Cuba: Rhythms and Revolution

Saturday 17th January

Fly to Havana, the lively capital of Cuba.

Once we’ve landed in Havana, we’ll transfer to our hotel where we can relax in preparation for our city tour the following day.

Overnight in Havana.

Sunday 18th January

Our day begins with a sightseeing tour around the historic old quarter of this wonderful city. Founded in 1519, San Cristobal de la Habana is a treasure trove of historical interest and Old Havana has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage status. Enjoy the colourful Art Deco buildings, avant-garde street art, and soak up the atmosphere of faded grandeur as we wander over cobbled stones through San Francisco de Asis Square, the Old Square, and the Arms Square, eventually reaching Cathedral Square. . As part of the tour, we will enjoy a traditional Cuban lunch.

Breakfast and lunch included. Overnight in Havana.

Monday 19th January

Today you can experience an exhilarating ride around the city in one of Cuba’s iconic 1950s American cars. Cruise the streets of Havana with the top down, in these very cool, colourful convertibles. Stop off to sit with John Lennon and his removeable glasses, and stand in Revolution Square overlooked by huge murals of revolutionaries, Ché Guevara, and Camilo Cienfuegos.

Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure in Havana. One highly recommended option is to take a stroll to the end of Calle Obispo to El Floridita bar and perch at the same spot along the bar where Ernest Hemingway once did, whilst enjoying one of their deliciously refreshing daiquiris.

Breakfast included. Overnight in Havana.

Tuesday 20th January

First stop this morning is a visit to a rum factory to discover how this delightful staple of the Cuba Libre is made. Perhaps the chance to take a little ‘Dutch courage’ before we head to our next activity, Salsa dancing! Let those Latino rhythms catch hold of you as we learn the basics of this local dance and move to the Cuban beats.

Enjoy a free afternoon in your pairs, or small groups, for relaxing around the hotel or immersing yourself in the exotic sights, sounds and rhythms of Havana. You could visit the Palace of Cuban Arts and Crafts where fascinating cultural artefacts reveal the island’s many stories of human existence and historic strife, or the Ambos Mundos hotel where Hemingway often resided and which offers a fantastic rooftop view over the city, or the grand Hotel Nacional de Cuba that once welcomed the likes of Frank Sinatra and Fred Astaire.

Breakfast included. Overnight in Havana.

Wednesday 21st January

En route to Trinidad we’ll stop off to explore the quaint city of Cienfuegos. Visit the stunning Valle Palace, reminiscent of Spanish-Moorish art and displaying Gothic, Romanesque, Baroque and Mudejar influences. Step into the Tomas Terry Theatre, founded in 1890 and now a national monument, and enjoy a walk along the pier and all the craft stalls along the way. We’ll catch the glittering blue waters of the Bay of Cienfuegos as we continue on our journey to Trinidad.

Breakfast and dinner included. Overnight in Trinidad.

Thursday 22nd January

Today, we’ll take a tour of the charming city of Trinidad, one of the best-preserved Spanish cities in the Caribbean. We’ll explore the beautiful colonial architecture of the city with its maze of narrow cobblestone streets lined with pastel-coloured buildings and once grandiose mansions. We’ll also visit a local museum and enjoy a welcome drink in the La Canchanchara bar. This house of hospitality is named after the famous concoction made from raw rum, water, and honey. After we’ve quenched our thirst, it’s time for a lovely local lunch in a traditional Cuban restaurant.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. Overnight in Trinidad.

Friday 23rd January

A free day to relax and enjoy the many facilities of our all-inclusive resort. Alternatively, explore Trinidad’s historic centre or take a tour of a plantation out in the countryside where sugar cane has been grown for centuries.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. Overnight in Trinidad.

Saturday 24th January

Today we’ll journey to Santa Clara to visit the Museum of Che Guevara and the final resting place of this revolutionary hero. En route we’ll stop off at a local cigar factory and learn about the production of one of Cuba’s most sought-after exports. Once we reach Santa Clara, we’ll visit the Museum of Che Guevara and the final resting place of this revolutionary hero. Find out how the combined forces of Fidel Castro and the famous beret-wearing insurgent finally defeated Cuban dictator, General Batista, in 1959. Inside the museum, Guevara’s personal effects such as his gun, binoculars and water bottle add a personal touch. Outside, there’s an enormous bronze statue of Guevara looking towards the mountains where his 8th column fought. We’ll also visit the nearby Tren Blindado – the same armoured train which Guevara’s troops derailed during that pivotal moment of history on 29 December 1958. The train wreckage was subsequently preserved and declared a national monument and is displayed within a memorial park with the derailed cars used as rooms for the museum containing related items to the event.

After enjoying lunch in a local restaurant, we’ll continue to Varadero.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. Overnight in Varadero.

Sunday 25th January

Varadero has one of the finest beaches in the entire Caribbean. It offers over 12 miles of perfect white sand, which sweeps down to meet the gently lapping, warm turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea. Here you can either try your hand at a variety of different water sports, swim with the dolphins, or simply relax and soak up the glorious Caribbean sunshine.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. Overnight in Varadero.

Monday 26th January

Our final day offers some free time to relax and explore Varadero at leisure. Live your best life by the beach, explore the many craft stalls spotted around the grounds of the hotel, take a short walk to the local shopping mall, or head into downtown Varadero to pick up some souvenirs. In the evening, join us for a farewell get-together as we enjoy live Cuban music and relive the highlights of our fantastic Caribbean adventure.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. Overnight in Varadero.

Tuesday 27th January

Transfer to Havana airport to start our journeys home.

Breakfast included. Overnight on flight.

Wednesday 28th January

Arrive home with memories of Cuba Libres, Latino beats and golden beaches fresh in our minds.

If you’re entering Cuba as a tourist, you’ll need to get an e-visa before you travel. If you are travelling with us from the UK, you can either arrange this through our local supplier or direct on the Cuban E-visa site. We will be in touch nearer the time of departure with information on how to apply.