Best of Cuba

Bienvenidos! Welcome to Cuba. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, consider a stroll through Old Havana to acquaint yourself with the colourful mix of '50s Americana, colonial architecture and budding modernity. There are plenty of good museums to check out, like the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (National Museum of Fine Arts). Maybe line up with the locals for a taste of Coppelia ice cream, or wander along the Malecon (ocean walkway) – the sea wall that skirts the coastline.

Havana's history is as colourful as its cars and buildings, and today you’ll get to experience the magic of Old Havana on a walking tour with your local leader. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982, this well-preserved area remains virtually unchanged, making it one of the Caribbean’s most impressive historical cities. An air of faded glory comes through in the peeling paint of the grand old buildings, and the narrow streets, spacious plazas and Spanish architecture make it a charm to explore on foot. Visit La Catedral San Cristobal de la Habana, the Palacio de los Marqueses de Aguas Claras and the Plaza de Armas. Visit the Museo de la Revolucion to learn about the history of the Cuban Revolution, then you’ll have free time to explore on your own. Perhaps check out a cigar factory or cruise around outer-Havana in a vintage American car.

Say goodbye to Havana and head towards Santa Clara – the final resting place of Cuba’s most famous son, Che Guevara. Visit his mausoleum and memorial – Che's remains were brought here after they were found in a remote corner of Bolivia in 1997, where he was assassinated by the CIA-backed Bolivian army. Check out the impressive bronze statue of Che bearing his rifle and learn about his life. Check into your guesthouse, follow your leader on an orientation walk and enjoy the rest of the afternoon free.

Today, continue your journey to Bayamo. On the way, stop at Ciego de Avila to visit a local jewellery workshop that sprung from a community-based project that provides training to young people and the unemployed. Much of the work on display here is from local artisan, made from discarded old silverware that’s repurposed and recycled. Arrive in Bayamo in the early afternoon, one of the original Spanish settlements, you’re more likely to see locals travelling on horses than in cars here. Take a walk through the slow-paced city, then settle in for a restful night.

This morning, hop back on the bus and travel to Baracoa through central Cuba, tucked between forests and the Caribbean Sea. On the way, stop at Guantanamo Bay and if time permits, visit a lookout for a view of the Guantanamo Naval Base and surrounding bay. Join your leader on an orientation walk to get your bearings – the town was only accessible by sea until 1960, and even after a road linking Baracoa to Guantanamo was built, the settlement maintains a small-town feel. In your free time, wander along the beautiful Malecon, chill at the beach or explore the forts that were built to withstand pirate attacks. Maybe visit the Catedral de Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion to see the bust of the Indigenous leader Hatuey, who was burned at the stake for refusing to accept the Spanish and their Catholicism.

This morning, head to Boca de Yumuri Canyon. On the way, visit a local cocoa plantation and learn about these magic beans. When you arrive, take a walk in the nature and ride in cayuca (traditional boat) along the canyon formed by the Yumuri River. From the boat, maybe take the chance to cool off with a swim in the river. Then, return to Baracoa for a free evening. As one of Cuba’s major agricultural zones, Baracoa is a great place to try local foods like chocolate, prawns in coconut sauce and banana-stuffed tamales. Don’t miss the cucurucho tonight (a sweet treat of coconut, sugar and fruit wrapped in dried cone-shaped palm leaves).

A spectacular journey to Santiago de Cuba will take you through the mountains and along the Atlantic coastline to the dry region surrounding Guantanamo. Grab a windowseat if you can, to see the passing cacti and wiry goats. Arrive in the hottest place in Cuba – both in temperature and atmosphere – in the mid-afternoon. Set between the Sierra Maestra Mountain Range and the Caribbean, this city's historical centre retains a timeworn atmosphere, ideal for photographers. After an orientation walk with your leader, perhaps join with some of your travel buddies and head out for a group dinner. Alternatively, get a good night’s rest ready for a day of exploration tomorrow.