Highlights of Cuba: Havana, Cienfuegos, Trinidad & the Beach

Included in the itinerary - Behind the scenes in Havana in the footsteps of one of the residents. Visit markets frequented by the locals; explore alleys and hidden corners - the contrasting and different neighbourhoods have many hidden surprises. Among them are artists' workshops and abandoned theatres where young musicians rehearse ... It's also an opportunity to discuss daily life in Havana and even to meet one of Cuba's famous faces - a jazz musician, dancer, choreographer, boxer and historian. Also included in the itinerary, tickets for the Fabrica de Arte Cubano (the Cuban Art Factory- or the FAC as the local like to call it). Over 7500 square feet, of industrial wasteland dedicated to alternative cultures, such as those in Berlin, London, and New York, where hip-hop, rock and electronic music concerts alternate with parades, contemporary art exhibitions, and performances. Opened in the last few years, the FAC has established itself as a symbol of cultural renewal in the capital. It is also the meeting place for much of Havana's nightlife. For travellers who are tired of the rhythms of Buena Vista Social Club (however seductive they are), head to the place where you can meet Cuba's young artists.

We then move to another neighbourhood and accommodation to see another side of the capital Head to Vedado, where we'll spend three nights in a charming two-storey guesthouse - one of the most refined in the city. The decor is by Havana artists and enhanced by fifties furniture. It is light, comfortable and offers a perfect view of the garden. The rooms are clear, spacious and cleverly designed. In the lounge area of the upstairs suites or on the terraces, guests will discover that they are in the heart of the city.
Included in the itinerary - An architectural tour of Havana with a private guide. Baroque buildings rub shoulders with art nouveau masterpieces, colonial houses with an art deco feel, modern skyscrapers... A diverse composition of styles and eras that characterise the Cuban capital. Also planned: a private dance class. Having come into being between Puerto Rico and New York, salsa is Cuba's mainstream music: its origins draw on Cuban rhythms, such as the cha-cha-cha and mambo. It obviously takes a lot of practice to dance like the young, Cuban couples you'll come across in the clubs, but an introduction will allow us to pick up the basics and share the dancefloor with the regulars. Finally, we have scheduled a night trip in an old American car - a classic Cuban experience. In the 1950s there was an economic explosion in the United States which say huge growth in the automotive industry. At the time, Cuba was the holiday destination for many Americans, who had a second home there. In 1959, the year of the revolution, there were 300,000 American cars on the island, some of which remain today. Chevrolet, Cadillac, Dodge, Pontiac, De Soto: these American classics are part of the landscape here. Cruising through Vedado, along the Malecon or Almendares Park in the back of one of these beautiful American cars gives a whole different view of the capital of the Antilles...

Included in the itinerary - A day at Tarara Beach. Located to the east of the capital, this beautiful sandy beach allows us to relax, far from the frenzy of Havana. A day for time out and to savour the dolce vita by the Caribbean Sea. Private transfers, beach equipment and a picnic lunch has been planned.

Private transfer to Cienfuegos (about a one-and-a-half-hour drive) - a dense rainforest, a savannah with palm trees and on the outskirts of Cienfuegos there are extensive sugar cane plantations. Overnight accommodation in a colourful and renovated casa particular, combining colonial style with old objects and modernity for an inspired result. The rooms are each decorated according to a theme, from Russia to Cubism. Enjoy the personal service given by the owners and the nice location of the house, not far from the centre of Cienfuegos. The city was founded in 1819 under Spanish rule. It was an important trading centre for sugar cane, tobacco and coffee and has a rich colonial architectural heritage.
Must-see :The Government Palace, San Lorenzo School, the old high school and the diocese.

Included in the itinerary - Discover the Guanaroca lagoon with a private guide. This mangrove situated in a protected nature reserve is home to a wide variety of birds such as tocororos (the Cuban national bird, that bears the colours of the flag), hummingbirds, pelicans, bobitos (these small birds are known for their slow pace and laziness) and most importantly almost two hundred flamingos. Walking and boating in the lagoon is the ideal way to watch migratory birds land and, depending on the time of year, it's possible to see pink flamingos.
Private transfer to Trinidad (approx. one-and-a-half hours): we will stay for three nights at the gates of the city in a house surrounded by a ranch and a quiet garden with a flowery patio, vegetable patch, and a shaded terrace. The location stands out with its ranch feel and comfortable rooms. The last ones, eight in total, are organised as suites and extended from a small terrace where we can enjoy a delicious breakfast.

Included in the itinerary - Riding around Trinidad, leaving from your accommodation. On the walk: see the valley of Los Ingenios and its finca (estate house), where you taste sugar cane juice, see the Hoyo del Pilon waterfall located in the Escambray mountain, go swimming and enjoy lunch in a ranch.
Things to see and do in Trinidad - Stroll through the Plaza Mayor, an eloquent testimony to the past, visit the Romance Museum to get a glimpse of the luxury in which families lived during the colonial period: marble, bohemian glassware, Spanish ceramics... - and if you want music and dance, go for a drink at Casa de la Trova.

Included in the itinerary - A day at Ancon Beach. Just over nine miles from Trinidad is a beautiful and sandy beach on the Ancon peninsula - it's a getaway to once again enjoy the sweet, Caribbean way of life. Private transfers, beach equipment and a picnic lunch are planned.