Cuba Explorer
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‘ ?% !"#$#%&$#%'()%*(+,* Havana, Cuba Cuba Explorer CUBA 14 DAYS / March-April 2023 2023 Cuba Explorer Cuba 14 Days Sun 26th March – Sat 8th April 2023 Join us on the trip of a lifetime as we take in some of the most fascinating sights, sounds and flavours of captivating Cuba on our ULTIMATE TRIP around this time-locked country. 2 Our 2023 “Cuba Explorer” leaves no stone unturned as we visit many of the most spectacular sights of this fascinating country. We’ve teamed up with one of the biggest travel companies in the world as our elite partner to bring you this ultimate 4-star trip through fascinating Cuba. Our two-night start is in the vibrant Cuban capitol of Havana exploring much of what it has to offer before flying south to start exploring the amazing scenery, culture and history making our way along the length of the country. 1 1 Along the way we experience the culture, architecture, food and ways of the locals plusStart explore End many historical sites with local guides. We include one internal flight within Cuba plus airport transfers. At the start and end of the trip. A local expert Tour Manager throughout1 PLUS a Quo Vadis Holidays host joining you along the way to ensure you’re well taken care of. Twelve nights in fascinating Cuba visiting all the big-ticket items with local experts. Havana, Santiago and Trinidad, rides in classic vintage cars in Havana, Che Guevarra and Revolution Museums plus a cigar factory visit. Bay of Pigs, tobacco farms, salsa lessons and the famed Buena Vista Social club. The stunning scenery of Viñales and the lovely French colonial architecture of Cienfigues. Hand-picked, 4-star accommodation in each location that’s based on either being central to all the action or being in locations of particular interest on our journey through this “exiled” country. We include ALL the activities and tips to crew and guides so you’re not having to constantly put your hand in your pockets to pay for extra activities along the way. Our 2023 “Cuba Explorer” is designed for those who want to have the ULTIMATE TRIP through this fascinating part of the world without cutting any corners and missing out on any of the major highlights! See you on board with us in 2023! !"#$$ Tim Kozma !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Director Quo Vadis Holidays Tour Overview (14 days) Premium Highlights § Flight from Havana to Santiago de Cuba § Havana City tour and Old Havana and Vintage Classic car tour § Cigar Factory, Revolution Museum and Revolution Square visits in Havana § Santiago de Cuba city tour and visit to el Morro Castle Santa Ifigenia Cemetery and the Moncada Barracks § Highlight dinner with local family in Santiago de Cuba § Camaguey bicycle-taxi tour and visit to local esteemed ballet theatre § Constantino Perez tobacco factory visit in Camaguey § Drink at Palacio de Valle and Highlight seaside dinner in Cienfuegos § Soroa Orchid Garden and tobacco farm visits § Bay of Pigs excursion Cuba § Guided walking tours of Santiago, Trinidad and Camaguey § Che Guevara Mausoleum visit in Santa Clara § Buena Vista Social Cub Highlight Final dinner in Havana Other Inclusions § Welcome drink and dinner in Havana § Viñales and Cienfuegos orientation walks and Los Jazmines lookout in Cuba § Informal Spanish lesson with tour leader in Cuba § Ciego de Avila art Gallery visit § Guama, Zapata “half-island” lunch stop § Cuba country-side drives § Group photo (one per couple/single) § Hotel porterage (departure mornings) § All tips to Tour Leaders, Tour Drivers, local guides and hotels and included meals Other 1st Class services § Escorted by local Professional Tour Director plus Quo Vadis Tour Host § Up to 10 guests we travel in a 18-seater Mercedes Sprinter or similar. Above 10 we travel in an air-conditioned full-sized coach with restroom for the tour § 13 nights in Cuban standard 4–5-star hotels § 13 buffet/continental breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 2 Hotel dinners, 6 Highlight Dinners (incl. three beer/wine/soft drink plus coffee) Meal Codes: B = Breakfast, D = Hotel Dinner, HD = Highlight Dinner, L = Lunch Ik Kil Cenote, Mexico Havana, Cuba Tour Pace Using the resources of our uber-experienced travel partners in Cuba, we’ve teamed with one of the biggest travel operators in the world to put together the ultimate fully escorted trip through this fascinating country. With our local operators we’ve hand-picked each hotel and have included one internal flight within Cuba. Lots of two-night stays and a total of three nights in Cuba with a great mix of included local site-seeing of many historical sites, local villages and experiences, museums and highlight sights plus free-time to explore at one’s own pace. Being Cuba, we have a few longer drives however with our full-sized coach and maximum around 20 guests on board you’ll have plenty of room to move around! This trip is targeted at those fit and active with good walking ability and ready to explore all these fascinating places to make the most of the spectacular sights and cities we visit! Havana, Cuba Day 3 / Tues Mar 28 / Havana to Santiago de Cuba This morning we take a 2-hour flight to the opposite end of Day 1 / Sun Mar 26 / Havana, Cuba the island. Santiago de Cuba is the hottest place in Cuba – both in terms of atmosphere and climate. We head straight for Welcome to Cuba! Arrive at Havana's Jose Marti International an included lunch before a short orientation walk before airport, where you’ll be transferred to our exclusive hotel, the checking into our hotel. This ‘cradle’ of the revolution is home iconic Hotel Nacional. Declared a national monument, Hotel to a large Afro-Cuban population and a vibrant music scene Nacional is considered a symbol of history, culture and Cuban so there’s lots to experience after sundown. Tonight a local identity. A welcome meeting this evening to go over our Cuban meal in our charming la Isabelica hotel restaurant. (BB, L, D) adventure before a group dinner to get to know our fellow Hotel: 2 nights - Hotel Melia travelling companions! (HD) Hotel: 2 nights – Hotel Nacional or Hotel Melia Cohiba Day 4 / Wed Mar 29 / Santiago de Cuba Today our Tour Leader will take us on city tour where we’ll learn about the town’s vital role in the revolution while visiting Day 2 / Mon Mar 27 / Havana sites such as El Morro Castle, Santa Ifigenia Cemetery and Havana is the crown jewel of Spanish colonial towns in the the Moncada Barracks – the city’s half million residents are Caribbean. However, this city is much more than just a proud of their traditions, so you'll find plenty of museums museum: the pulsating street life can be just as fascinating as around the town. Santiago is also famous for its energetic the many architectural treasures. Today, we’ll get to know the celebrations of Caribbean culture such as Carnival – a 5-day most important sights of a city that has written centuries of festival that occurs every July. Perhaps learn a few moves in Cuban history – and continues to do so until today. The day a salsa dancing class or for a taste of the city’s vibrant th begins with a panoramic tour through the Havana of the 19 Carnival celebration, visit the Carnival Museum to see floats, th and early 20 century: along the esplanade Malecón, past the costumes and the occasional dance show. In the evening, legendary Hotel Nacional, over the Avenida de Los we’ll get the unique chance to dine with a local family in their Presidentes to the Revolutionary Square with its portrait of home, for a real slice of Cuban life and the chance to sample Ché Guevara and monument of José Martí. Continue to the local food. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know the imposing Capitol, past the Gran Teatro and Bacardi house locals and perhaps practice some Spanish. Afterwards, there over the Prado to Cathedral Square. Continue foot through the are plenty of atmospheric venues with good Cuban rum and alleys and over the squares of Havana’s historic colonial city even better music for locals and tourists to showcase their centre and take in the most important sights: Plaza de Armas, dance moves. (BB, HD) Templete, Palace of the Generals, Plaza Vieja, Hemingway’s “Bodeguita “and much more. We will have the chance to visit a cigar factory and observe the process and witness the skilled hands of the “Torcedores" (cigar rollers). The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore further. (BB) Day 5 / Thur Mar 30 / Santiago de Cuba to Camaguey Today, we head west along the Carretera Central to Camaguey. The drive (approximately 6 or 7 hours) is broken up with a stop in Bayamo, where you can stretch your legs on walking tour and enjoy an included lunch. When we arrive in Camaguey we’ll soon notice that the city has maintained much of its colonial heritage. It’s also characterised by winding streets, which are a joy to explore. Get acquainted with the city on a walking tour including a stop at the Iglesia de Nuestra Senora de la Soledad (Church of Our Lady of Soledad) to see its Baroque frescoes. A highlight local dinner with drinks this evening. (BB, L, HD) Hotel: 2 Nights - tba Day 6 / Fri Mar 31 / Camaguey Today we’ll tour the sights of Camaguey the way the locals do – from the back of a bicycle taxi. Each taxi carries two passengers and the tour is led by an English-speaking local guide – hop on and visit parks, plazas and local markets before enjoying a free afternoon at leisure.