To the rhythm of Cuba
12 days / 11 nights
Arrival in Havana
Day 1
Reception by the assistant at the airport. Comfort transfer home and personalized welcome. Dinner is free; thus they have the opportunity to take advantage of the good directions of the concierge service.
Dinner: Free.
Accommodation: Charming hotel. Epoca, Superior, Standard. old Havana
Breakfasts included.
Day 2
Secrets of Havana rolling in old American cars
Before taking a random walk through the riches of the capital of the Antilles, it is recommended to visit the essentials, accompanied by a Habanero proud to present his city. We enter 500 years of history, that of America, its conquest and its present time. Alive, sometimes decrepit, often restored, but always in harmony with the lives of its inhabitants, here is a very pleasant glimpse into a city that has a lot to tell. In 20 years, they have become the symbol of Havana, the Eiffel Tower of Cuba, and the American cars of the 50s that do not age, on the contrary. Classified as a National Monument, they are rebuilt and maintained by their owners, assisted by numerous artisans, body builders, upholsterers, painters, mechanics, but also importers of all kinds of pieces, still manufactured in the United States.
Morning: Start of the activity.
Lunch: In a restaurant in Old Havana (Included).
Afternoon: Continuation of the activity. Dinner: Free. Accommodation: Charming hotel. Epoca, Superior, Standard. Old Havana.
Breakfasts included.
Day 3
Havana and its lanes of artists
Old Havana welcomes numerous visual artists; painters, sculptors, engravers, some of great notoriety, others less known, and sometimes more famous abroad than in Cuba. In the landscape of a restored Havana there are samples of this art, from the most devout to the most popular, generally through different Community Projects, initiatives that seek to bring together and motivate the inhabitants of a neighborhood around an artistic project and the restoration of living spaces. This is how Papito arrived, the barber who created a barbering school, thus changing the way the streets are organized around the Plaza del Santo Ángel.
Morning: Start of the activity.
Lunch: In a restaurant in Old Havana (Included). In the restaurant Le Figaro, belonging to the project (Included).
End of activity.
Day 4
VIÑALES, MEMORABLE LANDSCAPES, TRADITION AND PURE
The Viñales Valley stands out for the conservation of its terrestrial ecosystems, the typical music of the valley and the practice of manual agriculture.
The inhabitants of the area have developed diverse experiences of ecotourism and sustainable development practices. Horseback riding in the middle of the vegas and mogotes (mountainous formation that characterizes the valley), allow the discovery of the intimate life of the valley and the organization to preserve this heritage. Cuba manufactures the best cigars in the world. Both the cigar and the ritual of its manufacture and tasting are part of the national culture and will attract even those who have never smoked. Contemplating this manual production of more than 200 gestures allows us to appreciate the value of this tradition but we have to go a little further and light a cigar, a gesture that already surprised Christopher Columbus when he arrived in Cuba more than 5 centuries ago.
Morning: Early departure. Start of activity.
Lunch: Afternoon at the home of Benito, a peasant from the town.
Afternoon: Continuation of the activity.
Dinner: Free. Accommodation: Accommodation in a private house type Shoppy, Superior, Standard.
Breakfasts included.
Day 5
BEACH DAY AMONG MANGROVES, FINE SAND AND SEA LANDSCAPES
Cayo (islet) Levisa is located on the north coast of Cuba, an hour's drive from Viñales. It can be turned around in 4 hours, it consists essentially of 4 km of white sand beach bordering a shallow turquoise sea that offers a very beautiful place for snorkeling (fins, mask and snorkel) and diving site. We go by collective boat for a half-hour journey. A single restaurant offers daily meals and does not stand out for its gastronomic offer. We are not going to Levisa to eat well. In general, the Cayo mainly allows you to enjoy the beach and the seabed.
Morning: Early departure. From the Palma Rubia pier, sail to Cayo Levisa.
Lunch: At the hotel restaurant / snack bar (included).
Afternoon: Navigation back to Palma Rubia.
Dinner: free.
Accommodation: Shoppy Homestay Accommodation, Superior, Standard. Breakfasts included.
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Day 6
KORIMAKAO, ART IN ZAPATA MARSH
Manuel Porto, famous Cuban actor and commander Faustino Pérez, founded in 1992 the folk group Korimakao, an aboriginal name that means "the man with the house behind his back." The objective of the project is to solve, through art, part of the existing socio-cultural problems, stop the exodus of the population and restore the cultural identity of the communities. Even today it maintains a dynamic presenting in each town of the region dance, theater and music shows, with an art focused on the protection of the environment.
Morning: Early departure, travel between Viñales and Playa Larga.
Lunch: Chez Don Alexis in Palpita (Included).
Afternoon: Visit of the Korimakao community project.
Dinner: free.
Accommodation: Shoppy Homestay Accommodation, Superior, Standard. Breakfasts included.
Day 7
CIÉNAGA DE ZAPATA, TRADITION, HISTORY AND NATURE
The Ciénaga de Zapata, scene of the Bay of Pigs landing, is above all a listed natural park. Site of numerous migratory birds, it covers an immense territory of swamps on the edge of the Caribbean coast. He also witnessed the surprise arrival of Fidel on Christmas Eve 1959, to dine in the company of the charcoal burners, the origin of a true tradition that still continues. In the forest are these brothers, Los Pintines, they act as park rangers. They hunt in their own way with their dogs, to capture and tame the semi-wild pig. Following them means discovering the riches in another way, through its inhabitants, guardians of a strong tradition, among cenotes (natural pools), crocodiles, migratory birds and a rich, well-preserved marine fauna and flora.
Morning: Horse-drawn carriage ride to Soplillar. Start of activity.
Lunch: Late charcoal lunch in the community of Los Hondones (Included).
Afternoon: Continuation of the activity.
Dinner: free.
Accommodation: Homestay Epoca, Superior, Standard. Breakfasts included.
Day 8
FROZEN PAST FLOORING AND CHAINLESS ATMOSPHERE
Trinidad, built in 1514, has preserved the authenticity of its architecture. Traveling through the suburbs in a horse-drawn carriage to the lookout and its impressive view of the famous Sugar Valley transports us to the glorious past of the small city of the Antilles, rich and decrepit. In Trinidad we find the origins of Salsa that can be found among others in Rumba. The practice of these movements gives a real meaning to this traditional dance that will later lead to salsa. La Casa de la Música, Casa de la Trova, Los Congos ... are only 50 meters from each other. A street environment, the one we imagine in Cuba where everyone dances with ease and the illusion materializes in the small town, almost every night.
Morning: Start of the activity.
Lunch: Lunch in the historic center (Included).
Afternoon: Continuation of the activity.
Dinner: free.
Night: Cocktail, and according to musical program, reservation at La Casa de la Música, Rincón de la Salsa or Palenque de los Congos Reales (Included).
Accommodation: Homestay Epoca, Superior, Standard. Breakfasts included.
Day 9
NEXT THE STEPS OF CHE, FROM DREAMER TO WARRIOR
It is Che, by order of Fidel Castro, who will be in charge of taking Santa Clara and thus giving the coup de grace to the Batista government. We are at the end of 1958. After stopping at the University with his column of Barbudos, Che decides to climb the Cerro del Capiro to plan his attack. It will consist of derailing the train that was carrying about 25,000 soldiers of the regular army, which will finally surrender. Eight days later, Fidel entered Havana triumphantly. Visiting Santa Clara is navigating this page of history that will definitely change the destiny of the island.
Morning: Early departure. Travel between Trinidad and Santa Clara. Start of activity.
Lunch: Lunch in the center of Santa Clara (Included).
Afternoon: Continuation of the activity.
Dinner: free.
Accommodation: Homestay Epoca, Superior, Standard. Breakfasts included.
Day 10
VARADERO DESERVES ITS REPUTATION AS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEACH ON THE ISLAND
The Hicacos Peninsula, better known as Varadero, is a beautiful 21 km long white sand beach. Its tourist buildings allow a wide variety of activities such as diving, snorkeling, sailing, fishing, catamaran rides or kitesurfing. The cluster has managed to maintain a town in its center, with many bars, discos, cafes and cabarets. The greatest asset is the immensity of its fine sand beach and crystal clear waters.
Morning: Departure. Travel between Santa Clara and Varadero.
Lunch: At the Coincidencia Project Farm (Included).
Afternoon: Installation in the hotel by the sea (Registration and provision of hotel services, entry to the room from 4:00 pm)
Dinner: In one of the hotel's restaurants (Included).
Accommodation: Hotel Balnéaire. Iberostar Playa Alameda 4 * Standard. All-inclusive formula.
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Supplement A: Paradise Princesa del Mar, Junior Suite, Royal Service. All-inclusive formula.
Supplement B: Paradisus Varadero, Junior Suite, Royal Service. All-inclusive formula.
Day 11
HIGH SEA OR FARNIENTE FISHING IN VARADERO
Like Hemingway, half a day crossing the sea in search of good fishing. Accompanied by a guide specialized in sport fishing, with ideal environmental conditions: pleasant climate and deep waters that have become migratory routes for many species, fans will discover this sport in a unique place in the Caribbean. Casteros, barracudas, swordfish or tuna are the most common fish found off Varadero.
Morning: Optional (to be paid on the spot): Deep sea fishing.
Lunch: As part of the activity (Not included), snack on board in one of the hotel restaurants (Included).
Free afternoon.
Dinner: In one of the hotel's restaurants (Included).
Accommodation: Hotel Balnéaire. Iberostar Playa Alameda 4 * Standard. All-inclusive formula.
Supplement A: Paradisus Princesa del Mar, Junior Suite, Royal Service. All-inclusive formula.
Supplement B: Paradisus Varadero, Junior Suite, Royal Service. All-inclusive formula.
Day 12
SEE YOU SOON CUBA!
After a last half day at the beach, travel to Havana.
Tomorrow: Depending on the flight schedule, last moments to enjoy the site.
Lunch: According to flight schedule, in one of the hotel's restaurants (Included).
Afternoon: Departure. Travel between Varadero and the Havana airport. Reception at the airport, help with check-in and final procedures.