Havana and Viñales
– two worlds
(2 days, from Varadero)

PRICE: from 220 EUR / pers.

See two completely different Cuban worlds, each of which is amazing. The vibrant yet ruined Havana and the beautiful landscapes of the majestic mogotes and the idyll of the Viñales Valley in one trip!

Information

Day 1

After breakfast, departure from Varadero towards Havana with a stop at the Bacunayagua viewpoint. Meeting with a guide at the El Morro fortress with a magnificent panorama of the city, then a visit to the cigar factory. Then we will go to the legendary Nacional Hotel, visited by celebrities, from where, after a quick drink, an American convertible will take us on a ride around the city: Malecón – the seaside boulevard that is the showcase of Havana and a meeting place for its residents; the exclusive Miramar district with its Fifth Avenue full of embassies, El Bosque (Havana Forest) and Revolution Square. After lunch at a local restaurant, we will take a walk around Habana Vieja (old town) with its historic squares and places associated with Ernest Hemingway: La Bodeguita del Medio bar, Cathedral Square, Arms Square – the founding point of Havana, with the oldest fortress in the city and the Governor’s Palace, Ambos Mundos hotel, Old Square with beautiful colonial architecture, St. Francis Square. Then we will walk through the Obispo street to the El Floridita bar, where Hemingway drank daiquirí and to the Central Park with the Capitol buildings, the Grand Theatre and the National Museum of Fine Arts. Accomodation in a casa particular, evening at your own disposal. The program can be supplemented with a dinner with a concert of Buena Vista Social Club or dinner and a show at the famous Tropicana cabaret (extra fee, transport not included).

Day 2

After breakfast, check out and we will head towards the Pinar del Río province to one of the most beautiful corners of Cuba. The Viñales Valley, famous for its tobacco plantations, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999. We will start the excursion with photos at the Los Jazmines viewpoint, from where you can admire the majestic limestone mogots. Then we will explore one of these rocks from the inside during a visit to the Indian Cave and a short boat trip on an underground river. After the lunch at a local restaurant, we will visit a nearby tobacco plantation, where we will learn the secrets of rolling Cuban cigars (with the possibility of tasting and shopping). For those willing (for an additional fee), a short horse ride around the Viñales area. At the end, we will drink a piña colada under the Mural of Prehistory – one of the largest cave paintings in the world – and set off on the way back to Varadero.

Duration

day 1 – approx. 10 hours (8.00-18.00), day 2 – approx. 13 hours (8.00-21.00), Monday – Friday

Route

day 1 – approx. 150 km, day 2 – approx. 510 km

Take for sightseeing

comfortable shoes, a bottle of water and sun protection (cup / hat, sunglasses, sunscreen), suitable trousers or leggings for horse riding, things for 1 night packed in hand luggage, gentlemen long trousers for the Tropicana show, passports

In the price of the excursion

local guide service (in English / Spanish / Polish / French / German), transport, accommodation in a casa particular (double rooms with bathrooms and air conditioning) with a breakfast, sightseeing and attractions: cigar factory, coctail in the Nacional Hotel, Mural of Prehistory, piña colada, 2 lunches, TU Europa Travel World Standard Plus travel insurance, contributions to the Tourist Guarantee Fund and the Aid Fund

Not included

tips and personal expenses not mentioned in the itinerary, dinner with a concert of Buena Vista Social Club – 60 EUR / pers. or dinner at the Tropicana cabaret – 105-125 EUR / pers., transport to evening performances payable additionally, depending on the place of accommodation, horseback riding – 15 EUR / pers., single room surcharge – 15 EUR / pers.

Comments

the order of the itinerary may change depending on the availability of accommodation and opening days / hours of the facilities visited. Cigar factories in Cuba are closed on weekends and from 25/12 – 15/01 and from 23/07 – 19/08. Children are not allowed to visit the factory. In such situations, another attraction agreed with the Customers is carried out. The price of the trip includes TU Europa Travel World Standard Plus travel insurance. You should familiarize yourself with its General Terms and Conditions (GTC) and – if it does not meet your needs – buy insurance with a broader scope of protection on your own. Optionally, you can purchase Cancellation Costs insurance (check the details here).