Travel Buddies Warwickshire

Cuba is one of the most beguiling travel destinations on the planet. Gorgeous neo classical buildings, classic American cars, the best music and dance on the planet and super friendly locals put Cuba firmly on everyone’s bucket list. We will be spending four nights Havana, two nights in Viñales, three nights in Trinidad, a night in Santa Clara and to end, a two night all inclusive stay in Varadero. This trip is filled with fantastic excursions and also allows us time to relax and really experience Cuba at our own pace too.

Day 1. Saturday 9th November
Upon arrival in Havana we will take a private transfer to our Casa Particulares in the heart of Old Havana.

The neighbourhood is very safe and walkable and we have a Cuban guide throughout the tour until we reach Varadero.

Throughout our stay (except for the last 2 nights) we will be staying in Casa Particulares – government regulated but privately owned and operated guesthouses. They are all very centrally located, clean with air conditioning and en suite/private bathrooms.

We will be sharing twin rooms and breakfast is included each morning. There is the option to have a room to yourself throughout the tour for a supplement of £220.

After settling in we will head out for a light supper (included) in a nearby bar with live salsa band.

The Travel Buddies trips work on the basis that as long as you are having a good time then that is what matters, if you don't feel like coming on one of the excursions or joining the rest of the group for dinner one evening then that is absolutely fine. This is an adventure for everyone and there is nothing worse than having to go somewhere/do something that you don't really fancy!

Meals. B, D

Day 2. Sunday 10th November
After breakfast we enjoy a full day walking tour with lots of breaks and diversions to start to understand and enjoy Havana and her history and culture. Our walk will feature the beautifully preserved colonial plazas of Habana Vieja and neighbouring streets where Cubans live alongside visiting tourists, kids go to school, locals play games of chess or chequers in the street, sipping coffee from 'peso cafes'.

We also take a tour of the city in an open top convertible classic car for an hour,cruise along the Malecon to Plaza de la Revolucion and under the harbour to Fort del Moro for spectacular views back across the city. It just has to be done when in Cuba!

Dinner locally

Meals. B

Day 3. Monday 11th November
We have a free morning today to explore the sites such as Fusterlandia (an ever evolving mosaic based art installation) or Hemmingway’s Havana home.

After lunch we meet up for a shopping trip to source wholesome ingredients for a home cooked dinner. This is an opportunity to find
out about some of the day to day challenges Cubans face, exacerbated by the embargo imposed by their nearest neighbour.

The government provides all Cuban families with a ration card so everybody has equal access to the ‘basics’. The good news is that Cuba has an abundance of locally grown, generally organic, fresh vegetables and fruit!

Early evening we enjoy some refreshments and our home cooked dinner with option to continue to one of many neighbourhood
bars afterwards.

Meals. B,D

Day 4 Tuesday 12th November
Today is ours to do as we please, our guide will be there to advise us according to how we want to spend the day.

Late afternoon we change into fresh clothes for a Salsa lesson at the famous 'Casa del Son' close to where we are staying.
From beginner to advanced our dance instructor will take us through our paces and build our confidence and enjoyment of this amazing dance so beloved of Cubans. It’s our last night in Havana and we need to get the basics right before heading to a salsa club after dinner!

Meals. B

Day 5 Wednesday 13th November
After breakfast we take a three hour drive west to Viñales, A UNESCO World Heritage destination in its own right owing to spectacular Karsc mountains and distinctive tobacco drying houses.

After lunch we explore the Vinales valley on horseback, through a part of the village lost in time, lush plantations of beans, maize and of course, tobacco. We stop at a classic tobacco drying house and learn about the art of curing tobacco and hand rolling cigars. You can even have a go at rolling your own!

We head back to Vinales as the sun goes down and have dinner locally.

Horseback is really the best way to see this area of Cuba but if you prefer, a walking tour or taxi can be arranged instead.

Meals B

Day 6 Thursday 14th November
Free day but lots of optional activities including sunrise hike, and guided excursions to the ‘pre-history mural’ and ‘Cueva del Indio’.

Our Cuban guide and local hosts will be on hand with suggestions.
The main square in the village hosts an outdoor Casa de Musica so those that want to can head there after dinner.

Meals. B

Day 7 Friday 15th November
After breakfast we depart direction Trinidad on the south coast stopping along the way for comfort breaks and lunch as required and a visit to Playa Larga and the museum that commemorates the ill-fated ‘Bay of Pigs’ invasion.

Late afternoon we arrive in the compact colonial centre of Trinidad; one of the most sublime in Latin America with it's cobbled streets,
terracotta rooftops and pastel coloured houses.

Check in to our Casas and have dinner locally

Meals. B

Day 8 Saturday 16th November
After breakfast and begin a full day adventure to Cubanito National Park starting with 1-2 hour horseback ride. (You may opt for
biking, walking or taxi instead of horseback if you’d prefer - no extra charge – and all options are accompanied by a guide.) We will ride
through the cobbled streets of Trinidad and into the rolling countryside.

We take a short hike along the scenic river with lots of opportunities for spotting birds and flora along the way as well as a grotto and waterfall, where we can swim through the waterfall and into the cave behind for a magical experience. After some chill time and a picnic lunch (included) we ride back to the Casas and spend the evening locally.

Meals. B,L

Day 9 Sunday 17th November
Today we have a free day to do as we please, why not hire a bike (or share taxis :) to the nearby beach or continue exploring Trinidad at our leisure.

Meals. B

Day 10 Monday 18th November
Leaving the south coast we now head north direction Varadero. However, along the way we break our journey by spending a night in Santa Clara to soak up the atmosphere of this simple town made famous by an audacious victory during the revolution as Che Guevara and Cienfuegos tipped the course of the war in their favour by derailing a rail car bristling with soldiers and ammunition sent from Havana to subdue the revolution.

We will pay a visit to Che’s mausoleum and a museum commemorating his life, along with the famous armored train.

Meals, B

Day 11 Tuesday 19th November
After breakfast we depart direction Varadero for some well-earned beach time where we are spending 2 nights on an all inclusive basis at the Adults only Melia Las Americas Hotel. A chance to wind down, soak up some sun and relax.

Meals B,L,D

Day 12 Wednesday 20th November
Free Day. There are no planned activities in this part of the trip, but as we know, some of us like to relax more than others so there will be options to keep us busy if we so wish. Exploring Varadero itself or perhaps some water sports.

Meals B,L,D

Day 13 Thursday 21st November
Today after checking out we take our private transfer to the airport in the afternoon for our flight home.
Meals B

Day 14 Friday 22nd November
Arrive UK in the afternoon

What's Included

• 10 nights accommodation in Casas Particulares
• 2 nights All Inclusive at The Adults only Melia Las Americas in Varadero.
• Breakfast each morning
• Return Airport transfers
• Welcome supper in Havana
• Havana walking tour
• Havana Classic car tour
• Salsa Lesson
• Vinales valley tour on horseback with tobacco house visit
• Havana shopping trip for ingredients and dinner
• Full day trip to Cubanito National Park Trinidad with picnic lunch
• Bay of pigs visit and museum entry
• Che Guevara mausoleum and museum visit

What's not included

• A visa (Tourist Card) is required for entry into Cuba. British passport
  holders will need to obtain a tourist card for travel to Cuba. The cost of the visa is £39 per person. The visas take around 10 working days to issue and are only valid for 2 months from the date of issue. We therefore recommend that you apply for your visa 8 weeks before travel.
• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after
  departing from Cuba.
• Tips for the guides.
• Entrance fees, transport fees and meals other than those listed above.
• Flights

You need to book your own flights. The flights that the Tour leader will be taking are below and they are with Air Europa. I would advise to book your flight as soon as possible after booking on to the trip as they are likely to rise the sooner we get to the date of departure.

If you would prefer to travel from an alternative UK airport that is fine. You will need to make your own way by taxi to meet the group in Havana at the Casas.

09/11/2024
Depart London Gatwick 10.00 Arrive Havana 19.50
Flight Numbers UX1014/UX51
Connection in Madrid for 2 hours 5 minutes

21/11/2024
Depart Havana 22.00 Arrive London Gatwick 16.25+1 day.
Flight Numbers UX52/UX1015
Connection in Madrid for 2 hours 20 minutes

COST
The price of the above tour is £1495.All payments need to be made into the Protected Trust Services account held with HSBC:
A deposit of £395. If we haven’t received your deposit within 3 days of RSVP, your RSVP will be changed to "not going" and your space will be released. The balance of £1100 needs to be paid by the 20th September.

Trustees of PTS Air Travel Trust
Account number: 83664597
Sort Code: 40-40-14
Reference: 2T0009461. Your First and Last Name

To learn more on how we protect your money, please visit [www.protectedtrustservices.com/travel/consumer-protection/

PLEASE NOTE ; IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU ANSWER THE QUESTIONS UPON RSVP'ING.

By paying a deposit you will be agreeing to the following cancellation policies:

November is a great time to visit. The hurricane season has well passed yet the crowds that appear in December and January have not yet arrived. The day time temperatures is in the early 20s with evening temperatures a little lower.

Join Travel Buddies as we embark on this incredible trip as we head to New Orleans the BIG EASY... Jazz Capital of the World. Take a dinner cruise on the Mississippi, dine on Cajun and Creole specialities, visit the oldest sugar cane plantation in Louisiana and taka a swamp boat tour in the bayou. All of this and more...

Day 1. Friday 22nd November
We will all meet at the airport before boarding our flight. Upon arrival in New Orleans we will take our private transfer to the hotel where we will be staying for the next 6 nights. We will be sharing twin rooms with 2 double beds and breakfast is included each morning. There is the option to have a room to yourself for a supplement of £300 this needs to be paid at the same time as the balance.

The 4* SpringHill Suites by Marriott New Orleans Downtown/Canal Street has an on-site rooftop bar with views of downtown New Orleans. There is a tea and coffee maker in the rooms and free Wifi.

This evening we will go for dinner locally. To try some dishes invented in New Orleans check out the po' boy and muffuletta sandwiches, oysters Rockefeller and oysters Bienville, pompano en papillote, and bananas Foster.

Day 2. Saturday 23rd November
After breakfast will explore the iconic sights of New Orleans and the hidden treasures that only the locals know on a guided tour. We start the tour through the French Quarter. Here we will see the mixture of French, Spanish and American cultures in everything from the street names to the architecture and cuisine. Then, its on to Bourbon street, famous for its wild nightlife Jazz music and plantation homes.

Next, we visit the historic New Orleans Cemeteries and will learn about the unique way in which they honor and bury their loved ones. This piece of New Orleans culture is unique to the city, you won’t find it anywhere else in the United States! The above ground burial is a tradition that dates back to the Spanish control of the city in the 18th century.

We then gain an insight in to the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and we will learn how the city inhabitants came together to restore "New Orleans".

The last stop of the day is the Musicians village, a village totally dedicated to rehoming many of the musicians after the hurricane.

There will be a lunch stop at a local eatery along the way. (not included)

Free time in the later afternoon.

Dinner locally.

Day 3. Sunday 24th November
Today we will be picked up from the hotel to explore Louisiana’s unique history and ecology for a day tour to the oldest standing Plantation in the Mississippi Valley that is surrounded by majestic, 300 year old Oak Trees and take a Swamp boat tour in the Bayou.

We will Travel along the oak-lined River Road to the Destrehan Plantation and take a guided tour of the sugar plantation home, grounds and slave quarters while learning about life in the antebellum South and the site’s changing role during the Civil War.

Next we venture into the bayou for a narrated swamp cruise through wild wetlands that are home to turtles, otters, snakes and famous Louisiana gators.

After our tour we will be dropped back at the hotel and have a some free time before going out to dinner locally.

Day 4. Monday 25th November
Today we will enjoy a buffet lunch with live Jazz music at "The Court of Two Sisters".....more than a restaurant – it’s a legend. Enjoy luscious Creole and Cajun cuisine. Pass through the Charm Gates, make a wish in the Devil’s Wishing Well and hear the story of Emma and Bertha, the two sisters who ran a shop here once upon a time in the French Quarter.

Dishes include Chicken & Sausage Gumbo, Red Beans & Rice, Turtle Soup au Sherry, Shrimp Etouffee, Chicken & Sausage Gumbo, Corn Macque Choux. Delicious!

* Please note that tax and gratuity is not included.

Free time in the afternoon.

A night out in the "Big Easy". Few cities rival New Orleans’ nightlife thanks to its thrilling music scene. From authentic dixieland to big brass and every other jazz style in between, live music options are endless in the city that gave birth to the coolest genre in music. Hear about the origins and culture of jazz before we make our way to the 19th century neighborhood that boasts the best music and bars in town. We’ll visit a few of the favorite local clubs, enjoy a drink and discover the talents of some of the city’s best local musicians.

Day 5. Tuesday 26th November
Free Day.

A free day is just as it says, some of the group may choose to go off in smaller groups to do things of interest, some may prefer to stay at the hotel and relax or book an additional tour. Whatever you want it is up to you and you wont be left on your own.... unless you want to be. :)

Dinner locally

Day 6. Wednesday 27th November
This morning we will take a behind the scenes look at what goes in to the country's biggest free party with a visit to Mardi Gras World. The huge floats take months to build and decorate, and this is where a large part of that happens. Painters and sculptures are actually working on pieces as you walk through, and it feels like being let in on a secret. Our tour will last 90 minutes.
(Transfers are not included)

To mark the last evening of this incredible adventure we take a steamboat river cruise down the Mississippi river and enjoy a traditional dinner on board whilst listening to live Jazz music. What a way to end the week!

Day 7. Thursday 28th November
This morning after breakfast we can check out and store our luggage before visiting some last spots for sightseeing.

our transfer back to the airport will be in the late afternoon.

Day 8. Friday 29th November
Arrive UK and bid farewell to our fellow Travel Buddies.

What's Included

• 6 nights accommodation in the 4* SpringHill Suites by Marriott New Orleans Downtown/Canal Street sharing a twin room with en-suite
• Breakfast each morning
• Travel Buddies host
• Return airport transfers
• Full day tour of the "Big Easy"
• Lunch with live Jazz music at " The Court of Two Sisters" restaurant
• Evening guided tour of the Jazz Quarter
• Entry and guided tour to "Mardi Gras World"
• Full day tour to the Destrehan Plantation and swamp boat tour on the Bayou.
• Steamboat river cruise on the Mississippi river with dinner

What's not Included

• International Flights.

The flights below are the suggested flights. You are more than welcome to book different flights from wherever is most convenient for you in the UK. If you wish to join the group from a different flight you will need to arrange a transfer to the hotel.

You need to book your own flights. Below is the flight that Moira will be taking. Suggested flights are with British Airways and are as follows.

Outbound direct
22/11/2024
Depart London Heathrow T5. 13.25
Arrive New Orleans Louis Armstrong International 17.45
Flight Number BA0225

Inbound direct
28/11/2024
Depart New Orleans Louis Armstrong International 19.45
Arrive London Heathrow T5. 10.25+1
Flight Number BA0224

• Any other meals activities other than those listed above.
• Entrance fees other than stated above
• Public transport charges.
• Tips for the guides
• Please note that you will need to pay a damages deposit upon check in of $300 and this will be refunded to you approx 5 days after the end of the trip by the hotel.

COST
The price of the above tour is £1389.All payments need to be made into the Protected Trust Services account held with HSBC:
Please pay a non refundable deposit of £200 to secure your space. If we haven’t received your deposit within 3 days of RSVP, your RSVP will be changed to "not going" and your space will be released. The balance of £1189 needs to be paid by 8th September in to the following business account. (if you are having a room to yourself the balance is £1489)

Trustees of PTS Air Travel Trust
Account number: 83664597
Sort Code: 40-40-14
Reference: 2T0023188 Your First and Last Name
(Please note that we do not accept Credit Cards)
To learn more on how we protect your money, please visit [www.protectedtrustservices.com/travel/consumer-protection/

Travel Buddies is so excited to announce that we are off to Dubai!

During our 6 days here we will relax at our gorgeous 4 star hotel on a half board basis, ( and a beach club on the famous "Palm", take a speedboat tour around the Marina, visit of Abu Dhabi for the day and soak up the sights from the viewing platform of the highest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa.

With flights from both Birmingham and Heathrow... the choice of which to book is yours...

Please click on the link below for the full itinerary.

Join Travel Buddies as we embark on this fantastic 4 day winter break to Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic for a 3 night break in a gorgeous 4* hotel. Dine like a king/Queen on a Medieval Banquet, enjoy a tour of the city by bus and boat and marvel at the bone church on a full day train tour to Kutna Hora.

Perfectly timed to coincide with the Christmas market in Prague's Old Town Square which has long been rated as one of the most beautiful Christmas destinations and markets of the world this is without doubt, the place to be heading off to this winter.....

The Travel Buddies trips work on the basis that as long as you are having a good time then that is what matters, if you don't feel like coming on one of the excursions or joining the rest of the group for dinner one evening then that is absolutely fine.

This is an adventure for everyone and there is nothing worse than having to go somewhere/do something that you don't really fancy!