Arrival of your flight and private transfer to the hotel.
Visit the Historic Center, "La Habana Vieja." Grand and decaying, adorned with magnificent palaces and elegant courtyards, the capital "with a thousand columns" continuously reveals its charms. Walking its streets is like flipping through five centuries of tumultuous history and discovering a tender and welcoming people. Visit modern Havana, from the Capitol to the Revolution Square. You can freely enjoy your first Cuban cocktail at the Bodeguita del Medio, a famous tavern marked by the visit of Hemingway, E. Flynn, or E. Piaf – the perfect introduction to the Cuban atmosphere.
Excursion to the Pinar del Río province, known for its red soil where the world's best tobacco is grown. This is why the Viñales Valley is extraordinary. Continue with a boat ride through the Indian Cave, which served as a refuge for the Guanahatabey Indians during Cuba's invasion. Return to Havana in the evening. You can choose to attend a cabaret show at the Tropicana or the Parisien at the Nacional Hotel.
Several stops along the way to Remedios, including a visit to the Mantanzas countryside and the Yumuri Valley. Matanzas, the capital of the region, has been home to many Afro-Cuban artists. Once known as the Athens of Cuba, it owes its importance to its port. The Yumuri Valley, overlooked by the Bacunayagua Bridge, the highest bridge in Cuba, offers one of the most picturesque landscapes on the island.
Journey to Trinidad with a visit to Santa Clara, which has attracted many visitors since 1998, the year Che Guevara's remains were interred and Pope John Paul II visited. You can sample a local specialty. Continue to Cienfuegos, a model colonial city with streets lined up in perfect symmetry and splendid buildings from another era. Explore the city founded by Don Louis de Clouet, a French colonel in the service of Spain. By the seaside, you will reach Trinidad and the Ancon Peninsula.
Explore the colonial city, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its cobbled streets, crumbling palaces, ballrooms where chickens and pigs roam, ornate balconies, and grand wooden doors tell the story of its prosperous past. Strolling here reveals endless secrets and treasures, including the Plaza Mayor, converted houses into museums, churches, ceramic and lace workshops, shaded by grill-windows, and taverns where you can sip canchanchara to the sound of salsa bands. The rest of the day will be dedicated to relaxation on the stunning beaches of Ancon.
Embark on a safari aboard a catamaran and sail for 2 to 3 hours to Cayo Blanco, a coral island on the coral reef, or further to Cayo Macho de Afuera if the sea permits. Along the way, you may stop at the seagrass beds to observe how local fishermen attract and "harvest" lobsters in a spectacular manner, snorkeling in waters less than 5 meters deep. You will have plenty of time to swim in the crystal-clear waters or snorkel above the fascinating coral reef to admire the vibrant marine life in this untouched region.
Head to Camagüey with a stop at Sancti Spíritus, a charming colonial town rarely visited by tourists. Continue to Camagüey, "the city of churches," which, unlike other Cuban cities laid out in squares, is a labyrinth designed to trap invaders, often pirates. In the historic district, narrow winding streets lead to dead ends with the intent of trapping invaders. Key sights include San Juan de Dios Square, Plaza de los Trabajadores, and the Cathedral.
Travel to the Granma province via the Sierra Maestra mountain range, where you can admire breathtaking mountain landscapes. The highest peak, Turquino, rises to 1974 meters. Stop at Bayamo, the city of Manuel Céspedes, "the father of the homeland," where historical sites can be explored, including the Revolution Square. Continue to Santiago.
After visiting the Itsukushima Temple built over the water, take a ferry to Miyajimaguchi to discover the oldest traditional Kintai-Kyo bridge in Iwakuni. Then, board a train to Beppu for a traditional dinner and spend the night at the enchanting Suginoi Hotel Tanayu Hot Spring, renowned for its terraced baths overlooking the city and bay.
Morning and lunch at leisure. Depart for Guardalavaca by road.
Beach stay.
Flight to Havana. In the evening, depart for the airport for your return flight back home.
