Your Travel Experience with Tierra Maya Tours
Day 1
Havana
It was 1492; Christopher Columbus was completely mesmerized looking out at the coast from the bow of his ship La Santa Maria. Right in front of his three ships, a magical island appeared full of trees, birds and fruits; a completely new kind of beauty. More than 500 years later, we are glad to welcome you to Cuba to enjoy all the wonders that make this island known all over the world. Meet and greet at Havana airport by one of our representatives and transfer by taxi to your hotel.
Included meals: none
Overnight stay at Hotel Iberostar Grand Packard *****, Deluxe Atlantic Star Prestige Room or similar
Day 2
My Havana
Havana is a marvelous city, a catalogue of architecture, an inexhaustible source of interaction with its people who invite you to live it passionately. Today's tour will begin with a 50's old car ride along the Malecón (the favorite place of Havana’s locals), passing under the bay to Morro Castle for you to gain an exceptional view of the city. Then you will begin to walk the streets of Old Havana through its 4 squares. Magnificent temples such as the Havana Cathedral, military structures such as El Castillo de la Real Fuerza and famous bars such as La Bodeguita del Medio, will unveil the charm that once captivated great writers such as Hemingway. After the tour, enjoy a typical lunch in a Cuban Paladar with mojitos, music and traditional cuisine. In the afternoon, the tour continues towards a newly restored jewel: The National Capitol. This majestic building was the seat of the legislative power before the triumph of the revolution and marks the kilometer 0 of Cuba's highways. At the end of the visit, return to the hotel and afternoon at leisure.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch
Overnight stay at Hotel Iberostar Grand Packard *****, Deluxe Atlantic Star Prestige Room or similar
Day 3
Viñales
The World of Tobacco
Today we will follow the tobacco route traveling to the province of Pinar del Rio, specifically to the region of Vuelta Abajo, where the best tobacco in the world is harvested. Made entirely by hand, Cuban cigars ignite the most intense passions in thousands of smokers around the world. This kind of art has its origins in America. To learn about this exciting field, we chose La Finca de Quemado de Rubí owned by Héctor Luis, one of Cuba's most famous tobacco producers, who was awarded HOMBRE HABANO for the excellence of his leaves. A tour of the farm will show you the complex process of cutting, drying, aging and selection of the leaves. Then you will visit a tobacco factory where cigars are finally produced. The trip will continue to Viñales, a small rural town known for its small limestone cliffs called mogotes. Admire the mogotes in detail while having lunch in a local restaurant and tasting food directly produced in the countryside. After lunch, you will return to Havana, but not before contemplating the valley from the viewpoint of Hotel Los Jazmines. In the evening, indulge in a special gourmet experience followed by a blindfolded expert cigar tasting at one of the best Paladares in town.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight stay at Hotel Iberostar Grand Packard *****, Deluxe Atlantic Star Prestige Room or similar
Day 4
Havana - Cuban Art: The Expression of the people
With today's tour, you will experience the diversity of Cuban art. This is hidden in every corner of this island. It appears around an old alley, in a small gallery, in a painting by Wilfredo Lam or through the shoes of a young ballet star. It is the art of the people. Early in the morning after breakfast, you will visit the photo gallery of the Corrales family, who have been photographing the Cuban revolution for 3 generations. Walking through Havana you will arrive at the Museum of Fine Arts, which hosts the most important collection of Cuban art in the world from the sixteenth century until today. Having lunch at the Paladar Iván Chef Justo will be a real wake up-call for your taste buds. The owner of this Paladar was Fidel's personal chef and one of the first to own a private restaurant in Cuba. After lunch, tour of Havana's most exclusive area: Miramar. Bordering fancy gardens, wide avenues with huge tree parks and imposing mansions, you will arrive at a modern art space: La Lavandería. There you will see samples of the artistic avant-garde through audacious installations and unusual paintings. The rest of the afternoon at leisure, while a gourmet dinner with the company of artists awaits you in the evening.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Overnight stay at Hotel Iberostar Grand Packard *****, Deluxe Atlantic Star Prestige Room or similar
Day 5
Havana - Cienfuegos
Cienfuegos is a city shaped by the sea, which shows its French origin and design, and is the pride of its inhabitants who familiarly call it the Pearl of the South. It has a very particular elongated layout that influences the daily life. You will arrive in Cienfuegos and start the tour of the city. Enjoy a typical lunch in a Paladar in Punta Gorda with a relaxing view of the bay. Later you will visit the Moorish Palace, which keeps a beautiful fairytale-like love story and share a walk through the bay to see one of Cuba's oldest fortresses: Nuestra señora de los Ángeles de Jagua. The rest of the day is free for you to walk along the seafront in the evening and take in the sea air.
Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
Overnight stay e.g. at Hotel Meliá San Carlos**** or similar
Day 6
Cienfuegos - Trinidad
Departure in the morning and journey along the southern coast to Trinidad. Today's destination is no ordinary town. Declared World Heritage and Artisan City of the World by UNESCO, Trinidad was the third town founded in Cuba by the Spaniards. During the middle of the 19th century, sugar prices and the enormous amount of sugar mills brought great prosperity to the town. Walk through its old cobblestone streets adorned by its colonial houses, symbols of the power of the old sugar barons. During the visit to two local museums, you will admire the collection of ancient objects belonging to 5 centuries of history. You will also taste La Canchánchara, a traditional cocktail of honey and brandy that finds its origins in the fight for independence. Later, enjoy a lunch in a local restaurant and later visit the Casa del Alfarero, a craft workshop of clay pieces. Rest of the afternoon free for handcraft shopping. In the evening, you will enjoy the nightlife and the contagious Cuban music in the Casa de la Trova or Casa de la Música.
Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
Overnight stay at Hotel Iberostar Grand Trinidad***** or similar
Day 7
Into the Sugar Mill Valley
Today you can look forward to a relaxing day in Trinidad with an excursion to the surrounding area. Trinidad was founded in 1514 and is the best restored colonial city in Cuba. For a morning full of nostalgia, visit Casa Guiamaro, a sugar museum from the 19th century, followed by a visit to the distillery San Isidro de los Destiladores and the optional ascent of the slave tower Torre Manaca Iznaga and the final stop at the viewpoint "Valle de los Ingenios" with a panoramic view over the explored valley of the sugar cane mills. The afternoon is again at leisure.
Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
Overnight stay at Hotel Iberostar Grand Trinidad***** or similar