A comprehensive tour of Western Cuba’s most important cities and landscapes, discovering Cuba’s rich colonial history and natural beauty
(limited dates/availability)
6 May 2023
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
Solo Group Departure
Visit the bar frequented by Ernest Hemingway in Havana, El Floridita, and enjoy a cocktail.
Day 1 Fly from Heathrow to Havana via Madrid. 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 Heathrow 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.
WiFi is available at hotels in Viñales and Santa Clara at a charge with the purchase of an internet login scratch off card, connectivity can be intermittent and expensive for one hour intervals.
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 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 satellite TV.
A 3-star hotel located in peaceful surroundings with fantastic views of the Viñales Valley. Restaurants, bar, pool and 78 air-conditioned rooms with 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 (free) and stunning city views. 427 air-conditioned rooms with 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 and WiFi (free). 40 spacious air-conditioned rooms with hairdryer, safe, mini-bar and satellite TV.
A 3-star hotel in the centre of Santa Clara with restaurant, bar and 26 rooms.
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A 4-star hotel located on a beautiful beach and surrounded by tropical gardens. Restaurants, bars, fitness room, gift shop and pool. 272 air-conditioned spacious rooms with mini-bar and satellite TV.
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.
2022
Sundays
per person in a twin/double room
Iberia from Heathrow
2023
Saturdays/Sundays
per person in a twin/double room
Iberia from Heathrow (Jan-Mar & Nov) Air Europa from Gatwick (Apr-Oct)
Sundays
per person in a twin/double room
Iberia from Heathrow
Saturdays/Sundays
per person in a twin/double room
Iberia from Heathrow (Jan-Mar & Nov) Air Europa from Gatwick (Apr-Oct)
(limited dates/availability)
6 May 2023
Supplements per person
Single Supplement
NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
(limited availability)
2022: Oct 16
2023: Sep 9 & Oct 14
Solo Group Departures
(No Single Supplement)
2023: May 6
Single supplement £395 (2022 £315/Apr-Nov 2023 £345)
Extension Options
Extra nights - Varadero
Iberostar Tainos - All Inclusive
(per night) £90 (2022 £55; Apr-Nov 2023 £65)
Single supplement £30 (2022 £20; Apr-Nov £22)
Arrival or departure transfer add £70
Tour Only
Save £700
Arrival transfer add £15
Departure transfer add £70
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.
Notes
Please be advised that any British citizen with a Cuban stamp in their passport, is currently disqualified from using the Esta visa waiver scheme to enter the USA within 11 years of the date of entry into Cuba.
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