Cuba cultural tours

country:

Cuba

departures:

Departs every Sunday throughout the year

price:

From US $1,045 (15 days) excluding flights + local payment CUC $200 (approx £126). Price includes all accommodation and breakfasts, transport (including 1 internal flight) and local guide

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vouchers:

Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday

Small group cultural holidays here

Cuba holidays here

the amazing things you'll be doing

A small group tour of Cuba (12 travellers maximum), using family home-stays and expert local tour guide throughout. Suited to those interested in Cuban culture, fun, adventure, and seeing the ‘real’ Cuba.

As well as visiting the highlights, this tour concentrates on contact with the Cuban people and the Cuban culture. It is ideal for the discerning traveller who wants to have a more authentic experience of Cuba's unique culture, to understand its complex society and economy, and is prepared to immerse himself/herself in Cuba's vibrant culture. There is ample free time for your own adventuring and there are numerous optional activities available that the tour leader can arrange for you at local prices.

day-by-day itinerary

Day 1:	Arrival Havana. Flight to Santiago de Cuba.
Day 2-4:	Baracoa. When Christopher Columbus first encountered Cuba it was here, and he duly noted in his log-book that this was the most beautiful land that human eyes could set upon. You will understand what he meant when you see the beaches and verdant mountain landscape that surround Baracoa. Situated on a beautiful bay with the mountains of the Sierra del Purial in the background, Baracoa was the first settlement founded by the Spanish in Cuba, and was only accessible by sea until the end of the 1960s. There are numerous options for outdoor activities in the nearby mountains, rivers, waterfalls, and beaches. The wide variely of seafood that can be found in Baracoa can be described as nothing short of sumptuous.
Day 5-6:	Santiago. A spectacular drive through lush mountains of eastern Cuban, along the coast, then past the region's most controversial leasehold of Guantanamo Bay, brings us to Cuba's second largest city. Santiago de Cuba is known as the "cradle of the Revolution" and is home to much of Cuba's famed music, like the Son. There are also museums, colonial churches and buildings of more recent historical importance, such as the Moncada Barracks, which are well worth exploring. Santiago de Cuba has a very vibrant traditional music scene, which will entice even the shyest dancer out to experiment with some salsa moves. Culturally, Santiago has a different feel to the rest of Cuba, undoubtedly coming from the mix of French speaking slaves from Haiti and its proximity to Jamaica.
Day 7-8:	Camaguey. Cuba's third largest city lies about half way between Santa Clara and Santiago de Cuba. Camaguey was designed in the 17th century to disorientate potential invaders such as pirates and plunderers, so the street layout is a jumble of narrow alleys where no two streets are parallel. There are large parks, various private art galleries, and a thriving market garden, and one will enjoy strolling through this city. This is also a university town and has a rich cultural tradition, and like just about everywhere in Cuba, there is plenty of night time entertainment to be had.
Day 9-12:	Trinidad. About a 5 hour bus ride from Camaguey is the beautiful colonial city of Trinidad, which is home to numerous churches and many beautiful colonial buildings. We are near the lovely Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of Sugarmills) and Playa Ancón, where you can enjoy long stretches of unspoiled, white sand beaches. Scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming in waterfalls and horse-riding are other optional activities. The nightlife in Trinidad is probably the most accessible and intense in all of Cuba, with numerous live music venues and many dance performances everyday of the week, all amongst the enchanting setting of old colonial buildings and the cobblestone streets.
Day 13:	Havana (via Santa Clara). We return to the capital via Santa Clara, where we visit a huge monument of Ernesto Ché Guevara. Here there is also a museum dedicated to his amazing life, and memorial commemorates his death and that of the revolutionaries who were murdered along with him in Bolivia.
Day 14:	Havana. One of the oldest cities in the Western Hemisphere, Havana was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. Adventure among the splendorously crumbling architecture of the streets of old Havana and sit on the famous sea wall (malecon) to take in the view and some fresh air, and to socialize with the colourful and friendly 'Habaneros'.
Day 15:	Departure. If you have more time to spend in Cuba before flying out, the tour leader can suggest a number of excellent options for spending a few extra days, and give you details on how to get there and where to stay.

small group cultural tours

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 it's 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 experiencing new cultures.

how this holiday makes a difference

This trip is filled with opportunities to get to know the culture and vibrant society of the intriguing island nation of Cuba. Nearly all of the accommodation is in the homes of Cuban families, where you will get to see how typical Cubans live, observe their way of life, and participate in their culture.

This tour is lead by a local Cuban guide who will give you an insight into the complex Cuban history and society. The guide will demonstrate how this unique country has managed to resist many of the negative impacts of North American culture, influence, and capitalism, and how it has achieved significant social goals, and at the same time, show you the short-comings of the present system.

The maximum group size of this tour is limited to 12 travellers which enables us to more easily interact with the Cubans and to visit their homes and places of work and play, and which minimises our impact on the local culture and society. You will get the chance to visit government run local community projects such as the ‘organoponicos’ (urban based community organic produce gardens), local schools, and ration stores.

All travellers are encouraged to explore with the group and on their own, learn a few words of the ‘Cubanised’ Spanish, and to interact with the locals as much as possible. The local guides are employed to help explain as much as possible about the cultural differences and the historically significant places that we visit and to make your experience in Cuba as enjoyable and as much fun as possible.

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