Cuba - A Portrait of an Island

Following a day flight from the UK, arrive in Cuba’s capital and transfer to your hotel in Old Havana.

Stay: Hotel Vedado or similar (Superior)*

* Upgrade to IBEROSTAR Parque Central available at a supplement

Today you'll enjoy a guided tour of Havana, including a typical creole lunch at an old town restaurant. Begin your day by riding in a classic 50s car to one of Havana’s famous tobacco factories followed by a panoramic tour that reveals Havana, the Caribbean’s largest and most vivacious city. You’ll find American Chevvies, faded Spanish buildings, revolutionary squares and city-wide murals of Castro and Guevara - drive along the Malecón to Revolution Square and stroll through Old Havana’s narrow alleyways, Plaza de Armas and El Tempete, on an afternoon walking tour.  

Stay: Hotel Vedado or similar (Superior)*

* Upgrade to IBEROSTAR Parque Central available at a supplement

Drive along the ‘Tobacco Route’ to Pinar del Rio. Visit the house of a Veguero (tobacco farmer) and take a short photo stop at Mirador Los Jazmines which overlooks the beautiful Viñales Valley - famous for its limestone formations, Mogotes. After lunch, visit the "Prehistoric Wall" and explore the private botanic gardens at Caridad before heading back to Havana.

Stay: Hotel Vedado or similar (Superior)*

* Upgrade to IBEROSTAR Parque Central available at a supplement

Drive to Cienfuegos, an attractive harbour city characterised by its French colonial architecture. Stroll to the main square and its Terry Theatre before sipping a cocktail at Palacio de Valle. After lunch, depart for Trinidad whose UNESCO-listed centre had its peak during the sugar boom of the 19th century. In the evening, perhaps soak up the city's traditional nightlife in music and dance, or head to one of the lively bars in the town's main square.

Stay: Casa Particular (Standard) Grand Hotel*

* Upgrade to IBEROSTAR Trinidad available at a supplement

Begin the day with a short hike to a waterfall, admiring the endemic flora and fauna. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before an afternoon city tour takes in the faded mansions of Plaza Mayor and the Museo Municipal at the Palacio Cantero. Take a break at the rustic Canchánchara Bar to taste local honey liquor.

Stay: Casa Particular (Standard) Grand Hotel*

* Upgrade to IBEROSTAR Trinidad available at a supplement

Continue across the Sierra Escambray to colonial Sancti Spiritus and its romantic Yayabo Bridge, then through green sugar plantations to Camagüey. After lunch, a city tour in 'bici-taxis' visits the birthplace of Ignacio Agramonte. Originally cattlemen, Agramonte fought against the Spaniards in the 19th century, cementing his place in local folklore. Afterwards drive to the beaches of Santa Lucía and your all-inclusive hotel.

Stay: ROC Santa Lucia (Standard)

Following the abundant cultural highlights of the past few days, spend some time relaxing on Santa Lucia's 21 kilometre-long white sand beach. Coral reefs and sunken ships provide endless opportunities for snorkelling and diving or perhaps simply take time out to swim in the crystalline waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Stay: ROC Santa Lucia (Standard)

Begin today with a drive to Bayamo, where the fight for independence from the Spanish began and Cuba's national anthem was composed. After a walk through the city, drive to Sierra Maestra and the pilgrimage site of El Cobre before continuing to Santiago – the 'city of revolution'.

Stay: Hotel Meliá Santiago (Superior)

Visit the cemetery Santa Ifigenia as well as Revolution Square and the Moncada barracks attacked by Fidel Castro in 1953. Then, take a ferry to the island of Cayo Granma in the Bay of Santiago for a visit to the fortress El Morro and a walking tour of the historic old town including Cuba's oldest house, Casa Velazquez, Calle Heredia and Plaza Dolores. This evening, enjoy live music at the popular Casa de la Trova or Casa de los Abuelos.

Stay: Hotel Meliá Santiago (Superior)

After breakfast board a flight back to Havana for your connecting flight home. Your overnight flight back to the UK arrives on day 11. Please note, due to frequent schedule changes on domestic flights in Cuba, it's often worth spending an additional night back in the capital. Speak to our specialists for more information.