Cuba Havana Vinales

Hemingway’s Havana plus “Viñales”

FLORIDA- HAVANA – FLORIDA                              

DURATION: 5 DAYS – 4 NIGHTS                       DATES:  Select your own dates, minimum 2 persons

Read below and if interested (women or men!) put your info HERE for this trip and get in touch with our agent.

Come on these dates or select your own! Party of 2 minimum.

 PRICES PER PERSON & ACCOMMODATIONS

  • PRIVATE HOUSE IN HAVANA & VIÑALES: 1,450.00 IN SGL ROOM & 1,250.00 IN DBL ROOM
  • BOUTIQUE 4-STAR HOTELS IN HAVANA & PRIVATE HOUSE IN VIÑALES: SGL 1,750.00 & DBL 1,450.00
  • BOUTIQUE 5-STAR HOTELS IN HAVANA & PRIVATE HOUSE IN VIÑALES: SGL 2,050.00 & DBL 1,600.00

Come on these dates or select your own! Party of 2 minimum.

Ask the agent about customizing this trip to see more cities in Cuba, selecting your own dates and minimums. Excursions during High Season (Winter months approx. may be a bit more.) Ask the agent!

                    PROGRAM CERTIFIED UNDER LICENSE 31 C.F.R. 515.565 (B) PEOPLE 2 PEOPLE EXCHANGE – A LEGAL TRIP TO CUBA WITH QUALIFYING AGENDA

Let’s discover and enjoy the real Cuba

Why these trips are different:

  • You get picked up at the airport in an American Vintage Car like 1957 Chevy and take all your tours with the driver and an English-speaking guide
  • You are going in small groups versus a large group in a big tour bus
  • You will see the real Cuba and meet its lovely people
  • This is better than a cruise with limited time in Cuba and impersonal tours in big groups
  • Approved People to People Exchange program to comply with the embargo limitations
  • Personalized service

Why Havana? The Foundation New 7 Wonders reward Havana City one of the 7 wonders of the Modern World. Havana is Cuba’s Capital, it is only one in the world, amazing city loved & dreamed by many bohemian souls. The City of Havana was founded in 1514 by the conqueror Diego Velázquez de Cuellar, under the name of San Cristobal de La Habana. Due to its strategic location, Havana served as a springboard for the Spanish conquest of the continent, becoming a stopping point for the treasure-laden Spanish galleons on the crossing between the New World and the Old World. The sinking of the U.S. battleship Maine in Havana’s harbor in 1898 was the immediate cause of the Spanish–American War. Contemporary Havana can essentially be described as three cities in one: Old Havana, Vedado, and the newer suburban districts. The historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982. The city is also noted for its history, culture, architecture and monuments is rich in history, with fascinating architecture and places to see. The vibrant streets are full of music, patio restaurants and souvenir shops with hand-made Cuban art and crafts. It is a Must-See!

Why Vinales?

Viñales is an ususual valley with cone like limestone hills in the Sierra de los Órganos mountains in the Pinar del Río Province. Tobacco and other crops are cultivated on the bottom of the valley. Many caves dot the surrounding hillfaces (Cueva del Indio, Cueva de José Miguel).

The conspicuous limestone cliffs rising like islands from the bottom of the valley are called mogotes. They can be up to 300m tall.

The Valle de Viñales is one of the lushest parts of Cuba, about 2.5 hours’ drive from Havana..

Note: When staying in Cuban house or apartment, the money goes to the Cubans, not the government. Facilities like this are usually more reliable as far as plumbing, hot water and such than the hotels operated by the Government. Plus, you may interact with a Cuban family and learn more about Cuban life that is stalled in the 1950’s under a communist regime. In Havana, we are staying in an apartment house on a side street in Old Havana so you can walk a short distance to explore.

“Paladar” for meals is a Cuban-operated restaurant; not government operated such as in hotels.

ITINERARY

1st Day  FLORIDA – HAVANA

  1. Land in Cuba and leave the airport by 11:00 AM (approximately)
  2. Meet your local host, your driver and guide at the airport
  3. Go to the bank to exchange Money
  4. Visit the Revolution Square – monument with Jose Marti. This is where the Cuban revolution is celebrated.  
  5. City tour through Malecón Avenue, all along the coast side, Vedado neighborhood the newest part of the city with architecture before the 1960’s, big houses European style, see vintage cars and people, and US Embassy.
  6. Visit the National Hotel, its Museum Rooms/mobster photos, and drink a cocktail in its astonishing terrace. Built by the American Mafia confiscated during the revolution.
  7. Check in Hotel. Accommodation with breakfast included.
  8. 7:30 PM Dinner in a private Cuban house with a Cuban family. Dining table with just our group and the family. Chicken, pork, and picadillo will be set along with traditional Cuban food. Enjoy what they eat daily. Different than restaurants.
  9. 9:30 PM Return to the hotel or explore Old Havana on your own

2nd Day  HAVANA (note there is a big celebration in Havana this may change

  1. Breakfast and leave the accommodation by 9:00 AM
  2. Visit the Cuban Tobacco Factory “La Corona”
  3. Visit the Old Havana and its four squares
  4. Visit Plaza San Francisco de Asís where kids came daily to feed the pigeons, and teen girls come to take their traditional 15th day birthday photos.
  5. Visit the Garden of Maria Teresa of Calcutta, a short and green peace of paradise in the crowded Old Havana.                                                                                                                                         
  6. Visit Palacio de Los Capitanes Generales, home of the former governors of San Cristobal de la Habana. Facing this palace, there is the only wooden street in Cuba, made with the purpose to avoid the noise made by the iron wheels of the carriages.
  7. Plaza de Armas with El Templete, place where was held the first mass and was founded the Villa de San Cristobal de la Havana back in 1519
  8. Shop for vintage books and magazines at Plaza de Armas
  9. Castillo de la Real Fuerza, a stone fortress that keeps the Giraldilla, symbol of Havana.
  10. Walk to Cathedral Square and Mercaderes Street
  11. Visit the Ambos Mundos hotel (where Hemingway spent many nights and drank so many mojitos at Bar Floridita he could not go home; and the Old Havana Model, a scaled model of Havana with sounds of the times.
  12. 12:30 PM Lunch in a Cuban Paladar (not included, pay on your own)
  13. Visit the Havana Club Rum Museum
  14. Transfer through Avenida del Puerto in direction to San Jose Handicrafts Fair
  15. Visit the San Jose Handicrafts Fair. There is a waterfront cocktail bar there also for when you are done This offers the best prices and most selection for Cuban handmade crafts and arts in Havana, many small shops to buy handmade handicrafts and arts
  16. 5:30 PM Pick up at Avenida del Puerto and return to the hotel.
  17. 6:30 PM Transfer to dinner in a Cuban Paladar (not included, pay on your own)
  18. 8:00 PM Transfer to Cannon Shot Ceremony, representing the time of the colony when they closed the door of the city to protect the city from the Spanish pirates
  19. 9:30 PM Return to the hotel or explore Old Havana on your own

3rd Day  HAVANA – VIÑALES

  1. Breakfast in the accommodation.
  2. 8:30 am Departure to Viñales, Pinar del Rio
  3. Visit the Cuban Tobacco Farms. Viñales is a Beautiful valley and there is harvested the best Tobacco in the world.
  4. Lunch in a Tobacco Farm (not included, pay on your own)
  5. Check in Private House
  6. Visit “Mural de la Prehistoria” or Mural of Prehistory
  7. Visit Palenque Cimarron
  8. Visit Cueva del Indio and take a tour in a boat through the Indian Cave.
  9. Return to Private House.
  10. Transfer to dinner in a Cuban Paladar (not included, pay on your own)
  11. Return to the Private House

4th Day  VIÑALES – HAVANA

  1. Breakfast in the Private House.
  2. 8:30 am Departure to Havana.
  3. Visit the Havana’s Christ and the exhibition of “The Cuban Missile ” Missiles sent from Russia to Cuba to attack U.S. See the missiles and have an explanation, almost causing the third World War.
  4. Visit Ernest Hemingway house in Finca Vigia, its books collection, fruit trees, beloved Pilar Yacht and panoramic view of Havana from one of the highest viewpoints.
  5. Panoramic tour though some popular Havana neighborhoods
  6. 12:30 PM Transfer to lunch in a local Paladar (not included, pay on your own)
  7. Check in the accommodation
  8. Visit the Presidential Palace, home of all Cubans President before Fidel, including Batista. On March 13, 1957, when a group of students from the University took up arms to take the power from Batista, Batista escaped through a secret back door to save his life.
  9. Tour through the Central Park in front of the Havana Interesting, small park.
  10. Visit the exterior area of the Havana Capitol modeled after the U.S. Capitol building; the only difference is one meter wider and higher.
  11. Visit Gran Teatro de la Habana, beautiful theater that hosts ballet festivals and such, where Obama spoke in 2016 with nice architecture.
  12. Inglaterra Hotel, old architecture with a terrace with cocktails, coffee, and music.
  13. Visit the famous and Hemingway’s favorite Floridita Bar, daiquiri´s birth place
  14. Return to the accommodation
  15. 7:00 PM Transfer to dinner in a Cuban Paladar (not included, pay on your own)
  16. 9:20 PM Transfer to Tropicana Night Club and amazing Cuban Vegas-style show (optional)
  17. Return to the accommodation

5th Day  HAVANA – FLORIDA

  1. Breakfast in the accommodation
  2. Walking tour through the Malecon Seawall to say: “See you soon Havana.” Based on time or you can go shopping on our own for last minute gifts.
  3. Departure to José Martí International Airport

END OF THE SERVICES

Notes:

  • Exact times and tours offered may vary depending on arrival times.
  • Please know that things could change with this itinerary, should that happen, if there extra cost you will be advised by the travel agent.
  • If you want to upgrade to fishing or snorkeling for a full or partial day, please contact the agent for the price and availability. For fishing you may be quoted the price of the entire fishing boat that may take four and base your decision on that. Individual rates may not be available for fishing but it may be possible for snorkeling. It will need to be reserved and paid far in advance, at least a month.
  • If you want to go out on your own versus Cuban Family dinner you can do so at your own expense, notify the tour guide early on, so the family knows how much food to prepare.
  • Please note this page is informational only. Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing does not charge a registration fee for Cuba trips, all funds go to the travel agent.
  • Check with the travel agent for terms and conditions.

How it works: You reserve with the agent and pay by check, credit or debit card. The agent will provide forms for you to complete to obtain your affidavit and visa. The visa is sent to you.

 

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