Revolutionary Trail




But don’t let the ever-present propaganda put you off when visiting this stubborn outpost of Communism on America’s doorstep. A guided tour of key locations on the Revolutionary Trail will give you a more rounded view of history.
Kath Bateman from our Cuba specialist holidays partner, Caledonia Worldwide, runs the tour. She says: “Undoubtedly if you ask anyone over 50, the vast majority would be overwhelmingly positive about the revolution. But younger generations, I think, are weary about the lack of economic freedom and freedom of speech. The revolution resolved many injustices that needed sorting out in the beginning, but it hasn’t always moved with the times.”
Slanted history or not, it is a remarkable tale of how determination, courage and a bit of luck helped a ragtag bunch of rebels overcome an empire. And if that all sounds a bit like the plot of Star Wars, well, who’s to say that George Lucas didn’t draw some inspiration from la Revolución cubana?
Our Cuba Holidays
Cuba cultural holiday
Immerse yourself in Cuban culture on this 8 day adventure
Classic Cuba holiday, 11 days
Get into the Cuban swing over just ten days.
Cuba salsa dance holiday
Learn to salsa with the pros in Santiago de Cuba, tuition, day trips and nights out
Cuban casa holiday
Go local in Cuba staying in friendly family B&Bs throughout
Cuba tailor made tour, 8 days
Fantastic immersive 8 day trip, highlights and hidden gems
Classic Cuba cycle holiday
Cycle Cuba - Beaches, Mountains and Revolution!
Cuba highlights and beach holiday
Balance Cuba’s culture & natural beauty with sunny paradise.
Discover Cuba holiday, 15 days
Experience the real Cuba on this 15 day cultural adventure
Self drive Cuba family holiday
Family holiday Cuba for parents & children
Cuba highlights holiday
Explore Havana, visit tobacco hills & doze on dreamy beaches
Cycling holiday in Cuba, 7 days
Explore Cuba on two wheels in one week
Cuba holiday, culture and nature
A mix of nature and culture; discover what makes Cuba tick
Cuba on a Shoestring small group holiday
Discover Cuba, from historic Havana to Trinidad
Cuba Christmas & New Year tour
Rumba in Cuba = the ideal way to party in the festive season
10 day Cuba tour, small group
Group tour exploring the beguiling and captivating Cuba
Discover Cuba tailor made holidays
See the historic sites and beautiful landscapes of Cuba!
Scuba diving and tour in Cuba
Scuba diving and roundtrip Cuba with homestays and/or hotels
Small group tour to Western Cuba
Tour the 'Garden Province' of Cuba
Cuba small group tour
Relaxing holiday of Cuban of history, culture & nature
Skyline Trail cycling tour in Western Cuba
Cycle the spectacular Skyline Trail through Western Cuba
Eastern Cuba self drive holiday
Discover lesser explored Eastern Cuba by car
Cuba cycling tour
Cycle from Havana to Varadero through the Yumuri Valley.
Mexico & Cuba Tour
Fun, sun, history and culture in Mexico and Cuba.
Modern Cuba culture holiday, Hip Havana
Dive into the New Cuba: music, art and social enterprise
“History will absolve me”
In 1956, a group of 82 revolutionaries led by Castro, his brother Raul, Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos, sailed to Cuba on the Granma. On landing, almost all of them were killed by Batista’s forces but a handful of survivors made it to the harsh mountainous landscape of the Sierra Maestra, where they set up a base of operations.
From their Comandancia de la Plata, the rebels launched waves of attacks on government forces, in conjunction with urban strikes and armed uprisings led by Castro’s ally, Frank País. Rebel Radio broadcasts spread the message of revolution across Cuba, increasing support and morale to counter increased pressure from Batista’s forces, bolstered by American arms, planes and money. Eventually a series of victories, including the Battle of Santa Clara orchestrated by Che, led to the revolutionaries sweeping into Havana on New Year’s Day 1959. Batista fled the country, and a new chapter in Cuban history began.
In the following years, industry was nationalised, land reforms were implemented, universal healthcare provided for all citizens, and a programme began to eradicate illiteracy. Of course, not all Cubans embraced the Communist takeover and many escaped a wave of imprisonment and executions of those seen as being against the revolution.
Today, visitors to Cuba will still see jingoistic propaganda singing the praises of the revolution everywhere, but enthusiasm is definitely starting to fade.
Casas particulares
And when visiting Cuba, you’ll normally be accommodated in casas particulares. There’s no better way to get to know Cuban people and their culture. “We use casas particulares most of the time for our guests,” says Kath. “You’re staying in someone’s home, but they’re fully licensed with strict hygiene regulations. Most of our home stays have great cooks; people are often really surprised. Our hosts have adapted to European appetites and away from stodgy deep-fried cuisine.
“And you’ll be fed so well. Cuban cuisine is wrongly done down. It’s seasonal, organic and local and it’s forced to be imaginative – the only complaint we get about the food is that there’s too much of it! I’d recommend the seafood, prawns with garlic, and the pork’s really good too.”
Staying in casas particulares also provides valuable income to families across Cuba, which has been impoverished by decades of economic sanctions.
Our top Cuba Holiday
Cuba cultural holiday
Immerse yourself in Cuban culture on this 8 day adventure
2021: 7 Nov, 14 Nov, 21 Nov, 28 Nov, 5 Dec, 12 Dec, 19 Dec, 26 Dec
2022: 2 Jan, 9 Jan, 16 Jan, 23 Jan, 30 Jan, 6 Feb, 13 Feb, 20 Feb, 27 Feb, 6 Mar, 13 Mar, 20 Mar, 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, 14 Aug, 21 Aug, 28 Aug, 4 Sep, 11 Sep, 18 Sep, 25 Sep, 2 Oct, 9 Oct, 16 Oct, 23 Oct, 30 Oct
What to visit on the Revolutionary Trail
Comandancia de la Plata, Sierra Maestra
Santiago de Cuba
Our traveller Adele Dow toured the Revolutionary Trail in 2019. She says: “Visiting the cemetery where Fidel Castro is buried, Cuban families lined up to have photos taken in front of his grave. They were so quiet and respectful as they waited in line, and when their turn came, posed proudly with solemn faces in front of the stone with the marker that reads simply, ‘Fidel’. It was touching, and broadened my understanding of Cuba.”