'The Pearl of the Caribbean tour covers west and central Cuba and is escorted by an
experienced Cuban guide. It is an excellent way to see the real areas of
Cuba. It includes most meals, an excellent air-conditioned coach/mini
bus and driver, all accommodation, entry charges to museums etc, so it
represents great value and peace of mind. Group sizes are generally
about 6 - 12 people but it can be tailor made for a minimum of 1 person.
DAY 1
Welcome at Jose Marti Airport where we will be transferred to Havana
for overnight at The city's Grande Dame hotel Nacional situated in an
excellent position overlooking the Malecon sea front..
DAY 2
After breakfast, we depart for a detailed guided sightseeing tour of
Havana. A unique experience, the tour will visit all the major sights of
the city including the historic 4 city squares - Plaza de Armas,
Cathedral Square, Plaza Vieja and San Francisco de Assis. We can absorb
the atmosphere of the narrow cobblestone streets of Old Havana, flanked
by old colonial buildings dating back as far as the 16th
Century. We will visit the impressive Museum of the Revolution and
experience how Cuba's famous cigars are still handmade by local experts
by visiting one of Havana's famous rollers. Lunch will be taken at the
famous El Patio restaurant situated in a beautiful location overlooking
the historic Cathedral Square in the heart of Old Havana. After lunch,
we drive along the "Malecon", Havana's seafront promenade. The
remainder of the day will be at leisure to enjoy exploring Old Havana or
relax by the hotel pool! In the evening dinner will be taken at El
Aljibe restaurant specialising in traditional Cuban cuisine. After
dinner there will be an option to visit the world famous Tropicana
Cabaret. Set under the stars, the show depicts the history of Cuban
dance and music involving over 100 dancers, making the evening an
amazing spectacle.
DAY 3
After breakfast we will drive outside Havana to Finca Vigia, the
former Cuban home of Ernest Hemingway, the contents of which remain
untouched since he left the home for the last time. We will continue
east through the sugar plantations for the city of Santa Clara the final
resting place of "Che" Guevara. On arrival we will visit the mausoleum
and the museum dedicated to his extraordinary life, followed by a short
orientation tour of the city including the train "Tren Blindado" that
was attacked in the decisive moments of the Cuban Revolution. After
lunch in a local hotel we will continue through the Escambray Mountains
to Trinidad a UNESCO heritage site and one of the best-preserved
colonial cities in the world. Overnight for next 2 nights will be in a
private colonial style Cuban home in Trinidad or, depending upon the
size of he group, the 1950's hotel Jagua in Cienfuegos, B&B.
DAY 4
After a leisurely breakfast, we will explore Trinidad visiting the
Romantic Museum, which depicts the lifestyle and architectural design of
Trinidad's colonial past. Enjoy traditional Cuban music at the Casa de
la Trova, followed by a visit to La Canchanchara, an old house dating
back to the 18th Century, where we can try the unique
Trinidad rum and sugar cane juice cocktail. Then we vist the sugar mills
valley where original steam trains still pass through the cane fields.
DAY 5
After an early breakfast, we will enjoy a tour of Cienfuegos before
departing for Pinar Del Rio province, an area known throughout the world
as Cuba's main tobacco growing region, where steep sided "Mogote"
mountains stand guard over fertile valleys. En route we will stop at the
village of Guama where we will take a boat through the mangrove swamps
to a replica stilted Taino Indian village on the shores of Treasure
Lake. Lunch will be taken in a local countryside restaurant, before
continuing to the Moka hotel, situated deep in the Sierra Del Rosario
Nature Reserve. On arrival dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant
and the remainder of the evening will be free to relax .
DAY 6
Today, we chill out on one of Cuba's paradisical unspoilt islands,
Cayo Levisa. After a short drive and boat crossing to the island, the
day will be free to relax on a most beautiful quiet beach, catch some
sunshine and swim in the sea. The island is idyllic and well known for
its clear waters and stunning beach. A small hotel is situated on the
island where drinks are available and lunch will also be served for you
at this hotel. Lunch will be prepared for you and in the late afternoon
we will catch the boat and return to La Moka hotel, an Eco style hotel
nestling in the hills of the Sierra Rosario Biosphere. Alternatively
clients can stay at La Moka hotel for the day and relax in this peaceful
rural setting. Guided walks can be booked locally and clients could
also take a canopy tour through the tree tops Dinner will be served in a
farmer's restaurant specialising in Cuban cuisine and set in a peaceful
rural setting where you dine at the farmer's house on his
terrace!
DAY 7
Today we will depart for the famous Vinales Valley, stopping en route
in order to absorb the beauty of the area. A subterranean boat ride
through the El Indio limestone cave system will be followed by lunch in
the Ranchon San Vicente countryside restaurant. In the late afternoon,
we will return to La Moka Hotel, and dinner will be taken in Cuban's
only restaurant specializing in organic vegetarian cuisine with all
ingredients produced within the Las Terrazas community!!! Many previous
visitors have said this is the best restaurant in Cuba, an excellent end
to the day.
DAY 8
After breakfast, a visit will be made to the local community of Las
Terrazas, maybe buy a locally produce coffee and cake at Maria's coffee
shop on a hill overlooking the village followed by a cooling swim in the
San Juan River. After lunch, overlooking the lake, we will transfer
back to Havana airport for your return flights or perhaps to another
destination within Cuba such as the lovely beaches of Varadero to unwind
in a first class resort.