Premium Cuba - 9 Days

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Cuba! Your Premium adventure begins in Havana, the country’s capital. You’ll be met at the airport by a local representative and transferred to your Feature Stay hotel for a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, there are plenty of excellent museums to check out, including the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes. After your meeting, head to a local restaurant for dinner. Tonight, your leader will introduce you to some classic dishes such as picadillo (a beef and tomato stew) and ropa vieja (pulled beef with vegetables).

Start the day in style as you tour the city in a convoy of classic American vintage cars. Cruise down Havana’s grand old streets as your leader points out significant sights like the Malecon, Revolucion Square and Vedado. Finish your ride in Old Havana where you’ll continue your explorations on foot during a walking tour with your leader. Learn the history of the Havana Cathedral and discover the city’s old-world charm when you stop by Plaza de Armas, San Francisco de Asis, Plaza Vieja and Central Park. Have free time for lunch, then head to a private, locally owned restaurant in Old Havana for a hands-on mixology workshop. Learn how to make three different types of cocktails using authentic Cuban rum (and of course try some!). After, the rest of the afternoon and evening is free to explore as you wish. Maybe go and seek out another rum cocktail, now that you know more about its history and cultural significance!

Before departing Havana, visit Deshidratados Havana – a local dehydrated fruit workshop founded during the pandemic to help with food scarcity. Learn how the natural preserves are made without any sugar or preservatives and try out some samples. Next, drive west to Soroa, where you’ll visit a beautiful orchid garden. Meet with a local guide for a private walk around the gardens and learn about the vibrant array of plant and bird species – it’s not hard to see why this valley is known as the ‘Rainbow of Cuba.’ Make a stop at the Castle in the Clouds, a mountain-top property with wonderful views, take some time out for lunch and then continue to Vinales, where tobacco and sugarcane fields lie side by side and limestone outcrops dot the landscape. Use this travel time to take part in an informal Spanish lesson so you can converse with the friendly locals throughout the rest of your trip. Check into your guesthouses, then take a short orientation walk with your leader to get acquainted with the town.

Begin your day with a guided walk in the lush farmlands of the Vinales Valley, past mogotes, tobacco fields and rural scenery. Then, head to Casa del Campesino, where you’ll shadow a local farmer to learn about organic farming, local crops, medicinal plants and countryside cooking. Tuck into a traditional farm-to-table lunch made with ingredients that were grown right here, finishing with a freshly brewed Cuban coffee as the local family tells you all about their farm’s history and sustainable approach. After, find your feet with a salsa lesson, where you’ll learn a few new steps while embracing the electrifying rhythm of Cuba. The rest of the evening is free.

Prepare for a long travel day as you make your way to Cienfuegos. Drive back through Havana before stopping in the Bay of Pigs for lunch. After lunch, you may like to take a dip in the crystal-clear water. Or, unroll your beach towel and sit back as your leader shares stories of the botched USA military counter-revolutionary invasion in the Bay of Pigs. Now a tranquil spot for relaxing, it’s hard to imagine the chaotic battle that took place here in 1961. Then it’s just a short drive to Cienfuegos, one of Cuba’s prettiest coastal spots. Arrive in the early evening and join your leader on a short orientation walk before visiting the Palacio del Valle – Cienfuegos’ architectural pride and joy.

Enjoy a free morning in Cienfuegos – maybe stop by a local cafe for a cup of Cuban coffee. Then make the journey to Trinidad. When you arrive, your leader will introduce you to the town’s history and architecture during a walking tour. Take in Trinidad’s eye-catching combination of cobblestone streets and colourful houses. It’s a great town to explore on foot, and almost every scene offers great photo opportunities – from residents with huge cigars relaxing on their doorsteps to old Chevrolets cruising by. In the evening, take a trip out of town to a local house for a homely and festive dinner. Be welcomed with the local drink, canchanchara, made from ‘fire water’ (local honey and lime juice). There will even be a musician or two serenading you and your fellow travellers as you dine.

Most of the day is yours to explore all that Trinidad has to offer. For some beachside fun and maybe a little snorkelling, head down to Playa Ancon (just be careful you don’t step on a sea urchin!). The town is dotted with open-air venues where you can check out a folklore show that nods to Cuba’s rich and varied music and dance tradition. Regroup in the mid-afternoon for a percussion workshop with local musicians to learn about the rhythms that have shaped the island’s musical identity. Then, get moving in an Afro-Cuban dance class led by local dancers – immerse yourself in the ancestral movements and artistic expression that have influenced dance styles worldwide. Later, relax with your group over sunset cocktails.

Head inland with a stop at the Valle De Los Ingenios Scenic Viewpoint, where you’ll have a drink while soaking in the views of sugar cane plantations. Continue to the beautiful city of Santa Clara, where you’ll enjoy an included lunch followed by a visit to the Che Guevara mausoleum. Here, you’ll see the imposing statue of the iconic revolutionary leader. In the museum that accompanies the mausoleum, you’ll find a spread of photos and other ephemera related to Che – letters, medical devices and firearms. Return to Havana and check into your hotel. Perhaps soak in the amazing views from the rooftop pool or indulge in a mojito at the bar.

Your Cuban adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. As there’s a great deal to do in Havana, it’s recommended that you stay a few extra days to make the most of this exciting city. If you need help booking extra accommodation, just get in touch with your booking agent.