NOTE: We are under construction but our tours are available with lots of safety precautions for travel and staying.
Also: Cuba no longer requires proof of vaccination nor a recent PCR test. Rapid test at the airport at the moment.
Tailor made tours, special adventures, eco-tours, architecture, arts, agriculture. Music, salsa, language, photography, papier mache, guitar making workshop holidays. Individuals, couples, friends and families, small groups, travel independently or fully escorted.
Please use the menu above to view some of our favourite Cuban destinations. Special events and recurring annual tours are listed on the left, arranged mostly by the month in which they occur.
See and experience a fascinating country. Celebrate 500 years of history.
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Garden Tour – March 12 to 26, 2018
Day 1 – March 12, 2018
Arrival Holguin transfer to Santiago
Pickup at airport, picnic lunch, desert and bathroom break
Day 2 – March 13, 2018
Santiago 8.30 start
Eco-Tour 2 Fern and orchid Garden
Visit to an internationally acclaimed fern and orchid garden with the most complete collection of tropical ferns in the Americas. The collection numbers some 4000 ferns and over 400 exotic and indigenous orchids. This is the life work of the retired Director of the Institute which he created over the passed 40 years.
History of Cuba Part 2 Colonial Cuba to Independence
From Indians and slaves, buccaneers and Spanish grandees, pirates and indentured servants, has come a vibrant people. Explore their history and their struggles. From the oldest house in the Americas (quite a few others burned down) to the solid fortress at the harbour, and the living remembrance of the Peace Tree, Cuban history is told in stone and wood, and the faces of its people
Day 3 – March 14, 2018
Santiago 8.00 a.m. Start
It usually rains on the cloud forest in the early/late afternoon – so better to begin early.
Eco-Tour 1 – Gardens of clouds and forest
Join us in the enchanted world of ferns and clouds. We journey out of the city to a cloud forest with ancient fern trees and simple pines which existed in the time of the dinosaurs. Visit to a high altitude garden with beds of bird of paradise flowers and many exotic tropical plants. Visit a private garden hidden among the slopes and trees. Walk in the magical world of bromeliads and orchids, brightly colour butterflies and brilliant birds. Lunch at the beach (take a swim suit, go for a walk, sit in the sun)
Day 4 – March 15, 2018
Santiago
History of Cuba Part 3 Republican Cuba
After the devastation of nearly 70 years of on-going turbulence, the sham of independence during the Republic years. King Sugar dominated the boom and bust economy. New towns, new railroads, new suburbs, economic growth was amazing. But underneath all was not well.
Includes private visits to various buildings and
homes built during the early and mid years of the Republics. Visit to the sugar town to catch a glimpse of a fascinating past. And to a mining site with unusual secrets
Day 5 – March 16, 2018
Santiago
Coastal Visits – Coastal stabilization, Fresh water lakes Salt/Fresh lake – dolphins, crocodiles, pelicans and flamingos
With luck – if you have the right timing you will see the migratory flight of the butterflies – cabbage whites – like snowflakes on the trees.
Eco-Tour 3 – Gardens of desert, cacti and musical instruments
Join us for a tour in the arid hills of the south coast between the Sierras and the azul Caribbean sea. This coastal strip is full of micro climates permitting elephant grass here, and cacti there. We make lots of stops along the way to peer into gardens, tramp through the undergrowth (no sandals please) and look and point. The Cactus Garden represents a major collection of exotic and indigenous species and we spend time learning to propagate these heat and drought tolerant plants. Lunch in an Artisan Village
Sometimes our timing and the weather is right to see the flight of the bats from the coast to the mountains in search of food; and the birds which hunt them.
Day 6 – March 17, 2018
Santiago
Farm and Garden Day
This is a new tour based on many requests to see local agriculture.
1. Cuba has two objectives for its agriculture.
a) to contribute to food independence
b) to use sustainable techniques which protect the environment and biodiversity.
2. Cuba and UNESCO have a new 7 year project to connect farms practicing sustainable methods of agriculture through the mountain regions. These farms provide local examples of excellence, teach other farmers, and encourage experimentation with new methods to resolve old problems.
We visit three farms which are part of this project (this is weather dependent – mountain roads can be impassable in the wet).
Lunch
Our second visit is to a small National Reference farm – this is very much a mixed farm in a small valley between mountain ranges.
Our final visit is to two National Reference gardens. One is a medicinal herb garden, the other an organoponico garden. And yes we will be buying some of your dinner there.
Day 7 – March 18, 2018
Santiago – 8am start
History of Cuba Part 4 Roots of Revolution the Batista Years
A century of turbulence and civil war has led to over five decades of relative calm. The struggle to become an independent nation in the face of US opposition is a poignant and triumphant story. Come with us to explore the Revolutionary War as played out around Santiago. Have history come alive and tangible.
Depart for Camaguey
Day 8 – March 19, 2018
Camaguey
The city of the plains is remarkable for its built heritage and its lively cultural life. The squares are always busy with events. This is home to the 2nd ballet company of Cuba. We offer several different history and arts tours here. The city was the home of one of the most romantic heroes of the War of Independence. It is noted for its ceramics and its community of artists and artisans.
History, Architecture or Arts tour. TBA
Day 9 – March 20, 2018
Camaguey to Santa Clara
Early morning departure for Santa Clara arrive lunch time Santa Clara – Battle for Santa Clara (half day programme) – Enjoy this city of Che! Lunch included. Packed breakfast
Day 10 – March 21, 2018
Santa Clara to Cienfuegos
Early start for the Jardin Botanico. This spectacular garden was built by a sugar baron who had a passion for bamboo, but also collected many species trees. Swiss Family Robinson could live in this garden. Lunch in a nearby orchid garden which was built over many years by its owner.
Day 11 – March 22, 2018
Cienfuegos
Walking tour with senior architect of the City. This is a spectacular city and will be more so. The architect who heads the Office of the Conservador has just won all kinds of prizes, and the architects of his office consistently win awards for their work. Sometimes guests are invited to the house he and his wife (another architect) have restored. This spectacular city was built on the wealth of sugar, and continues today to be an important industrial, cultural and learning centre. Lunch during the tour Afternoon departure to Habana.
Day 12 – March 23, 2018
Habana
Walking tour Habana Vieja The four principal squares which make up this old city have changed so much in 20 years. Lovingly restored by the young people and not so young people who work for the Office of the Conservador this is a song of light and shadow, stones and decoration. Your expert guide is one of Cuba’s internationally known architect historians.
Day 13 – March 24, 2018
Habana
Early morning in the Jardin Botanico. This garden was the life work of the previous Director who preserved it through the Special Period, through hurricanes and droughts, and again robbers of precious wood! The Japanese garden is newly rebuilt – a further gift of Japan. Your expert guide has worked in the garden for more than 25 years.
Lunch by the water at the home of a ceramicist.
After lunch we meander back to the city visiting some of the gems of Republican architecture of the first half of the 20th century. Cuba was at the forefront of innovative architecture; exploring the possibilities of new materials especially ferro-concrete, large glass, ceramics. Filled with light some of the buildings look insubstantial! Your expert guide is one of Cuba’s leading architect historians.
Day 14 – March 25, 2018
Habana – Free day
Day 15 – March 26, 2018
Depart 7 am for Airport
This timing may change depending on what transportation alternatives are available.
Pricing
Prices in US dollars PER PERSON
2 pax 2600US
4 pax 2150 US
6 pax1750 US .
The tour includes
- Accommodation and meals (breakfast and dinner) in homestay (bed and breakfast).
- Transportation – included with all tours, intercity transportation by intercity bus.
- Tours – include expert guides, translators where needed, transportation, entrance fees, lunch for all full day tours. Lunch is included in Santa Clara. Some gratuities included.
- We do not include personal expenses, evening entertainment, alcoholic beverages.
This tour is booked by 2 people who would like more to join them.
Please complete the registration form here.
We are pleased to assist with any travel arrangements to Cuba.