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 Bacunayagua viewpoint. Meeting with a guide at 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 – Havana’s emblematic seafront promenade and meeting place for its inhabitants; the exclusive Miramar neighborhood with its Fifth Avenue full of embassies, El Bosque (Havana Forest) and Revolution Square. After lunch at the local restaurant, we will walk around Habana Vieja (old town) with its historical squares and places associated with Ernest Hemingway: La Bodeguita del Medio bar, Cathedral Square, Arms Square – the place where Havana was founded, with the oldest fortress in the city and the Governor’s Palace, Ambos Mundos hotel, Old Square with its beautiful colonial architecture, Saint Francis Square. Then we will walk through Obispo street to El Floridita bar, where Hemingway used to drink his daiquirí and to the Central Park with the Capitol, the Grand Theatre and the National Museum of Fine Arts buildings. Accomodation in a casa particular and the evening at your own disposal. Dinner with the Buena Vista Social Club concert or dinner and show at the famous Tropicana cabaret may be added to the itinerary (additional charge, transportation not included).

Day 2

After breakfast, check out and we will head towards 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 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 lunch at the 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 wall paintings in the world – and we will return 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

Bring to the excursion

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

Included in the price of the excursion

local guide service (languages: English / Spanish / Polish / French / German), transport, accommodation in a casa particular (double rooms with bathrooms and air conditioning), entrance fees and attractions: cigar factory, Hotel National + drink, 1 hour convertible car ride, Indian Cave, tobacco plantation, Mural of Prehistory, piña colada, 1 breakfast and 2 lunches, TU Europa Travel World Standard Plus travel insurance, contributions to the Tourist Guarantee Fund and the Aid Fund

Not included

tips and own expenses not mentioned in the itinerary, dinner with the Buena Vista Social Club concert – 60 EUR / pers. or dinner at the Tropicana cabaret – 105-125 EUR / pers., transportation to the evening shows at additional cost, depending on the place of accommodation, horseback riding – 15 EUR / pers., single room surcharge – 15 EUR / pers.

Notes

the order of the tour is subject to 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).