Reviewed 04 Nov 2011 by Samantha Mace
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Drinking a mug of homemade hot chocolate in a farmers kitchen in Baracoa and listening to them describe their daily lives whilst munching on freshly fried banana chips.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Pack plenty of insect repellent, a good pair of walking shoes and a pack a mac!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Definitely benefited local people as we ate in paladares (private restaurant) every night. Not too sure about environmental impact as the bus journeys were long.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Amazingly memorable and everything we dreamed it would be.
Reviewed 10 Mar 2010 by Kym Barlow
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Difficult to choose the most memorable, it was all memorable; the people, the places, the history, the cars, the music... and the cocktails! Places that had an impact on me were the 'footprints through history' national park for the fauna, flora, history and the environment, and Fidel's hideout in the Sierra Maestre, our local guide was very knowledgeable and brought the place and the events to life. Hearing of the struggle of the population to achieve a better life was an emotional experience but also a heartening one. Monuments to fallen heroes line the roads along with a display of unending dedication to the leaders and also to the ordinary people who lost their lives in the battles to liberate this island nation from the hands of those seeking to exploit it. Cuba - the mouse that roared, David to the American Goliath. Viva Cuba Libre!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Get out there, meet the people, enjoy the music, dance with Cuban life, remember you may never be here again and enjoy every minute, for a nation with such oppression in its past its a joyous culture with spirited and joyous people.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Tourism will always have an impact but it was managed quite well and the advantages to the country seem to outweigh the negatives, Cuba has a lot to teach the world in terms of sustainable development. The services and guides were local so money stayed in-country rather than adding to the profits of the multinationals. How much you support the local economy in terms of tips and purchases is up to you.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent! Our tour guide was knowledgeable and willing to share experiences & information to ensure we had a great time, he looked out for us and got the best he could for us, he really made the trip - thanks Enio, you're a star!
Reviewed 29 Apr 2010 by Clive Coles
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Highlights for me ~ visit to Trinidad and the countryside around Vinales.
Be prepared to party until midnight. Great music scene in every town/city we visited.
The tour guide Vladimir was a great guy, well informed and ever attentive to ensure we took full advantage of any opportunity we had to broaden the itinerary. We packed in so much. A great time was had by all.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Budget carefully then add 20%. Just about everyone under estimated the day to day living costs of the trip.
Facilities to acquire money via plastic are very limited. Only ATM we found that worked was in Havana ~ you get charged 11% for withdrawing cash even before your Bank makes their charge! Therefore take cash to exchange into CUC.( clean crisp notes ~ they reject any note that is well used or that is written on ).
Come prepared with your mobile & charger~ hotels charge 5 CUC per minute .Telecom connection to/from UK is not always available.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
We tended to use the hotels for just bed and breakfast so we able to take our main meals in private houses and small restaurants in the towns. Tipping is the norm ~ this gets valued CUC's into the hands of tthe local folk who serve you.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
One of the best ~ never however let down by the tour operator.
Reviewed 14 Dec 2009 by Catherine Wilmers
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Swimming in the Bay of Pigs, listening to local musicians in Santa Domingo, walking in Sierra Mestre mountains seeing orchids, humming birds, trogons and visiting Che and Fidels hideout.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take small soaps, pens, pencils, erasers, small toothpastes, notebooks, balloons, elastoplast, and give to primary school in countryside. Also guitar and double bass accessories, eg strings! Buy large bottles of water to share.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Hopefully.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent.
Reviewed 17 Nov 2008 by Brian Willis
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The group of fellow travellers, meeting real Cuban's and being able to share their homes when eating with them.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Take lots of imodium, but enjoy the food. Always ensure you have a travel plug for sinks etc and have hand wipes available. As our guide said 'be horizontal', enjoy Cuba for what it is and expect changes to any plans.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Hopefully.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent but tiring, but that makes it even more worthwhile.
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