Cigars and Salsa, Cars and Coffee

1. 1

   Day 1

   Fly to Havana, Cuba

   Meals included: lunch and dinner

   Cuba offers a unique and very friendly cultural experience. We are met on arrival by our local STC Expedition Leader and transferred to the hotel in Havana where we have a group meeting with the Tour Leader. Dinner, a fantastic local meal, is at the guesthouse where we overnight. Havana is a City so full of life. Whilst being bathed in magnificent sunshine most of the time it also has other areas of brightness including the genuine warmth of locals and pulsating music everywhere. It is a bustling metropolis that manages to be wonderfully laid back. We will have an exciting adventure just by taking a stroll in the City.

2. 2

   Day 2

   Havana, Cigar tour and old city highlights

   All meals included

   Christopher Columbus once described Cuba as ‘the most beautiful land on earth’. Over the next few days, we are determined to bring this description to life. Today, we will have a tour of Old Havana to soak up the beating heart of the city. It is a vibrant neighbourhood, full of Cubans going about their daily lives. Later on in the afternoon, we head to Fabrica de Artes, a local art and community space based in an old bicycle factory. We will have time to explore before heading for dinner alongside the river.

3. 3

   Day 3

   Havana. Economics lecture, Art museum and Cuban co-operatives.

   All meals included

   This morning we have a lecture from an Economics Teacher at Havana University, followed by a visit to the beautiful Art Museum. It’s a great chance to absorb more of the soulful culture of this truly amazing city. Later in the afternoon, we will visit to a Cuban Cooperative where will learn from our local co-op member about how local traders work together to produce available market stock. We will enjoy an early dinner before heading to the other side of the bay, for great views of the city, and to visit the statue of Christ and the El Morro Fortress. We will experience the nightly canon blast ritual, which traditionally warned the people to retreat behind the castle walls.

4. 4

   Day 4

   Havana to Vinales via Las Terrazas

   All meals included

   This morning we have a guided tour of the Cigar Factory, including a talk from one of the cigar consultants about the industry. Atmospheric Cuba offers a fascinating blend of notorious political history and dilapidated colonial grandeur. Departing from Havana, we pass by a fascinating local 'Art Street' in Jaimanitas to see the works of the artist Jose Fuster, before heading out into the Cuban countryside on our way to Vinales. En route, we will stop at Las Terrazas to visit the famous community project. We take a short trek to visit the river nearby in Baños de San Juan for a tasty lunch before heading on to Vinales. On arrival in Vinales, we will have an orientation tour to learn about this small rural town and its unique geography. Tonight, we will put on our dancing shoes and have a salsa lesson (think Strictly Come Dancing).

5. 5

   Day 5

   Vinales walks, Tobacco farm visit, Zip Line

   All meals included

   This morning, we have a walking tour of the Vinales Valley, a visit to a tobacco farm and an organic farm, where we have the opportunity to have some hands-on experience in the fields and learn about tobacco harvesting. Then, for those that are feeling adventurous, there is a fantastic zip-line across beautiful landscapes that gives an aerial view of some of Cuba’s most stunning landscapes. After working up an appetite, we will have lunch at the farm, where all the food and meats served are produced on site.

6. 6

   Day 6

   Travel to Bay of Pigs, Manjuari Research Centre, Korimacao Community Project

   All meals included

   Today we will travel from Vinales to the famous Bay of Pigs. We will gain insight into the fascinating history of the region on our drive, before making a stop at the Manjuari Research Centre. Here, we will have the unique opportunity to witness indigenous prehistoric fish that have remained largely unchanged for 180 million years but are now suffering from a decline in population. We will visit the Korimacao Community Project; a unique arts project that has been running for over 30 years, offering training, work and support for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. The students specialize in dance, music, drama and art, and we will be given the opportunity to join them in a workshop. Afterwards, we will visit Bernabet, a local man with a love of birds who has created a small haven for wildlife, where we will hopefully get the chance to get a glimpse at the world’s smallest bee species, the Bee Hummingbird. After our rewarding day we will head to our guesthouse in beautiful Playa Larga, where we will stay for the next three nights.

7. 7

   Day 7

   Snorkelling and Bay of Pigs Museum

   All meals included

   Cuba’s tropical beaches are a sight to behold and have a vibe and rhythm that only the Caribbean can conjure. Today we will head to Caleta Buena to try our hand at snorkelling. With the help of a local expert, we will take a dip in the crystal blue waters and will see what we can discover. There will be a chance to kick back and relax whilst visiting this naturally beautiful spot. Later on, we will visit the Bay of Pigs Museum to help us understand Cuba’s recent, but incredibly significant history.

8. 8

   Day 8

   Playa Larga to Havana & home!

   All meals included

   Today we head from Playa Larga back towards Havana & the airport. Depending on flight schedules, there may be a last opportunity for some souvenir buying en-route.

9. 9

   Day 9

   Arrive in UK

   Meal included: breakfast

   We will return to the UK on day 9 refreshed, exhilarated and ready to tell our stories from this amazing educational trip.

Itineraries can change with the seasons, local conditions and your group's needs. Ask us and we'll tailor it.