Cuban adventure holiday
| country: | Cuba |
| trip type: | A small group adventure |
| departures: | 2010: 27 Mar, 3 Apr, 10 Apr, 17 Apr, 24 Apr, 1 May, 8 May, 15 May, 22 May, 29 May, 5 Jun, 12 Jun, 19 Jun, 26 Jun, 3 Jul, 10 Jul, 17 Jul, 24 Jul, 31 Jul, 7 Aug, 21 Aug, 4 Sep, 18 Sep, 2 Oct, 9 Oct, 16 Oct, 23 Oct, 30 Oct, 6 Nov, 13 Nov, 20 Nov |
| price: | From £549 (8 days) excluding flights |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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introduction to Cuban adventure holiday
A relaxing week-long tour offering white sand beaches and spectacular scenery through the "Garden Province" of Cuba.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive Havana. Arrive in Havana at any time. Check into our hotel and enjoy the city. As your fellow travellers are arriving at various times throughout the day, there are no planned activities other than a group dinner and info session. Look in the hotel lobby for notices on when/where the group meeting will occur. One of the oldest cities in the western hemisphere, Havana was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. It contains a wealth of colonial architecture, and the old city and streets around the malecon (ocean-side walkway) are best discovered on a walking tour. The Spaniard Diego Velázquez moved San Cristobal de la Habana in 1519 from its original site to its present one and the city remained a port of relative obscurity, within the empire, until gold and silver began to flow from New World mines back to Spain. Havana became the gathering hub for shipments of treasure from the ports of Cartagena (Colombia) and Veracruz (Mexico). Soon pirates turned their attention to the port and the city of Havana and its annual treasure trove became the number one target for the Dutch, English and French. Eventually the Spanish began construction of various forts and a protecting wall to repel the invaders. Nevertheless, the city was sacked in 1762 and held by the British under the command of Lord Albermale for nearly a year. Eventually, the Spanish exchanged the Florida territory in trade for the island. The end of the British occupation also signalled the beginning of more economic freedom for the islanders, as they were given the right to trade with cities other than Cadiz in Spain. The ensuing economic boom translated into steady growth in population and material progress. The main area of interest to visitors is La Habana Vieja (The Old City), where walking or a bicycle taxi tour are, the best modes of transportation. Points of interest in this part of town include La Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Habana, the Palacio de los Marqueses de Aguas Claras (which now houses a restaurant), the Museo de Arte Colonial and the Plaza de Armas, with its statue of Manuel de Céspedes (one of the leaders of the Cuban independence movement). The Palacio de los Capitanes Generales is also located on the Plaza de Armas, which now houses the Museo de La Ciudad. You will find the oldest colonial fortress on the plaza’s northeast sector, the Castillo Real de la Fuerza, whose construction began in 1558. The city is home to various museums, and depending on your area of interest, there is practically a museum for everyone. One of the city’s (and the island’s) most prominent attractions though, are its music and clubs. Everywhere you go you will hear and feel the music and see people freely dancing in the streets. The island literally pulses with the beat and blend of Afro-Hispanic rhythms and movement. |
| Day 2-3: | Viñales. We travel into Pinar del Rio province to the small town of Viñales, beautifully located in a fertile valley surrounded by the unusual mogotes, or limestone pincushion hills. Arguably one of the prettiest natural areas in Cuba, we have many opportunities here to enjoy the area, whether it be horseback riding, hiking, or simply sitting back and enjoying the view. On Viñales’ main plaza there’s a cultural centre as well as a municipal museum, however most visitors to the area come for the views and the nearby outdoor activities. The region has many extensive cave systems, as a result of the slow deterioration of the limestone bedrock by underground rivers, also creating the striking mogotes, reminiscent of the hills of Quilin in southern China. There are plenty of opportunities here for the outdoor enthusiast, such as horseback riding, and hiking which allow for incredible views of the valley and the sprawling tobacco fields. Estimated Travel Time: 4 hours Approximate Distance: 190 km |
| Day 4-5: | Maria La Gorda. Isolated and serene, María La Gorda is located in western Cuba, on the Guanahacabibes Peninsula, which UNESCO declared an International Biosphere Reserve in 1999. The area is filled with legends of pirates, old cannons and other treasures that lie on the bottom of the sea around peaceful Corrientes Cove. The beach here is named for a legendary Venezuelan beauty who was marooned here by pirates. María allegedly gained quite a reputation for her fleshy charms. En route to Maria La Gorda we make a brief visit to the world-famous Robaina Tobacco Plantation. If lucky, you may be able to meet Don Alejandro, the living legend of Cuban tobacco industry. "Vegas Robaina" cigars bear the name of the property of the best Cuban tobacco grower, Don Alejandro Robaina, whose family of tobacco growers set up in the tobacco region of San Luis during the middle of the last century. This area has the finest tobacco plantations and wrapper tobacco of the Vuelta Abajo region. Don Alejandro's father, Maruto Robaina, was considered the finest tobacco grower in the country. In 1950, upon the death of Maruto Robaina, Don Alejandro took charge of the plantations, which have produced and continue to produce the wrapper used to manufacture Habanos cigars. Approximately 30% of the tobacco exported from Pinar del Rio province uses Vegas Robaina (Robaina Tobacco plantation) wrapper, making the plantation a tobacco legend. Furthermore it is the only brand of Cuban cigars that bear the name of a real person! Maria La Gorda's location on the Northwestern tip of Cuba offers some of the best sunsets, beaches and marine life you will find in Cuba, an ideal place for water sports. Considered to be one of the richest in Cuba in biological terms, Maria La Gorda is famed for its clear seabed where you may see many species of coral, including the largest colony of Black Coral in Cuban water, gardens of gorgonians; sponges; and Barracudas, Dog Snappers, Snappers and many more tropical fish. At Maria La Gorda, we also have chance to experience sailing at sunset (subject to weather conditions). You can snorkel as you wait for the orange globe to set in this beautiful place where it seems you have encountered the end of the Earth. Estimated Travel Time: 5 hours Approximate Distance: 170 km |
| Day 6-7: | Soroa. On our way back to Havana, just off the Carretera Central, we stop at the lush mountain resort of Soroa. Known as the “rainbow of Cuba,” the area receives a lot of rainfall resulting in the growth of tall trees and orchids. There are nearby coffee plantations, waterfalls and hot springs for the passing visitor. After Soroa, enjoy one last night and maybe one last dance in Havana with the group. Estimated Travel Time: 6 hours Approximate Distance: 230 km To Havana: Estimated Travel Time: 2 hours Approximate Distance: 90 km |
| Day 8: | Depart Havana. |
traveller reviews for Cuban adventure holiday
We really fell in love with Cuba. The tour served perfectly as an introduction. Old Havana was the highlight of the tour. We spent an extra few days walking around it, admiring the architecture, the museums, the music and life in the alleyways. (more)
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places. how this holiday makes a difference
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Through our commitment to responsible tourism, we ensure minimal social and environmental impact in the places we visit by travelling in small groups, using local transportation and staying in locally owned hotels. We also work with experienced local guides who are knowledgeable of local culture, history, flora and fauna.
Las Terrazas started as a reforestation project and was later declared Cuba’s first UNESCO-sanctioned biosphere reserve. Today it is an ecotourism resort providing employment for the local community. On this tour you may have the opportunity to visit a local bike workshop in Old Havana developed by BICYCLES CROSSING BORDERS (BCB), a non-profit organization that promotes cycling by shipping unused and repairable bikes to Cuba. BCB has trained up to 30 Cubans in bicycle repair and maintenance, the majority being women and encourages more Cubans to set up efficient bike shops across the island. We support this project through our non-profit organization, the Planeterra Foundation. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
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