Cuba Havana Holidays

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There really is only one Cuba, a slow paced and colourful country with salsa music pulsating through its veins. You'll stay in one of Havana's finest hotels and use this as a base to explore a city where the old and the new converge as Cuba adapts to the end of the Castro era. Go deep into the Cuban countryside to visit lush landscapes, rolling tobacco plantations and world heritage sites on your voyage of discovery. Your trip in Cuba will leave you in awe of this beautiful tropical island.

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Grand American Adventures travellers will join our sister company for this special journey.

Upgraded colonial and region specific hotel accommodation is included on this tour.

Why not arrange your own Grand American Adventures departure? For groups of 8 or more, we can offer private departures on any of our published itineraries enabling friends, families or organizations to enjoy our style of travel at special rates. Although tours will run as per our standard itinerary shown here, slight modifications may be considered and dates can be chosen to suit your needs. (Subject to seasonal/operational restrictions). So contact us today and start planning your own adventure.

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Trip Itinerary

Our routes have been carefully chosen to include the best night stops and highlights. However, as local and operational conditions may vary and unforeseen circumstances can arise, the following itinerary should be used as a guideline.

As day one is an arrivals day you are free to arrive at any time. You will have a welcome meeting at approximately 18:00 this evening where you meet your Tour Leader, fellow travellers and get excited about your up and coming trip. Should you wish to book pre tour accommodation in Havana please don't hesitate to contact us at the time of booking.

Day 1: Havana

Arrive into Havana and transfer (not included) to your Havana hotel plus explore the city at your leisure.

Featured Accommodation: Hotel Parque Central
This is easily Havana's top hotel with a rooftop pool and exquisite views. The hotel utilises the elegance of the Spanish colonial style with modern services and facilities. The hotel is centrally located within close proximity to the Plaza de la Catedral, Capitolio building, Gran Teatro de La Habana, Havana Harbour. A unique experience combining old colonial standards with modern Cuba.
Meals: Paid locally

Day 2: Havana

Embark on your guided tour through old Havana. Enjoy the highlights and colourful back roads of this city, from the comfort of 1950's vintage American cars. Walk through the political heart of the Plaza de la Revolucion and visit Cathedral Square, Arms Square, St Francis Square and Old Square. Free time in the afternoon to explore, or sit in one of the many cafes and watch the world go by.
Featured Accommodation: Hotel Parque Central | Meals: Breakfast included. Other meals paid locally.

Day 3: Vinales

Following breakfast you head towards the lush tropical paradise and World Heritage area of the Vinales Valley, famed for its tobacco plantations. Enjoy the dramatic scenery of rolling karsts rising from the ground during your walking tour, and chance to visit with a tobacco farmer learning traditional methods. Check into your hotel.

Featured Accommodation: La Moka, Las Terrazas
This is one of the most unique hotels in Cuba. Set amid the forested hills of Las Terrazas, it's hard to see where the 4-star hotel stops and the lush forest starts. The design features a splendid multi-tiered atrium lobby built around a large lime tree (the branches grow up through the ceiling). The two-story units have magnificent red-barked trees growing through the balconies and ceiling. This is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Meals: Breakfast included. Other meals paid locally.

Day 4: Vinales

Today is a free day for you to explore the wilds of Vinales. There are various trails to hike with possible sightings of migrating birds, swimming in the natural clear waters of Rio San Juan, or even try your hand at zip-lining over the lake and forest canopy for those seeking a little more adventure (additional charge).
Featured Accommodation: La Moka, Las Terrazas | Meals: Breakfast included. Other meals paid locally.

Day 5: Laguna del Tesoro

Cross Cuba from the west to southern central part of the island to an area now a nature reserve whose swamplands are perfect conditions for Cuba's small crocodile, but ultimately made famous by the failed invasion of Cuba at the Bay of Pigs in 1961. Following lunch you visit a crocodile breeding farm (an endangered species) before your jet boat ride to Laguna Del Tesoro where you stay in accommodation on stilts over the lagoon. Travellers often claim this night as a highlight with the possibility of viewing birds, crocodiles and other wildlife.

Featured Accommodation: Hotel Guama
Located in a truly unique and natural environment within the Zapata Peninsula in the middle of the Laguna del Tesoro, this hotel with original bungalow architecture is ideal incorporates real traditions. The setting provides close contact to a wide variety of flora and fauna and can be the highlight for travellers. The 3-star Hotel Guama is the key to discover the heart of the Peninsula de Zapata.
Meals: Breakfast included. Other meals paid locally.

Day 6: Cienfuegos

The Zapata Peninsula is noted as the perfect location in Cuba to see the Bee Hummingbird - the world's smallest bird in its natural habitat. You can also view the long legged flamingos and the brightly coloured national bird, the 'Tocororo' with brilliant red, white and blue feathers. After transferring back to the mainland, continue to Cueva de los Peces, a remarkable natural pool teaming with tropical fish and time to swim so keep a change of clothes handy. Continue onto Cienfuegos and check into the hotel.

Featured Accommodation: La Union Hotel
La Union hotel is one of the most charming boutique hotels in Cuba dating back to 1869 where it began as a colonial mansion. Based in downtown Cienfuegos and featuring marble pillars, antique furniture, two inner patios, a pool, bar, restaurant and a great roof top terrace; it is an attractive option for those seeking a little more comfort and historical touch. Admire views of Cienfuegos from the comfort of your 4-star hotel balcony.
Meals: Breakfast included. Other meals paid locally.

Day 7-8: Trinidad

Be amazed by the diverse range of tropical trees, plants and fauna at the Botanical Gardens once owned by Harvard University before heading to Trinidad with its cobbled streets and colourful houses. Enjoy a city walking tour and trip to the Romantic Museum. The best way to experience this city is simply by wandering around and getting lost, or taking one of the optional tours available.

Featured Accommodation: Hotel Finca Maria Dolores
The 3-star hotel is located less than 2kms far from the colonial Trinidad; the bungalows are furnished in villa style. Situated in a park near a river making it an ideal place for resting in the shade, but also for visiting Trinidad and its region, in particular the Tope de Collantes site in Sierra Escambray. You can hear the birds singing during breakfast and enjoy the spectacular view of the surrounding mountains from the pool. Relaxing!
Meals: 2 x Breakfasts included

Day 9: Sancti Spiritus

In the early morning before the sun gets too hot, we take a walk into Topes de Collante's National Park. We walk through the lush forest to see a cascading waterfall where you have the chance to swim. Following a well earned lunch stop we head for the colonial city Sancti Spititus, made famous as one of the 7 original cities founded by Spanish Conquistadors. Enjoy a guided tour before checking into the hotel for the night.

Featured Accommodation: Hostal Del Rijo
This neo-classical 3-star hotel was formerly the residence of the renowned doctor Don Rudesindo García Rijo and underwent a restoration around the Millennium. You feel like you're stepping back in time as you pass through the tall nail-studded carriage doors to a lobby with wrought-iron chandeliers beneath a sturdy beamed ceiling. This hotel exudes colonial character and charm.
Meals: Breakfast included

Day 10-11: Havana

This morning we visit the remains of Che Guevara in the Santa Clara mausoleum. You will images of Che throughout your time in Cuba and although he fought fiercely for Cuba he is actually of Argentinean descent. You visit the Armoured Train Museum famous as the last site of the battle for revolution where Che Guevara victoriously attacked an armoured train, which forced the Batists to flee the country before heading back to Havana arriving early afternoon with free time for that last minute shopping.
Featured Accommodation: Hotel Parque Central | Meals: Breakfast included

You can easily book your trip online using our secure booking engine. You only need to pay a 10% deposit or (whichever is greatest) with full payment due 8 weeks before departure. We are members of ABTA (Association of Britsh Travel Agents) and are fully financially bonded so your money is 100% safe & protected at all times whether you pay by debit, bank or credit card. If you prefer to book by telephone, please contact our sales office and speak to one our friendly travel consultants.

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