Cuba Trip

13 days – from €4,980 per person

off the beaten track – nature – history

More about Cuba

Day 3: Viñales – Santa Clara

After breakfast, you will be taken to Santa Clara, a city founded in 1689 and the capital of Villa Clara province. Santa Clara is situated to the west, at the foot of the Sierra del Escambray mountain range. The victory of Che Guevara and his followers in the final battles against General Batista in late 1958 is what has made this place famous. The origins of the city of Santa Clara lie in the settlement established here by coastal dwellers in 1689, when they were forced to flee from invading pirates. It has always been a liberal city, where independence, philanthropy, Che Guevara, the Revolution and, now, the LGBTI community are held in high regard. You will therefore make a brief stop at the Che monument, which pays tribute to the leader of the Cuban Revolution. You will be staying at Suite Florencia, built in 1940 and fully restored in 2016, and situated in the centre of Santa Clara. Here you’ll enjoy colonial charm, from high ceilings, floors with stunning mosaics and large windows to elegant communal areas. The hotel has just three camere (rooms), which are comfortably furnished with fine Italian cotton bed linen and feature a large terrace. In the evening, you can choose to have a bite to eat at the hotel, where the Cuban dishes are strongly influenced by Spanish and Italian recipes. In the afternoon, you can explore the city at your leisure and enjoy traditional Cuban cuisine.
Overnight stay: Suite Florencia | bed and breakfast

Day 4: Santa Clara

Today you’ll take a city walk through Santa Clara, a city with a rich history. Its history dates back to peoples fleeing from pirates. Your guide will take you on a journey through Santa Clara’s history. The walk begins in the city centre, where many of these routes converge. The walk takes about 2 hours and takes in, amongst other sights, the Caridad Theatre, the del Carmen and Vidal parks, and the Plaza de la Revolución. You will also visit the Tren Blindado monument. This monument was created by the Cuban sculptor José Delarra, who depicted the moment when Che Guevara derailed the armoured train carrying Batista’s 408 soldiers. Here, you’ll visit the two carriages that have been converted into a museum. Afterwards, you’ll be taken back to your accommodation.
Overnight stay: Suite Florencia | bed and breakfast

Day 5: Santa Clara – Trinidad

You’ll leave Santa Clara and travel with your guide to Trinidad. On the way, you’ll stop at a sugar plantation where slaves once worked. You’ll see where the slaves lived and learn about the impact sugar had on the region and its history of slavery. After visiting this historic site, you’ll continue on to Trinidad. The city of Trinidad has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988 and was founded in 1514 by Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar, a crew member of Christopher Columbus. Trinidad is one of Cuba’s most colonial cities; its brightly coloured houses and many pedestrianised streets give you the feeling that you have stepped back in time. You’ll be staying at La Casona, one of the oldest houses in Trinidad. From the garden, you’ll have a view of the ruins of an old colonial fort.
Accommodation: La Casona | bed and breakfast

Day 6: Trinidad

Today you’ll discover the UNESCO World Heritage sites in the city of Trinidad. You’ll stroll through the cobbled streets steeped in history. During the walk, you’ll visit all the architectural highlights of the city. Your guide will tell you all about the town’s history. In the afternoon, you’ll have the chance to visit the popular Canchanchara bar. It’s a bustling spot and takes its name from the favourite drink of many Cubans. The cocktail takes its name from the favourite drink of^16th-century pirates and smugglers: a mixture of rum, honey and lime, diluted with water. You will then head to Esquina 373, a restaurant where you’ll learn about the history of the world-famous Cuban cigars and rum. Once you’ve been introduced to the various products, it’s time for a tasting session.
Overnight stay: La Casona | bed and breakfast

Day 7: Trinidad

Today, you’ll travel by Jeep to Topes de Collantes, a nature reserve high up in the Sierra del Escambray mountain range. The Sierra del Escambray is Cuba’s second-highest mountain range and a paradise for walkers. The area is named after the health clinic founded by former dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1937. Today, the spa town enjoys an international reputation and attracts patients from all over Latin America. On the way, you’ll stop at a viewpoint overlooking the Caribbean Sea and the city of Trinidad. Together with your guide, you’ll take a short 2–3-kilometre walk along the El Cubano – Huellas de la Historia trail. You may come across 100 different species of ferns, orchids and birds, and with a bit of luck you might spot Cuba’s national bird, the Tocororo (Trogon). As you walk past the crystal-clear pools with small waterfalls, there’ll be time for a refreshing dip. You’ll also visit the local people and their homes. The afternoon is yours to spend at your leisure in Trinidad.
Overnight: La Casona | bed and breakfast

Day 8: Trinidad – Cienfuegos – Havana

After breakfast, you’ll be taken to Cuba’s capital, Havana. On the way, you’ll stop in Cienfuegos for a city walk. Cienfuegos is one of Cuba’s youngest cities, around 200 years old. The city was primarily a place where the wealthy lived, and that remains the case today. You’ll visit the Terry Theatre, which has recently been restored. The theatre still retains all the features it had when it was built around 1900. It has ceiling paintings, balconies and a stage. The seats are set at a slight angle to ensure a good view. The theatre was quite modern for its time; for instance, it was possible to remove the seats and level the floor, transforming it into a dance hall. This is still done today. Next, you will visit Palacio Valle, a city palace situated at the end of the boulevard, which is considered the most elegant building in the city. During the guided trip, you’ll be offered a cocktail on the palace terrace. After lunch, you’ll drive on to Havana, where you’ll be staying at La Reserva Vedado.
Overnight stay: La Reserva Vedado | bed and breakfast

Day 9: Havana

Today, you’ll explore Havana with your guide. You’ll stroll through the colonial part of the city, through the streets and across the squares of Old Havana, such as the Plaza de Armas, Plaza San Francisco de Asís, Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza Vieja and Hemingsway’s ‘bodeguita’. You’ll visit the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, one of Havana’s most iconic buildings. The palace dates back to 1798 and, before it was destroyed by a hurricane, was the seat of the cabildo (the city council). Following restoration, the palace now houses the Museo de la Ciudad. The museum has over 40 exhibition rooms and offers a comprehensive insight into the history of the struggle for independence, from its beginnings to the revolutionary victory in 1959. Be sure to visit the patio here too. In this lushly overgrown courtyard garden, you’ll find a magnificent statue of Christopher Columbus. Afterwards, it’s time for a trip in a classic American car. You’ll be driven to Old Havana, which has been on UNESCO’s World Heritage List since 1982. Havana has captured the imagination of many ever since the days of the Spanish. It was one of the world’s largest ports and the ‘key to the New World’, a bridgehead for the exploration of Central and South America. After the drive through Havana, you’ll head to La Guarida where you’ll take part in a cocktail workshop. Whilst sipping the cocktail you’ve made yourself, you can enjoy some pleasant live music.
Overnight stay: La Reserva Vedado | bed and breakfast

Day 10: Havana

In the morning, you’ll visit a workshop that restores classic American vintage cars. Here, you’ll gain an exclusive insight into the process of restoring these American cars and learn more about the history of classic cars in Cuba. Afterwards, the guide will take you to a number of galleries where promising young artists and more established artists exhibit their work. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish.
Overnight stay: La Reserva Vedado | bed and breakfast

Day 11: Havana

After breakfast, you’ll be picked up for a visit to the former estate of the American writer and Nobel Prize winner Ernest Hemingway. You’ll visit his former home, Finca Vigia, and his two favourite haunts, La Bodeguite del Medio and El Floridita, where he loved to go for his favourite mojitos. There will be a short stop at El Floridita, where you’ll be offered a cocktail. As you enter, you’ll spot the writer’s former regular spot in the darkest corner. Finally, you’ll visit the Ambos Mundos hotel, where Hemingway stayed before having Finca Vigia built. It was at this hotel, where he lived for around 10 years, that he wrote the book ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’. In the afternoon, you’ll go on a bike ride through Havana, visiting, amongst other places, the Jardines de Tropical. This park was laid out around 1912 and quickly became a hotspot for high society and the most popular orchestras of the time.
Overnight stay: La Reserva Vedado | bed and breakfast

Day 12: Havana – Amsterdam

Unfortunately, your unique journey through Cuba comes to an end today. One of our local staff members will take you to Havana airport, where you will board your intercontinental flight to Amsterdam

Day 13: Amsterdam

You will arrive in Amsterdam today.