Cuba: Cultural Adventure (15 days)
Surrounded by incomparable beauty, explore Cuban and Spanish culture in our natural beauty & cultural tour that takes you from Havana to Holguin.
We will explore the scenic treasures and rhythms that have delighted visitors to this Caribbean nation for centuries.
2014 Departure Dates & Cost
February 13 to 27, 2014 - Cuban Cultural Tour
This program also available on a daily basis for 2 or more persons: add $380 per person
Tour cost from Havana: $ 2,530 CAD
Single Supplement $ 425 CAD (single travellers can also be asked to be matched with a room mate)
Airfare from Toronto: Air Canada approximately $ 800 CAD
Airfare from Vancouver: Approximately $ 995 CAD
Air also available from Calgary, Cancun and Nassau and other cities - please ask for details
EARLY BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL - Deposit $ 400 per person required
Custom trips to Cuba on a daily basis - Ask for details.
Itinerary
FEBRUARY 13 ARRIVE HAVANA
Depart flight to Havana. On arrival transfer to the Hotel Nacional de Cuba.
FEBRUARY 14 HAVANA (B,L)
Morning at leisure. Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing of Havana including a walking tour. We will walk through the resplendent Spanish Colonial and "tropical baroque" architecture of the La Habana Vieja (Old Town), designated as a Unesco Cultural Heritage Site. The Plaza de Armas (Square of Arms) houses El Templete (the Little Temple), which memorializes the birthplace of the city in 1519. The Palacio de los Capitanes Generales (Palace of the Captains General) was the largest colonial building of its time, and for 176 years was the seat of colonial government. The Museo de la Ciudad (City Museum) gives an historical overview of Havana. Castillo de la Real Fuerza is surrounded by a moat. It is the second oldest fortress built by the Spaniards in the West Indies, erected in 1577 to defend the city from constant pirate attacks. We will see the Bas'lica de San Francisco de Ases, a striking example of Cuban baroque architecture. Also visit the Plaza de la Catedral, one of the most authentic and best-preserved squares in Havana, with the cathedral and surrounding buildings nearly all restored to their original splendor. Optional evening dinner at the Aguilar Restaurant followed by a show at the Parisien Cabaret.
FEBRUARY 15 HAVANA - CIENFUEGOS (B,L,D)
Breakfast. Overland trip to Cienfuegos, stop at Playa Giron (Bay of Pigs) for optional snorkelling. There is a dive kiosk there we can rent gear if you do not bring your own. There is both salt water and a freshwater pool called the fish cave. Lunch and continue to Cienfuegos. Overnight Hotel Jagua with dinner. Optional performance at the Cienfuegos theatre. 5 CUC (regular seat) 40 CUC (balcony seat per person)
FEBRUARY 16 CIENFUEGOS - TRINIDAD (B,L)
Breakfast. City tour of Cienfuegos, the city known as the pearl of the south with its classical buildings and wide boulevards. Cienfuegos' architectural pride is the Palacio del Valle at the tip of Punta Gorda, now a restaurant. We will also visit the Cienfuegos theatre and the Cathedral with its gorgeous stained glass windows and its Cuban hardwood carved balconies and possibly the botanical gardens. Lunch and drive 2 hours to Trinidad.
FEBRUARY 17 TRINIDAD (B,L)
Breakfast. Full day tour. Trinidad is the crown jewel of Cuba's colonial cities. Fourth of the seven cities founded by Diego de Velasquea in 1514, Trinidad is maintained as a living museum, just as the Spaniards left it in its period of greatest opulence. Narrow cobblestone streets are lined with terracotta tile roofed houses in soft pastel colors and fancy "rejas" (grills) of wrought iron. Buildings are fronted by mahogany balustrades and massive wooden doors. By day, mule-drawn carts and "vaqueros" on horseback clip-clop through the cobbled streets and the elderly rock beneath shady verandas, serenaded by twittering show birds in bamboo cages - a Trinidad tradition. Colonial city tour in the afternoon including visits to two museums. With its winding cobbled streets and hardly any signs of modernization beyond the electrification of the town's old lampposts, Trinidad is perfect for exploration by foot. Everywhere there are doorways leading to leafy courtyards, which house everything from restaurants and museums to accommodation and knickknack shops. If your idea of heaven is sipping a cocktail at a table overlooking a picture-perfect colonial square while a talented Cuban band plays traditional music for your personal entertainment, this is the place for you. Lunch included. Dinner on own. There are many Cuban and African shows throughout the charming town.
FEBRUARY 18 TRINIDAD - CAMAGUEY - HOLGUIN (B,L,D)
Breakfast. Drive to the town of Camguey, known for its winding narrow streets, restored colonial buildings and Baroque architecture. A short city tour, lunch and continue to drive to Holguin. Overnight Hotel Pernik.
FEBRUARY 19 SIERRA MAESTRA MOUNTAINS - SANTIAGO (B,L,D)
Early morning departure to explore the majesty of the rugged mountains of Cuba's southeast. The Sierra Maestra, Cuba's highest and most extensive mountain range stretches along the southern coast of the island. The unruly beauty of the 
landscape - a vision of churning seas, undulating green-gold mountains and remote sugar fields will take your breath away. The Sierra Maestra area is where Fidel Castro's first revolutionaries started the "The War in The Mountains" from 1956 until 1959. Arrive Santiago for 2 nights at Hotel Las Americas.
FEBRUARY 20 SANTIAGO DE CUBA (B,L,D)
Nowhere outside of Havana is there a city with such definite character or such determination to have a good time. Sheltered by the imposing Sierra Maestra mountains, huddled around the deep blue waters of Santiago de Cuba Bay, this is the most hospitable, musical and friendly city on the island. It was here that the first slaves arrived from West Africa and today Santiago boasts a larger percentage of their descendants than anywhere else. Afro-Cuban culture, with its music, myths and rituals, formed its roots here. The city was founded by Diego Velazques in 1514 and our full day city tour, will include a walking tour of the colonial quarter - a treasure trove of colonial architecture, the Museum of Ambiente Cubano with its interesting collection of furniture, tapestries, crystal ware and art work, the Cesar Escalante Tobacco Factory, the St. Iphigenia Cemetery and the Milio Bacardi Moreau Museum with its excellent collection of Cuban fine art, archaeological curios including an Egyptian mummy.
FEBRUARY 21 SANTIAGO/BARACOA (B,L,D)
Morning to enjoy the stunning views and then Continue our drive via La Farola where we can observe the US Naval Base at Guantanamo. The road is a marvelous piece of engineering that includes 11 bridges suspended on the mountainside by columns. 2 nights Baracoa at Hotel Castilito
FEBRUARY 22 BARACOA (B,L,D)
Baracoa is simply the most beautiful place in Cuba. Set on the coast on Cuba's southern tip and protected by a deep curve of mountains, its isolation has so far managed to protect it from some of the more pernicious effects of tourism gradually creeping into other areas of the island. Self-contained and secluded, the tiny town vibrates with an energy surprising for such a small place. The town is nestled against the ocean beneath rugged mountains, most notably the great hulking mass of El Yunque (the Anvil), a huge, flat-topped mesa. Five centuries have passed, but it has lost none of the beauty that so impressed Columbus when he arrived here in 1492. It is the oldest colonial city in The Americas. Surrounded by awe-inspiring countryside, the abundance of cacao trees makes it the nation's chocolate manufacturer. Our historical city tour will include Matachin Fort and La Cruz de la Parra in the Catedral Nuestra Se'ora de la Asuncion. This celebrated cross is reputed to have been erected by Columbus himself.
FEBRUARY 23 BARACOA - GUARDALAVACA (BEACH RESORT) (B,L,D):
During our drive en route to Guardalavaca, our home for the next 3 nights we will visit Gibara, the site where Columbus disembarked for the first time in Cuba in October 28, 1492. Despite being one of Holguin's main tourist areas, Guardalavaca retains a lovely home-spun air. It is the ideal place to slip into the warmth of the sea, sunbathe and enjoy the watersports. Overnight All-inclusive Sol Rio de Luna Y Mares Resort for 4 nights
FEBRUARY 24 GUARDALAVACA RESORT (B,L,D)
Free day to enjoy the spectacular beaches.
FEBRUARY 25 GUARDALAVACA RESORT (B,L,D)
Free day - optional catamaran cruise
FEBRUARY 26 GUARDALAVACA RESORT (B,L,D)
Free day - optional catamaran cruise
FEBRUARY 27 HOLGUIN DEPARTURE (B)
Morning at leisure. Late afternoon departure to the airport for the flight home.
Additional Information
Please contact us for further details by calling 1 (800) 690.7887
