Your Travel Experience with Tierra Maya Tours
Day 1
Arrival Havana
The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Included meals: none
Overnight stay at the colonial hotel Santa Isabel****/* or similar in Old Havana
Day 2
An architectural journey through Havana
Your morning begins with a walk through colonial Old Havana with the most important sights such as the Capitolio. The tour continues to the four historic squares: Plaza Vieja, Plaza de la Cathedral, Plaza de San Francisco de Asís and the Plaza de Armas, visiting the Palace of the Captains General, one of the finest examples of Baroque architecture in Havana. Afterwards, a torcedor will initiate you into the art of cigar rolling during a small cigar tasting session accompanied by rum and a café. At noon, you can visit the gallery of young Cuban artists. Fresh and local ingredients will be used to prepare a menu that will be enjoyed with your group afterwards. Round off your day with a tour of the Vedado district with its diverse architecture ranging from Art Nouveau to Neoclassical, past the legendary Hotel Nacional, Revolution Square, through the Miramar residential and diplomatic quarter and its splendid mansions from the 1930s to 1950s along the Quinta Avenida.
Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
Overnight stay at the colonial hotel Santa Isabel****/* or similar in Old Havana
Day 3
Havana - Santa Clara - Remedios
After breakfast, take a longer drive towards central Cuba to the historic city of Santa Clara, where Ché Guevara won his greatest victory and found his final resting place. Visit the Ché Guevara monument and the theatre "La Caridad", declared a national monument in 1981. Stop along the way at a former sugar factory, now a museum - the only one of its kind in Cuba dedicated to sugar! As well as the comprehensive insight into sugar production in Cuba, railway enthusiasts have something to look forward to. Continue your journey to the small town of Remedios, an idyllic colonial town that is still largely undiscovered by mass tourism. Walk through the picturesque main square where the church of San Juan de Bautista is located.
Included meals: Breakfast and dinner
Overnight stay at the Hotel Real*** or similar
Day 4
Remedios - Sancti Spiritus - Trinidad
In the morning, drive to the colonial town of Sancti Spíritus, still barely affected by tourism. Visit the Museum of Colonial Art and gain insights into the treasures of the Iznaga family, one of the richest ones in Cuba. Walk around the city and spend a visit to the Yayabo Bridge followed by a lunch break. Continue your journey through the sugar cane mill valley to Trinidad - a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring exceptional colonial architecture. In the afternoon, visit the hacienda of the former sugar barons Iznaga and the legendary slave tower. Enjoy the romantic musical nightlife of Trinidad with dancing and live music to the traditional Son, including a visit to the Casa de la Trova or Casa de la Música situated in the main square.
Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
Overnight stay in a Premium Casa Particular
Day 5
Trinidad
In the morning, take a tour of the city and visit the main square, surrounded by magnificent mansions decorated with Italian frescoes, with which the families of the sugar barons proudly displayed their wealth. Visit the Parroquial de la Santísima church and take part to a guided tour of the Museum of Architecture, which documents the architectural history of Trinidad. Enjoy a nice lunch break followed by an aperitif at the traditional Canchánchara (honey liqueur bar). The rest of the day is at leisure. Make the most of the time, perhaps going for a swim in the Caribbean Sea at Playa Ancón or swinging your hips to hot Cuban beats with a salsa dancing lesson (optional).
Included meals: Breakfast and lunch
Overnight stay in a Premium Casa Particular
Day 6
Trinidad - Cienfuegos - Varadero / Jibacoa - Havana
In the morning travel along the panoramic coastal road towards Cienfuegos, a town dominated by French colonial architecture. Situated on a sweeping bay, this port city has been known for centuries as the Pearl of the South due to its picturesque setting. Visit a local tobacco factory and walk around the main square, Parque Martí, which is surrounded by well-preserved or restored buildings dating back to the colonial era, such as the magnificent Terry Theatre, which served as a stage for Caruso and Sarah Bernhardt. Detour to the Punta Gorda peninsula for a cocktail in the Moorish Palacio del Valle. The city' s architectural highlights are magnificent building complexes, which have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 2005. The city also boasts a special flair thanks to the legendary Benny Moré, one of the most famous Cuban musicians, whose bronze statue adorns one of the streets and who grew up in nearby Santa Isabel de las Lajas. Return to Varadero, Jibacoa or Havana, according to your chosen connecting programme. For guests that booked the subsequent sailing tour ''Cuba Dream'', this round trip will end with a transfer to the marina in Cienfuegos on the peninsula of Punta Gorda.
Included meals: Breakfast