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10 days / 9 nights

Day 1                                                                     Arrival/ Accommodation: Havana

Arrival to Cuba in the afternoon. Meet & Greet at the airport, meeting the local tour guide and transfer to the hotel. Check in. Evening free time.

Meal plan: none.

Day 2                                                                                  Accommodation: Havana

Modern Havana - Habana Vieja – Museum of Rum

After breakfast we start a full day sightseeing tour of Havana, one of the most beautiful cities of Latin America. Havana captivates all  its visitors. This true Caribbean metropolis has a unique atmosphere that makes tourists travel back in time to the Colonial era while appreciating the mark of the ‘50s US mob which coexists with the retro architecture, and the ambiance of the current socialist society. We start a panoramic city tour of modern Havana, crossing Havana's famous seaside promenade, known as the Malecon, which is a favorite meeting place for locals. As we continue, we can admire the mansions of the Paseo avenue, and then stop at the Revolution Square where the Jose Marti Memorial is located. On the way back, we pass by the world-famous Colon cemetery, one of the world’s richest graveyards with more than 500 statues, until we arrive to the old town “Habana Vieja”. The first visit is to the Havana Club Rum Museum where we get acquainted with the making of the world-famous Cuban rum, the growing and processing steps of sugar cane  to follow through the process until it has matured, barrel filling, bottling, and we close the visit with a tasting. Visitors can purchase the original Havana Club memorabilia, and taste the typical Cuban drink called Guarapo made from fresh sugar cane and the excellent Cuban cocktail, Guarabana. After it, we start to explore the old part of the city on foot with its rich cultural and historical attractions, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. During the tour all those who are interested can hunt local antiques at the authentic antique market while we visit the Plaza de Armas (the "Arms’ Square"), the Governor's palace, and walk through the Plaza San Francisco where we will look at the old Stock Exchange Palace and St. Francis of Assis Church and Cathedral Square. Then, we will visit La Plaza Vieja, the "Old Square" where our optional lunch will be served in a typical local restaurant. Finally, we shall visit the outdoor exhibition of the Revolutionary Museum, where the famous ship Granma is exhibited. We will be able to see the boat, which Fidel and the other revolutionaries landed to start the revolution. In the afternoon return to the hotel. Evening free time.

Meal plan: breakfast. Lunch option or Full board option available!

The visit to the famous Tropicana Show or the Concert of the Buena Vista Social Club is optional.

Day 3                                                                       Accommodation: Havana

Havana – Hemingway and Cigars

After breakfast we start exploring Havana in the footsteps of Hemingway and know the art of making of Cuban cigars. We start with a morning visit to a cigar factory in Havana where we will be able to observe and learn from local cigar rollers the making of the famous Cuban Habano and will discover the art of cigar-making. In front of us a piece of the popular Cuban cigars will be prepared. During the tour we will explore every steps of the process and the secret of how to recognize a good cigar will be explained also. We will visit the different departmnets of the factory and see the process from the beginning to the end. Then we will follow Hemingway’s steps in Havana: visit his house at Finca de la Vigia, where he did spend his time while in Cuba. Here we can see his house as if he just stepped out. We visit the exhibition of his fishing boat: Pilar also. Then we visit the fishing port of Cojimar, an inspirational place for his fishing stories, as well as his famous novel: The Old Man and the Sea. After our optional lunch we also visit Hemingway’s favorite places as: Hotel Ambos Mundos. We jump in to Papa’s favoourite bars: La Bodeguita del Medio and La Floridita, where the world famous "Mojito" and "Daiquiri" cocktails began their journey of conquest. In the afternoon return to the hotel, evening free.

Meal plan: breakfast. Lunch option or Full board option available!

Day 4                                                                           Accommodation: Piñar del Rio

Havana – Pinar del Rio

After breakfast we start our trip to the western part of the country, directly to Pinar del Rio province, the “green” provinc e of Cuba. This province offers the superb natural beauty of the country by offering untouched nature and relief. Its unique climate makes this land the most fertile on the island. It is one of the highlights of our tour; we spend two days by tour the countryside and see the highlights of the area. On the way we stop at Soroa also known as the “Rainbow of Cuba”, named after the “Salto de Arcoiris” waterfall that is located here. Here we visit the largest Orchid farm in Cuba that offers over 6000 plants and 700 different types of orchids - including some  very rare types - in more than 25 hectares. Soroa offers a unique micro climate that makes “El Orchideario” florulent all year long. We continue to Pinar del Rio city, called the “City of columns” where we take a panoramic city tour. Later on, we leave for Viñales, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999, where the unique karst formations, the “Mogotes” can be found. Once there, we stop at the Mirador Los Jazmines, where we can enjoy the breathtaking panorama with the remote scenery of "Mogotes"(karst hills) and mountains make this place deservedly a World Heritage site. We will have optional lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch we start hiking the “Cueva del Indio”, and boating inside the cave on an underground river observing the various stalactites that formed different shapes and therefore each has some story to tell. Finishing the day’s program, we visit the famous wall painting, the "Mural de la Prehistoria" that fascinates us with its unique technology of gigantic size. We continue our trip to our accommodation. Check-in. Evening free time.

Meal plan: breakfast. Lunch option or Full board option available!

Day 5                                                                          Accommodation: Pinar del Rio

Viñales Valley – Santo Tomas Cave

After the previous day’s adventures we wake up relaxed and head for more escapades. Today we discover the Cuban country life and Viñales Valley. This area of the country is the beast soil for tobacco, the best tobacco in the world is produced here. On the way we stop at a tobacco plantation where we enter the house of the tobacco farmers. They will show us around in the “Casa de Tabaco ” and we will learn about the producing and processing of the tobacco. We have optional lunch at a typical Cuban restaurant. After lunch we depart to the Gran Caverna de Santo Tomas cave, the largest cave system in Cuba, second largest on the American continent: it is 46 km long and has 8 levels. We discover the part of the cave that is open to the public with a specialized guide on a 1 km way that is

accessible by non-professionals. The specialty of the program is that local authorities give admission to visit the cave only to very few groups. This allows the conservation of the cave system in its original state. In the afternoon we return to our hotel in Viñales. Evening free. It is worth going to the village in the evening to meet locals and experience the unique Cuban hospitality.

Meal plan: breakfast. Lunch option or Full board option available!

Day 6                                                          Accommodation: Playa Giron/ Bay of Pigs

Viñales Valley – Montemar National Park – Guama – Bay of Pigs – Playa Larga

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to one of Cuba's most important nature reserves, the world famous Zapata Peninsula, a bird and animal sanctuary which is located in the Montemar National Park. The largest swamp of Cuba is located here. It houses many  endemic and migrant birds, among others the most emblematic Cuban birds, like Tocororo (Cuban trogon), the national bird of Cuba; the Bee Hummingbird, the world’s smallest bird; the Cuban Tody, who is small, but all the more colorful. In Cuba, crocodiles are indigenous; the Zapata swamp grants habitat for them. The first stop is Guama, the main attraction of the National Park. There we take a speedboat tour of the natural lagoon, the Laguna de Tresoro, where the untouched nature can be observed, and migrating and endemic birds can be seen. Then we will visit the Aldea Taino, the reconstructed Taino Aboriginal village where we learn about the customs of the ancient indigenous inhabitants. We get back to port by motor boat and visit the country’s largest crocodile breeding farm, where we can observe hundreds of these reptiles in their natural habitat. We visit the crocodile nursery; where those who feel brave enough may hold the yet harmless infants in their hands. Optional lunch will be served at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we will arrive to the Bay of Pigs, where visitors can have some swimming time in the Caribbean Sea. Check-in to the hotel. Evening free time. Meal plan: breakfast. Lunch option or Full board option available!

Day 7                                                                                  Accommodation: Trinidad

Playa Larga – Zapata Península – Cienfuegos – Trinidad/Ancón Península

After breakfast we depart to the city of Cienfuegos, also known as the “Pearl of the South”. The Montemar National Park has more than 900 plants and 160 bird species and 12 other animals in their natural habitat. On our way we will have the chance to see some of these species. We continue our travel to Cienfuegos. Once we arrive, optional lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Later on we begin our panoramic sightseeing tour: the city was founded by French settlers in 1819. They started to call the city “The Pearl of the Caribbean”. Cienfuegos is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2005. Cienfuegos is the first, and an outstanding example of an architectural ensemble representing the new ideas of modernity, hygiene and order in urban planning as developed in Latin America from the 19th century. We walk by the famous Malecon, see the beautiful seaside villas. We will stop to take pictures at the Palacio del Valle, a unique palace with architectural richness. It is Gothic influences, Romanesque, Baroque and Italianate combined with the Mudejar style was in vogue in Spain in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The history of the building makes it more special: the  palace was built by Señor Celestino Caceres, one of the richest merchants of the city. He gave the palace to his love as a wedding gift in 1917. The rest of the story we will learn from our guide on site. Then we head towards downtown Cienfuegos, where we continue a walking tour of the city of former aristocrats. Cienfuegos, founded by French settlers, has European-style architecture. We will walk down the Boulevard of the city via the Prado; visit the Jose Marti Square, the Governor's palace, the Thomas Terry Theater famous for its excellent acoustics, and the Cathedral. In the afternoon transfer to Trinidad. Our hotel is located on the Ancon Peninsul a, 10 kilometers from the city. We will spend two nights here and we will discover the area from our all-inclusive resort to ensure that we can relax after the day’s trips. Check-in. Evening free time. We suggest going to the city in the evening to find sizzling nightlife with authentic salsa parties.

Meals: Breakfast. Lunch option or Full board option available!

Day 8                                                                                 Accommodation: Trinidad

Trinidad/Ancon Peninsula – Escambray Mountains

After breakfast we depart to the nearby Escambray Mountains on the platform of Russian army trucks and drive up to the 800 m eters high peak: to Topes de Collantes. This high and abundant mountain area was the hiding place of the counter-revolutionists in 1959 after the victory of the Cuban Revolution. Cuba’s second highest mountain is more famous because of its flora and fauna and its continental divide feature. Its Northern side is lush, rainy, with coffee plantations on its sides; the Southern side has a drier climate, with Agave plants and arid zones. The Topes de Collantes Nature Reserve was named after the mountain’s second highest peak. Fulgencio Batista constructed here the Kurhotel that still operates as a sanatorium. Once there, we start a 3 km jungle tour in the Guanayara National Park. Today’s clothing should be comfortable, and shoes are required, but you also might need towel and swimsuit, too. Our trip is led by a specialist local guide who is an expert of the Cuban Flora and Fauna. During the trip we will get to know the local animals and plants: more than 40 types of orchids are endemics and more than 100 types of ferns are registered, 7 of them grow as high as 6 meters high. We also visit a coffee plantation where we learn about coffee production, the main types of coffee produced here: there are more than 40 types of coffee grown in the shades of pine and eucalyptus trees. We will reach the “El Rocio” waterfall, where we can swim in the transparent mountain river. Keep your swimwear on you, as our next stop is the El Venado natural lagoon, where we can swim in the clear water of the lagoon. We have our lunch at “Casa de Gallega” ranch. After lunch we have our Caribbean siesta and afterwards we return to the hotel. Evening free time.

Meal plan: breakfast. Lunch option or Full board option available!

Day 9                                                                                 Accommodation: Varadero

Trinidad Old Town – Sugar Mills Valley – Varadero

After breakfast we visit Trinidad. Our journey is made not only on ground but in time, also. The city was founded more than 500 years ago; Trinidad preserves the singular atmosphere of the colonial era. First we walk through the old part of the city. While walking along the small winding streets we have the feeling that we are going back in time. Later, sightseeing in the UNESCO World Heritage city, with visits to the Plaza Mayor, The Tower of Contrabandido, the Cathedral, La Santissima Trinidad Square and the exhibition of the Romantic Museum. The museum is located in the palace of what used to be the town's richest family with balustrade yard, marble floors, and neoclassical decoration. Walking among the frescoes of the city's wealthiest merchant family we can enjoy the exhibition. Later we walk in Old Town and stop at the famous Canchanchara bar where you can sample the authentic drink of Trinidad, the special cocktail still made from the original recipe of Aguardiente and honey, called Canchanchara. Later we have our optional lunch in the center of the city. After lunch we visit the famous Valley of Sugar Mills that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, once the center of sugar production and processing in Cuba. The 270km2 valley did employ more than 30,000 slaves. The large part of the 18th century sugar consumption was produced from here. The Valley together with Trinidad was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. Visit the Manaca Iznaga estate. It is possible to climb the seven-story tower that offers a beautiful panorama. The tower was used to keep an eye on the plantation and the slaves. Once the highest building in the country in its era, the tower offers beautiful view to the

surrounding area. Then we will continue our trip to Varadero. Arrival in the evening, check in to the all-inclusive hotel. Dinner at the hotel included, evening free time. Meal plan: breakfast, all inclusive dinner at the hotel.

Day 10                                                                                                      Farewell 

Free time in the morning. Check-out until noon. You can use the hotel facilities until the transfer leaves to the airport. For extra cost, you can buy “Late check-out” services on site. In the afternoon transfer to the airport, leaving to home country.

Package includes:

Accommodation: 3 nights in Havana, 2 night in Viñales, 1 night in Playa Larga, 2 nights in Trinidad, 1 night in Varadero in selected category hotels, in standard rooms. Because of the lack of hotel capacity in the countryside, we cannot guarantee exact hotel or star rating in the countryside; the accommodation is in typical “tourist” class hotels/casa particular that can be changed according t o capacity.

Economy package includes accommodation in Casas Particulares (B&B) during the entire program and 3* hotel in Varadero.

Breakfast is included in the program.

All transfers with air conditioned vehicle.

Program as per description, with entrance fees included. Specialized  English/Spanish speaking  local guide.

Meet & Greet upon arrival at the airport. English/Spanish speaking

24-hour assistance during the entire tour.

Hotels according to local ratings.

The package does not include:

International flight ticket, travel insurance, cost of other optional excursions, tips, hotel credentials, other services not included in the offer.

Lunch and full board option can be booked separately.

Additional Information:

The basic program can be extended with extra nights if you want more time to spend relaxing on the beach!

The program can be extended with extra night in Havana before the package in case the flight ticket is more convenient the day before.

The Havana and Varadero hotels can be changed by your choice, depending on the capacity with a surcharge!

The round trip departs guaranteed every week with a minimum of 2 pax on Saturdays with English/Spanish speaking guide.

Booking: Minimum 31 days before arrival. Requested data: travellers’ name, passport number, flight details!

Payment: Latest 21 days before arrival. Invoice will be issued in EUR and the payment should be done in EUR!

Cancelation: Over 40 days without penalty. 30-15 days 50% of the package will be charged as penalty with €40 administration cost. Within 18 days or No Show the entire package will be charged as penalty. With all confirmed bookings a €40 administration fee will be charged in case of modification