South America \ Cuba Inside information
Getting There Virgin Atlantic flies direct to Havana from London Gatwick airport and it takes nine hours 50 minutes. On Virgin you can take advantage of their very nice Upper Class service or pay from an extra £335 to upgrade to Premium Economy.
Best Time to Visit Cuba has a hot, sub- tropical climate for 12 months of the year. Between January and April the temperatures are cooler for exploring the islands; some hurricanes do occur between August and November.
Your Perfect Honeymoon Cuba is the perfect destination for an intriguing and exciting honeymoon, with a touch of tropical relaxation. Salsa in Havana, wander the streets of Trinidad and relax on a virgin island. Contact our Americas Regional Specialists for more information.
Sample Itinerary: One to get you started...
Highlights of Western Cuba
a diversity of marine life that would not be out of place in a David Attenborough documentary. Activities: scuba-diving, snorkelling, swimming
Trinidad Trinidad once functioned as a hub for Cuba’s slave and sugar trade but today it sits as an idyllic colonial gem on the clear Caribbean waters. It is one of the country’s most attractive towns: with red-tiled roof tops, beautifully-restored houses and cobbled streets opening onto shady plazas. Known as the museum city, Trinidad provides a fascinating insight into a turbulent history. Activities: dance, city tours
Cienfuegos and the Bay of Pigs Known by locals as the ‘Pearl of the South’, Cienfuegos was founded by French colonists escaping Haiti in 1819. This small city is blessed with a tranquil bay-side setting, wide boulevards and impressive colonial architecture, which largely remains untouched. West along the coast is the landing site of the infamous Bay of Pigs’ unsuccessful invasion. The small museum contains the detailed history of the revolutionaries’ efforts in defending Cuba in 1961. Activities: swimming, boat trips
Sierra Maestra The Sierra Maestra is Cuba’s largest mountain range rising to 1972 m at Pico Turquino. Covered in thick vegetation, the slopes have provided shelter to political revolutionaries over the years. Fidel Castro hid his headquarters up here in a jungle lair: guided treks can be tailored to last any number of days but the most popular routes will pass through the patchwork of shacks that form the Cuban leader’s deserted ‘Comandancia’. Activities: jungle walks
Santiago and Baracoa (the east) Cuba’s eastern coast is a confluence of culture and colonialism; where east meets west. As the second largest city, Santiago presents a worthy rival for Havana: a distinct Afro-Cuban culture pervades the music-filled streets. Further east along the island’s tip is the sleepy town of Baracoa. This was Christopher Columbus’ first landing site in 1942 and Cuba’s first settlement. Its charming historic centre is well-preserved. Activities: explore the literary and musical scene.
Day 1 Fly to Havana. Day 2 Guided tour of Havana, visiting the restored old town and the Museum of the Revolution. Day 3 Scenic drive through the mountainous landscape of Viñales. Day 4 Walk amid the mighty mojotes and renowned tobacco fields. Day 5 Visit the infamous Bay of Pigs on the way to the colonial town of Trinidad. Day 6 Roam through the cobbled backstreets of Trinidad and climb one of the church towers for superb panoramas of the Escambray Mountains. Day 7 Discover the monument and tomb of Che Guevara in Santa Clara. Continue to the well-preserved Spanish colonial town of Remedios. Day 8 Rise early to watch daily life unfold in town. Take a causeway to the island of Cayo Santa Maria. Day 9 to 11 Swim, snorkel, enjoy a catamaran trip or just relax on this Caribbean paradise. Day 12 Return to Havana for a final aſternoon in the vibrant capital. Days 13 & 14 Fly to the UK.
2013 AUTHENTIC £1,905 COMFORT £2,095
INDULGE £2,185 From price per person including flights
For more itinerary ideas, speak to a regional specialist
For more ideas visit
www.explore.co.uk/tailormade 49
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84