Signature Cuba

Welcome to Cuba’s vibrant, colonial capital, Havana. Founded by the Spanish in the 16th century, Havana is a city frozen in time thanks to an embargo placed on the country by the United States preventing trade. As a result, Havana has barely changed since the 1950’s when Fidel Castro came to power.

On arrival you will be fascinated by the number of old cars and colonial buildings that you pass enroute to your hotel. These are intermingled with modern high rise apartments with balconies that overhang Havana’s narrow streets. Once you’ve settled in at your hotel perhaps head to the Malecon, Havana’s coastal esplanade, where there are plenty of bars and restaurants to sit and soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a mojito or a Cuba Libre.

This morning you will visit a local cigar factory where you will discover the origins of Cuban tobacco and learn how it’s grown, produced and exported. Within the factory you will visit the galley, where you will be shown how to shape cigars and hear a cigar factory reader. This unique profession involves reading aloud to the factory workers while they work each day.

You will then enjoy a private walking tour of Havana’s old town, or Habana Vieja. There you will visit the Plaza de Armas, the Plaza de San Francisco de Asis, the Plaza Vieja and the Plaza de la Catedral. As you walk your guide will acquaint you with Havana’s places of interest and provide information on the locals’ way of life. There’s plenty of time to browse gift shops for handmade souvenirs and to take photos.

In the evening you will be collected again from your hotel, this time to explore Havana by night. You will enjoy a ride along the seafront in a vintage car to the San Carlos de la Cabaña Fortress. There, you’ll witness the canon blasting ceremony, a ritual that takes place every night and dates back to the colonial era when the city regularly had to fend off pirates. You will then visit a private restaurant (also known as a paladar) to sample some Cuban food and enjoy a drink.

You will enjoy another vintage car ride touring some more of Havana’s sites.
From the vehicle, admire the streets of Central Havana, Vedado and Miramar. You will pass the Capitol Building, Revolution Square, Hotel Nacional and the University of Havana. You will stop to visit one of Havana’s museums before enjoying a drink at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba. The hotel is a National monument and serves its own flagship cocktail which includes pineapple and apricot liquor, white rum, lime juice and sugar.

Today there will also be time to explore at your leisure

After breakfast, you will travel via a private service to the city of Trinidad.
On the way you will stop in the city of Cienfuegos, which is located on the Bahia de Cienfuegos. This wonderful bay is guarded by the Castillo de Jagua. You will enjoy a couple of hours of free time to stretch your legs and explore. Some places you might like to visit include the Palacio de Valle, the Malecon of Cienfuegos, Paseo del Prado or Parque Jose Marti.

Afterwards, you’ll continue to Trinidad. Like Havana, Trinidad is a beautifully preserved Spanish colonial settlement. The city and nearby Valle de los Ingenios are considered UNESCO World Heritage sites.

In the evening after you settle in at your hotel, perhaps visit the Casa de la Trova House and enjoy some traditional Cuban music from local troubadours.

Today you will enjoy a private tour of the Valle de los Ingenios and the city of Trinidad.
The city of Trinidad was built as a result of sugar and slave trade and your first stop takes you to the Manaca-Iznaga tower in the Valle de los Ingenios. This tower was built to observe the slaves working in the sugar cane fields and you can climb its 136 steps to the top to view the valley landscape and the plantations below.

Returning to Trinidad, you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before visiting the city’s main square, La Plaza Mayor. Located in the city’s historical centre, La Plaza Mayor is surrounded by elegant mansions that now house museums. You will also see the Iglesia Mayor de la Santísima Trinidad Church. Built in a neoclassical style, it’s one of the biggest churches in the country.

You will then visit a ceramic workshop where you can discover how Cuban potters produce their works and have the chance to buy a souvenir. Your final stop is Taberna La Canchanchara, Trinidad’s oldest and most famous bar which still has its original cedar roof intact.

Enjoy a free day to explore Trinidad at your leisure.
Perhaps head to Playa Ancon where you can visit the beach and enjoy some snorkelling? Just be careful you don't stand on a sea urchin.
Another great activity is to experience a folklore show at one of the town's numerous open air venues. Cuba has a rich and varied music and dance tradition that draws roots from Spain, Africa, and France. This is your chance to experience watching the mambo and the rumba firsthand.

Today you will return via a private transport service to Havana, stopping enroute at Santa Clara.

Santa Clara is the capital city of the Cuban province of Villa Clara and is known for its revolutionary landmarks. You will have two hours free time to explore the city’s sites such as Che Guevara’s Mausoleum, the Armoured Train Museum or the Museo Histórico de la Revolución.

On your return to Havana, in the evening why not put on your dancing shoes and visit Casa de La Musica de Centro? Here you will discover a variety of Cuban salsa and timba performers and its common to see some famous Cuban bands.

Today, enjoy a free day to explore Havana at your leisure. Perhaps use this time to take a trip to Playa del Este?
Located around 30 minutes from Havana, there are a number of beautiful beaches in this area where you can take the day to relax and soak up some Caribbean sunshine. Popular beaches include Santa Maria del Mar, Playa Bacuranao and Playa Guanabo.

You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.