Cuba, Havana

Western tour and relaxation in Varadero

Arrival in Havana.

You will be welcomed by our representative.

Transfer to your hotel for 3 nights on a breakfast-included package.

Hotel: 4-star NH Capri (or similar)

Breakfast.

Discover the charms of Old Havana on foot. Guide to accompany you for 2 hours.

Take a stroll along the pedestrianised streets that will lead you to:

• The Plaza de Armas Square: previously known as the Plaza de Iglesia, this was the site of the town's first parish church. It brings together political and military institutions. The square is surrounded by splendid colonial buildings. Today, it is best known as the place to go for second-hand books.
• The iconic Plaza de la Catedral, one of the city's most beautiful and famous squares. It is considered to be the best-preserved colonial architectural complex in Latin America. The cathedral is one of the oldest in Latin America, and was named after Christopher Columbus, whose ashes it is said to have housed.
• Plaza de San Francisco de Asís, in the heart of the city. Completely renovated, it now boasts pastel colours and remains one of the most popular places to visit, with its pretty lion fountain. The Plaza Vieja, surrounded by 17th-century mansions that have been converted into art galleries.

The tour continues by climbing into one of the classic American cars of the 50s, to experience "the soul of Cuba". Panoramic tour of the modern city. Here you'll discover the unique, fun charm of a stroll through the modern part of the city, including:

• The chic Miramar district, home to the main international embassies, mainly on Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue). The Miramar is a beautiful residential area (one of the prettiest in the city).
• The "Plaza de la Revolucion", a vast square dominated by a statue, the monument to José Marti, and the emblematic image of Che Guevara that adorns the Ministry of the Interior.
• The "Vedado", one of the city's liveliest districts, with its art deco hotels, and bordered by the Malecón, a magnificent seafront promenade.
• The Malecón: a long 8 km stretch of coastline that separates the city from the sea and extends as far as the entrance to the cargo port. The Malecón runs alongside some very different parts of the city.

Free lunch and dinner.

Return and overnight stay at the hotel.

We recommend that you round off your stay in Havana with the magnificent "Legendarios del Guajirito" show, available as an optional extra.

It's a magnificent showcase of traditional Cuban music, with the stars of the Buenavista Social Club, the Afro Cuban all stars, and Tropicana. This show is one of the most authentic in the capital.

Hotel: 4-star NH Capri (or similar)

Free day to stroll around at your own pace and discover Havana as you walk wherever the streets take you.

Pick up your rental car at the agreed time.

Overnight stay in Havana. You are free to arrange your own meals.

Hotel: 4-star NH Capri (or similar)

Departure for the Viñales valley.

On the way, stop off at Las Terrazas, declared a Biosphere Reserve thanks to its lush vegetation - and an ideal spot for ecotourism.

Discover Viñales, a picturesque village with colourful alleyways.

Check-in at the hotel for 2 nights on a breakfast-included basis.

You are free to arrange your own meals.

Hotel: 3-star Los Jazmines by Mystique (or similar)

At your own pace, tour the Viñales valley, dotted with "mogotes", strange geological formations, and tobacco plantations.

Opportunities for hikes and horse-riding.

You are free to arrange your own meals.

Hotel: 3-star Los Jazmines by Mystique (or similar)

Departure for the splendid and elegant town of Cienfuegos, the pearl of the South, founded in 1819 by the Frenchman Louis Le Clouet.

Explore the town on the shores of the immense Bay of Jagua at your leisure.

Cienfuegos is a magnificent seaside town rich in monuments, palaces, and colonnaded mansions.

We suggest you visit the Parque José Marti and the cathedral (provided opening times are suitable). One of the most beautiful squares, surrounded by important 19th and early 20th century buildings, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Also worth a visit is the Thomas Terry Theatre, built in the Italian style and previously home to productions starring Caruso and Sarah Bernhardt. It is one of the most elegant and eclectic buildings in the city of Cienfuegos, which, along with the Sauto theatre in Matanzas and the La Caridad theatre in Santa Clara, make up the trio of theatres that existed in Cuba in the 19th century.

Check-in at the hotel for 1 night on a breakfast-included basis.

You are free to arrange your own meals.

Hotel: 4-star La Union by Melia (or similar)

Take time to wander the streets of Cienfuegos before departing for Trinidad.

Trinidad is a magnificent city listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, founded in 1514 by Diego Velasquez and built in the 18th century on the back of a boom in the sugar cane industry.

Trinidad is a genuine history book and a journey through time. Its well-preserved colonial architecture, colourful houses with tiled roofs, and cobbled streets are a real delight. This small town, with its ochre, blue, green, and pink-coloured stone walls and its backdrop of the verdant Sierra del Escambray, is sure to charm you.

Check-in at the hotel for 2 nights on a breakfast-included basis.

You are free to arrange your own meals.

Hotel: 4-star La Ronda (or similar)

You are then free to explore the town independently.

This can be done on foot, wandering through the streets and squares and visiting the museums that bear witness to the location's rich history: the Plaza Mayor, the Iglesia Parroquial de Santisama Trinidad, the 5-nave church, the Plaza de Jigüe, the Ermita de la Popa, the Plaza Santa Ana and the craft market.

Don't miss a visit to the Palacio Cantero (museo municipal de Historia), a splendid colonial house built between 1827 and 1830, and converted into a museum in 1980. Built in 1808, the former palace of Nicolás de la Cruz y Brunet, a cane plantation owner ennobled by the King of Spain, is one of the finest examples of colonial architecture that the island has to offer. It has been magnificently restored.

During the day, we recommend a short break at the Canchánchara tavern, one of the oldest buildings in the city!

Canchachara is a popular Cuban drink made from sugar cane brandy, bee's honey, and lemon juice. Enjoy it to the sound of Cuban music.

You are free to arrange your own meals.

Hotel: 4-star La Ronda (or similar)

Departure for the Varadero peninsula, with its 20 km of beaches, crystal blue waters, and white sand.

Passing through Santa Clara is an opportunity to visit Che Gevara's Mausoleum and its famous armoured train.

Drop off your rental car on arrival.

Check-in at the hotel with an all-inclusive package for 4 nights.

Hotel: 5-star Melia Varadero (or similar)

Free day to enjoy the superb beach and hotel activities.

Hotel: 5-star Melia Varadero (or similar)

Depending on your flight schedule, free time and group transfer to the airport for your return flight

Please note that your departure flight must take off after 4 p.m. to ensure a comfortable return.

End of trip.

Free days to relax on the magnificent beaches or take full advantage of the many activities on offer at the hotel.

Hotel: 5-star Melia Varadero (or similar)

Depending on your flight schedule, free time and group transfer to the airport for your return flight.

Please note that your departure flight must take off after 4 p.m. to ensure a comfortable return.

End of trip.

The vehicle is collected from Havana at the end of the day on day 3 and returned on day 9 on arrival in Varadero.

Driving rules:

• Right-hand traffic, speed limit 100km/h on the motorway, 90km/h on the roads and 50km/h in town.
• Stop signs in Cuba are represented by a triangle with the vertex at the bottom. It's white, with a red line and is crossed out with the word "PARE".
• Avoid driving at night.

IMPORTANT: There is a single motorway that crosses the island from east to west, which is in reasonably good condition but is often crossed by railway lines and used by stray animals or bicycles. In some parts of Cuba the roads are less practicable, such as in the Oriente or towards Pinar del Rio. We strongly advise against driving at night as the roads are poorly lit and road signs are still weak.

Rental conditions:

• Minimum age: 21.
• 2-year old driving licence.
• Passport and national and/or international driving license required.
• Security deposit in the form of a credit card imprint. Between €150 and €200 when you pick up the vehicle and returned when you drop it off (or destroyed if you leave it elsewhere).
• The vehicle is delivered with a full tank of fuel (invoiced at the time of reservation before departure), and must be returned empty (the fuel in the tank at the time of return is not refunded).

To be paid when signing the contract on site:

• Additional driver: approx. 3€/day. We cannot guarantee the type of transmission at the time of booking.

Please note that your departure flight must take off after 4pm to ensure a comfortable return.