An Island steeped in history and tradition, Cuba has captured the imagination of Americans from Ernest Hemingway to today’s travelers. It is a land of natural beauty, smiling faces, powerful aromas and tastes. This guided tour is a rare opportunity to experience and share our cultures while providing support to the Cuban people.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Havana, Cuba
Upon arrival in beautiful Havana, you will be comfortably escorted via private mini-coach to your lodgings at the historic Hotel Nacional de Cuba. This 1930’s historic hotel was the setting of the infamous “Mob Conference” that convened in 1946 and provided the inspiration for the Cuba scenes from “The Godfather Part II”. Tonight’s dinner will be held at Havana’s most famous private restaurant, La Guarida where you will sample the best of cuban cuisine on the island.
Day 2 - Old Havana
The day will begin with a traditional Cuban breakfast at the hotel. After, we will make our way to Old Havana and the Museum of the Revolution to see ‘Fidel’s Boat’ Granma and some remnants of the Bay of Pigs invasion. From the museum, we will walk to Central Park and embark on a driving tour of Havana using 1950’s American vintage cars. These cars were left after the revolution and were the only automobiles available to local Cubans for decades.
We then break for lunch in one of Old Havana’s paladars and enjoy local cuisine and and conversation about what we have discovered so far in. After lunch we will walk through the historic plazas with opportunities to take photos and experience some of the sites of what makes Old Havana an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Out stops include, but are not limited to Cathedral Square, Old Plaza, and some of Ernest Hemingway’s (“Papa”) old haunts. Along the way, you can enjoy a Daiquiri in El Floridita or a Mojito in the Bogedita del Medio as “Papa” used to.
Later, return to our hotel to relax before we get together for a Cuban dinner at a local paladar. After dinner, the remainder of the evening is at leisure. Perhaps you want to visit a local Jazz Club across the street from our hotel and enjoy some rum and music from talented local Cuban musicians.
Day 3 - Havana
After a hearty Cuban breakfast, you will venture out to one of Havana’s operational cigar factories for a guided tour. Here, you will learn the process for making Habanos cigars and have an opportunity to try your own and visit the factory store. After the factory tour, enjoy lunch followed by a free afternoon. Your Tour Director will be available to help you find addresses and transportation to whatever attractions you want to see in Havana including the arts and crafts market, shops, museums, and more.
This evening’s dinner will be at the world renowned El Aljibe, a restaurant with indulgent traditional cuban cuisine. Then it is time for some true fun as you are treated to a Cuban Cabaret show made famous in Havana in the 1950’s for its music, dancing, and energy that is quintessential Cuban culture.
Day 4 - Pinar del Rio
After a breakfast at the hotel, you will board our mini-coach and head to the western part of the island to see life on the farms and discover personal and intimate experiences in the ‘Mecca’ of tobacco, Pinar del Rio. Here, you spend time with Hiroshi Robaina, the farmer who cultivates the leaves rolled for Habanos and learn about the life of the tobacco farmer and eat lunch at their iconic farm.
After, you will board our transport and return to Havana. For our farewell dinner, you will enjoy a relaxed meal at the rooftop restaurant of Cafe Laurent, a French inspired Cuban paladar.
Day 5 - Depart Havana
After breakfast, you are transferred to the airport for your flight onwards. Buen viaje!
