Cuba

It should be noted that tourism is still developing in Cuba. Accommodation is sometimes simple in style and service can be slow, but the delights of the island more than compensate for this.

Typical of the hotels you will stay in are the Brisas Hotel in Guardalavaca, the Melia Santiago in Santiago de Cuba, the Colon Hotel in the Camaguey, the Brisas Trinidad in Trinidad, the Jagua Hotel in Cienfuegos, the Los Jasmines Hotel in the Vinales Valley and the Sevilla Hotel in Havana. Hotels will be confirmed in your final documents.

All hotels feature rooms with air-conditioning and private facilities. Some hotels also feature a swimming pool. Hotel changes can sometimes be made at short notice but a similar standard of hotel will be offered.

Day 1: UK/Havana

Depart on your scheduled flight to Havana, Cuba. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 2: Guardalavaca

Today you will fly to Holguin in the east of the island, and transfer to the idyllic beach resort of Guardalavaca for a two night stay on an all-inclusive basis.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 3: Guardalavaca

Cuba is famed for its sun-kissed Caribbean shores, and this is your chance to experience one of the island’s finest. Just 35 miles from Holguin and a beautiful drive through hilly Cuban countryside, Guardalavaca boasts dazzling white sands to laze on, fringed by cooling palm trees – a great relaxing start to any Caribbean holiday. Its crystal-clear waters are the perfect temperature for thriving marine life and the nearby coral reefs present wonderful opportunities for swimming or snorkelling. Free to relax on the beach or take an optional excursion.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day 4: Santiago de Cuba

Depart Guardalavaca for the scenic drive through the Sierra Maestra Mountains, continuing to Santiago de Cuba.

Named the country’s ‘Heroic City’, Santiago de Cuba has many stories to tell about Cuba’s colourful history. It was here that Cuba’s fight for independence from the Spanish in the 19th century and the revolution in the 1950s were launched and this is evident in the city’s many monuments and buildings. The locals are an eclectic mix of African, American-Indian, French, Spanish and Chinese, which makes Santiago come alive at night. Latin American rhythms are the heartbeat of this city, and it is not unusual to see musicians and dancers performing in the main plaza. A city sightseeing tour is included during your stay, visiting Castillo del Morro, a magnificent castle at the entrance to the bay, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lunch is also included.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day 5: Santiago de Cuba

This morning we have included visits to the National Park, the famous farmhouse of Granjita Siboney, where Fidel Castro launched his attack on the Moncada Barracks, and the José Marti Memorial. During the late afternoon experience salsa music on an included visit to the popular Casa de la Trova. Here locals sing and play to passionate rhythms. You can join in too!

Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Camaguey

Depart Santiago de Cuba for the drive to the Camaguey area, stopping for a brief visit in Bayamo. You will pass through small villages and farming regions en route.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 7: Trinidad

Depart for Trinidad, travelling through the picturesque town of Sancti Spiritus. Upon arrival transfer to the Brisas Hotel for a two night stay on an all-inclusive basis.

During the afternoon enjoy an included sightseeing tour of Trinidad. The richness of its picturesque colonial architecture remains largely untouched by the trappings of the 20th century. The whole city is a National Monument and features on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. From the cobbled streets to the pretty Plaza Mayor, the centre is lovely and compact and there is so much to explore, including the fascinating side streets with a vast array of arts and crafts to buy.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 8: Trinidad

Free to explore the many delights of Trinidad, relax at your hotel or, for the more energetic, take advantage of the various inclusive water sports available.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day 9: Cienfuegos

Departure to Cienfuegos where we include a city tour. Known as ‘The Pearl of the South’, this charming town and port still retains its strong French influence inherited from those who migrated here from Louisiana in the 19th century. En route we also include a stop at the Botanical Gardens. Run by the government since 1961, the gardens are among the largest in Latin America, with over 2,000 different species of plants.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 10: Cienfuegos

Free to relax or join an optional half-day excursion to Santa Clara. Situated halfway between the north and south coasts, this was an important strategic site during the war of independence and the revolution. Here you will see Che Guevara’s Memorial and the Plaza de la Revolucion. Afternoon at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 11: Vinales

Today you will travel to the awe-inspiring mountains and lush vegetation of the Vinales Valley and Pinar del Rio. En route you will follow the coastline along the famous Bay of Pigs.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 12: Havana

A visit to the working community of Las Terrazas is included. After an included lunch you will drive to Havana. Accommodation has been arranged for a three night stay.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch

Day 13: Havana

Havana, Cuba’s capital, is the biggest city in the Caribbean and one of the most amazing in the world. La Habana Vieja (Old Havana) is a wonderful place to explore. Old American Chevrolets and Cadillacs roll along Havana’s streets which are lined with faded elegant building facades, a reminder of its Spanish heritage. Over recent years many have been magnificently restored, reminding us Cuba was once known as “the pearl of the Caribbean”. Indeed, the Spanish ran their entire Latin American empire from Havana, and the sheer wealth and magnificence of unspoilt colonial architecture has to been seen to be believed.

Today we have included a full sightseeing programme including Old Havana where you will see the Plaza de Armas, the old Presidential Palace and Cathedral Square.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 14: Havana

At leisure to explore this fascinating city. After a farewell dinner, evening optional visit to the world famous Tropicana Nightclub for your last opportunity to experience those Latin rhythms.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 15: Havana/UK

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 16: UK

Arrival in the UK.