A Cuban Adventure in 7 Days

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Kara Brown, Travel Agent in Crystal, MN

Kara Brown

Crystal, MN Travel Agent
Super Agent

Kara Brown

Crystal, MN · 10 Years of Experience

Experience Culture Travel, an independent agent with WorldVia, a Travel Leaders Agency
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We had a great time....the hotel was the best pick ever...very homey and the "last true Hawaiian" resort according to the guests we met. We... Read More >
COUNTRIES VISITED:Cuba
PLACES VISITED:Cienfuegos, Havana, Trinidad
SUGGESTED DURATION:7 Days
This Cuba itinerary hits the classic activities but throws in some unique, off the beaten path items to truly experience the culture of Cuba. With a farm to table experience, complete with a tour of the farm and family property, you'll get to see the agricultural side of Cuba. A day dedicated to music and baseball, the traditional Cuban game of choice, is next. Then its time to explore more than just Havana - with a 2-night trip to Trinidad. From Trinidad, you'll get to visit Playa Ancon, one of Cuba's best beaches, tour the sugar mills to learn more of the history of Cuban industries, explore Topes de Collantes: a natural wonder-filled hiking area with varying levels of difficulty to suit whatever your preference is, and enjoy a cooking class to learn how to make some of the delicious Cuban food you've eaten. On the way back to Havana, you'll stop in Cienfuegos to visit an art gallery and tour the city. A final dinner in Havana before you depart the next morning!
Close All Days
DAY1
Cuba
-
Havana
Close Day
Walking Tour of Old Havana & Classic Car Tour
Explore Old Havana on foot and see the sites and hear the history up close and in person with an amazing Cuban guide. Learn about everything from the politics of Cuba to how groceries are purchased. Later, take a tour in one of the iconic classic cars that Cuba is known for.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Havana Walking Tour
Classic Car Tour
DAY2
Havana
-
Cuba
Close Day
Slow Farm to Table Experience
You'll visit a local farm to learn about organic food production in Cuba. We'll taste cheeses, fruit and artisan sausages. You'll also tour the family property. Then you'll enjoy a traditional cuban food made of these local products.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Farm to Table Experience on Organic Farm
DAY3
Havana
-
Cuba
Close Day
Music & Baseball: Cuba's Passions
Following breakfast and a little stroll, you will head to a rhumba street party. Azucar! Baseball in Cuba is the ultimate pastime. The sport unifies the masses. It creates playful rivalries among neighbors. Between games Cubans gather in parks to debate the how the teams played, the calls and who the best players are (pst! Industriales - go Havana! - is the most successful team in Cuba). Bottom line: Baseball infiltrates everything. Baseball is not only for elite players. In any neighborhood, you can find happy (and barefoot) children playing pickup games in open lots or fields all around the country. A stick, a ball and a few good friends is all anyone needs for a great game of baseball. Today you get to enjoy a little piece of the island's joy.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Rhumba Street Party
Baseball Game
DAY4
Cuba
-
Havana
Close Day
Depart for Trinidad - Che Guavara Memorial
Today you'll pack up your things to head to Trinidad. Along the way, stop in Santa Clara, which is mostly known for its revolutionary landmarks. In the city's west, the Che Guevara Mausoleum is the resting place of Che Guevara and other fighters. On this brief visit, you will see these historical pieces, stop by the Museo Histórico de la Revolución has artifacts and personal effects documenting Guevara’s life. After this short visit, you will have a nice lunch before continuing on to Trinidad.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Che Guavara Mausoleum
Museo Historico de la Revolucion
DAY5
Trinidad
-
Cuba
Close Day
Beach Day and Visit to Valley of the Sugar Mills
Relax and enjoy one of Cuba's most beautiful and relaxing beaches with a seaside lunch before getting ready for your evening tour. Located near the legendary city of Trinidad is this wonderful work of nature in the mountain massif of the Escambray. The historical value of this valley cannot be understated. There are eleven farmsteads, some of them totally reconstructed, others are considered ruins, three constructive remains of sugar mills, machinery and other useful factory tools, as well as a settlement where slaves lived. Warehouses and two bell towers complete the vernacular architecture in the three rural settlements. Artisan markets where you can already almost taste the sugar cane juice, guarapo. Learn about the true, rich history provided by the slaves that built this region. Today you will go back in time to see how Cuba's past is woven into Cuba's present. You will have a special and unique experience that you will never forget.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Playa Ancon
Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills)
DAY6
Trinidad
-
Cuba
Close Day
Topes de Collantes National Park
The Topes Collantes Nature waterfall hiking tour takes you to mountains, waterfalls, huge forests in Topes de Collantes national park. You will see ferns, many species of birds and other species of flora and fauna of Cuba If you like adventure and nature hiking, this is the trip for you. We begin at the side of Villa Caburní, east of the Kurhotel, zigzag downhill and drive 2 km to the northwest to Salto del Caburní, a cascade of 75 meters, considered the highest in the Caribbean. We will start at the viewpoint looking our over Trinidad to the sea. At the Coffee House Museum you can see how coffee is made by age old methods and will stop by a huge Sundial. Next, we will enter the national park and start our hiking on the trail to Salto Caburni. After our hike we can relax and enjoy a quality lunch with panoramic view. This tour can also be modified for non-hikers or you can go to Vegas Grande trail and waterfall as an alternative which is an easier hike.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Topes Collantes National Park
DAY7
Cienfuegos
-
Cuba
Close Day
Return to Havana: Stop in Cienfuegos
Cienfuegos is a small colonial city just outside of Trinidad. It also serves as a hub for independent and world-reknowned artists. Today you will will have the opportunity to spend time with a few of the best. This is yet another chance to purchase original art from incredible artists. Following the gallery visits, you will enjoy a tour of the small city and lunch before resuming travel to Havana.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Cienfuegos City Tour
Cienfuegos Art Gallery
FINAL THOUGHTS
Cuba is a destination that doesn't disappoint, with many opportunities to engage with the locals and learn more about the culture. It's one of my top 5 countries. It has some additional requirements to meet, but I can help work through those easily!