CUBA IN CLASSIC 50's AMERICAN CARS
A unique experience to see the real Cuba 6 Days / 5 Nights
The Journey
This unique journey starts in Havana and takes us through the Cuban countryside, Pinar del Rio and Las Terrazas, the old Spanish colonial city of Trinidad and Varadero beach resort in classic 50’s American cars over a distance of some 1200 kms and 6 days / 5 nights. An adventure to see the real Cuba combined with fun events and activities. There will be a balance of hard cross country driving, soft comfortable hotel beds, chill-out beaches, historical sites and vibrant nightlife. We feature 3/4 star hotels in Havana, Las Terrazas, Trinidad and Varadero. Dining experiences range from rustic Creole local cooking to international cuisine.
Classic 1950’s American Cars
With their chrome sparkling and their bright colours gleaming, the most beautiful American cars of the 1950’’s can be seen, driving the streets of Cuba every day. Over the years, necessity has dictated that the cars are maintained with great care. In almost every alley, there’ll be an old American car, jealously guarded and cared for, just waiting for a drive.
Cuba a country of contrasts
Cuba is steeped in history and icons from the past and is becoming more popular as one of the world’s most interesting places to visit. In is a safe destination for tourists with good hotels, beautiful tropical beaches, and stunning mountain resorts.
It is a cliché to say that a country’s greatest asset is the warmth of its people. In Cuba’s case it happens to be true. Charismatic, friendly and open, Cuban people are mercifully free of the excesses bred from mass tourism and commercialised excess.
Cuba is probably best known for its classic images, the revolutionary Che Guevara, and Fidel Castro, Havana cigars, vintage American cars, rum, salsa, and jazz, the Buena Vista Social Club, Ernest Hemingway, and the Tropicana Cabaret.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Sunday - Welcome to Havana
The adventure starts with arrival in Havana on Air France at 19:00 and a friendly welcome by our tour management team. 20:30 (approx.) private transfer from the airport by luxury airconditioned tour bus to check-in at 21:15 (approx.) at the Melia Cohiba Hotel. Welcome cocktail and orientation on arrival. 21:45 Welcome dinner at the hotel’s buffet restaurant (extensive menu of international and Cuban cuisine). As a welcome gift from us you will be given a high-quality Cohiba cigar for you to savour its rich flavours as well as a handy sized bottle of Havana Club Reserve rum for the journey. Optional: go nightclubbing to the Havana Café nightclub which is attached to the hotel or the Jazz Café just across the road.
• Culture represents one of the main attractions to this largest of all Caribbean islands. The indigenous cultures were the Taino Indians. Cuba is now a mix of Latin, African and European habitants. The Arts and music of the country reflects these rich cultures. On a day to day basis the sheer quality of Cuban musicians playing in bars, restaurants and nightclubs throughout the country add a real joie de vivre.
Day 2 Monday - Pinar del Rio & Las Terrazas
(315 kms = 5 hrs driving time only, breaks not included)
10:00 This morning following breakfast (American & Cuban). there will be a presentation of the classic cars and their drivers.
We then set off on a whole day journey in the cars to see the real Cuba through the Cuban countryside to Pinar del Rio Province with a visit to a cigar factory and a tobacco plantation. Followed by a rustic Cuban lunch at a campesino house (Creole cuisine). Later travel onto Las Terrazas biosphere reserve mountain resort and check-into the La Moka Hotel at 16:00 (approx.) 19:30 Dinner at the hotel (International & Cuban). Relax and refresh for our longest journey tomorrow.
* Travelling across country you will see oxen still ploughing the fields and horses as one of the main sources of transportation in the countryside.
Day 3 Tuesday – Trinidad
(415 kms = 6 hrs driving time only, breaks not included)
08:00 Leave La Terrazas after breakfast (American & Cuban) and travel to central Cuba and the province of Santi Spiritus and to Trinidad with lunch on route (menu typical Cuban Creole with pork). Trinidad is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with some unique architecture; the city does not seem to have changed much since Spanish colonial times as well as local cowboys on horseback trotting along the cobbled streets. 16:00 (approx.) Arrive and check-into the all inclusive Brisas Trinidad del Mar a Caribbean Sea beach resort hotel. 19:30 Dinner at the hotel (International & Cuban). Optional: There are a number of good nightspots in the city. The free open air nightly music and dancing event on the Cathedral steps with locals and tourists is recommended, just have to pay for your drinks.
Day 4 Wednesday - Trinidad
10:00 after a hearty breakfast (American & Cuban) a short walk to Trinidad Marina from the hotel where you will have a special welcome at Trinidad Marina by a group of Taino Indians. 10:30 Board our private chartered yacht for a cruise on a catamaran to Cayo Blanco with lunch (lobster), open bar, and snorkelling. Arrive back at the marina by 16:00. Continue on in our cars for a drive around Trinidad City and a private guided walking tour of the historical center. In the evening dinner at hotel (International & Cuban). Later enjoy the hotels’ entertainment. Optional: Go nightclubbing outside of the hotel. Try the La Trova or the Casa del la Musica.
* Chill-out and relax on the catamaran cruise to an uninhabited island with good seafood, beer and lashings of rum. It is an excellent yachting location with clear waters and azure lagoons especially for exploring the marine life of turtles, lobsters, dolphins and tropical fish by snorkeling. Enjoy idyllic Caribbean sunsets, the warm water from the Gulf Stream and the cool trade winds. * Cuba abounds with lobsters, shrimps and other seafood. Tropical fruits include papaya, guava, and pineapple. There is a diversity of cocktails made with rum; the favourites are Mojito, Cuba Libra, Pina Colada and Daiquiri.
Day 5 Thursday – Varadero Beach Resort
(300 kms = 5 hrs driving time only, breaks not included)
09:00 Following breakfast (American & Cuban) we leave Trinidad in our cars and travel north to Varadero beach resort and check-into the all inclusive Las Americas Hotel. 14:00 late lunch at hotel. Time to relax and enjoy the hotel’s beach and facilities. 19:30 Special Farewell Dinner at the hotel and later enjoy the hotels’ entertainment, cabaret and disco. Optional: Go nightclubbing outside of the hotel. Try the Camposito or the La Rumba.
* Varadero is world famous and has been officially designated as one of the top-ten beaches in the world. A two-hour drive east of Havana, on Cuba’s north coast. It lies on a long; narrow peninsular with over 12 miles of beautiful tropical pristine white sandy beaches with azure waters and is one of the premier beach resorts on the island.
Day 6 Friday – Hershey ‘Chocolate’ Train & Havana
(100 kms = 3 hrs driving time only, breaks not included)
Rise late after the night before and join us for a Farewell Recovery Brunch at 10:00. There will be Bloody Marys, Bucks Fizz and plenty of comfort food to help with your recovery from the night before.
Check-out of the hotel at 12:00 and leave Varadero and travel in our cars to the Hershey Train Station to board the 1929 Hershey ‘Chocolate’ Train at 14:30 for a special fun journey (packed lunch box provided). After the train trip at 16:30 we continue onto Havana where we make a spectacular entrance driving along the Malecon seafront and then onto Havana International Airport in to check-in at 18:00 for the outbound flight which departs at 21:00.
* One of the most fun events of the tour is a trip on the Hershey ‘Chocolate’ Train with a live Cuban band, salsa dance gals and open bar onboard. The train will stop at a sugar cane plantation for you to cut some cane. You can even try your hand at driving the train.
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