Pearl Of The Caribbean Tour

• 8 day escorted tour from:£1075per person

Tour in brief:

• 1
• UK TO HAVANA: Welcome at Jose Marti Airport and transfer to Old Havana for overnight at the historic Sevilla Hotel or the luxury NH Parque Central hotel, both of which are situated in an excellent position within a very short walk of Old Havana.

• 2
• HAVANA FULL DAY: After breakfast we will depart for a detailed guided sightseeing tour of Havana. A unique experience, the tour will visit all the major sights of the city including the historic Plaza de Armas and Cathedral Square. We can absorb the atmosphere of the narrow cobblestone streets of Old Havana, flanked by old colonial buildings dating back as far as the 16th Century. We will visit the impressive Museum of the Revolution and experience how Cuba’s famous cigars are still handmade by local experts by visiting one of Havana’s famous Cigar Factories. Stop at the Havana Club Rum factory where there may be the chance to sample the different rums. Lunch will be taken at the famous El Patio restaurant situated in a beautiful location overlooking the historic Cathedral Square in the heart of Old Havana, before continuing to the impressive Revolution Square overlooked by the mural of Ernesto “Che” Guevara with the tour ending with a drive along the “Malecon”, Havana’s seafront promenade. The remainder of the day will be at leisure to enjoy exploring Old Havana or relax by the hotel pool! In the evening dinner will be taken at El Aljibe restaurant specialising in traditional Cuban cuisine. After dinner there will be an option to visit the world famous Tropicana Cabaret. Set under the stars, the show depicts the history of Cuban dance and music involving over 100 dancers, making the evening an amazing spectacle.

• 3
• HAVANA - SANTA CLARA - TRINIDAD: After breakfast we will journey east through the sugar plantations for the city of Santa Clara the final resting place of “Che “ Guevara. On arrival we will visit the mausoleum and the museum dedicated to his extraordinary life, followed by a short orientation tour of the city including the train “Tren Blindado” that was attacked in the decisive moments of the Cuban Revolution. After lunch in a local hotel we will continue through the Escambray Mountains to Trinidad a UNESCO heritage site and one of the best-preserved colonial cities in the world. Overnight and dinner will be at the Iberostar Grand Hotel located in the town centre.

• 4
• TRINIDAD FULL DAY: After a leisurely breakfast, we will explore Trinidad visiting the Romantic Museum, which depicts the lifestyle and architectural design of Trinidad’s colonial past. Enjoy traditional Cuban music at the Casa de la Trova, followed by a visit to La Canchanchara, an old house dating back to the 18th Century, where we can try the unique Trinidad rum and sugar cane juice cocktail. Lunch will be taken at the Grand Hotel Trinidad and there will also be some time to explore the historic city independently. Dinner this evening will be taken in the hotel restaurant.

• 5
• TRINIDAD - CIENFUEGOS - GUAMA - LAS TERRAZAS: After an early breakfast, we will enjoy a tour of Cienfuegos before departing for Pinar Del Rio province, an area known throughout the world as Cuba’s main tobacco growing region, where steep sided “Mogote” mountains stand guard over fertile valleys. En route we will stop at Guama where we will take a boat through the mangrove swamps to a replica stilted Taino Indian village on the shores of Treasure Lake. Lunch will be taken in a local countryside restaurant, before continuing to the Moka hotel, situated deep in the Sierra Del Rosario Nature Reserve. On arrival dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant and the remainder of the evening will be free to relax.

• 6
• LAS TERRAZAS - SOROA: Today we will visit Soroa’s prize attraction, the Orchid garden, which covers three hectares and claims to be the world’s second largest, with over 20,000 plants representing over 700 species, 250 of them indigenous to Cuba. A walk will then be taken to the waterfall ‘Cascadas el Salto’ which descends through fragrant woodlands to the bottom of the falls, which tumbles into pools, good for bathing, these waters are also said to have medicinal properties. Lunch will be taken at the Buena Vista coffee plantation restaurant after which a visit will be made to the local community of Las Terrazas, maybe buy a locally produced coffee and cake at Maria’s coffee shop on a hill overlooking the village followed by a cooling swim in the San Juan River. Dinner will be served in a farmer’s restaurant specialising in Cuban cuisine and set in a peaceful rural setting where you dine at the farmer’s house on his terrace!

• 7
• VINALES VALLEY FULL DAY: Today we will depart for the famous Vinales Valley, with stops for absorbing the beauty of the area. There will be a subterranean boat ride through the El Indio limestone cave system followed by lunch in the Ranchon San Vicente countryside restaurant. In the late afternoon, we will return to the Moka Hotel, and dinner will be taken in Cuban’s only restaurant specializing in organic vegetarian cuisine with all ingredients produced within the Las Terrazas community!!!, Many previous visitors have said this is the best restaurant in Cuba, an excellent end to the day.

• 8
• After breakfast, free time to enjoy the additional activities on offer at the Moka Hotel and Las Terrazas. After lunch overlooking the lake we will transfer back to Havana for your return flights or onwards to Varadero where the tour ends.

Price includes:

• Return scheduled flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Gatwick to Havana direct, UK departure Taxes, 2 nights accommodation at the Sevilla hotel on B&B basis (or NH Parque Central at a supplement), 2 nights accommodation at the Grand Hotel Iberostar in Trinidad (one night on Full Board basis and one night on Half Board basis), 3 nights accommodation at the Moka hotel (one night half board and two nights B&B basis). All transportation as required in the itinerary using fully air-conditioned transportation.
  The services of an English speaking guide throughout the itinerary.

Price excludes:

• Price Excludes: Havana Airport taxes (25.00 convertible pesos) and tourist card (£15.00).

Flight information:

• Virgin Atlantic flies direct from London Gatwick to Havana on Wednesdays and Sundays. Air France flies out 6 times a week from most of UK airports to Havana via Paris. Air Europa and Iberia Airlines also fly via Madrid daily.

  All flights and prices are subject to change and availability. Package inclusions are subject to change.