CUBA 12 Nights. Havana, Vinales, Trinidad, Santa Clara & Varadero.

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:

Travel Buddies UK Limited Terms & Conditions

IMPORTANT ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS. What is your full name? what is your contact number? What is your email address? Do you know the travel buddy you wish to share a room with? Do you wish to have a room to yourself for a supplement of £225?

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ.
By paying the deposit for this trip you are confirming that you are physically able to participate in all aspects of this trip unassisted.

Visa
We will be in touch closer to the departure date of the trip to provide you with the website address and any other information you need to complete the visa online.

Vaccinations
Please see here for Vaccination advice

Packing
It is best to pack light for this trip as it is a road trip and you will be staying in 5 different accommodations across the 12 nights.

You are responsible for the transportation of your own luggage for the duration. In some instances this may mean getting it on/ off a bus or train or up a flight of stairs. Please do not assume that a fellow Travel Buddy will always be there to assist you. In the instance that a porter/guide is available, and you use their services you are responsible for payment/tipping.

We Really look forward to exploring Cuba with you!

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