(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

In the morning pick-up by your English speaking guide. During a walking tour through colonial Old Havana, you will see the most important squares and sites. Plaza de Armas with Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, El Template, Castillo de la Real Fuerza, Cathedral Square, Plaza San Francisco de Asis, and Plaza Vieja. Before having lunch, dive into the world of Salsa during a 1-hour class with a private teacher. Lunch at one of the favored private restaurants, e.g. “La Moneda Cubana”. In the afternoon American classic cars are waiting for a tour to Hemingways Finca Villa Vigia in San Francisco de Paula, where the famous writer hosted his prominent guests, today a museum, where you can also see his yacht “Pilar” on which he went out for deep-sea and sword-fishing. On the way back visit the fortress El Morro, situated high above the entrance to the harbor. During a coffee or a cocktail on the balcony of restaurant La Tasca enjoy beautiful panoramic views over Havana Bay and to Old Havana. Late in the afternoon back to the hotel. Dinner at paladar „El Figaro“, located in a small beautiful alley in the old city center near your hotel. Accommodation with breakfast: see day before.

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

The day starts with a visit to one of the famous tobacco factories, e.g. Partagas, H. Upmann, Romeo y Julieta, or La Corona. See the skillful hands of the torcedores (cigar rollers) while producing the best cigars of the world. Later on to Marianao, where you will watch a training session of „Havana Queens“, the most hip modern dance ensemble in town. Immerse into the world of the young dancers and get an authentic insight, including a small live performance and explanations about their life and history by the manager and/or the choreographer. Lunch at nearby Club Havana, meeting place of diplomats and the local business elite with its beautiful mansion and humidor bar, big pool, and the only private sand beach in town, with time to relax. On the way back enjoy a cocktail at the panoramic bar of the FOCSA Building with the best views over the city. Dinner at the paladar “Los Mercaderes” in the old city center.

(Breakfast and Lunch included)

In the morning following the „Ruta de Tabaco“ along the “Autopista” (Cuban highway) to the province of Pinar del Rio. On the way visit a “veguero” (tobacco farmer), who will introduce you to the world of tobacco growing, followed by a panoramic tour through the Mogote-Valley with its impressing limestone rocks and, the “Mogotes” and the village of Viñales, surrounded by nature. Stop at the house of a local artist (plastic arts) and lunch „criollo“ e.g. at the paladar of „Alberto Vitamina“. After a visit to the prehistoric wall, a huge painting on a big rock from the 1960s, enjoy breath-taking views over the Mogote-Valley during an „anti-stress“ cocktail at Finca Agro-Ecologica. In the late afternoon back to Havana. Accommodation with breakfast: see day before

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

In the morning start for a longer trip to Central Cuba, following the „Autopista” the Cuban central highway, sometimes nearly empty without traffic and where you still can encounter strange “vehicles” such as horse-drawn carriages, bicycles or even sleeping cows. After a coffee break at the farm „Fiesta Campesina“ with its mini-zoo continue along the historic “Bay of Pigs” (failed invasion of the Exile Cubans 1961) via Playa Larga and Playa Girón to Cienfuegos. Lunch (buffet) and time for a refreshing swim at Caleta Buena. In the evening aperitif at the Mudejar-style Palacio del Valle on the Peninsula Punta Gorda, where you will also have dinner with bay view, e.g. at the terrace of paladar “Villa Lagarto”. Accommodation with breakfast: Colonial hotel MELIA San Carlo (4*) or Hotel La Union Managed by MELIA (4*) both just a few steps from the main square, Standard room

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

The day starts with a stroll around the main square of Cienfuegos with its French colonial architecture and the nostalgic Terry Theatre, where Caruso once sang. Further on through the foothills of the Sierra Escambray for a hiking tour to the waterfalls of El Nicho, followed by a rustic lunch in the local ranch on. In the afternoon to Trinidad, UNESCO world heritage with its unique colonial architecture. Walking tour through the historic center and its cobblestone lanes to the Plaza Mayor, surrounded by the mansions of the sugar barons and the mighty tower of the church “Santissima Trinidad”. Dinner at paladar “1514“, the interior like a museum with its unique table decoration of antique crystal glasses and precious porcelain. On a stroll through the romantic nightlife of Trinidad, you can dance with locals to live-music, Salsa, and Son, e.g. at the stairs and terraces near the main square or at the local Casa de la Trova. Accommodation with breakfast: Colonial-style hotel La Ronda (3.5*) or Hotel E La Calesa (3.5*) or hotel and bungalows Las Cuevas (3*), set on a hilltop with panoramic views over the town, Standard room

(Breakfast included)

In the morning enjoy a tour with a local nostalgic steam or diesel train (depending if it is ready to operate) from the idyllic train station in Trinidad through a typical green Cuban landscape to the Sugarmill Valley. Visit of the Hacienda de Iznaga with breathtaking panoramic views from the top of the legendary slave tower. Later back to Trinidad and shortstop at the Templo de Yemaya, house of an Afro-Cuban Santeria priest. Afternoon at leisure for a visit at one of several museums (e.g. the Museo Romantico at Palacio Brunet or the town museum at Palacio Cantero). Or relax at the sand beaches of Playa Ancon at the Caribbean Sea. Accommodation with breakfast: see day before

(Breakfast Lunch included)

Today continue on a scenic road into the Sierra Escambray passing coffee plantations and a look-out point with panoramic views until reaching Topes de Collantes, known for its healthy microclimate. After a coffee break at the Casa del Café further on through the mountains to the historic city of Santa Clara, where Che Guevara celebrated his greatest victory and found his last rest. Visit of the Revolution Square with the Che Guevara Monument and lunch. Further on to the north side of the island to Sagua La Grande, a hidden gem, still nearly untouched by tourism and birthplace of the famous Cuban painter Wilfredo Lam. Discover the town during a walking tour, with its antique iron bridge over the river and lots of neoclassic buildings of the 19th century, such as the former Spanish casino or the Bank of Canada, reminiscences of the charm and splendor of bygone times. In the late afternoon, you will reach the colonial city of Remedios, known countrywide for its “Parrandas”. In the evening stroll around the idyllic main square with the church “Parroquia San Juan de Bautista” (mahogany altar of the 16th century). Accommodation with breakfast: At one of the charming Hoteles de Encanto, all situated near or around the main square and with colonial ambiance, e.g. Hotel E Barcelona (3*), Hotel Mascote (3*), Hotel E Camino del Principe (3*) or similar, Standard Room

(Breakfast, Lunch and All-Inclusive included)

In the morning a short trip to Caibarien on the north coast and a visit of the local sugar and steam train museum before you continue along the by tourists only rarely frequented northern route. Stop at Yaguahay with the memorial of Camilo Cienfuegos, friend and comrade of Che Guevara and one of the most important Comandantes of the Cuban Revolution. On a 37 km causeway crossing the sea, you will reach the offshore islands of Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo in the early afternoon – a beach and nature paradise. Time for relaxing. Accommodation with All-Inclusive: MELIA Cayo Guillermo (4*), Classic Room

(Breakfast and Lunch included)

In the morning back to the mainland and along the “Carretera Central” to Camaguey, UNESCO world heritage and until the 1950s center of the Cuban cattle-breeding industry and until today an important railway junction, also known as the city of the “Tinajones” (big clay jugs). Lunch with colonial ambiances at restaurant La Campana de Toledo or at one of the local paladares. After a stroll over Plaza San Juan del Dios and Plaza Agramonte with the birthplace of the Cuban national hero immerse into the labyrinth of lanes and small squares on a tour with the local Bici-Taxis, which in earlier times also served as a protection against pirates. In the late afternoon visit of the Swiss children project „Camaguito“. Accommodation with breakfast: Hotel El Camino de Hierro (3,5*), the decor dedicated to the local railway history. Or one of several colonial hotels such as La Avellaneda (3,5*), Santa Maria (3,5*), El Marquez (3,5*) La Sevillana (3,5*) or the Grand Hotel managed by MELIA (3*) with the charm of bygone times, Standard Room

(Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included)

In the morning continue to East Cuba including a break at Bayamo, city of horse carriages and birthplace of the national hero Manuel Cespedes, who in the 19th century proclaimed independence from the Spanish crown. It is also the place where the Cuban national anthem (“La Bayamesa”) was composed. After a walking tour around the main square lunch and further on to Santiago, capital of the „Oriente“, city of the revolution and cradle of the Cuban “Son”. Visit of the cemetery Santa Ifigenia including the tombs of the Bacardi Dynasty, the poet and national hero Jose Marti and of several Cuban presidents, among them also the late Comandante Fidel Castro. Dinner at your hotel. Accommodation with dinner: Hotel MELIA Santiago (4*), the leading hotel of Santiago in a high building similar to a sugar central and with panoramic views over the city and to the mountains of Sierra Maestra, Classic Room

(Breakfast, Lunch and All-Inclusive included)

The day begins with a walking tour around the main square Parque Cespedes including the historic town hall, and Casa Velazquez, seat of the former Spanish Governeur and oldest house in town. Stroll through Calle Heredia to Plaza Dolores followed before you drive to the fortress El Morro, UNESCO world heritage overlooking Santiago Bay and the coast. Early lunch with panoramic views and back through the residential quarter of Vista Alegre with the mansion of the Bacardi Family. Finally, after a stop at the Revolution Square, you will reach the “Autopista” to Holguin. In the afternoon visit to the Finca Manassas in Biran, the birthplace of Fidel Castros where you will have some interesting insights into his childhood, youth, his parental home, and the socio-economic conditions before the revolution. Later via Banes or the capital of the province Holguin to the beach hotel in Guardalavaca. Upon arrival at your hotel, you will say goodbye to your guide and driver. Accommodation with All-Inclusive: Hotel SOL Rio de Luna y Mares (4*) located at a nice sandy beach, Standard Room

(All-Inclusive included)

Time for Sun & Beach.

(Breakfast included)

In the late afternoon (depending on the flight time) private transfer with a local guide to the international airport and check-in for the departure flight back to Europe or another destination.