Cuba colonial

Day 1: Arrive Havana

Arrive in Havana at any time. Check into our hotel and enjoy the city.
One of the oldest cities in the western hemisphere, Havana was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. It contains a wealth of colonial architecture, and the old city and streets around the malecon (ocean-side walkway) are best discovered on a walking tour.
The city is home to various museums, and depending on your area of interest, there is practically a museum for everyone. One of the city’s (and the island’s) most prominent attractions though, are its music and clubs. Everywhere you go you will hear and feel the music and see people freely dancing in the streets. The island literally pulses with the beat and blend of Afro-Hispanic rhythms and movement.

Day 2: Santa Clara

Heading east along the island, we come to Santa Clara, a key city in the Revolution. Santa Clara is probably best known as the home of the statue of Ernesto Che Guevara at the Plaza de la Revolución. The remains of Che and his comrades who fell in Bolivia are interred in the mausoleum at this site.
Santa Clara was founded in 1689 by Spaniards hoping to evade the pirate raids on the coastal cities. Today it is a modern, industrial centre and holds a special place in the history of the revolution as the first large city to be liberated by the Revolutionary Forces in December 1958.
About 18 men, under the command of Comandante Ernesto (Ché) Guevara, fought against more than 400 heavily armed Batista government troops and captured the armoured train. There is a large monument deditcated to the derailing of this train full of armaments that was essential to the triumph of the revolution. Both the monument and the site are referred to as 'Tren Blindado'. The Museo Histórico de la Revolución chronicles the Battle of Santa Clara, and it is here that a gargantuan statue of El Ché was erected to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the revolutionary hero’s murder in Bolivia.
Estimated Travel Time: 5 hours
Approximate Distance: 260 km

Day 3-5: Trinidad

Enjoy the beautiful scenery as we continue on our journey to the colonial city of Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988 and home to lovely Spanish-style churches and great museums.
Trinidad is the hub of the cultural activity, and you are never out of earshot from a group of musicians playing local salsa or son. The town also has the requisite Casa de la Trova, a mainstay of Cuban musical culture in every town, the Palenque, Las Ruinas, Teatro de Brunet, the Artex, the nightlife, the conga lessons and salsa lessons. Enjoy two included salsa lessons during your time in Trinidad.
Those visitors who wish to pursue outdoor activities will find Trinidad a haven for horseback or bicycle riding (don’t expect any modern mountain bikes though!). If an unspoiled, white sand beach sounds like what you're looking for, try snorkelling or diving in nearby Playa Ancón, just 12 km (7.5 miles) from town.
The nearby Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of Sugarmills) is where you will see some remains of the island's vast sugar cane plantations. The beautiful green landscape has attracted visitors from around the world who visit it for enjoying its historical and cultural attributes. The sugar boom was terminated by the two wars of independence, but the wealth generated by the industry remains visible in the town’s once grand mansions, colourful public buildings, wrought iron grill work and cobblestone streets.
Indeed, the last three centuries have not only changed the landscape, but have left about 73 architectural and archaeological sites to be explored. There is a landscape of archaeological remains and architectural ruins that exemplify the town's vernacular and industry: the boiler house, the dregs house, the manor house, the slave quarters, warehouses, stables, distilleries, tile factories, bell towers, as well as other masonry works to dam and conduct the water of brooks and cisterns used in the recollection of rain water, among others.
Estimated Travel Time: 4 hours
Approximate Distance: 130 km

Day 6: Camagüey

Your journey will continue east across the Carretera Central to Camagüey, the third largest city on the big island. It retains much of its colonial heritage in its buildings, plazas and its tinajones, large clay pots traditionally used in Spain and in its New World colonies for collecting rain water. Enjoy an included city tour and explore the narrow winding streets and impressive sites.
This is also a university town and has a rich cultural tradition. With its large parks and winding cobblestone streets, one will enjoy strolling through the city. That said, getting around can be a little tricky. The city was deliberately set out in an irregular and confusing street pattern, hoping to disorient any would-be assailants, but with a little patience and time you can explore its colonial treasures on a walking tour. Most noteworthy of its churches, is the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, with its baroque frescoes. The Museo Casa Natal de Ignacio Agramonte is the birthplace of the leader of the revolt, against Spain, in the late 1860s
Estimated Travel Time: 6 hours
Approximate Distance: 260 km

Day 7-9: Santiago de Cuba

Continuing east we arrive at Santiago de Cuba, the cradle of the Revolution, and home of traditional son rhythms. There are also museums, colonial churches and buildings of more recent historical importance, such as the Moncada Barracks, which are well worth exploring. Santiago has a very vibrant traditional music scene that will entice even the shyest dancer out to experiment with some salsa moves!
The city’s half million residents are also proud of their cultural traditions and you will find many museums and cultural associations and clubs around the city.
Located about 20 minutes drive from Santiago's city centre, beautiful "Castillo del Moro" castle will be visited in the evening to take part in the gun salute ceremony at dusk (weather permitting ofcourse). Declared Humankind's Heritage in 1997, the Castle of San Pedro de la Roca - also known as Santiago de Cuba's Morro Castle - was part of that defensive system in eastern Cuba, although its military impact was minimal due to a delay of several decades in its construction. Nowadays, the breathtaking fortress incorporates to the traditions of eastern Cuba a salute of artillery to the combatants who fought for the Island's independence, a ceremony that was first held in 2001.
The new attraction of San Pedro de la Roca for visitors, both nationals and foreigners, has its antecedent in the shots fired centuries ago from the Punta Blanca battery to welcome the ships arriving at the port. Despite its minimum military value, due to the delay in its construction, Santiago de Cuba's Morro Castle treasures nowadays the main exponents of the Museum of Piracy, an exhibit of an activity that the fortress was intended to fight.
Estimated Travel Time: 8 hours
Approximate Distance: 330 km

Day 10-12: Baracoa

Situated on a beautiful bay with the mountains of the Sierra del Purial in the background, Baracoa was the first settlement founded by the Spanish in Cuba, and was only accessible by sea until the 1960s. It is now a quaint colonial city with a population of approximately 50,000. There are numerous options for outdoor activities in the nearby mountains and bays.
Outside of town the mountains and black sand beaches beckon to outdoor enthusiasts, with optional hiking excursions near El Yunque, the famous table land sighted and described by Columbus during his first voyage to the island and along the Río Toa. Playa Maguana and the smaller Playa Nava are both nearby and are accessible by bike or taxi. Parque Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt is approximately 40 km outside of town and well worth a visit.
Guantánamo Bay Naval Base is located at the southeastern end of Cuba (19°54'N 75°9'W). This base has been used by the United States Navy for more than a century. The United States controls the land on both sides of the southern part of Guantánamo Bay (Bahía de Guantánamo in Spanish) under a lease set up in the wake of the 1898 Spanish-American War.
Estimated Travel Time: 5 hours
Approximate Distance: 200 km

Day 13: Baracoa / Havana

We depart Baracoa for our flight to Havana,one of the oldest cities in the western hemisphere. Generally this is an early afternoon flight so we will make our way to the airport around lunchtime (keep in mind the flight time may change on occasion).
Estimated Travel Time: 5 hours
Approximate Distance: 1100 km

Day 14: Havana

Spend the day exploring "La Habana". Take a salsa or music lesson, rent a vintage car or take a carriage ride through the old city. We spend our last night relaxing at a bar, restaurant or club while listening to the Cuba’s infectious musical rhythms.

Day 15: Depart Havana