Highlights of Central Cuba 27Oct-01Nov 2017

A Post AGA Tour “Enjoy a relaxing week-long adventure while immersing yourself in the history, culture and natural beauty of this colourful Caribbean island. Cuba’s imminent political and cultural change makes it something to experience now before it evolves. After wandering through Havana’s glit- tering colonial architecture during the AGA, continue your Cuban adventure in the post tour by soaking up the clear mountain air and swim in the Topes de Collante’s natural pools, relax on Playa Ancon’s vast white beaches and ad- mire Trinidad’s unrivalled ambience, visit the town that defined the Cuban Revolution and Che Guevara’s Mauso- leum in Santa Clara, enjoy the beautiful city of Cienfuegos which is beloved by Cubans as the “Pearl of the South”. From old cars to fragrant cigars and with plenty of salsa in between, this trip has it all and is the perfect introduc- tion to all things Cuban.”

Palacio de Valle, Cienfuegos Itinerario Day 1 Oct 27th Varadero – Cárdenas - Cienfuegos (L, D)

Pick up from the Sanctuary at Grand Memories Hotel after breakfast. Departure to Cardenas for the Sugar Tour that includes:

- Visit to an old sugar mill, which is a museum today. - Visit to a sugar cane field to see how the canes are manually harvested. - Tour inside the factory to see the machines and equipment used to produce sugar and the exposition of steam locomotives of the 20th century. A chance to taste sugar cane juice called “Guarapo”. - A Cuban souvenir consisting of two bottles of Mulata rum in a box are included in this visit.

After our visit to the Sugar Factory, we will take a steam train ride up to Cárdenas 1875 train station and lunch at the private restaurant Don Qko ( a sustainable project). After lunch we will depart for Cienfuegos which includes:

- Panoramic view of its main streets and avenues. - Walking tour by the boulevard, with free time in the Central Park. - Visit to the “Palacio de Valle”. Built in 1917 by Acisclo del Valle Blanco, a Spaniard from Asturias, the structure resembles an outrageously ornate Moroccan casbah with its colorful riot of tiles, turrets and stucco.

Lodging and dinner at Jagua hotel.

Information: Cárdenas is located next to Varadero and a major center of sugar processing and rum making. Cuba’s so-called ‘Pearl of the South’ has long seduced travelers from around the island with its elegance, en- lightened French airs and feisty Caribbean spirit. If Cuba has a Paris, this is most definitely it. Day 2 Oct 28th Cienfuegos – Topes de Collantes (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we depart from Cienfuegos for Topes de Collantes which is located at 800 meters high in the heart of the Escambray Mountains. The Tour by a Russian 6x6 truck to “Guanayara” includes:

- Mountain ride going through the intricate paths of the Escambray Sierra up to Charco Azul. - Walking along Guanayara river to the water fall “El Rocio”. Adventure in the river. - Time for swimming in the Venado water pond. - Visit to “La Gallega” house for lunch and a little rest. - Lodging and dinner at “Los Helechos” hotel.

Information: The Sierra del Escambray is Cuba’s second-largest mountain range. The beautiful crenellated hills are rich in flora and surprisingly isolated. With the best network of hiking trails in Cuba, these jungle-clad forests harbor vines, ferns, eye-catching epiphytes, waterfalls and refreshingly cool pools perfect for a swim.

Topes de Collantes Trinidad de Cuba

Day 3 Oct 29th Topes de Collantes – Trinidad (B,L,D)

Departure to Trinidad in the morning for the city tour of Trinidad de Cuba including:

- Walking tour inside the colonial part of the city and a visit to the City museum “Palacio Cantero”. - Visit to the famous “La Canchanchara” bar with a cocktail included. - Lunch at a local restaurant and free time afterwards to walk and explore the city on your own.

Accommodation and dinner in at Brisas “Trinidad del Mar” hotel.

Information: Trinidad is one-of-a-kind, a perfectly preserved Spanish colonial settlement where the clocks stopped in 1850 and have yet to restart. Huge sugar fortunes amassed in nearby Valle de los Ingenios during the early 19th century created the illustrious colonial-style mansions bedecked with Italian frescoes, Wedg- wood china and French chandeliers. Declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco in 1988, Cuba’s oldest and most enchanting ‘outdoor museum’ is full of cobblestone streets, replete with leather-faced guajiros (country folk), snorting donkeys and melodic troubadours, retain a quiet air. Come nightfall, the live-music scene is particu- larly good. Twelve kilometers south of Trinidad lies the platinum-blond Playa Ancón, the best beach of Cuba’s south coast. Day 4 Oct 30th Trinidad (B,L,D)

Staying in the Trinidad area, we will participate in a Seafari to Cayo Macho de Afuera, including:

- Round trip transfer Hotel – Marina – Hotel. - Snorkeling, seafood lunch at the Cay (1 drink included) and enough time to enjoy the Cay’s beach.

Accommodation and dinner in the all inclusive Brisas “Trinidad del Mar” hotel. Evening round trip transfer to Trinidad colonial center to walk and explore the city by night.

Information: The Brisas “Trinidad del Mar” Hotel is opposite the stunning white sand beach of Playa Ancón and is surrounded by the Escambray Mountains. The beach is considered the best on the south coast of Cuba.

Day 5 Oct 31st Trinidad – Sancti Spiritus – Santa Clara (B,L,D)

After breakfast, we will depart for Santa Clara via the town of Sancti Spiritus. First a visit to Manaca Iznaga in the Sugar Mills Valley where a marvelous view of the valley can be seen from its tower. The Sancti Spiritus tour includes:

- Walking tour inside the old Colonial part of the city and a visit to the Yayabo bridge. - Lunch in a local restaurant and free time to explore the city.

After lunch, departure to Santa Clara for a city tour.

- Visit the Armored Train Museum and the Che Guevara Mausoleum. - Walking tour in the city center with free time for you to explore Santa Clara and lunch in a local restaurant.

Overnight accommodation at “Los Caneyes” hotel. Farewell Dinner tonight.

Playa Ancón

Cayo Macho de Afuera

Che Guevara Memorial, Santa Clara Sancti Spiritus Information: In any other country, this attractive colonial city would be a cultural tour de force. But cocooned inside illus- trious Sancti Spíritus province, second fiddle to Trinidad, visitors barely give it a glance. For many therein lies the attraction. Sancti Spíritus is Trinidad with its innocence. Founded in 1514 as one of the seven original villas of Diego Velázquez, Sancti Spíritus was moved to its present site on the Río Yayabo in 1522. It concocted the dapper guayabera, Latin America’s favorite shirt and cultivated guayaba (guava) fruit. Santa Clara is Cuba’s most revolutionary city. Located in the geographic center of Cuba, the city’s fiery personality has been shaped over time by the presence of the nation’s most prestigious university outside Havana, and a long association with Che Guevara, whose liberation of Santa Clara in December 1958 marked the end of the Batista regime.

Day 6 Nov 1 Santa Clara - Havana. Following breakfast, we shall depart for Havana and will arrive at the International Airport at around 1 pm. End of tour. Registration Details Deposit & Payments:

Package Cost: 690 USD A deposit of 250 USD per participant is required to se- cure the confirmation on the tour and a final payment Dates: 27 Oct - 01 November 2017 of 460 USD is required by the deadline of August 27 2017 (includes the 20 USD WACA fee). Package includes: Cancellation before the 27th of August 2017 will incur 1. 5 nights twin share accommodation. a service charge of 100 USD. No refund will be enter- tained for a cancellation request after 27 August 2017. 2. Meals as indicated in the Programme (B, L, D etc.) Registration is on a first come first serve basis. For in- 3. Tours as specified in the itinerary (except optional terested parties, please register with Mr. Keith Miller at tours), including English speaking guides and WACA headquarters at [email protected]. For addition- gratuity. Ground transportation during tours in al information about the package, please contact any air-conditioned coaches. member of the WACA Council at [email protected] 4. Selected transfers as indicated in the Program. Payment by money order or bank draft in US Dollars 5. Entrance fees to attractions. must be payable to the “World Airlines Clubs Associa- tion” and along with the filled-in Registration Form, to Package does not include: be mailed to: Mr. Keith Miller at WACA Headquarters, c/o IATA, 1. WACA fee of 20 USD. 800 Place Victoria, P.O. Box 113, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H4Z 1M1. 2. Single room supplement of 110 USD (on availabilty basis). Registration forms can also be sent to WACA via email. 3. Expenses of a personal nature such as drinks/ You can also transfer the payment via wire transfer to meals (unless specified as per the program), the World Airline Clubs Association bank account. laundry and telephone calls, internet etc. Transfer charges are to be borne by participants and WACA reserves the right to collect from the participant 4. Travel & Personal Insurance. the shortfall due to service charges etc. 5. Visas, tips, gratuities. World Airlines Clubs Association Bank Account details are on the following page. 6. Optional tours.

7. Other miscellaneous charges. Registration Deadline: 27 August 2017 WACA Bank Account Details

WACA’s bank account info as follows for bank wire transfers:

Bank Address: Bank of Montreal, 2005 Peel Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 1T7

Account name: World Airlines Clubs Association

Account number: 4600-790

Transit number: 01581

Swift code: bofmcam2

Note: Bank processing charges may vary from country to country and WACA will only recover the outstanding amount as indicated in the actual transaction records.

Registration Deadline: 27 August 2017

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