A Taste of Cuba

Welcome to Havana, the lively capital of Cuba. Founded by the Spanish in the 16th century, it is now a soulful mix of colonial architecture, street troubadours and classic cars. We check into our first casas particulares of the trip; today is all about settling in and unwinding after your flight. Meet your tour leader and fellow passengers today at the start accommodation.



Accommodation: Casas particulares

Today, we travel to the Viñales Valley in the west of Cuba. Famous for its rolling tobacco plantations and collection of limestone karsts, it’s easy to see why Viñales was awarded World Heritage status. Joined by a local resident, we walk through the Valley of Silence to soak up rural Cuban life as farmers tend to their crops using traditional farming methods. We also visit a tobacco farm to learn about the famous Cuban export and meet with a tobacco farmer to understand the growing process. After checking into our casas particulares, we visit a farm in the Viñales hills for a sunset dinner overlooking the valley.



Accommodation: Casas particulares

This morning, we have a long drive eastward to Cienfuegos. We stop for lunch at a small beachfront restaurant at the Bay of Pigs, where the speciality is fish freshly caught just off the coast by local fishermen. Time permitting, enjoy a refreshing dip in the sea. We are joined by a local nature expert who introduces us to the natural landscape and characteristics of the area. We also have time to explore the Girón Museum, which exhibits items from the failed invasion by CIA-backed Cuban Americans. Afterwards, we continue to Cienfuegos, a city full of architectural delights and Cuban spirit with a beautiful main square and restored buildings. On arrival, we check into our casas. Tonight, we enjoy a Cuban-themed evening with a creole dinner followed by dominoes, rum and music.



Today’s travel time is approximately seven hours.



Accommodation: Casas particulares

This morning, we start with a tour on bici-taxi, a fun and more sustainable way to see the city. Each can accommodate two people and is pedalled by a local resident (most of whom like to introduce their guests to reggaeton music!). The bici-taxi tour is a great time to talk to Cienfuegos residents and refine your Spanish.



After, we depart Cienfuegos and drive down the coast to Trinidad, a World Heritage site since 1988 and perhaps the best-preserved colonial town on the island. Exploring Trinidad is like stepping back in time, the cobbled streets and horse-drawn transportation whisking you back to the Colonial era. There are many interesting museums in old colonial buildings and music drifts through the streets and plazas, bringing the town to life. We have a walking tour with a local resident who provides an insider perspective of what it’s like to live in Trinidad. The tour also includes a visit to Casa Templo de Santeria de Yemaya where we learn about Santeria, an Afro-Cuban religion.



Our dinner is at a private paladar where a local collective of musicians performs interpretations of classic Cuban trova songs. This is sure to be a lively evening and a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the distinct rhythms of Cuban music.



Accommodation: Casas particulares

This morning, we transfer to Playa Ancón, making a short stop to visit the picturesque fishing village of La Boca. This is a popular spot with local fishermen, who we meet and speak to about the fishing industry in Cuba. Then we carry on to Playa Ancón and enjoy time at the beach. It is a great place to swim or you can simply dip your toes in the water and relax. After, we have an authentic Cuban lunch prepared for us. Back in Trinidad, we join the Santander family for a pottery-making class. Here we learn skills passed through several generations of this Cuban family before making our own pottery with the guidance of a family member.



Also this afternoon, we meet a Cuban barman who is an expert at making the perfect mojito! After a mojito-making lesson, everyone can mix their own in the authentic Cuban way. We then take part in a salsa class, learning the fundamentals with Cuban dance partners. Trinidad is known for its nightlife, so after we’ve learnt the salsa basics, we visit Casa de la Trova, a legendary live music venue, to listen to local musicians playing authentic Cuban music. This venue is always lively and sociable, with plenty of Cubans keen to let us improve our moves with them!



Accommodation: Casas particulares

After breakfast, we visit a project in Trinidad that showcases the skilled process of making textile handicrafts. Then, leaving Trinidad, we head to Manaca Iznaga, where we learn about the sugar-growing history surrounding the Valle de los Ingenios, a hugely important industry for Cuba during the 18th and 19th centuries. As we have a long transfer today, we take packed lunches from our accommodation.



We also visit a country farm where you can enjoy a cafecito (Cuban coffee) and learn about the crops grown in the area. As well as being welcomed into their house for a cafecito, we have a short walk around the property with the owners, learning about small-scale agriculture techniques and industry in rural Cuba.



Our next stop is Santa Clara, the site of the last battle of the Cuban Revolution in December 1958, just before Fidel Castro took Havana. Che Guevara and his troops ambushed an armoured train carrying arms to Santiago de Cuba and this was a major turning point in the Revolution. We visit the Mausoleum of Che Guevara and his comrades who died in Bolivia before driving back to Havana. Dinner is at a private paladar, run by an entrepreneurial chef who pioneers a fusion of Cuban and Asian cuisine.



Today’s travel time is approximately five hours.



Accommodation: Casas particulares

This morning, we have a walking tour of Havana, the capital and largest city in Cuba. It includes a tour of Old Havana, which is often described as a living museum with magnificent monuments, cathedrals and palaces. During our tour, we visit a ration store, food market and artisan market.



We then explore the capital a little more… and there is no better way to see Havana than by classic car. Visiting both the old and new areas of the city in pristine classic cars, we discover the distinct areas of the capital, stopping at points of interest for explanations and stories.



Accommodation: Casas particulares

This morning is free to relax or do some last-minute sightseeing in Havana Old Town before we bid a fond farewell to each other and begin our return journeys home.