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Cuban Revolution Tour
CUBA ESCORTED TOUR
50th Anniversary of the
Cuban Revolution
2009
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Day 1
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The guide meets and greets passengers on arrival at Havana airport and transfers them to hotel in Havana by taxi or mini bus. Welcome cocktail in hotel on arrival. Dinner at hotel.
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Day 2
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After breakfast, morning walking tour of Old Havana, a Unesco World Heritage site with the largest collection of remaining colonial architecture. We visit the 18th century Cathedral Square, the Cathedral built by the Jesuits, the Plaza de las Armas, the Palace of the Captains Generals, the San Francisco Square and Plaza Vieja (a civic colonial square). Lunch in the courtyard of La Mina restaurant, with Cuban food and live music, a genuine ambience of old Havana.
Followed by a visit to the Fortress of San Carlos de La Cabaña across the bay where Commander Ernesto Che Guevara established his headquarters in the first days following the victory of the 1959 Revolution. Afterwards we will witness a most dramatic ceremony: the firing of the 9 pm cannon also at the Fortress of San Carlos de La Cabaña. Dinner is at the restaurant near the fort with magnificent views across the bay to Havana city.
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Day 3
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After breakfast, we embark on an air-conditioned coach tour of the most important sites of modern Havana such as the Capitolio building, the Grand Theatre, Central Park, the lovely Prado promenade, Revolution Square, Coppelia Ice Cream Park, Plaza José Martí (in front of US Interests Section), the Malecón seawall, Monument to the Battleship Maine, Hotel Nacional, University of Havana, Cementerio de Cristóbal Colón, and the Miramar, Central Havana and Vedado neighbourhoods.
A special lunch will be hosted by José Fuster, one of Cuba's most important ceramists and painters at his whimsical studio.
Afternoon visit to the Museum of Fine Arts Cuban Collection where we see the evolution of Cuba's visual arts over the last 300 years. The collection accounts for the richness of the island's Spanish, French, Chinese, African cultural roots.
The evening's entertainment is listening to Cuban Jazz at the famous Club El Zorro y el Cuervo in La Rampa street, Vedado, Havana featuring great performances by Cuban musicians.
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Day 4
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Morning departure to Cienfuegos city - founded by French immigrants at the beginning of the 19th century - renowned for its wealth of stunning historical buildings.
Visit to the Armoured Train Museum in Santa Clara. The Battle of Santa Clara was a series of events in late December 1958 that led to the capture of the Cuban city of Santa Clara by revolutionaries under the command of Che Guevara. The battle was a decisive victory for the rebels fighting against the US-backed regime of Fulgencio Batista: within 12 hours of the city's capture Batista fled Cuba and Fidel Castro's forces secured overall victory.
We take a traditional Cuban lunch at the picturesque Hotel Los Caneyes in Santa Clara
Upon arrival in Cienfuegos, known as the "Pearl of the South," your guide will summarize the origins of this beautiful cosmopolitan city. You will walk to the main Plaza Martí where the ceremony of foundation of the city took place and visit the Cathedral built with donations from wealthy slave owning families like the Lebrancs, the Albis, and the Terrys. Inside the Teatro Tomas Terry you'll see the Twelve Apostles beautifully rendered in stained glass imported from Paris. The original machinery of its clock in the tower was also manufactured in France and keeps on ticking to this day.
Tonight we stay at the period hotel La Union in Cienfuegos. Dinner included at the hotel.
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Day 5
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Departure to Trinidad, a Unesco World Heritage site, a wonderful town not far from the beach where we check into the Hotel Brisas Mar del Trinidad on the Ancon beach for the next 2 nights. Today, we visit the town and walk around the old quarter to see all the important sights. Return to the hotel at lunchtime for lunch and dinner and a free afternoon that can be spent on the lovely Ancon beach.
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| Day 6 |
This morning we board Soviet Army trucks to climb the peaks of Topes de Collantes in the Escambray Mountains which comprise the island's second highest range, reaching to 3,700 feet atop Pico San Juan. The Escambrays are home to small villages and a true delight for birders and naturalists alike. Dramatic slopes are swathed in Caribbean pines, ancient tree ferns, bamboo and eucalyptus. Dinner at Hotel.
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Day 7
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Depart Trinidad for the city of Camaguey. Short tour of the city. Spend the night at the Hotel Gran, dinner included.
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Day 8 |
Continue to Santiago de Cuba, Cuba's second largest city, in Oriente provinces, and the gateway of the Revolution. It was in the Sierra Maestre mountains that Fidel Castro, his brother Raul Castro, Che Guevara and his motley crew of rebels hid as guerrillas eventually convincing the local campesinos to join their army.
We check into the charming period hotel, Casagranda, overlooking the lovely Cespedes Square in the centre, 2 nights B&D.
Evening visit to the Casa de la Trova, the famous music tavern of Santiago, for sublime music and rum mojitos. This is where the Buena Vista Social Club got started with Ruben Gonzalez, Ibrahim Ferrer and Compay Segundo, all sadly no longer with us.
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Day 9 |
Tour of Santiago city to see the important sights including La Lucha Clandestina, the old police headquarters, now a monument to the Revolution with great views over the city and harbour.the fortress El Morro where we have lunch, the 16th century Casa de Velazquez, Calle Heredia, the Carnival museum. After lunch we drive out into the lush foothills to El Cobre, a cathedral which is a shrine to the Virgin of Charity.
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Day 10 |
Fly back to Havana and spend one night in Hotel Nacional, the grande dame 1930's hotel of Havana with views over the sea. Free afternoon. Farewell dinner at the famous paladar, La Guarida, the private restaurant that was shown in the Cuban film 'Strawberries and Chocolate'. Many famous people have dined at this place including the Queen of Spain and Lady Diana Spencer.
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Day 11 |
Free morning for last minute souvenirs. Transfer to airport in afternoon for flight departure home.
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Holiday Price
Price of this fully escorted tour without flight is £1,310 sharing double twin room with £130 single supplement. Virgin Atlantic economy flight direct to Havana from £560
What is included in the tour
• All accommodation as stated B&B
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All transfers and transport in an air-conditioned bus
• Bilingual guide all the way
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All excursions and entrance charges in itinerary
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9 dinners with one drink each
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5 lunches with one drink each
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Drinks included at hotel in Trinidad
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Visas
What is NOT included in the tour
• Flight
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Insurance
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Gratuities
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Items of a personal nature
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Departure tax from Havana airport
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