CUBA & TRINIDAD

DAY 1: DAY OF ARRIVAL

Overnight Havana

 

DAY 2: CITY TOUR HAVANA

Havana ́s Historic Center, the most relevant in the Caribbean, and one of the most outstanding in the Western Hemisphere was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. Here you will get in touch with Cuba ́s colonial history up to the US invasion and occupation of the island in 1898. We will show you the well-preserved Historic Center and take you to the non-restored areas as well. A tour of the cigar factory where they produce the world-famous Cuban cigars will also be on tap for today. After lunch, a salsa lesson will be arranged so that you can partake in the fun which you will be treated to later in the week

 

Optional activity depending on if Thursday thru Sunday

Rejoining the group, and after dinner, you will head over to La Fabrica. A Time article describes the club as follows: “While many visitors to Cuba’s capital might gravitate to the candy-colored buildings and classic cars of Old Havana, it’s worth a trip to the city’s Vedado neighborhood to see Fábrica de Arte Cubano. Created by Cuban rocker X Alfonso in 2014, the cooking-oil factory turned community project has quickly become the city’s buzzy creative hub. Within the cavernous warehouse’s refurbished walls, you’ll find galleries, performance-art spaces and a dance floor that’s home to the capital’s most captivating movers and shakers. As Havana prepares to celebrate its 500th anniversary this year, look to Fábrica to see its cultural future. —Cady Lang”

 

Overnight Havana

 

DAY 3: CIENFUEGOS 

One of our favorite cities, Cienfuegos, is a city and port of central Cuba. A UNESCO heritage site, Cienfuegos stands on a broad, level peninsula opposite the narrow entrance to the sheltered Cienfuegos Bay on the Caribbean Sea.

 

For some, Cienfuegos is the quirkiest city in Cuba. It was founded by the French who constructed a European style holiday town. However, the Caribbean vibe and the lingering Spanish influence are persistent, resulting in an interesting and unique city. Being the most recently founded city in Cuba it has a more clean, modern, and spacious feel, and along with its other attributes gained the city the nickname The Pearl of the South.

Overnight Cienfuegos

 

DAY 4: EL NICHO ON THE WAY TO TRINIDAD

Passing through dense forests filled with birds and lizards, you will come upon El Nicho which is best known for its large waterfall. This beautiful waterfall flows throughout the year, even during the dry season. At the bottom of the falls there is a large natural pool where you can swim and splash around, so don’t forget your bathing suit! There are several other smaller pools here as well. The water is refreshing, especially on a hot day.

The trail eventually goes beyond the waterfalls and ends at a scenic mirador that overlooks the valley. Apparently if you go a bit further, I hear there are also some caves that might be worth investigating!! Lunch will be here.

Overnight Trinidad

 

DAY 5: TRINIDAD

Known for its colonial old town and cobblestone streets, Trinidad is full of old charm and a well-kept colonial atmosphere, a must-see City in Central Cuba. We will start the day off with a city tour, visiting such sites as the neo-baroque main square, and the Plaza Mayor which is surrounded by grand colonial buildings. The afternoon will be reserved for time on your own when you might choose to explore the Museo Romántico in the restored Palacio Brunet mansion or the Museo de Arquitectura Colonial which displays relics from the town’s sugar-producing era. Also, not to be missed is the beautiful Iglesia de la Santísima, a 19th-century cathedral with its vaulted ceiling and carved altars. Or you may choose to just wander down the streets and photograph the kid’s playing baseball and soccer in the streets or the gentlemen vying to be the domino champion!

 

We will end the day by reconvening at the Casa De Musica where we can and sit down to order a cocktail and dinner while people watching from the wide stone staircase as the sun sets.  Hopefully live traditional Cuban music will be playing to round out this amazing experience.

Overnight Trinidad

 

DAY 6: PLAYA LARGO

When done exploring the area, travel to Bay of Pigs check in, and enjoy a homestay dinner. Wander round Playa Largo. Playa Largo is a small fisherman’s town with a nice relaxed, not overcrowded beach. With its calm clean waters and exotic vegetation, Playa Largo Beach is the typical Cuban postcard image beach! However, it also lays claims to a fantastic coral reef for phenomenal snorkeling and is even close to Lagunas de las Salina Lake where birding is the best in Cuba!

Overnight Havana

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DAY 7: DEPARTURE

Depending on your flight, you may have time to wander the Malecon to see the early morning fishermen, or possibly sneak into Havana to purchase that last minute gift!