For a very personal account of this holiday please follow the link below to a previous customers narrative. Many thanks to Mr Darlington for allowing us to use this piece.
A Personal Travelog
Havana
The largest city in the Caribbean, Havana retains its 1950s atmosphere with vintage American cars cruising past crumbling, stately facades. It is vitally alive, though, with music seeping from seemingly every doorway and window and has a vibrant nightlife to excite even the most jaded night owl. There is masses to see and do here. A great starting point is the UNESCO listed old town, where the faded Spanish colonial architecture is slowly being restored to its former glory. Highlights here include the Baroque Catedral de San Cristobal, Museo de Arte Colonial, dating from 1720 and one of the city’s finest examples of early Colonial domestic architecture; legendary Bodeguita del Medito, where Hemingway drank “mojitos”; late 18th century Palacio de los Capitanes Generales; 16th century Castillo de la Real Fuerza and a host of beautiful streets and squares lined with historic buildings such as the elegant Plaza de Armas, Calle Obispo and Calle Oficos (that also houses a vintage car museum). Next to the old town, Central Havana and the Prado district is more modern, dating from the 19th and early 20th century but still with a treasury of sights. Highlights include the Museum of the Revolution, housed in the former Presidential Palace, the Capitolio Government building, Partagas tobacco factory and elegant Paseo del Prado boulevard. Elsewhere, don’t miss the 4-mile Malecon seafront promenade; Necropolis Colon, last resting place of more than 2 million people, and José Marti Memorial, one of the symbols of Cuba, consisting of a huge statue of national hero, Marti, flanked by a 139- metre tower, whose viewing point offers far reaching views of the city and sea.
Las Terrazas, Los Jazmines & Vinales Valley
Set in the heart of the Sierra del Rosario, declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO, our base in Western Cuba, Las Terrazas derives its name from the terraces laid out for the pine trees that are now characteristic of the area. The stunning Vinales Valley is an area of outstanding natural beauty with a unique tropical landscape of fertile valleys and dramatic “mogotes”, a series of gigantic karst formations that resemble sugar loaves. The traditional rural village of Vinales is a perfectly preserved colonial agricultural settlement and is now government protected, with several important buildings including those in the Parque Marti and Casa de Don Tomas, now a fish restaurant.
Cienfuegos
Known as the “Pearl of the South”, the provincial maritime capital of Cienfuegos is characterised by palaces and mansions overlooking a beautiful Caribbean bay. Highlights here include the Parque Marti, Teatro Tomas Terry, Cathedral, Ferrer Palace, Naval History Museum, another Paseo del Prado, lined with elegant classical buildings, Palacio de Valle, once a casino, now a restaurant and Jagua Castle.
Trinidad
Founded in 1514, Trinidad is a UNESCO heritage site and one of the best-preserved colonial cities in the world. Once a major centre for trade in sugar and slaves, the city’s past wealth is reflected in its impressive architecture.
Santa Clara
Famed as the site of the last battle of the guerilla war led by Che Guevara in 1958, which marked the end of Batista’s dictatorship. It is Che Guevara’s final resting place, too, with a museum and mausoleum dedicated to him. Other sights here include the Leoncio Vidal Park, Caridad Theatre and Tren Blindado Monument.