A Journey through Cuba
14 Days - Departs daily
Discover beautiful Cuba on this comprehensive 14 day journey covering all of its most spectacular destinations. Cruise through Havana in a vintage American car, experience rural life in the beautiful fertile valley of Vinales and enjoys visits to some of the most significant places in Cuba’s revolutionary history. You will also visit Cuba’s most impressive colonial towns including Trinidad and Santiago de Cuba before completing your trip by the wonderful beaches of Guardalavaca.
from AUD $4311pp
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Itinerary Highlights
- Explore the cobbled streets and fabulous colonial architecture of Havana Vieja.
- Ride in a classic American car around the modern part of Havana.
- Explore the colonial streets and exquisitely preserved buildings in atmospheric Trinidad.
- Learn about Cuba’s turbulent history, and in particular it’s revolutionary hero Che Guevara.
- Enjoy some free time relaxing at several of Cuba’s sublime Caribbean beaches.
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage listed town of Cienfuegos.
- Drive through the picturesque country town of Viñales, passing classic cars and horse drawn carts.
- Travel with your own personal driver guide, a local who speaks good english and will be able to adapt your holiday to your preferences.
- Experience Cuban hospitality with a stay at a bed and breakfast known as a 'Casa Particular' (hotel can be included if you prefer).
- Explore a fascinating tour of Santiago city with a visit to El Morro Castle.
- Relax by the beautiful beaches of Cayo Coco.
Tailor-made suggestions for this itinerary
- Not interested in a day at leisure? We can always return you to Havana a day earlier.
- Try a salsa lesson in Havana.
- Consider an overnight stay in Viñales.
- Extend your holiday and explore the rich history of Mexico: Best of Mexico & 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 – Bay of Pigs - Cienfuegos
This morning we transfer you to Cienfuegos, approximately a four hour drive southeast. 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. Another stop will be at the historic Bay of Pigs where you'll see the actual place where US forces landed during the 1961 invasion of Cuba. Also, Australian's may be interested to stop in a small town along the way called Australia. On arrival in Cienfuegos you will check in to your accommodation and have some time for lunch (own expense).
After lunch, your guide will take you on a walking tour of this laid back maritime city, known as the 'Pearl of the South', due to its lovely location on a picturesque Caribbean bay. Walk through the city's well preserved colonial centre and learn about its proud musical tradition and its famous musicians, like Benny More.
The evening is at your leisure.
Breakfast included.
Travel to Trinidad
This morning we'll transfer you to the town of Trinidad, which is often referred to as the Soul of Cuba.
On arrival, 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 should consider a drive out to Playa Ancón for beach time and perhaps even some scuba diving. Tonight we recommend you check out Casa de la Musica for some salsa dancing, before heading to the Disco Ayala, set in a cave and dinner in the private restaurant ‘Sol Ananda’ or ‘La Cubita’.
Breakfast included.
Free Day
Free day at leisure. Guide and transportation at disposition for Trinidad and surroundings.
Breakfast included.
Travel to Sancti Spiritus & Camaguey
Your first stop today will be the city of Sancti Spiritus which despite having a wonderful colonial heart is well off the Cuban tourist trail. After lunch and a tour of the city you'll head to Camaguey, the third largest city in Cuba and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city was founded in 1515 on the coast but was moved inland 13 years later after almost continuous attacks by pirates. The new city was built with a confusing layout of winding alleys that made it easier to defend from any raiders and you'll delight in the many blind alleys and forked streets that lead off to squares and plazas of different sizes. However, there is a different version of history that says that the city was built in this way simply because there was no proper town planning done at the time!
You’ll be given a guided tour of all the main sights of the city before enjoying free time in the evening.
Breakfast included.
Bayamo, El Cobre & Santiago de Cuba
Today you will travel further east, your first stop being Bayamo where national hero Manuel Cespedes started the fight for freedom from the Spanish crown at the end of the 19th century. The city characterised by it's horse-drawn carriages is also the place where the Cuban national anthem "La Bayamesa" was composed. You will then continue on to "El Cobre" located in the mountains of the Sierra Maestra. In the later afternoon you will arrive at Santiago de Cuba, a melting pot of different cultures and city of music where the Cuban Son was born.
Breakfast included.
City Tour
Santiago de Cuba has a fascinating history (for 67 years it was actually the capital of Cuba) and there are numerous sights both in and around the city which you’ll visit during a comprehensive tour of Santiago and its surrounding areas. During the Cuban Revolution the city was a hotbed of guerrilla activity and among the places you’ll visit are the Moncada Barracks which was attacked in 1953 by revolutionaries led by a young Fidel Castro in what was his first ever military operation. But perhaps the highlight of your city tour will be El Morro Castle that overlooks the bay and which is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as “the most complete, best-preserved example of Spanish-American military architecture, bases on Italian and Renaissance design principles”.
In the afternoon explore the historic centre by foot including the most important sightseeing points: Parque Cespedes, Casa Velaquez, Museum of Carenval, Calle Heredia and Plaza Dolores.
Breakfast and Lunch included.
Santiago – Holguin
Trip to the capital of the province Holguin.
Holguin to Cayo Coco (Private)
Today you will be driven by private vehicle from Holguin to Cayo Coco.
Breakfast included.
Cayo Coco- Day at Leisure (Private)
Days at leisure with all meals and drinks included at your hotel.
Cayo Coco is Cuba's fourth-largest island, a 370-sq-km beach-rimmed paradise. Is an idyllic spot with fine sandy beaches and turquoise waters, protected by coral reefs and offers an ideal place to relax for couples and families alike.
Breakfast included.
Cayo Coco to Havana (Private)
Our representative will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to your hotel in Havana.
Breakfast included.
Departure
Our representative will pick you up from your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your departure flight.
Breakfast included.
Departs daily
Season | Type | From | Special Offer |
---|---|---|---|
01 May 2024 - 31 Oct 2024 | AUD $4311pp | ||
Comfort | AUD $4311pp | Contact us | |
Superior | AUD $4787pp | Contact us | |
Deluxe | AUD $5730pp | Contact us |
**Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
**Single supplements may apply
Comfort
Havana, Cuba - Casa Boutique Animas y Virtudes
Cienfuegos, Cuba - Cienfuegos - Casa Particular
Trinidad, Cuba - Casa Martica y Jose
Camaguey, Cuba - Casa Eduardo y Geraldine
Santiago de Cuba, Cuba - Hostal La Hiedra
Holguin, Cuba - Hotel E Caballeriza
Cayo Coco, Cuba - Hotel Melia Cayo Coco
Havana, Cuba - La Reserva Vedado
Superior
Havana, Cuba - Hotel Mystique Regis Habana
Cienfuegos, Cuba - Hotel Perla del Mar
Trinidad, Cuba - Casa Colonial
Camaguey, Cuba - Hotel Camino de Hierro
Santiago de Cuba, Cuba - Melia Santiago de Cuba
Holguin, Cuba - Hotel E Caballeriza
Cayo Coco, Cuba - Hotel Iberostar Esmeralda
Deluxe
Havana, Cuba - Gran Hotel Bristol La Habana
Cienfuegos, Cuba - Meliá San Carlos
Trinidad, Cuba - Hotel Mystique Trinidad La Popa
Camaguey, Cuba - Hotel Camino de Hierro
Santiago de Cuba, Cuba - Melia Santiago de Cuba
Holguin, Cuba - Hotel E Caballeriza
Cayo Coco, Cuba - Hotel Kempinski Resort Cayo Guillermo
Whats included?
- Accommodation with private facilities
- Hotel taxes
- Entrance fees and excursions as per program
- Private tours with English speaking guides
- Transfers
- Meals as specified
What’s not included?
- International and internal airfares
- Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable
- Travel insurance
- Cuban tourist card*
- Gratuities
- Any items not mentioned as included
Notes
- Hotel rates are based on lead-in rooms and low season. Other room types and hotels are available. Rates are subject to change and different rates may apply during holiday seasons and special events.
- Accommodation: A Casa Particular means private home stays in Cuba, very similar to Bed & Breakfast.
- *For a small surcharge we can assist with organising your Cuba Tourist Card (visa).