declared Havana a World Heritage site in 1982 and restoration has been going on since that time, with many dilapidated public buildings painstakingly restored to their former glory. Some of the finest examples of Spanish colonial architecture can be found within easy walking distance of the hotel and many of these historic buildings are open to visitors. Highly recommended is a tour of one of Cuba's famous cigar factories, Real Fabrica de Tabacos Partagas, which is located just behind one of Havana's most glorious buildings - the Capitolio Nacional. A visit to the Museo de la Revolucion is also highly recommended. This museum is housed in the former Presidential Palace, one of the most impressive buildings in Cuba, and provides a complete account of the Cuban Revolution. There are plenty of historic maps and documents, as well as static displays and equipment, describing key events of the revolution. Old military vehicles including trucks, fighter planes and boats are located in a covered section at the rear of the main building. If you are feeling a little overwhelmed by the buildings and museums it might be time for a change of pace! You won't have to look very far to find and hear traditional Cuban music in full swing. Seemingly every small bar, hotel and restaurant around town has a resident group of musicians on hand. Your feet will be tapping, and before long, you'll be up on the dance floor doing the salsa! We have not worked out if there's a correlation between the number of 'mojitos' you consume and your salsa-dancing skills... maybe you can find out for yourself!

Day 4-6: Santiago de Cuba

This morning we leave Havana and fly to Santiago de Cuba, in the far east of the country. Santiago holds a special place in the hearts of many Cubans, as it was here that the first seeds of the Cuban Revolution were sown. The nearby rugged mountains of the Sierra Maestra were home to Fidel Castro and other revolutionaries during this turbulent period. For music lovers Santiago is often a highlight of the trip, as many of the traditional forms of Cuban music were developed here over the centuries and the local musicians consider themselves the custodians of all things musical! Not surprisingly, a small but thriving musical instrument manufacturing industry can be found here. Music and nightlife go hand in hand and the bars and clubs of Santiago are legendary. After a walking tour of the city with our guide we have free time to explore the delights of the city. Santiago has many incredible public buildings, museums and churches to explore and our leader will be on hand to show us around.

Day 7: Camaguey

Heading into the lush interior of Cuba it's a long drive to Camaguey, situated about halfway between Havana and Santiago. The surrounding countryside is marked with cattle farms, as well as citrus orchards and sugar plantations. Camaguey itself always manages to surprise, with it's twisting streets and alleyways, and a notable feature of the city is the proliferation of huge earthenware water pots known as 'tinajones'. We see these all over the city and they were originally used to store water in times of drought.

Day 8-10: Trinidad

First thing this morning there is a tour of the old town centre of Camaguey before continuing our drive across the interior to historic Trinidad, arriving late afternoon. Standing on the streets of Trinidad is like stepping back in time. From vantage points above the town we almost expect to see Spanish galleons anchored offshore, several kilometres away. Set up in 1514 this was the third settlement established in Cuba by the Spaniards. It's no surprise that UNESCO declared Trinidad and the beautiful rolling hills that surround it, a World Heritage site in 1988. This is quintessential Cuba - of cobblestone streets, pastel coloured houses, old Chevrolets, ice cream shops and gorgeous churches. Locals sit out on the doorsteps of their houses in the evening, discussing the events of the day while puffing on giant cigars. For these reasons and more, Trinidad is one of the most-visited towns in the entire country. The town is small enough to walk around and is incredibly photogenic and there is plenty to do. Accompanied by our tour leader, it is easy to do our own exploration of the town. Climb the bell tower of the central Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra Bandidos (a former convent) for great views over the old rooftops and surrounding hills. There are some great markets here, specialising in beautiful Cuban linen. Tablecloths of all shapes and sizes are delicately embroidered and are a great buy. We will need to bargain hard though! If in need of a beach fix, it's a short ride in a 'coco taxi' (or an easy bike ride), to nearby Playa Ancon - a white sand beach lapped by the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea. Please note that there is a shortage of reliable accommodation in Trinidad and many of the hotels experience constant water and electrical shortages. From time to time it has been necessary for us to stay in the nearby colonial town of Sancti Spiritus (65km), which because of its historical significance was declared a national monument in 1964. Should this be the case on our trip, a bus will be provided daily to take us into Trinidad.

Day 11: Santa Clara

Departing the coast, we head inland to the historic city of Santa Clara. This city was the sight of a major victory for the Cuban revolutionaries. Ernesto Che Guevara led a small band of soldiers in an attack on a heavily armed train. Although significantly outnumbered, Guevara's forces defeated the government troops. Learning of the defeat, the President Batista fled the country a few days later, thus sealing victory for Fidel Castro and his revolutionaries. Not surprisingly large murals of Che Guevara and inspiring revolutionary slogans are found all over the city! Today, Santa Clara is home to one of Cuba's largest universities. For most visitors though, a visit to the Revolutionary Plaza and imposing Che Guevara Monument is the highlight. The remains of Che and fellow revolutionaries are interred within the walls of this imposing structure. It's a serene and peaceful place and an important political symbol of freedom for many Cuban people.

Day 12: Havana

Today we take the short drive back to Havana, where our Cuban holiday comes to an end upon arrival at the bus station. If you are flying out of Havana today, please do not book your flight to depart until after 4pm (16:00 hrs).

Tour Grade: Moderate

A moderate level of fitness is required. These trips generally involve some physical activities and occasional long travelling days. Accommodation and travel conditions may be more basic.