Iconic Havana

Duration: 4 days / 3 nights

Lodging:

• 3 night in Havana: Hotel Riviera (Standard)

TOUR STARTS TOUR ENDS Thu-09-May-19 Sun-12-May-19 Thu-23-May-19 Sun-26-May-19 Thu-06-Jun-19 Sun-09-Jun-19 Thu-20-Jun-19 Sun-23-Jun-19 Thu-04-Jul-19 Sun-07-Jul-19 Thu-18-Jul-19 Sun-21-Jul-19 Thu-15-Aug-19 Sun-18-Aug-19 Thu-29-Aug-19 Sun-01-Sep-19 Thu-12-Sep-19 Sun-15-Sep-19 Thu-26-Sep-19 Sun-29-Sep-19 Thu-10-Oct-19 Sun-13-Oct-19 Thu-24-Oct-19 Sun-27-Oct-19

Tour Highlights:

• Various meet-and-greets with private restaurant owners • Antique American cars ride • Cigar Factory tour • Walking tour of Old Havana • San Jose Craft Market • Visit to Cojimar (popular fishing town, frequented by Hemingway) • Hemingway house: Finca Vigia • Fusterlandia • Las Terrazas

Overview

Experience the best of Havana from its glorious architecture to its fascinating community projects and welcoming people on this 3-night getaway. This program will allow you to interact with locals from all walks of life to truly understand their culture, day-to-day experiences, and interests. You will get a taste of Cuba that will make you want to go back for more!

Day 1: ARRIVAL DAY

You will arrive in Havana and will be transported to your hotel. You will be met at the airport by your local guide and driver who will accompany you through the entire program. First day in Havana starts with a panoramic overview of the city that includes a stop at the remarkable Revolution Square where you will see the statue of Cuba’s national hero, Jose Marti, and famous depiction of revolutionary heroes, Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos. Drive around the vibrant Vedado district. Along the way, you will see a wide mixture of architectural styles and testimony of Cuba’s different influences: Spanish, British and American. After hotel check in the evening, be whisked away by a vintage American car! Enjoy the ocean breeze and marvel at the sunset as you drive along the Malecon, Capitol area and Prado promenade. Arrive at a typical paladar, a privately-owned restaurant, for a fusion-style meal well created to inaugurate your first night in the iconic Havana

Meals: Welcome Dinner

Day 2: HAVANA

Your first visit will be to a Cigar Factory where you will have the opportunity to interact with an expert in the field to learn about the process of rolling the famous Habano cigars. Walk through Old Havana to learn about the historical importance of many of its glorious buildings, many dating to Colonial times; be introduced to the restoration and preservation process of its most elaborate buildings. Discover the history of Havana on foot through four of its main squares: Plaza Vieja, Plaza de Armas, Plaza San Francisco de Asis and Plaza de la Catedral. Visit the fisherman’s village of Cojimar where Hemingway docked his beloved “Pilar” and where he was inspired to write “The Old Man and the Sea” novel. Go for lunch at a nearby paladar and then depart for Hemingway’s home Finca Vigia located in the town of San Francisco de Paula, where you will see where he wrote two of his most famous novels. Peer into the windows to admire items left by Hemingway in the house when he departed to the United States, including more than 8000 books, personal relics and rare collections. Head back to Old Havana and visit the San Jose craft market located along the seaside of town. You will be provided free time to purchase souvenirs at the market while exchanging stories with the local artists and vendors to learn about the current opportunities in Cuba to setting a privately-owned enterprise. Return back to the hotel. Dinner will be on your own tonight, but your guide will be happy to provide some suggestions to enjoy Havana night hangouts.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch Day 3: HAVANA

Visit Fusterlandia, a community project started by renowned Cuban artist Jose Fuster, “the Picasso of the Caribbean”, who transformed his entire neighborhood into a colorful mosaic and artistic mecca. Escape the city and explore beyond Havana on this journey to a magical natural reserve. Just a short hour drive west of the capital is an intriguing place where you’ll encounter majestic nature, art studios, natural river pools, and coffee plantation ruins: Las Terrazas site. You will have a walk around the region with a naturalist who will provide you with information on the local flora and fauna. Enjoy a typical Cuban lunch at a local restaurant (old farmers’ house) and interact with the community residents. Return to Havana City hotel and get ready to enjoy your farewell dinner at one of the most popular “Paladars” in town.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: DEPARTURE DAY

You will enjoy breakfast at the hotel before you are transferred to the Havana airport for taking your flight back home. We hope you take away with you the best memories.

Meals: Breakfast