Hola Cuba

Experience the energy of Cuba – a cobblestoned Caribbean gem where the rum is plentiful, the smiles infectious and the dancing essential. It’s a Caribbean destination unlike anywhere else in the region, and with the logistics taken care of, you can get to know the country through the people who live here. Wind your way from sultry Havana and its historic center, through the valleys and farms of Pinar del Rio and on to the Afro-inspired beats of Trinidad, meeting tobacco farmers, chefs, local artists, historians and families along the way. Hear Cuban perspectives on the country’s history and daily life to better understand where Cuba came from, where the country sits now and, more importantly, where it’s going.

Day 1: Havana
Bienvenido! Welcome to Cuba. When you arrive, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Soak in the faded beauty of Havana and the surreal feeling that you have entered a bygone era. You’ll have a welcome meeting tonight at 6 pm. Until then, the day is free for you to explore. Why not take a stroll to get acquainted with Cuba’s capital, where vintage cars, plumes of cigar smoke, Neo-Gothic churches and Art Deco theaters come together in a unique mesh of histories. After your welcome meeting, have dinner at a local paladar – a privately owned restaurant and great example of Cuba’s incremental shift to a free-market economy.
Day 2: Havana
After breakfast this morning, set off for a day of discovery, as you find out more about the local customs, folklore and beliefs of Cuba’s Afro-Cuban religion. A local guide will bring you to private homes where you’ll learn about one of Havana’s subcultures from the residents. Next, you’ll get to see outer Havana in a convoy of classic American vintage cars. Cruise past the Malecon, Revolution Square and Avenida de los presidentes. End in Old Havana, where you’ll head out with your leader on a walking tour around this charming neighbourhood. This UNESCO World Heritage site brims with 16th-century fortresses and countless churches and you’ll get to a few of them, including La Catedral San Cristobal de la Habana, the Palacio de los Marqueses de Aguas Claras and the Plaza de Armas. After a full day of exploration, enjoy an evening at leisure.
Day 3: Las Terrazas / Vinales
This morning, head east to Vinales. Along the way, stop by an outer-Havana suburb to see the passion project of Jose Fuster, an artist who has turned an entire neighborhood into a whimsical and colourful series of mosaics known as 'Fusterlandia.' Continue your journey to the local community of Las Terrazas, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that was built as part of a government reforestation project. Meet with local community leaders to learn how the society works, visit the ecological research centre and take a guided walk around the complex. After lunch, continue to the small, culturally rich village of Vinales – situated in one of the prettiest parts of Cuba. When you arrive in the center of town, take an orientation walk, then head to a privately owned organic farm to learn about sustainable farming in Cuba. You may have the chance to meet local farmer Wilfredo Garcia Correa or his family, who will show you around the farm and explain the pesticide-free methods they use to cultivate crops. Then, enjoy a deliciously fresh and diverse meal prepared by the family.
Day 4: Vinales
Spend the morning learning more about Cuban agriculture during a visit to a local tobacco farm. Learn about the rich tradition of Cuban cigars, from tobacco planting to rolling the final cigar. Gain insight into how the communist system works, how much tobacco the farmers keep and how much produce they give back to the government. Share in the secret recipe of how the tobacco farmers cure their leaves, which originated from one family and has been passed down through three generations. Then, sip some freshly roasted coffee from the farm while watching an expert roll a cigar. In the afternoon, get moving with a salsa dance lesson, then watch a cooking demonstration from a local chef. Vinales is one of the more agriculturally productive areas of Cuba, so an abundance of homegrown seasonal fruit and vegetables are always on offer, like avocados, mangoes, pineapples, papayas, guavas and several varieties of sweet potatoes. Sit back, relax and enjoy the well-prepared meal while overlooking the lush Vinales.
Day 5: Bay of Pigs / Cienfuegos
Depart Vinales early this morning and head to Cienfuegos. Stop for lunch, then visit the Korimakao Cultural Project in Cienega de Zapata, an area famous for its wetlands. Founded in 1992, the Korimakao project brings theatre, music and dancing to remote areas of Cuba. You’ll meet a project director and learn about the importance of this venture and the number of students that have benefited from it. Continue along the picturesque coast to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cienfuegos. This is the gem of the south, a seaside town of relaxing streets and French architecture. Stop for a photo at the waterside Palacio del Valle, known for its Moorish and Spanish Mudejar styles. Learn more about its history as you take in the beauty of its intricate Venetian alabaster carvings. Maybe head to the rooftop for a sunset drink while you’re here.
Day 6: Trinidad
This morning, join your group for a leader-led walk around Cienfuegos before getting back on the road and heading towards the Topes de Collantes Natural Park. Have lunch at a small, privately owned family farm, then travel on to the beautiful city of Trinidad. Located near the Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of Sugar Mills) and Playa Ancon, Trinidad enjoys long stretches of unspoiled, white-sand beaches and is home to numerous churches and well-preserved buildings. When you arrive, take a guided cultural tour of the city, stepping inside a few historic buildings housing interesting museum collections. Later, visit the private pottery workshop of the Santander family, who have produced pottery for generations. In the evening, perhaps seek out the local dance scene in Trinidad, maybe the Afro-Cuban Folkloric dance group that perform shows at the club Palenque.
Day 7: Trinidad
This morning is yours to explore Trinidad. Perhaps you’d like to hire a bike and cycle along the city’s colorful streets, past once-grand mansions, pastel buildings and wrought-iron features. Or maybe choose to explore one of the excellent walking trails in the nearby Sierra del Escambray mountains. Your leader can suggest a local paladar for lunch. In the afternoon, maybe head to Playa Ancon for some beach time and perhaps a little snorkelling. This evening, join back up with your group for dinner.
Day 8: Havana
Depart Trinidad this morning and make your way to Santa Clara, a key city in the Cuban Revolution. When you arrive, you’ll see the iconic statue of Ernesto Che Guevara, built to commemorate his death and that of the revolutionaries. There will also be time to explore the museum which honors Che's life. Then, drive back to Havana, where you’ll have some time to freshen up before a final, fun-filled night of music, dinner and dancing at Rosalia de Castro – where you’ll enjoy an ensemble of Cuban classics performed live by Buena Vista Social Club!
Day 9: Havana
Your adventure ends today after breakfast. There are no activities planned for the final day, so it’s time to say goodbye to your leader and your new travel friends before you head back to the US.