The Antiquity of Cuba
Nov 14th – 7th Dec 2015
May 11th – 4th June 2016
$9599
Step back in time and enjoy the unspoiled Cuba.
What is included in your tour.
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Flights
Accommodation 5* (in Havanna and Varadero)
Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner (where mentioned)
Engilsh speaking guide
Private transfers between destinations
Guided city walks at all destinations visitied
Airport Transfers
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02/15
Highlights
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Full Day Havana Tour
Rum Museum and Cigar Factory in Havana
Callejon de Hammel
Orchid Garden in Soroa
Tobacco Farm and underground caves in Vinales
Bay of Pigs
Che Guevara memorial in Santa Clara
Cienfuegos Walking tour
Trinidad Walking tour
Visit Valley of Sugar Mills in Trinidad
Bicycle taxi tour of Camaguey
Santiago de Cuba walking tour
BBQ riverside lunch and river cruise in Baracoa
Beach-stay in Varadero
panoramic drive along the Malecon promenade towards Morro Cabana (Castle), in a Classic Car
Day 1 and 2
Day 3
In transit (stop over Cancun Mexico)
Arrive Havana
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Havana, or in Spanish ‘La Habana’, is not only the capital, but also the
largest city of Cuba with a population of more than 3 million. It is one of
the oldest cities founded by Europeans in the Western Hemisphere - first
established in 1515 to become the capital of Spanish Cuba in 1552.
Havana’s history and people have always been colourful. It was
repeatedly attacked and burnt by pirates, buccaneers and French corsairs
during the 16th century and the sinking of the US battleship ‘Maine’ in its
harbour in 1898 kicked off the Spanish-American War. During the 18th and
19th centuries, Havana became a flourishing and fashionable city. Wealth
and power was concentrated in the city, because of its dual role as Cuba’s
colonial capital, and as the focus of the Spanish colonial trading system.
Havana soon boasted monumental architecture and prosperity amongst
the burgeoning middle-class, and this led to many lavish classical
mansions being erected. In more recent times, its prosperity has been
thwarted under the dictatorship of Fidel Castro, but the city still pulses to
the rumba beat of its musicians and is enriched by the local art and theatre culture. With wonderful museums,
fantastic restaurants, a lively nightlife and beautiful beaches, Havana is character-filled and well worth the
visit
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Day 4
Havana
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After breakfast at your hotel this morning you will depart for a guided sightseeing tour of the city of Havana.
A unique experience, this walking tour will visit all the major sights of the city including the historic Plaza de
Armas and Cathedral Square. You can take in the rich atmosphere of the narrow cobblestone streets of Old
Havana, flanked by colonial buildings dating back as far as the 16th Century. Also visit the former official
residence Palacio de los Capitanes Generales.
Lunch will be at an authentic family run Cuban restaurant (Paladar).
The classic cars will be waiting for a unique panoramic drive along the Malecon promenade towards Morro
Cabana (Castle). The castle guards the entrance to Havana’s harbour and offers magnificent views across to
the Havana skyline. Continuing by Old American car along the length
of the Malecon there will be an absorbing drive through Miramar an
elegant area of the city with large colonial mansion houses many
now Embassies before returning to Revolution Square. This is a
highly significant landmark in Havana and overlooked by the famous
Che Guevara Mural.
At the end of the tour, you will visit Hotel Nacional in Havana
Vedado for a drink and a wonderful view of the Malecon at sunset.
This evening will be at leisure to enjoy dinner at the hotel or one of
the other restaurants in the area.
Day 5 and 6
Havana
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Spend two days at leisure in Havana to explore the city and its many districts.
You can follow Hemingway’s footsteps and travel ten miles east of Havana to Hemingway's Cuba house - Finca
Vigia, meaning "lookout house". Finca Vigía has made both the World Monuments Fund list of 100 Most
Endangered sites, and The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 11 Most Endangered Places.
You can also investigate Cuba’s most famous exports and visit the Havana Club Rum Museum, to see a
recreation of a traditional rum distillery. Visitors can view first hand the journey one of Havana’s worldrenowned products has taken to be bottled and sold. There is also the opportunity for tastings and to
purchase souvenirs. At the Partagas Cigar Factory you can see how authentic Cuban Cigars are made and
packaged. Visitors will learn about the different types of cigars, leaves and treatments with an expert guide
and have the opportunity to purchase cigars as well.
We will also visit Callejon de Hammel in central Havana. Callejon de Hammel is where the Cuban artist
fraternity congregate, and is a wonderful place to experience day-to-day Cuban life. Located in central
Havana, the alley is brightly decorated in Cuban sculptures, art and paintings. You might also be able to catch
a glimpse of a dance exhibition or meet Lazaro Salsita, who opens his home to teach neighbourhood children
the art of papier-mâché. Make sure you check out Local artist Salvador González Escalona’s neighbourhood
makeover.
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Day 7
Havana > Vinales
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It’s time to travel to the dramatic limestone pincushion hills of the
Pinar del Rio province and the rural town of Vinales. Along the way
we will pass lush, green landscapes and bright, coloured houses
before arriving at the small village of Soroa. Referred to as The
Gate to The Garden of Eden, this stunning village is the starting
point for many hikes to the soaring Sierra del Rosario. After
exploring the village we will visit the famous Orchid Gardens of
Soroa. In 1943, inspired by the natural beauty of Soroa Cuba, the
Spanish landowner Thomás Felipe Camacho compiled 700 different orchids to start a botanical garden in the
area. Now hugely popular, there are thousands of orchid and other plant species on display at the gardens.
Outside of the botanical gardens there are 20,000 different plant and fern species all around Soroa, as well as
countless tree species all held in this UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. You will visit the Salto Arco Iris, a
magnificent waterfall that forms part of the Rio Manantiades. The great river bubbles through the rainforest
before gushing down as a 22 metre high waterfall; at its feet, the refreshing water culminates in an enclosed
basin, which is perfect for dipping in and cooling off.
Today you will have the chance to have a look around the township and experience Vinales’ lively music and
dance scene.
Day 8
Vinales
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The moment you spot a cigar chewing guajiro driving his oxen and plough through a rust-coloured tobacco
field, you know that you must be within striking distance of Vinales. This is a slow, relaxed, wonderfully
traditional settlement that occupies one of Cuba’s most beautiful natural corners.
Today your guide will take you on a walking tour of the Vinales township and surrounding farmlands, followed
by lunch at an authentic Cuban Paladar. To learn about the local tobacco-growing process we visit a tobacco
plantation and see a fully operating Secadero (drying house) in which tobacco leaves are cured from February
to May. The staff gives brief explanations to help you understand the process.
Your guide will also take you to visit the Cuevas
del Indio ("Indian Caves"), five kilometres north of
Viñales. The cave is well developed for tourists,
with lights and an underground boat tour.
Experience first-hand the hospitality of Cuba (the
fresh fruit here is simply delicious) and take
advantage of the many outdoor activities
available to you. Breath-taking views and an
enthusiastic nightlife will surely make your stay in
Vinales a memorable one. The perfect
opportunity to experience the ‘real’ Cuba away
from the crowds.
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Day 9
Vinales > Cienfuegos
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After breakfast and an early morning meeting with your guide, you set-off to the first stop of the day - the
infamous Bay of Pigs / Playa Girón, long associated with the USA’s first military failure in Latin America. The
natural beauty of this area is stunning with cave systems, coral formations and an abundance of sea life
making it a must for snorkellers, divers and ocean lovers alike.
Located in the southern part of the
Matanzis province, you can swim
here in the open sea or in caves
flooded with brackish water, linked
to the esteemed speleo-lacustrian
system of the Cienaga Zapata.
Corals, sponges, sea fans, reef fish, barracudas and groupers grace these waters. There is also fantastic (and
very convenient) wall diving and for wreck lovers “The Jaruco” is nearby; which was purposely sunk in 1994.
The area also has a number of cenotes to survey including the well known ‘cave of fishes’.
A lunch at a local Paladar - is followed by another short drive - 1 ½ hours to the city of Cienfuegos.
Upon arrival, check in to your accommodation. Your guide will then take you on a tour of the city. Explore
the wide streets and promenades, visit Parque Jose Marti and enjoy a walk by the Malecon, the longest
promenade on the island.
Cienfuegos is a charming waterfront city situated on the bay of
the same name. Its picturesque nautical setting has earned it the
title,
“the
Pearl of the South,” a description that has endured for centuries.
The region’s calm waters are ideal for diving, sailing, boating and
kayaking. City highlights include an architecturally noteworthy
group of buildings that were declared a UNESCO World Heritage
Site in 2005. Castillo de Jagua, an imposing fortress built to
protect Cienfuegos from menacing pirates, is widely recognised as
one of Cuba’s most important military structures. Legend has it the castle is haunted by ‘the Lady in Blue,’ a
ghost in a blue brocade gown.
“Cienfuegos is the city I like the best”, wrote Beni More, one of
Cuba’s most important musicians in the first half of the 20th
century. Here your guide will host you on a tour of the city as
you take in the grand, crumbling architecture over a cocktail at
the very impressive yacht club. The ultimate in kitsch comes
near the end of Calle 37 when, with a sharp intake of breath,
you'll stumble upon the Arabian Nights-like Palacio de Valle.
Built in 1917 by Alcisclo Valle Blanco, a Spaniard from Asturias,
the structure resembles an outrageously ornate Moroccan
casbah. Batista planned to convert this colorful riot of tiles,
turrets and stucco into a casino, but today it's an (aspiring) upscale restaurant with an inviting terrace bar.
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Day 10
Cienfuegos > Santa Clara > Trinidad
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After breakfast you will travel with your guide stopping in Santa Clara
en route to Trinidad,. (most of us have heard of Trinidad- few have
experienced the life)
On the way to Santa Clara, you will have the opportunity to visit the
Che Guevara mausoleum and memorial, where the mortal remains
of this Cuban revolutionary are interred. Here you will learn about
how Guevara played a pivotal role in the demise of the dictator
Batista and the rise of Fidel Castro, a turning point in the Cuban
revolution. The museum is very interesting and informative – for
example, did you know that Che was a very keen rugby player and
edited the rugby magazine called Tackle at his university in Buenos Aires during his student days?
Santa Clara is the site of the last battle in the Cuban Revolution in 1958, there are many tributes to the city’s
troubled history to be seen on your guided tour through the town. There are also many interesting buildings
in rather eclectic architectural styles, and you can visit a really interesting cigar factory and the trendy La Casa
de la Ciudad where the progressive young artists in the town can be found.
Lunch will be at one of the restaurants adjoining the main square and then continue by road to Trinidad.
Upon arrival, you will have an orientation walk with your guide.
Your time in Trinidad would not be complete without at least one evening sitting on the steps outside Casa de
la Musica. Every night the area beside the Cathedral in Plaza Mayor comes alive with a live ‘Salsa’ band.
Entrance is free – the music and atmosphere is great – the mojitos are cheap and what’s more…you get one of
the most beautiful starry skies
thrown in for nothing.
UNESCO declared Trinidad, founded in 1514, the third Spanish settlement in Cuba, to be a part of world
cultural heritage because of its colonial architecture, which dates from the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries.
The oldest part of the city is one of its greatest attractions. It contains beautiful churches such as the Great
Parish Church, a neoclassical edifice built in 1892 and public squares, the most important of which is Main
Square, surrounded by buildings of great beauty and historic and architectural interest and considered the
second most important square in the country, after Havana's Cathedral Square.
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Day 11 and 12
Trinidad
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After a big Cuban breakfast, it is time to explore the city and
a half day guided tour will give you the perfect opportunity
to acquaint yourself with this Caribbean gem.
The ruins of dozens of ingenios (small 19th-century sugar
mills), including slave quarters and manor houses, are
scattered throughout this valley. The royal palms, waving
cane and rolling hills are timelessly beautiful. The prime
sight is Manaca Iznaga, an estate purchased in 1795 by the
dastardly Pedro Iznaga, who became rich by trafficking in
slaves. Staying in the area, you will also have the
opportunity to visit the rugged 90km-long Sierra del
Escambray mountain range, some 20km northwest of Trinidad.
The most popular hike is the 2.5km, 2½-hour round-trip trek to the Salto del Caburní, a 62m waterfall
cascading into cool swimming holes.
Perhaps visit the sparkling shores of the nearby beach. Playa Ancon, a precious ribbon of white beach on
Sancti Spíritus' iridescent Caribbean shoreline, is usually touted – with good reason – to be the finest arc of
sand on Cuba's south coast.
You can get to Playa Ancon from Trinidad in less than 15 minutes by car. There is also the option to visit the
old fishing port of Casilda, 6km due south of Trinidad. The road from Ancón to Casilda crosses a tidal flat,
meaning abundant birdlife is visible in the early morning.
Day 13
Trinidad > Camaguey
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Sandwiched on Carretera Central halfway between Ciego de Ávila and Las
Tunas, the city of tinajones (clay pots), as Camagüey is sometimes known, is
Cuba’s third-largest city, easily the suavest and most sophisticated after
Havana, and the bastion of the Catholic Church on the island. Well known for
going their own way in times of crisis, the resilient citizens are popularly
called 'agramontinos' by other Cubans, after local First War of Independence
hero Ignacio Agramonte, coauthor of the Guáimaro constitution and
courageous leader of Cuba's finest cavalry brigade. In 2008 its well-preserved
historical center was made Cuba's ninth Unesco World Heritage Site.
Upon arrival, you will have an orientation walk with your guide.
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Day 14
Camaguey
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Camagüey has an active performing arts scene, and is considered by some to be the cultural center of cuba.
As the birthplace of Nicolas Guillen, Cuba’s national poet, Camaguey has a rich tradition of celebrating the
arts. If you have the opportunity to catch a performance by the Ballet de Camaguey, your guide will help you
get your tickets. When not touring internationally, the Camaguey Ballet Company performs at the Teatro
Principal, located at Padre Valencia 64, two blocks notheast of Plaza de los Trabajadores.
Today your guide will organise a tour on the back of a bicycle taxi through Camaguey’s narrow streets - a great
way to see the very best of Camaguey.
Tonight might be the perfect opportunity to check out the festivities of La Noche Camagüeyana (Camagueyan
Night). Salsa dancing, free-flowing rum, and energetic music make for an unforgettable evening. Follow your
ears to the rowdy fun along Calle Maceo and Calle Republica, streets that are both closed to vehicles.
Experiencing Cuban culture first-hand is a great way to get a handle on the rich history that the city has to
offer.
Day 15
Camaguey > Santiago de Cuba
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It’s now time to head to the east of Cuba and the colourful city of Santiago
de Cuba.
As the most Caribbean of Cuban destinations with a backdrop of mountains
and rugged terrain, Santiago de Cuba has many things to show off and be
proud of. It is the hub of most of the music genres in Cuba and the locals are
hospitable, resourceful and virtuous.
In the evening we recommend visiting Casa de la Trova. "Casa de la Trova" is
the most famous of the Santiago de Cuba nightspots, near the Parque
Cespedes and Casa Granda hotel, featuring Cuban Traditional music and is
usually open every evening until late.
Day 16
Santiago de Cuba
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Today we will be visiting Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca
del Morro. A Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997, the
San Pedro fort sits impregnably atop a 60m-high
promontory at the entrance to Santiago harbor, 10km
southwest of the city. The stupendous views from the
upper terrace take in the wild western ribbon of
Santiago's coastline backed by the velvety Sierra
Maestra.
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There will also be the opportunity to visit the lively Parque Céspedes. If there's an archetype for romantic
Cuban street life, Parque Céspedes is it. A throbbing kaleidoscope of walking, talking, hustling, flirting, guitarstrumming humanity, this most ebullient of city squares, with the bronze bust of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes ,
the man who kick-started Cuban independence in 1868,at its heart, is a sight to behold any time of day or
night.
You might choose to visit the original Bacardi Rum Factory. While it's not as swanky as its modern Bahamas
HQ, the original Bacardí factory, which opened in 1868, oozes history. Spanish-born founder Don Facundo
dreamt up the world-famous Bacardí bat symbol after finding a colony of the winged mammals living in the
factory's rafters. The Cuban government continues to make traditional rum here – the signature Ron Caney
brand as well as Ron Santiago and Ron Varadero.
Another option might be to visit the Museo de la Lucha Clandestina. This gorgeous yellow colonial-style
building now houses a museum detailing the underground struggle against Batista in the 1950s. It's a
fascinating, if macabre, story enhanced by far-reaching views from the balcony. Across the street is the house
where Fidel Castro lived from 1931 to 1933, while a student in Santiago de Cuba (not open for visits).
In the evening there is plenty of great restaurants and music venues to visit including Casa de la Música ,
nwhich features a mix of live salsa and taped disco and is always a fun-filled night out.
Day 17
Santiago de Cuba > Baracoa
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Today you travel to Baracoa. Cuba’s first colonial capital,
Baracoa is set amongst a mixture of palm, chocolate and banana tress.(a
heavenly gourmet treat) It is a land blessed with many rivers and a
healthy annual rain fall, that has worked to create some of the most lush
vegetation and rainforest you will ever encounter. The town has
remained relatively unchanged over the years, with several houses dating
back to the 19th century and a system of colonial fortifications that
includes Matachin Fort and La Punta Fort.
Upon arrival, you will have an orientation walk with our guide.
Day 18 and 19
Baracoa
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Over the next two days you will have the free time to explore
Baracoa and its surroundings.
In Baracoa there are many outdoor excursions to go on, each
making use of its beautiful surroundings. Explore the
bountiful rivers in the area or go boating between the tall
cliffs at the mouth of Yumuri River. You can also see over 900
species of endemic flora, including around 360 that are found
only in this area. Relax, unwind and enjoy the serenity of this truly beautiful Cuban paradise.
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Day 20
Baracoa > Havana > Varadero
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Today you will take an internal flight back to Havana and then transfer
to Cuba’s premier resort location – Varadero
Day 21,22 and 23
Varadero
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Spectacular pristine beach bordered by lush
tropical vegetation is what you can expect
when visiting Varadero. On arrival you will be
greeted by kilometres of immaculate beaches
with wide stretches of fine white, sparkling
turquoise waters, copious vegetation playing
host to endemic wildlife.
Varadero offers the perfect chance to relax and
unwind, while taking advantage of one of the Caribbean’s best beaches, before we sadly have to leave Cuba
behind us, bringing home som wonderful memories, new friends and the love of the cigar!
Day 24
Varadero > Havana Airport
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Today you will be collected and transferred to Havana Airport for your departure flight.
Day 25 and 26
In Transit to New Zealand
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