One Week in Cuba

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Cuba. Kick off your adventure in Havana, the gloriously old-school capital. Your trip begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you have time before, you might like to visit Museo de la Revolucion – a museum focusing on the events leading up to, during and immediately after the Cuban revolution – or maybe check out one of Havana’s many cool cafes and bohemian bars as you stroll the Malecon and grab a cheeky mojito. Tonight, why not dig into some delectable street snacks or join the group for some traditional Cuban cuisine at one of the many street vendors – churros anyone? Tonight, you’ll spend the night in your first Cuban casa – totally unique to Cuba, the accommodation here is in locally-run guesthouses, giving you an authentic insight into how the locals live.

This morning, head out on a leader-led walking tour of Old Havana – one of the Caribbean’s most impressive historical city centres. Wander through the oldest square in town, Plaza de Armas, and explore the architecturally eclectic buildings that line the 16th century Plaza Vieja. Admire the San Francisco de Asis Basilica and visit the Cathedral, with its elaborate baroque facade. Fuel up at one of Havana's trendy restaurants this afternoon for lunch, then hop in a private transfer to the Bay of Pigs. Learn some local lingo along the way from your leader with an informal Spanish lesson. If time permits, you can enjoy an afternoon swim in Playa Giron or Cueva de los Peces (Cave of Fishes) before travelling to Playa Larga, where you’ll spend the night.

Enjoy a sleep-in this morning before travelling to Trinidad – one of Cuba’s standout destinations. Trinidad is everything you imagine Cuba to be, from the horses that trot down cobblestone streets to the old men strumming guitars on doorsteps. Join your leader for a short orientation walk then the rest of the afternoon is free to explore the streets or the stretches of white sand. Why not climb the bell tower of Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra Bandidos for epic city views or sip on a canchanchara – an invigorating Cuban cocktail invented by guerrillas during the war of independence. Tonight, your leader will take you to a local bar for a rum tasting – an integral experience here, as Cuba is known as the home to some of the best rum in the world!

Trinidad is a bucket-list destination for many, due to the friendly people, old-fashioned feeling and exceptionally well-preserved colonial buildings. The Santeria religion (a voodoo-like Afro-Cuban tradition) is practised here, making the town even more intriguing. Today you can enjoy a free day to explore at your own pace. You might like to hire a bike to discover the local area on wheels (just a heads up – Cuba's bicycles, like its cars, are vintage.) Wherever you wander, there are photo ops at every turn! Tonight, why not throw yourself into the Trinidad culture with an informal music lesson, a casual salsa class or a folklore show at one of the town's numerous open-air venues?

Prepare for a long day of travel to Vinales today – grab a window seat if you can or get stuck into a good book. The travel will be worth it when you arrive – from quaint bars to fragrant cigars, Vinales is known for being one of the most scenic parts of the country. This is where tobacco and sugarcane fields lie side by side and the mojitos are made with honey. This small and charming rural village is probably the easiest place in Cuba to mingle with the locals (who are very sociable and love nothing better than to drink rum and dance the night away). Tonight, your leader might suggest that you grab dinner at an ecological farm with sweeping views of the valley.

Enjoy free time in picturesque Vinales – today is yours to soak up rural Cuba’s slow, old-world pace. The valley feels like something out of Jurassic Park, with huge mounds of rock covered in vegetation thrusting out of the earth at random. For a culture fix, maybe stroll to the main square, the 19th century Casa de la Cultura and the next door Galeria de Arte with its collection of paintings by local artists. If you're itching for something outdoorsy, you might like to hire a bike, hike through the tobacco fields, take a day trip out to the picturesque beaches or visit Gran Caverno de Santo Tomas (one of the biggest cave systems on the American continent). If you can’t decide, just ask your leader for their recommendations on how to make the most of charming Vinales.

Journey back to the vibrant capital this morning in Havana. Arrive at the guesthouse, then get on your bike and push your pedals through the streets of Havana on an included bicycle ride to Revolution Square. This famous plaza is a historic symbol of Cuba and has been home to some seriously important speeches. Later tonight, maybe drop by the legendary Buena Vista Social Club and take the chance to toast to your trip and fellow travellers with a mojito. You can also join the hundreds of locals lining up to eat a Coppelia ice cream before shaking the night away with a salsa lesson at Casa de la Musica.

No activities are planned for today, so you’re free to leave any time after checkout. You might like to head out in a classic 1950s convertible on a Classic American Car Tour of Havana with Urban Adventures. Ride through the streets in style as you cruise through the capital and wind up with a Cuban cocktail at the swinging Hotel Nacional. For more information – visit urbanadventures.com.