Cuba Family Adventure

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Havana

Arrive in Havana at any time. A G.A.P Adventures representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to our joining point hotel. There are no planned activities, so check into to the hotel (check-in time is 3pm afternoon) and enjoy the city. In the late afternoon/evening you will meet your fellow group members to go over the details of your trip and for the leader to collect your local payment. Check the notice board (or ask reception) to see the exact time and location of this group meeting. After the meeting we will be heading out for a meal in a nearby local restaurant (optional). If you arrive late, no worries, the leader will leave you a message at the front desk.One of the oldest cities in the western hemisphere, Havana was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982. It contains a wealth of colonial architecture, and the old city and streets around the malecón (ocean-side walkway) are best discovered on a walking tour.In 1519 the Spaniard Diego Velázquez moved San Cristobal de la Habana from its original site to its present one. The city remained a port of relative obscurity, within the empire, until gold and silver began to flow from New World mines back to Spain. Havana became the gathering hub for shipments of treasure from the ports of Cartagena (Colombia) and Veracruz (Mexico). Soon pirates turned their attention to the port and the city of Havana and its annual treasure trove became the number one target for the Dutch, English and French. Eventually the Spanish began construction of various forts and a protecting wall to repel the invaders. Nevertheless, the city was sacked in 1762 and held by the British under the command of Lord Albermale for nearly a year. Eventually, the Spanish exchanged the territory of Florida for the island. The end of the British occupation also signalled the beginning of more economic freedom for the islanders, as they were given the right to trade with cities other than Cadiz in Spain. The ensuing economic boom translated into steady growth in population and material progress.The main area of interest to visitors is La Habana Vieja (The Old City), where walking or bicycle taxis are the best modes of transportation. Points of interest in this part of town include La Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Habana, the Palacio de los Marqueses de Aguas Claras (which now houses a restaurant), the Museo de Arte Colonial and the Plaza de Armas, with its statue of Manuel de Céspedes, one of the leaders of the Cuban independence movement.The Palacio de los Capitanes Generales is also located on the Plaza de Armas, which now houses the Museo de La Ciudad. You will find the oldest colonial fortress on the plaza’s northeast sector, the Castillo Real de la Fuerza, whose construction began in 1558. The city is home to various museums, and depending on your area of interest, there is practically a museum for everyone. One of the city’s (and the island’s) most prominent attractions though, are its music and clubs. Everywhere you go you will hear and feel the music and see people freely dancing in the streets. The island literally pulses with the beat and blend of Afro-Hispanic rhythms and movement.

Day 2 Las Terrazas / Soroa (B)

A short trip west brings us to Cuba’s "Garden Province" of Pinar del Rio. We tour the small community of Las Terrazas with a visit to the natural pools of San Juan before arriving at our night stop at Soroa, surrounded by palm trees and green vegetation.This area receives a particularly high level of rainfall, and as a result is incredibly lush, with very tall trees and plentiful orchids. There are nearby coffee plantations, waterfalls and hot springs, and we have some time to enjoy the semitropical forest before continuing further west the following day. Total travel time to Las Terrazas: approx 1.5 hours; travel time Las Terrazas to Soroa: approx 20 minutes.

Days 3,4 Viñales (2B)

Venture further into Pinar del Rio province to the small town of Viñales, cradled in a fertile valley and surrounded by an unusual landscape of limestone pincushion hills known as mogotes. Arguably one of the prettiest natural areas in Cuba, we have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the area, whether it be horseback riding, hiking, or simply sitting back by the pool and enjoying the view.Here we take a sightseeing tour of the valley, including a visit to the Cueva del Indio ("Indian Cave"), where we can get up close to the valley’s incredible geological formations, including a section of the cave toured by boat!On Viñales’ main plaza there are both a cultural centre and a municipal museum, however most visitors to the area come for the views and the nearby outdoor activities. The region has extensive cave systems, a result of the slow dissolution of the limestone bedrock by underground rivers; the conditions also created the striking mogotes, reminiscent of the hills of Guilin in southern China. There are plenty of outdoor activities here, including horseback riding or hiking to incredible views of the valley and sprawling tobacco fields. Travel time to Viñales: approx 2 hours.

Day 5 Havana (B)

A 3 hour trip brings us back to the capital city of Havana. We spend the afternoon touring the city in vintage automobiles - what a fun way to see the city!

Days 6-8 Guajimico (3B,1L,3D)

A journey southwest takes us by the Zapata Peninsula and to our lodgings on the southern coast, Villa Guajimico. Set in a beautiful secluded harbour, Villa Guajimico has a variety of water-based activities available, including fun activities for the kids, and is our base for the next few days.Villa Guajimico is located at the southern and central part of Cuba, close to the coast between the cities of Cienfuegos and Trinidad. The nearby Guamuhaya mountain range descends to the sea, offering you beautiful views of the surrounding landscapes. Our 3-star Villa has cabins with hot water and many modern conveniences. All of the rooms are located in a natural environment and built in a traditional Cuban style. Villa Guajimico is an ideal destination to combine both coastal and sea activities and excursions, as well as a chance to see the traditional way of life in the Cuban countryside. Kayak and catamaran sailing excursions from our easily accessible secluded harbour are included, and there are walking trails on site for some hiking around in between water sports.During our time here we also include a full-day tour to the nearby colonial city of Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a photographer's dream. We give you a quick tour of the city to get your general bearings, and the rest of the time is up to you to wander the cobblestone streets, shop and experience the great music scene that has made this city famous before returning to Guajimico for the night.La Villa de la Santísima Trinidad was founded in 1514 by Velásquez; the defender of indigenous rights in the Americas, Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas, attended over the settlement’s first mass. The future conqueror of Mexico, Hernán Cortés recruited sailors here for his future expedition into that land. It is a charming, small town with the green mountains of the Sierra del Escambray in the background, and the turquoise waters and pure white sand beaches of the Caribbean Sea just a short distance away. The area saw a lot of action during and following the triumph of the Revolution, as gangs of counter revolutionaries hid out and struck from the nearby safety of the mountains. The Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra los Bandidos and the Casa de los Mártires de Trinidad chronicles the struggles of this period in the town’s history. Trinidad is a musical hub (and in Cuba this is saying a lot), and you are never out of earshot from a group of musicians playing local salsa or son. The town has the requisite Casa de la Trova, a mainstay of Cuban musical culture in every town, and most nights of the week you can find locals and tourists alike dancing and enjoying live music in front of the Casa de la Musica, on the corner of the main plaza.

Day 9 Havana (B)

Enjoy a half day by the pool before returning to Havana in the afternoon for one final night in the city.

Day 10 Depart Havana (B)

You are free to depart at any time on Day 10, though remember check out from the hotel is approx. 12:00 midday.