Holiday Package | Trip to Cuba | 11 days

Welcome to Havana. Meeting upon arrival at the airport with your Tour Leader (your guide), who will be waiting for you holding the Greek flag and a sign with either your names or the name of our agency.

After the first introduction and a short briefing at your pick up, you will be transferred to your casa particular (your hotel/residence). There we offer you a welcome drink (only for casas particular) followed by a basic briefing and the appointment for the next day. We then arrange for you to settle into your rooms.

The rest of the day is free. Depending on your wishes, the Tour Leader may suggest some locations, walks or activities.

After your breakfast the Tour Leader will pick you up in our vehicle (van or coach) from the casa particular, to take the first step to the legend of Cuba, Havana, the Queen of the Caribbean.

The tour couldn't start anywhere else but the famous Malecon. The famous bustling seaside boulevard with its incredible architectural buildings stretches for 8 km in front of the colonial city centre to the 'rascacielos', the skyscrapers of Vedado.

Next we will see the Capitolio, a replica of the Capitol in Washington D.C. (USA), although larger and with more detail. Just a stone's throw away we see the Parque de la Fraternidad (Fraternity Park), a spot of historical importance, and the Gran Teatro de la Habana (Grand Theatre of Havana), to whose name was recently added the name of Alicia Alonso, a famous Cuban ballerina of international renown.

Changing route we will pass by the Edificio Bacardi building and the Parque Central, while following the Avenida Carlos Manuel de Cespedes (Avenida Carlos Manuel de Cespedes/Avenida de la Puerto) we will find ourselves in the alleys of the Old Havana (Habana Vieja), a very important part of the city, which since 1982 has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

From there, the journey to yesterday continues with a visit to the Rum Museum (Museo del Ron) where we will enjoy a glass of rum and walk to the 4 most important squares of Old Havana: Plaza San Francisco de Asis, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de las Armas and Plaza de la Catedral. We will pass by the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales (Palacio de los Capitanes Generales), the small Temple of El Templete (El Templete) and the Castillo de la Real Fuerza (Castle of the Real Fuerza). Through the Mercaderes Street (Calle Mercaderes) we will also visit the Maqueta de la Habana Vieja (Maqueta de la Habana Vieja).

The Tour Leader will guide you along the famous Calle Obispo. Also famous, because of the famous American writer and Bucket Lover Ernest Hemingway, is the Ambos Mundos Hotel on the same street. A coffee, a drink or a refreshment (optional) in one of the beautiful local cafes will add an extra touch to your tour.

You can either drive back to your casa particular (hotel), or dine out in one of the beautiful restaurants of Old Havana (Habana Vieja). Your return, after lunch, is by taxi at your own expense. The rest of the evening is free, at your option.

OPTIONAL | CHURCH OF ST. NICHOLAS

Optionally and at no additional cost we can visit the Greek Church of St.Nicholas, which is a gift of the Cuban historical leader Fidel Castro to the Greek Patriarch Bartholomew.

We begin a trip to Cuba's most famous valley, which is located on the western side of the island, in Pinar Del Rio and Vinales.

After your breakfast, your Tour Leader (your guide) will pick you up in our vehicle from the hotel with Soroa as your first destination.

Upon arrival in Soroa we go for a swim in the lake with the waterfalls. We then visit Las Terasas, a beautiful ecological village founded in 1968 and built on the edge of the lake, with lush tropical vegetation. There we will have the opportunity to visit the house of Polo Montanes, a popular singer and Cuban legend. The bathroom of his house is literally built on the lake.

We will then head to the province of Pinar Del Rio and the homonymous town.

The region is home to the best tobacco and the largest production of pulses in the world. In the factory we will visit we will see how some of the most famous brands of cigarettes are made and you will have the opportunity to meet the best cigar craftsman in Cuba. Optionally, those who wish to do so will be able to buy pura, coffee and rum from the factory shop.

Continuing through the Vinales Valley we will stop at Los Jazmines to enjoy the majestic valley goddess from above. Karstic limestone formations (Mogotes) shaped over the centuries and a rich tropical vegetation constitute a unique landscape. At this point (optional) you can enjoy a coffee or refreshment.

The next place to visit is the Indian Cave (Cueva del Indio) where the stalactites, stalagmites and the water element of the route - part of it is done by safe boats - create a special setting. After leaving the cave, a visit to a local market follows, for those who might want to buy tourist difference and also folk art items.

Concluding our tour of Vinales, we will have lunch at the best restaurant in the area serving fine local cuisine accompanied by live music from the orchestra.

On the way out and before returning to Havana we will visit the Mural of Prehistory (Mural de la Prehistoria), where we will see the evolution of species from the Ammonites to Hommo Sapiens.

Upon arrival in Havana the Tour Leader will give you any information you want for your free evening.

After breakfast our car will pick you up and take you to Cape Maria la Gorda, one of the most important destinations for water sports enthusiasts (diving - underwater fishing and sailing). The endless green-blue beach stretches out in the warm embrace of the Caribbean and has an international diving centre. Diving equipment is available for hire there (extra charge) for snorkel enthusiasts.

Accommodation in Maria la Gorda Hotel 5* (All Inclusive)

After breakfast, and a final dip in the turquoise waters of Maria la Gorda, we depart from the hotel towards Havana.

At 18:00, your Tour Leader (your guide) will pick you up from your casa particular (hotel) for a tour in one of the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Plymouth or Ford, classic and in pristine condition American cars to the Plaza de la Revolution. We will enter the heart of the city, the Vedado. "Vedado" means "something forbidden" but of course, for you, the doors are open. There, we will see the University of Havana (Universidad de la Habana) and then Calle 23, the most famous street in Habana. Places such as the famous for its ice cream Coppelia and the Free Havana Hotel (Habana Libre) will pique your interest. The Havana Forest (Bosque de la Habana), the Rio Almendares (Rio Almendares), the 5th Avenue of the Colon Cemetery - Cementerio Colon, complete the walk that will take you back to the 1950s.

At 18:30, a tour and lunch at the Aquarium's underwater restaurant and the dolphin sighting that you will witness complete your afternoon.

Return to casa particular at 19:30-20:00. The evening is free at your option.

An unforgettable excursion to central Cuba, crossing the Jaguey Grande, the island's main orchard.

After breakfast you will be picked up by the Tour Leader by car from the casa particular (hotel). Via the National Highway (Autopista Nacional) we will drive to Santa Clara (Santa Clara) where the Che Guevara Mausoleum and Museum (Museo Che Guevara) is located. Photographs, personal items and the tomb of the great revolutionary make up a place sacred to the citizens of Cuba and to anyone who feels revolutionary. The emblematic phrase "Hasta la Victoria Siempre" (Hasta la Victoria Siempre) means, word for word, "Until Victory Forever".

Here the Tour Leader will tell you the story of Che Guevara, a beautiful story that starts from the childhood of the great revolutionary and really few people, even Cubans or guides, know. He will also show you how the Communists - Comrades, pay tribute (how they salute) to Che. And finally, he will "unlock" for you the "secret" of the name Che. How and who, and why they gave him this nickname.

Through a stunningly beautiful route we will reach Trinidad, the city of "White Gold" with its 2,000 sugar cane mills, the base of Cortes and Che, a city with traditional cobbled streets and colourful fortress houses. Cuba's oldest city was built in 1514 by the Spaniards and is a place full of secrets. Discover the history of the city - a human heritage monument protected by UNESCO (1988) in its museums, housed in old mansions. In particular, we will visit the historic centre and the main Plaza Mayor. The continuation will take us to the Romantico Museum (Museo Romantico), the Palacio Brounet (Palacio Brounet) and La Canchanchara (La Canchanchara), a picturesque local café where we will taste the very drink that the slaves drank after finishing their work in the fields: rum, lemon juice, honey and ice in a refreshing cocktail...

For the end, rest in one of the best casa particular (hotel) we have booked for you.

The next day you can visit (optionally) the waterfalls of Trinidad, or alternatively the beautiful beach with its turquoise waters.

After breakfast, you will be picked up by the Tour Leader by car from the casa particular (hotel). We then set off for Cienfuegos, otherwise known during the colonial period as the "Pearl of the South". The city was built in 1819 and is to this day one of the largest commercial ports in Cuba.

A visit to the central Parque y Plaza Hose Marti will give you the opportunity to see some of the magnificent buildings that make up the park, such as the Teatro Tomas Terry, the statue of the Goddess Athena, the City Hall, the Palacio Ferer and also, nearby, the main avenue Paseo del Prado.

Finally, at the southern end of the bay, in Punta Gorda, we will see the stunning Palacio de Valle, a two-storey building of Gothic, Romanesque, Venetian and Neo-Moorish architecture with a history of more than 100 years, built in 1913.

Leaving Cienfuegos behind, we will travel NW to Varadero, via Cardenas, the city with the most bicycles in Cuba.

First stop is the Peninsula de Zapata and Guama. There we will visit the Crocodile Farm (Criadero de los Cocodrilos) at the entrance to the La Boca (La Boca) canals, which will lead us to the Treasure Lake (Laguna del Tesoro). Here about 100,000 animals live in fenced ponds according to their size, age and species. For adventure lovers, a photo shoot with a small crocodile in your arms or on your shoulders (it is perfectly safe) will provide a unique memory.

Afterwards, we will take a short cruise very close by. We will board speedboats and visit the Treasure Lake (Laguna del Tesoro) in Guama.

Upon arrival on the main island of the lake, we will encounter an authentic recreation of an indigenous Taino village. Before our eyes, moments of the tribe's daily life will unfold through the 32 statues that adorn the island. A group of people representing the Indians welcome you, inviting you with sounds coming from the blowing of a giant conch shell to pass through the main village hut (Caney), dancing and singing around you and painting your faces with two lines of clay. Here, you can sample crocodile meat which is served roasted, with pieces of various fruits and bread. If you wish, you can feed bread to the huge catfish found in the lagoon.

Arriving in Varadero we will head for two nights in a casa particular (hotel).

"The Blue Beach", the most beautiful of the Caribbean awaits you. The tourist resort on the northeastern side of Cuba is one of the most important destinations for water sports enthusiasts (diving, underwater fishing and sailing). After breakfast, the day begins with either the optional excursion, or alternatively you can soak up the sun on the most beautiful beach in Cuba. Various activities, optional, such as scooter or car rental, seaplane ride, jet ski rental, yacht fishing, visit to the dolphin show and zoo - located inside Varadero, visit to the village and the local bazaar, etc., are available.

Until the afternoon, you have plenty of time to use it as you wish.

At 17:00 your Tour Leader will pick you up by car and take you to Havana, where you will stay for the last night.

Last day in Cuba. Enjoy a few extra hours of sleep, take your time packing your luggage, do some last minute shopping and a short walk if you have time to spare.

The Tour Leader will be on time with the car to pick you up at the airport from which you will depart. Our care, once check-outs and luggage have been taken care of, arrives up to just before you enter the main departure hall. So as promised, from your arrival to departure... together! With reliability, consistency and care