Cuba - Trinidad to Havana Trip Summary On this eight-day adventure, Cuba will transport you back in time. This island has developed more slowly than the rest of the world. This slow-moving historical time capsule comes to life through the number of 1950s-era automobiles still on the road, the colonial façades that dominate the architecture, and most beautifully, in the communal spirit of the Cuba people. This incredible journey from Trinidad to Havana will provide curated, personal encounters with the people and places of Cuba and provide unforgettable memories to last a lifetime. Itinerary Day 1: Havana / Trinidad Fly into Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport, where your guide and driver will meet you • Upon collecting luggage and gathering our small group together, you’ll be whisked off to a nearby paladar (privately-owned restaurant) for a light lunch and to get acquainted before transferring four hours to Trinidad • Upon arrival, check into your accommodations and spend ample time unwinding, relaxing, and refreshing before dinner • Dinner tonight is at our bed and breakfast accommodation where the food quality is outstanding • The intimate environment of La Casona will allow everyone to get to know one another, review the itinerary ahead with your guide, and to ask any burning questions you may have about Cuba • Overnight La Casona B&B (L, D) Day 2: Valle de los Ingenios / Trinidad Trinidad was once the center of the world’s sugar production • Much of that sugar came from Valle de los Ingenios • We begin the journey into Cuba’s colonial past with a horseback ride into the valley with a local expert guide • For those not interested in horseback riding, you can instead meet a local potter in his studio for a hands-on experience making your own traditional Trinitario pottery • Lunch today will be at a paladar offering both continental and local cuisine • After lunch, it’s time to explore Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with pastel-lined cobblestone streets, historic buildings, fascinating museums, and an artistic side that surprises • During a walking tour of the city, you uncover the rich history of the region and learn more about pre and post-revolutionary Cuba • This afternoon, we meet with a local Cuban artist in their studio to learn what life is like for artists in modern day Cuba • Then, we’ll visit several of the numerous museums surrounding Plaza Mayor, Trinidad’s city center • The remainder of the afternoon and evening are free to explore Trinidad on your own • Tonight, dinner will be on your own • Many of the highest-rated paladars book well in advance, so we have taken the liberty of securing reservations at a paladar in Plaza Mayor at 8:00 PM • Of course, you are welcome to dine anywhere of your choosing and enjoy Trinidad however you please tonight • Overnight La Casona B&B (B, L) Day 3: Topes de Collantes / Trinidad This morning, we travel into the national park of Topes de Collantes located in the Escambray Mountains • Coffee from Topes is only known by a few, but fetches more than $25 per pound internationally • A local coffee grower hosts you to learn about his life in Cuba and includes a traditionally brewed sample of his delicious coffee • Topes is known for its numerous bird species, scenic hikes, and waterfalls that canvas the national park • Depending on your comfort level, your guide will arrange a morning hike through the tropical forest to one of the region’s waterfalls • Bring along a swimsuit if you’d like to take a dip in the pool below the falls • Lunch today will be in a rustic paladar located in the national park, serving traditional Cuba food • Return to Trinidad late afternoon 1 The toughest part is going home.SM Cuba - Trinidad to Havana where you have time to relax and refresh in your accommodations • Enjoy a cocktail at La Casona as the sun sets to reflect on the day and look forward to the evening ahead • Dinner this evening is included at a paladar featuring traditional Cuban cuisine • The location is perfect for those who wish to join your guide after dinner for live music and dancing at Casa de la Musica, Trinidad’s open-air entertainment venue • For the art lover, we also recommend visiting the thought-provoking El Gato Negro gallery, open until 9:00 PM • This gallery showcases the best of local artists, both established and emerging • Overnight La Casona B&B (B, L, D) Day 4: Trinidad / Zapata Swamps National Park / Havana Enjoy breakfast and check out of your rooms early this morning • Today we transition to Havana, but have some wonderful activities to experience along the way • Southwest of Trinidad is the Zapata Peninsula, home to one of Cuba’s most prolific National Parks and home also to the Bay of Pigs, scenario of the 1961 failed U.S.-led invasion • Your guide will brief you on the events along the way • Our first stop is at Salinas de Brito, in Playa Larga, for a kayaking experience • Join a national park expert paddling through mangroves and cays of the Zapata Swamps in search for iguanas, endemic jutias, crocodiles, and aquatic birds in their natural habitat • Make sure to bring binoculars! • A picnic lunch will be served during your excursion • Day rooms have been reserved to give you time to refresh following your marine experiences • On to Havana! • You are scheduled to arrive into the timeless Cuban capital in the late afternoon • We have arranged for immediate check-in at your accommodation where there will be time to relax following a busy transfer day • Dinner tonight will be a nearby restaurant serving Italian food for a change of pace • Overnight La Reserva B&B (B, L, D) Day 5: Havana This morning begins with an expert-led tour of one of Havana’s largest cigar factories where you will learn the ancient art to turn five different aged tobacco leaves into one perfect, handmade cigar • The process has been perfected over the centuries but hasn’t changed much • Afterwards, we’ll walk the streets of La Habana Vieja (Old Havana) with a guide as they come to life • Explore the four main plazas and learn about the history, culture, architecture, and romance that has endeared the old town to so many cultures over the centuries • Lunch is reserved at a paladar in Old Havana and payable directly • The remainder of the afternoon is yours to explore Old Havana • Your guide will make suggestions based on your interests and arrange a central meeting point and time for transfers back to your accommodation • Later this afternoon, visit Havana’s Morro Castle and capture photos of the city from across the bay • Your exploration of the city continues in style, on board vintage 1950s automobiles that will take you on a panoramic tour of the city along the Malecon (Havana’s seaside avenue) and across diverse neighborhoods • Rum and cocktails are an intrinsic part of Cuba’s heritage • A professional barman will share the secrets to making the island’s most famous blends during a pre-dinner cocktail class • Dinner is included at an artful paladar located inside of a transformed colonial-era mansion in the Miramar district • After dinner, you may opt for an optional maridaje, or rum and cigar pairing for an additional fee • Your guide will recommend nightclubs and music venues for anyone who wishes to go out and explore on their own this evening • Overnight La Reserva B&B (B, D) Day 6: Havana Today we start off with a bicycle adventure through the less visited Centro Habana neighborhood • Our team of local experts has arranged several stops along the route to learn how the average Cuban lives and works in this often misunderstood country • Lunch is included today in a Centro Habana 2 The toughest part is going home.SM Cuba - Trinidad to Havana paladar that hosted a former US President and many VIPs • This afternoon, we have a special experience enjoying the authentic music of an accomplished guitarist • We’ll have the chance to learn about the life of an award-winning Cuban musician in a very personal way • There’s time to refresh at your accommodations after a very busy morning • Dinner this evening is on your own • Our recommendation is to try Tierra inside Fabrica de Arte Cubano (opens seasonally) or Casa Miglis with its live music and European cuisine • Please, let us know ahead of time if there is a paladar you want to try and our team will ensure you have a reservation • Overnight La Reserva B&B (B, L) Day 7: Havana Meander through a local market and see what ingredients are available to Havana residents today • This is an also opportunity to see Cuba’s two currencies at play and understand their significance and use • Enjoy a cooking class led by a local chef, with lunch included • This is your last afternoon to simply enjoy Havana • It’s a great time to walk the Malecon, explore more of Old Havana, or simply shop for art, souvenirs, cigars, and rum before you depart tomorrow • Dinner this evening is reserved at a paladar most would consider Cuba’s best •Dinner is reserved for 7:00 PM to ensure there’s ample time to make it to your show • Tickets and preferred seating are included tonight to the famous Tropicana Cabaret • Enjoy your last night in Havana! • Overnight La Reserva B&B (B, L, D) Day 8: Havana Departure This morning is at leisure following a late night • Your driver and guide are available as you require for last minute sightseeing or shopping • Your departure transfers will be scheduled approximately 2.5 hours prior to your flight departure time • (B) * This trip is operated in partnership with TerraVersed.