A comprehensive tour of Western Cuba’s most important cities and landscapes, discovering Cuba’s rich colonial history and natural beauty
(limited dates/availability)
Havana - 3 nights
Viñales Valley - 2 nights
Havana - 2 nights
Trinidad - 2 nights
Santa Clara - 2 nights
Varadero - 3 nights
Flight - 1 night
The beautiful island of Cuba is still redolent with imagery of the 1940s and 50s, whether it be Hemingway’s old haunts, museums to the exploits of the revolutionaries, the Tropicana Night Club, which still somehow echoes to the sound of Nat King Cole, the hotels run by ‘Long Legs Diamond’ and the events of the Bay of Pigs.
However, Cuba is not just about tourist clichés since there is much to see not only in UNESCO World Heritage site Havana, with its baroque cathedral, many forts and Old Town, but also the provincial cities and towns. Port city Cienfuegos, known as the ‘Pearl of the South’ was built around a stunning bay and its pastel-coloured buildings are a striking example of Spanish colonial architecture; UNESCO World Heritage site Trinidad is sometimes referred to as a living museum, with its preserved squares and San Juan de los Remedios, officially recognised as the oldest city in Cuba, is home to beautifully restored colonial mansions surrounding the main square.
Cultural & Countryside Tour
Jules Verne Sightseeing
5 UNESCO Heritage Sites
No Single Supplement
Group Size: 5 - 25
Visit the bar frequented by Ernest Hemingway in Havana, El Floridita, and enjoy a cocktail.
Day 1 Fly from Gatwick to Havana. Three nights at the 4-star Havana Riviera by Iberostar Hotel. (D)
Day 2 Old and modern Havana city tour. (B, D)
Day 3 Visit the local botanical gardens, enjoy a Cuban cocktail and dance lesson, then visit Hemingway’s House where Hemingway wrote ‘The Old Man and the Sea’. (B, D)
Day 4 Visit the rural community of Las Terrazas. Continue to Viñales Valley in Pinar del Rio for two nights at the 3-star La Ermita or Los Jazmines. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Visit Viñales Valley, Indian’s Cave and Veguero House, a drying house for tobacco. (B, D)
Day 6 Visit Pinar del Rio, cigar and rum factories and Soroa botanical gardens. Return to Havana. Two nights at the 5-star Iberostar Parque Central Hotel. (B, D)
Day 7 Day at leisure. Evening Hemingway’s haunt Special Event at El Floridita. (B, D)
Day 8 Travel to Cienfuegos (4 hrs). Tour includes Palacio de Valle and boat trip. Two nights at the 5-star Iberostar Heritage Grand Trinidad. (B, D)
Day 9 Trinidad tour. Visit the city museum and La Canchanchara Bar. Visit a former sugar plantation at Manaca Iznaga. (B, D)
Day 10 Morning at leisure. Travel to Sancti Spiritus for a panoramic tour. Continue to Santa Clara for two nights at the 3-star El Central Hotel. (B, D)
Day 11 Santa Clara tour of Ernesto Guevara Square, museum and mausoleum. Visit San Juan de los Remedios. Optional visit to the Sugar Factory Museum including a steam train ride. (B, D)
Day 12 Visit the Armoured Train. Travel to Varadero visiting Matanzas en route. Three nights at the 4-star Iberostar Tainos Hotel in Varadero on an all-inclusive basis. (B, L, D)
Day 13 At leisure. (B, L, D)
Day 14 At leisure. (B, L, D)
Day 15 Return flight. (B)
Day 16 Arrive Gatwick in the early morning.
Notes
On occasion, the cigar and rum factory (Day 6) and steam train ride (Day 11) may be replaced with an alternative visit due to closure at short notice.
Travelling in Cuba is a unique experience, however, tourism is still under state control and on occasion hotels of a similar standard to those listed in the itinerary may be used. Advance notification of this is not always possible.
Half board is included in most hotels on the tour and food can be quite basic, consisting of rice, beans, pork, chicken and fish, although international cuisine is available in Varadero (all inclusive basis) and Havana.
All vehicles are air-conditioned and the highways are reasonable, whereas minor roads can be in poor repair.
A 3-star hotel in the Vedado district of Havana, across from the Malecon waterside walk. Restaurant, bar, pool and WiFi (free). Air-conditioned sea view rooms with private facilities, safe and satellite TV.
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Located in peaceful surroundings with stunning views of Viñales Valley. A 3-star hotel with restaurant, bar, pool, WiFi (chargeable) and 62 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities and satellite TV.
Located in peaceful surroundings with fantastic views of the Viñales Valley. A 3-star hotel with restaurants, bar, pool and 78 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe and satellite TV.
A 5-star hotel situated in the Old Town of Havana, just a short distance from the Capitol building. Restaurants, bars, rooftop pools, jacuzzi, WiFi (chargeable) and stunning city views. 427 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar and satellite TV. Accommodation is in the main building or the new Torre section.
Located in the heart of the city, this boutique 5-star adults only hotel offers Trinidad’s most sought-after accommodation. The colonial 16th-century building houses a restaurant, lobby bar, WiFi (free) and 40 spacious air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar and satellite TV.
A 3-star hotel in the centre of Santa Clara. Restaurant and bar. 26 rooms with private facilities.
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The 4-star all-inclusive Iberostar Tainos Hotel is located on a beautiful beach and surrounded by tropical gardens. Restaurants, bars, fitness room, gift shop and pool. 272 air-conditioned spacious rooms with private facilities, satellite TV and mini-bar.
Notes
Tourism is still under state control and on occasion hotels of a similar standard to those listed in the itinerary may be used. Advance notification of this is not always possible. Half board is included in some hotels on the tour and local restaurants where food can be quite basic, consisting of rice, beans, pork, chicken and fish, although international cuisine is available in Varadero, (all-inclusive basis) and Havana. In the rest of Cuba, especially in the west and centre of the island (excluding Trinidad), accommodation options are more limited and often simple so we have selected the most suitable hotels, a basic 2 and 3-star standard.
Varadero Extension
Enjoy Cuba’s most popular Caribbean resort, on a long slender strip of sand overlooking the ocean at the 4-star Iberostar Tainos Hotel on an all-inclusive basis.
Day 1 Transfer to the 4-star all-inclusive Iberostar Tainos for a three-night stay. (B, L, D)
Day 2 At leisure. (B, L, D)
Day 3 At leisure. (B, L, D)
Day 4 Transfer to the airport for the overnight flight to London. (B)
Day 5 Arrive Gatwick in the early morning.
The 4-star all-inclusive Iberostar Tainos Hotel is located on a beautiful beach and surrounded by tropical gardens. Restaurants, bars, fitness room, gift shop and pool. 272 air-conditioned spacious rooms with private facilities, satellite TV and mini-bar.
2020
Thursdays/Saturdays
per person in a twin/double room
Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick
(Heathrow from Sep 2020)
| January 23 | £3195 |
| February 27 | £3095 |
| March 12 | £3045 |
| March 26 | £3145 |
| April 23 | £3095 |
| May 7 | £3095 |
| May 21 | £2795 |
| September 19 | £2645 |
| October 10 | £2645 |
| October 24 | £2745 |
| November 7 | £2795 |
| November 14 | £2845 |
| November 28 | £2845 |
2021
Saturdays
per person in a twin/double room
Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow
Thursdays/Saturdays
per person in a twin/double room
Virgin Atlantic from Gatwick
(Heathrow from Sep 2020)
Saturdays
per person in a twin/double room
Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow
(limited dates/availability)
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
Limited availability, on these dates
2020: May 21, Sep 19, Oct 10 & 24
Single supplement £445
(2021 £465)
Flight Options
Virgin Premium Economy from £545
Virgin Upper Class from £1845
Extension Options
Extension - Varadero
Iberostar Tainos - 3 nights
£265
(Feb-12 Mar 2020 & Jan-Mar 2021 £345)
Single supplement £110
Independent Arrival
Save £700
Arrival transfer add £15
Departure transfer add £75
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, transfers, 14 nights' accommodation, breakfast daily, 4 lunches & 14 dinners, itinerary as described, services of guides and local representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Not Included
Travel insurance, visa procurement, optional excursions, tipping, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
© 2020 Jules Verne - 96 Great Suffolk Street, London SE1 0BE
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