Description
Day 1:
You will arrive in Havana today, to be met by your English-speaking guide. After getting acquainted, you will be transferred to the 5V Meliá Habana Hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2:
After breakfast, it's time to explore your fascinating surrounds. Your full-day tour of Havana includes a trip to the living Rum Museum and takes in famous sights such as San Francisco de Asis Square, the Cathedral, Plaza de Armas and El Morro Fortress. After lunch at a local restaurant, Revolution Square, Malecon and La Rampa Street complete your sightseeing agenda for today. It's then back to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3:
Venture further afield today with a trip to the city of Pinar del Rio with its Old Spanish architecture and famous tobacco factory. Enjoy a light lunch before heading onwards to view the beautiful landscapes of Vinales Valley, home to La Cueva del Indio - a cave with an underground river and the almost psychedelic Mural de La Prehistoria. Dinner and overnight back at the Havana hotel. Today's travelling: 415km.
Day 4:
Your travels continue with a trip to Santa Clara, visiting Fiesta Campesina Farm en route. A pleasant university city founded in 1689, your city tour includes a visit to the Ernesto Guevara Square and the Armoured Train, as well as lunch at a local restaurant. This is the town where Batista's troops surrendered to Che Guevara in 1958 (Guevara is buried in the mausoleum here). Your hotel for tonight will be either La Granjita or Los Caneyes Hotel (both 3V), where dinner will be served. Today's travelling: 320km.
Day 5:
After breakfast, you depart for historic Remedios City. A brief city tour can be enjoyed before heading onwards to Cayo Santa Maria, a small island located north of Cuba. Spend the afternoon lazing on its beautiful beach, before returning to Santa Clara for dinner at your hotel. Today's travelling: 230km.
Day 6:
It's a city tour of Cienfuegos today, with a visit to Tomas Terry Theatre, one of the highlights. Home to one of the most beautiful bays in Cuba, other popular sights include Prado Promenade Marti Park and the Bulevar. Lunch is at a local restaurant with dinner at your hotel, either La Union or Hotel Jagua. Today's travelling: 90km.
Day 7:
Depart for Trinidad after breakfast, with Palacio Cantero Museum and La Canchanchara Bar topping your sightseeing agenda. During the afternoon, visit Sugar Mills Valley to enjoy spectacular views and gain an insight into the development of the sugar industry in Cuba. Dinner is at your hotel in Cienfuegos. Today's travelling: 186km.
Day 8:
After a fascinating week experiencing the many and varied delights that Cuba has to offer, it's time to transfer to Varadero to spend the next week relaxing on the beach and enjoying the crystal-clear waters, or to return to Havana for your Virgin Atlantic flight back to London Gatwick. Today's travelling: 200km to Varadero and 140km on to Havana.