Havana and Viñales

Upon arrival this afternoon (flight not included), your local Exeter Latin America representative will meet you outside for your private arrival transfer.

Any trip to Cuba must begin with the majestic faded glory of Havana. Located on the northern coast of Cuba just 105 miles from the U.S., Havana was founded in the 16th century by the Spanish and quickly became a jewel in its New World holdings as a strategic trading stop between Spain and its colonies. Although the colonial days are long gone, Old Havana is still home to one of the largest number of Spanish colonial buildings and therefore a UNESCO World Heritage site.

With investments in ongoing restoration since the 1990s, the faded facades of colonial buildings, the fountain-filled plazas, and the oceanfront promenade known as the malecón are all slowly returning to former glory. Havana (and Cuba overall) is one of the most exciting destinations in the world today, offering the chance to witness yet another period of change through the eyes of everyday Cubans.

After check-in at your casa particular or privately-owned boutique hotel, you’ll have a little time to settle in before dinner.

Evening
Tonight we’ll make a reservation for you to dine at one of our favorite privately-owned restaurants (paladar). Cost of dinner not included. After dinner, a cigar expert will join you for a rum and cigar tasting in the restaurant. The experience will be 1.5 hours and he or she will pair your cigar with a good rum and explain how cigars are made and smoked.

This morning, you’ll walk in the footsteps of Havana’s colonial past as you explore the four key squares of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as well as wander around the historic center and stop into a few independently-owned shops and businesses. For an upgraded experience, we can have an a specialist architecture guide join you to offer insightful history throughout.

After lunch (not included), take an overview drive around Havana including an essential stop at El Morro, the fortress at the mouth of the harbor, for panoramic views of the entire city. Your introduction to the Cuban capital will take you along the seafront boulevard (malecón), to Revolution Square, and past important landmarks including the impressive Bacardi building and numerous former Mafia haunts including Meyer Lansky’s Havana Riviera.

Evening
Dinner reservation at one of our favorite privately-owned restaurants (paladars).  For the Premium experience, tickets to the famous Tropicana are included after dinner.

This morning, explore Hemingway’s Havana in a classic 1950s American convertible. Gertrude Stein once commented that Hemingway had a good nose for finding good places to live and eat, and his villa outside Havana proves her point quite well. Hemingway’s house is perched on a hill, with a terrific view of Havana in the distance and surrounded by lush tropical vegetation, so it’s no wonder that quite a few celebrities made their way here in the 1940s and 1950s. The house you find today is perfectly intact, just as the famed author left it in 1960 with his personal effects, his favorite fishing boat, and lots more. You’ll have a look around the grounds with your specialist guide, who can offer you fascinating insight into Hemingway’s life in Cuba.

On the way back to town, your guide will bring you to see Cojimar fishing village: a small picturesque town that inspired Hemingway to write the novel The Old Man and the Sea, and to whose fishermen he dedicated his Nobel Prize. As you finish the tour you will have an opportunity to see some of the most spectacular views of the city from the El Morro fort across the harbor from Havana. This tour takes approximately 4 hours and is typically done in convertible classic American car(s) from the 1950’s.

Then, you’ll have a lunch reservation (cost not included) at one of our favorite privately-owned restaurants.

After lunch, explore the thriving local arts scene with visits to the studios of several emerging or established artists. Every exploration is tailored for you, whether you have a very specific interest or simply wish to get a taste of Havana’s thriving artistic community. Please speak with your Exeter Latin America expert about what types of art and artists you’d like to include this morning.

This morning, a foodie exploration of Havana including visits some of Havana’s best local markets this morning with a specialist guide to learn about urban farming and innovative solutions to food supply issues in Cuba, as well as a deeper insight into food history. Your guide may give you a shopping challenge to understand firsthand the challenges faced by everyday Cubans. A cooking class can also be added onto this activity, for an additional cost.

After free time for lunch (not included), experience some of Cuba’s iconic music and dance with a private salsa dancing lesson! Or, if you’d prefer, we can arrange for a special visit to one of the island’s top dance companies such as the National Ballet, Carlos Acosta Dance, etc.

After breakfast, depart Havana this morning toward the Pinar del Rio province and Viñales, set in a beautiful valley encircled by mountains and interspersed with dramatic limestone hills (mogotes). This is the heart of the tobacco-growing region of Cuba.

Upon arrival (approximately 2.5 hours later), your local guide will take you into the heart of the verdant countryside, explaining the history of tobacco growing as you walk. You’ll visit the tobacco plantations where they still plow with oxen, see the famous drying houses and have a farmer show you how to roll a cigar. (There are numerous variations on this walk, and it can be tailored to your fitness level and interest. Exploring by horseback is also an option.)

Time and interest permitting, you may also explore some pre-colonial indigenous caves, and even take a dip in a lake before enjoying lunch in a traditional house overlooking the picturesque valley. Your hosts for lunch (included) have harvested and prepared your meal from their own farm (finca). This is real Cuba, nothing fancy –  just great Cuban home cooking, a chance to relax with warm and welcoming people, and a learning experience about Cuban rural life in possibly the most beautiful destination in Cuba.

After lunch, you’ll depart back to Havana with your guide. We’ll make a dinner reservation for you again this evening at a paladar.

Morning check out and transfer to Havana airport for your flight back to the U.S. (Air not included.)

Looking to spend a few more days on this magical island? How about exploring the colonial charm and surrounding natural beauty of  Trinidad as well as the lush Viñales valley, the heart of tobacco production in Cuba? Our Taste of Cuba itinerary is a great starting point for a longer 8-day exploration. Contact Exeter Latin America for more options.