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| OVERVIEW |
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ITINERARY |
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PRICING |
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WHAT'S INCLUDED |
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15 days / 14 nights
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| Day Number of Tour |
| Day No. |
Location |
Program |
B |
L |
D |
| 1 |
Arrive Havana |
Arrive Havana
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D |
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Upon arrival in Havana, transfer to a Tourist Class Hotel. This afternoon, take a walking tour visiting the Capitolio, the Fine Arts Museum which houses a very interesting collection of contemporary and traditional Cuban Art and the Grand Theatre of Havana (from the outside), which are all located near the Parque Central Square. This evening, gather for a Welcome Dinner.
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| 2 |
Havana |
Old Havana: Museum of the Revolution, Nacional Hotel, Captain General's Palace
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B |
L |
D |
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Enjoy a comprehensive tour of Old Havana visiting the Museum of the Revolution, housed in the Presidential Palace, the famous Nacional Hotel and the Captain General's Palace which is now turned into a museum, plus El Templete. Lunch at La Bodeguita del Medio, a favorite simple restaurant that Hemingway used to frequent, which serves authentic Cuban food. After lunch, visit the San Carlos de la Cabana, an old Spanish fortress. Dinner at a local restaurant.
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| 3 |
Havana |
Hemingway's Cuba
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B |
L |
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Make an early start this morning visit to Hemingway's 'La Finca Vigia' ('Lookout Farm') built on a sprawling 20-acre hilltop estate, and Cojimar Beach, the small fishing village that has become a pilgrimage site for Hemingway fans. Lunch at Las Terrazas, Hemingway's favourite restaurant. In the afternoon, on the way back, visit the Jose Marti Memorial commemorating Cuba's national hero. From here, drive near to St. Francis Square and take a walking tour of the narrow streets surrounding it. Stop in China Town and the Ambos Mundos Hotel, another Hemingway favorite. Actually, Hemingway's room in this hotel is turned into a small museum, which we visit.
Dinner is on your own this evening - if you wish, you may go out to a local restaurant, or La Tropicana Show, or The Casa de la Musica, at your own expense.
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| 4 |
Havana |
Tobacco Country (Pinar del Rio), Indian Caves
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B |
L |
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Journey overland today to the western province of Pinar del Rio, where some of the world's best tobacco is grown on the lush plains. Here, visit a tobacco plantation and factory and enjoy lunch at El Palenque. Continue on to the Prehistoric Mural painted on a rock face depicting Cuba's past in pre-historic terms, and the famous Indian Cave. Return this evening to your hotel in Havana. The evening is free to do as you please. We shall provide you with restaurant and entertainment suggestions.
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| 5 |
Havana |
Museums, Cannon Ceremony at El Morro
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B |
L |
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Your visits this morning will include the Museum of Music, the Decorative Arts Museum and La Casona Gallery, which promotes modern Cuban artists and houses very interesting exhibitions. Lunch at El Aljibe. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy and explore independently. Additional galleries and museums that you may be interested in visiting include Wilfredo Lam Gallery, La Acacia, La Habana and Santa Maria, the Museum of Old Cars and the Bacardi Museum. Another option is taking a walk to the Pena Pobre neighborhood to visit ateliers of popular artists. Information on this additional sightseeing will be given to you nearer to your departure time. Perhaps stop and have a drink at La Floridita, famous in its heyday for Hemingway's guests and the special daiquiri. Dinner on your own. Visit El Morro after dinner to watch the Cannon Ceremony.
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| 6 |
Havana/Cienfuegos |
Leisure time in Cienfuegos
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B |
L |
D |
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Check-out of the hotel this morning and depart on a wonderful drive to Cienfuegos, the Cuban town with the greatest French influence. Lunch at El Ranchon on the way to Cienfuegos. Arrive in Cienfuegos and check-in at a Tourist Class Hotel for two nights' accommodation.
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| 7 |
Cienfuegos |
City Tour, Cathedral, Thomas Terry Theatre
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B |
L |
D |
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Tour this lively city known as the 'Pearl of the South'. The almost perfect layout of its streets, classical buildings, parks, boulevards and the long seawall, or Malecon, confers a special elegance upon this city, which was founded in 1819. Visit the Cathedral with beautiful stained glass windows depicting the twelve apostles, and the Thomas Terry Theatre, where legendary tenor Enrico Caruso sang. Dinner at the Palacio del Valle Restaurant.
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| 8 |
Cienfuegos/Trinidad |
Visit the Old City of Trinidad
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B |
L |
D |
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Depart from Cienfuegos to Trinidad, one of the seven historical cities of Cuba founded by Valazquez in 1514. On arrival, visit the Romantic Museum, the beautifully preserved 18th century mansion of the Brunet Family dating from 1741, the Museum of Archaeology and Natural Sciences, housed in the impressive Padron Family Villa, the Museum of Colonial Architecture, which reveals Trinidads development and the fine craftsmanship of the period. Check into a Resort Hotel. Late this afternoon visit La Canchanchara Tavern famous for its drink made with rum, lime juice and honey.
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| 9 |
Trinidad |
Leisure
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B |
L |
D |
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Day at leisure to relax at the resort or further explore Trinidad. Meals are included at the hotel today, however you may choose to go out for dinner at the Santa Ana Restaurant, which typically features a folkloric Afro-Cuban performance.
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| 10 |
Trinidad / Sancti Spiritus / Camaguey |
Manaca-Iznaga Sugar Mill, Sancti Spiritus
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B |
L |
D |
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Depart for Sancti Spiritus. On the way to Sancti Spiritus, stop at the Manaca-Iznaga sugar mill in the Sugar Mills Valley. Proceed to Sancti Spiritus, again, one of the seven historical towns of Cuba, and one of the most important colonial cities. Sightseeing will include a walk on its quaint cobblestone streets with old houses and churches, some dating from 1680 and later. The main parish Church of The Holy Spirit was erected in 1612, and still dominates the city. The Yayabo Bridge is a national monument. Several squares and parks commemorate the long history of this small town. Arrive in Camaguey the early evening and check into a Tourist Class Hotel for overnight. Dinner at the hotel.
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| 11 |
Camaguey/Bayamo/Santiago de Cuba |
Tour of Camaguey, Historical Bayamo
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B |
L |
D |
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A brief sightseeing tour of Camaguey including: De Las Mercedes Church, the birthplace of Ignacio Agramonte - now a museum, the Square with the statue of Agramonte, and Agramonte Park, which originally was the Plaza des Armas where many patriots were executed. The palm trees growing in this square were planted in memory of these martyrs. Following the sightseeing, depart for Santiago de Cuba, via Bayamo. Bayamo is where the independence rebellion against the colonizers of Cuba started. It is the birthplace of Carlos Manuel Cespedes, the father of the country and of the Revolution. Also, it is the place where the Bayamez was written by patriot Perucho Figueredo, which later became the national anthem of Cuba. See the San Salvador de Bayamo Church, built in 1613, and the House of Cespedes, now a museum. Lunch at the La Campana del Toledo. After lunch, continue on to Santiago de Cuba. Upon arrival, check into a Tourist Class Hotel for three nights' accommodation. Santiago de Cuba is Cuba's second largest city and is teeming with sites of cultural and historical interest. Dinner at the hotel.
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| 12 |
Santiago de Cuba |
Valasquez House, Bacardi Museum, Santa Infigenia Cemetery
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B |
L |
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This morning, sightseeing will include the oldest house in Cuba, the Valazquez House, the Cathedral, and the Bacardi Museum. Lunch will be served at Punta Gorda. Next, visit Santa Infigenia Cemetery, an open-air museum with graves dedicated to many heroes and prominent citizens of Cuba. Following this, drive to El Cobre, Cuba's holiest sanctuary, perched atop its lofty pedestal. This stunning church is the Cuban 'Lourdes' and the shrine to 'La Virgen de la Caridad', patron saint of Cuba. Return to the hotel and evening at leisure.
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| 13 |
Santiago de Cuba |
El Morro, lunch on El Cayo
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B |
L |
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Visit El Morro this morning. Enjoy a thorough tour of this castle, an impressive 17th century Spanish fortress poised atop the cliffs at the narrow entrance to Santiago Bay. For lunch, take the ferry to El Cayo, on a small island in Santiago Bay across from El Morro. Return to the hotel to rest and prepare for either a walking tour of the town on your own; or attend any cultural event that may be available at that time; or visit some of the many art galleries of Santiago de Cuba. Dinner at leisure.
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| 14 |
Santiago de Cuba/Havana |
Fly to Havana, Leisure time
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B |
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D |
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Depart Santiago de Cuba for your flight to Havana. Upon arrival in Havana, transfer to a Tourist Class Hotel for one nights' accommodation. The balance of the day is free to do as you please. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner this evening.
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| 15 |
Depart Havana |
Depart
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B |
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Morning at leisure, until it is time to transfer to the airport for departure.
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