10 Day Relaxed Through Havana West & Central Cuba

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

In the morning pick-up through your English-speaking guide. The day starts with a visit of one of the most famous tobacco factories, e.g. Partagas, H. Upmann, Romeo Y Julieta, or La Corona. Explore the skilled hands of the "torcedores" (cigar rollers) during their production of the best cigars in the world. Later walking tour through the old town to explore the most important sights and squares: "Plaza de Armas" with the "Palacio de los Capitanes Generales" and "El Templete", "Castillo del la Real Fuerza", "Plaza de la Catedral", "Plaza San Francisco de Asís" and "Plaza Vieja". On the way enjoy a cocktail at Hemingways "Bodeguita del Medio"or on the terrace of "Ambos Mundos Hotel", where he wrote ""For Whom the Bell Tolls". Lunch at a popular private restaurant, e.g. "Antojos" or similar. In the afternoon panoramic tour in an American vintage car of the 50ies around the modern part of Havana. Start the circuit along the "Malecón" passing the magnificent 5th avenue until the residence and diplomat district Miramar with its impressive mansions. On the way aperitif at the legendary "Nacional Hotel" still enchanted by the spirit of the Mafia bosses and other "Celebrities of the 50ies". Dinner in a restaurant with a special ambiance, Casa Miglis. Cuba’s unique restaurant with a creative mixture of Swedish-Greek-Cuban cuisine. It is located in Centro Habana in a very stylish apartment. Accommodation with breakfast: see day before

(Breakfast and Lunch included)

In the morning drive to Marianao to the theatre and sport center Jesus Menendez. Visit a training session of "Havana Queens", the hippest dance ensemble in the city. Authentic introduction to the world of young dancers with a live performance and the possibility to chat with the manager. Continue the journey on the "Tobacco Route" further into the west of the island. Stop at the provincial capital Pinar del Río. Panoramic tour through the "Mogote valley" with its impressing skittle rocks and the picturesque town of Viñales, surrounded by magnificent nature. On the way lunch "criollo" at a tobacco farmer e.g. at the Paladar of "Alberto Vitamina", where the traditional Cuban dish "grilled pork, rice and beans" are cooked with love. (As an alternative its possible to order chicken rather than pork - must be ordered at least 1 day before via the guide.)... Afterward, enjoy an "anti-stress-cocktail" on the Bio-Finca "El Paraíso" or an aperitif at "Balcón del Valle". Both places with panoramic view over the valley. Accommodation with breakfast: Hotel E Central (3*), or similar, Standard Room

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

In the morning a light hiking tour through the stunning tobacco valley with stops at the "bohios" (farmer's houses) of the local farmers called "Campesinos". Continue the journey to the coast on to the fishing village Puerto Esperanza. Still a sleepy nest that does not offer anything particularly new at first sight. But Cuba does have big plans with this district. It is supposed to enlive the surrounded keys with day trips tourism and as well hopefully breathe new life into the small town with a cruise shipping port. Lunch at a private Cuban family offering home-cooked lunch in a tiny private restaurant - a great contrast to the stylish Paladares in Havana - which only a few years ago served their food in the exact same manner. Later passing through the foothills of the Sierra Rosario – UNESCO Biosphere Reserve - up to the eco-community Las Terrazas. After a walking tour through the town with its crafts colony and the ruins of the former French coffee plantation dinner at the local paladar "La Fonda de Mercedes". Accommodation with breakfast: Hotel La Moka (3*) or Hotel Soroa (2.5*), Standard room *Depends to the availability of the hotel La Moka in Las Terrazas, the overnight could also be instead in Vinales, Soroa or Havana. If the overnight is not confirmed in Las Terrazas the dinner would be in another recommendable restaurant close to the confirmed hotel.

(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)

In the morning drive on the almost empty "Autopista", where you see more bicycles and horse carriages than cars to the central part of Cuba. Coffee stop at the farm "Fiesta Campesina" with its mini-zoo up to the legendary bay of pigs (failed landing of the der Cuban exiles 1961) passing Playa Larga and Playa Girón in direction to Cienfuegos. On the way buffet lunch with the opportunity to take a refreshing bath at "Caleta Buena". In the late afternoon walking tour along the main square "Parque Martí" with the renowned "Teatro Terry", where once Caruso performed and continue to the peninsula "Punta Gorda" with the Moorish style "Palacio del Valle" and the white yacht club. Dinner e.g. in the paladar "Villa Lagarto” with views on the bay of Cienfuegos. Accommodation with breakfast: Hotel MELIA San Carlos (4*) or similar, Classic Room

(Breakfast, Lunch and All-Inclusive included)

Continue to the historic Santa Clara, where Che Guevara achieved his most important victory and found his final resting place. Visit of the Revolution Square as well as the Che Guevara memorial. Later continue to the northern coast toward the hidden jewel Sagua La Grande and birthplace of the famous painter Wilfredo Lam - still areal secret for discoverer. Architecture in the neoclassical style of the XIX century as the former "Spanish Casino" and the "Bank of Canada", still witnesses of charm of the past times. Rustic lunch at a restaurant built over the sea on stilts near to the small fisher town Isabela de Sagua with a view on the offshore keys and a sunken shipwreck. Late in the afternoon continue passing a 47 km long dam cross the sea in direction of the island paradise Cayo Santa María. Accommodation with All-Inclusive: Hotel PARADISUS Los Cayos (5*), Paradisus Junior Suite

(All-Inclusive included)

Time for Sun & Beach. Accommodation with All-Inclusive: see day before