A chevy on the streets of Havana. Photo © Christopher P. Baker.
Arrive at José Martí International Airport in Havana; transfer to a hotel or casa particular in Habana Vieja or the Vedado district.
Habana Vieja
Take a self-guided walking tour of Habana Vieja, including the Plaza de Armas, Plaza de la Catedral, and Plaza Vieja, and taking in the key museums, galleries, and shops along the surrounding streets. Return at night to savor the plazas lit by traditional gas lanterns. Don’t fail to sip a mojito at La Bodeguita del Medio.This morning, concentrate your time around Parque Central and Paseo de Martí. You’ll want to visit the Capitolio Nacional, Fábrica de Tabaco Partagás, the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, and the Museo de la Revolución. A daiquiri at El Floridita is a must! At dusk, walk the Malecón.
Centro Vedado
Spend the morning exploring the streets of Vedado, being sure to call in at the Hotel Nacional, the Hotel Habana Libre Tryp, and Universidad de la Habana. After cooling off with an ice cream at Coppelia (with pesos in hand, stand in line with the Cubans), hail a taxi to take you to Cementerio Colón and Plaza de la Revolución.Rent a car and set out on a tour of suburban Havana, calling in at Museo Ernest Hemingway. Then head west along the Autopista Habana-Pinar to Las Terrazas, an eco-resort and rural community in the heart of the Sierra del Rosario. Hike the trails and visit the artists’ studios. Overnight at Hotel Moka.
Continue west to Valle de Viñales. Spend the afternoon exploring Viñales village, the Cuevas del Indio, and tobacco fields. Overnight either in a casa particular or at the Horizontes La Ermita.
Pinar del Río
This morning, head to the town of Pinar del Río and Finca El Pinar San Luis, then take the Autopista east to Havana and onward to Santa Clara. Visit the mausoleum and museum of Che Guevara and spend the night in town.Continue east to the historic town of Remedios. During Christmas week, you’ll want to overnight in Remedios to enjoy the local fireworks battles called parrandas. Once done, follow the coast road east via Morón to Cayo Coco, arriving midafternoon. On day 9 spend an entire day relaxing on the beach and enjoying water sports.
Depart Cayo Coco and head south via the provincial capital, Ciego de Ávila, then turn west and follow the Carretera Central for Sancti Spíritus. After strolling downtown, continue through the Valle de los Ingenios, stopping at Hacienda Iznaga. Arriving in Trinidad, spend the rest of the afternoon perambulating the ancient plazas.
After further walking the cobbled colonial heart of Trinidad, visit the studio of artist Lázaro Niebla, then check in with “horse-whisperer” Julio Muñoz and go horseback riding in the countryside. Tonight, check out an Afro-Cuban performance before heading to the Disco Ayala, set in a cave.
Cienfuegos
Get up early again to follow the long and winding road over the Sierra Escambray to Gran Parque Natural Topes de Collantes. Descend to El Nicho to bathe in mineral pools at the base of the waterfall before continuing to the lovely bayside city of Cienfuegos, with time to stroll the pedestrian boulevard and explore Parque Martí.Drive west to Playa Girón, the landing site for the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion. Visit the museum before continuing west to Cueva de los Peces to snorkel in the blue hole and turquoise Caribbean. At La Boca de Guamá stop to visit the crocodile farm. Now head back to Havana via the Autopista. This evening, visit the Tropicana cabaret, being sure to have made reservations.
Fly home today.
