Signature Journeys & Classic Tours 2019

Authentic Cuba

10 days from €1999

17 - 26 JULY

VISITING: HAVANA, MUSEUM OF RUM,

HEMINGWAY, VINALES VALLEY, SANTA CLARA, SANCTI SPIRITUS, ESCAMBRAY MOUNTAINS, SUGAR MILL VALLEY, TRINIDAD, CIENFUEGOS, BAY OF PIGS, GUAMA, VARADERO

DAY 1 - MALTA - HAVANA

Breakfast and today, a real “Cuban Day” is ahead of us. Departure of Cuba’s second largest mountain, the Escambray Mountain. The mountain is not only famous for its rich flora and fauna, but also has a special role of climate separation as well. While the North side of the hill has lush and humid subtropical vegetation, with coffee-growing countryside, the southern side has a dry climate, and covered with bushes and many other dry zone plants like Agave. We continue our trip to the famous Valley of Sugar Mills that is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and later the Manaca Iznaga estate. It is possible to climb the seven stories tower that offers a beautiful panorama. Then continue our trip to Trinidad, a small colonial town founded 500 years ago that was once attributed by the abundance of its sugar cane plantations. Here, we discover another face of Cuba. Trinidad preserves the unique atmosphere of the colonial era. While walking along the small winding streets we have the feeling as if we would have flown back in time. Sightseeing in the UNESCO World Heritage city; visit the Plaza Mayor, The Tower of Contrabandido, the Cathedral, La Santissima Trinidad Square and the exhibition of the Romantic Museum. The museum is located in the palace of the town’s richest family with balustrade yard, marble floors, and neoclassical decoration; walking among the frescoes of the city’s wealthiest merchant family we can enjoy the assembled exhibition of articles. Later we walk in the old town and stop at the famous Canchanchara bar where you can sample the authentic drink of Trinidad, special cocktail still made from the original recipe of Aguardiente and honey, called Canchanchara. Later we continue our trip to Cienfuegos, also a World Heritage Site Breakfast and today we have a panoramic sightseeing tour of the famous Malecon, passing by the beautiful seaside villas, stop at the Palacio del Valle, a unique palace with architectural richness. Then we head towards downtown Cienfuegos, where we continue a walking tour of the city of former aristocrats. Cienfuegos, founded by French settlers, has European-style architecture. Walk down the Boulevard of the city via the Prado; visit the Jose Marti Square, the Governor’s palace, the Thomas Terry Theatre famous for the excellent acoustics and the Cathedral. Proceed to one of Cuba’s most important nature reserves, the world famous Zapata Peninsula, a bird city. Check in at your 5* hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. DAY 6 - CIENFUEGOS – BAY OF PIGS - GUAMA - VARADERO

DAY 3- HAVANA – VINALES VALLEY

Meet your tour manager at Malta International Airport for your flight to Havana. DAY 2 - HAVANA – MUSEUM OF RUM - HEMINGWAY Upon arrival transfer to your 5* hotel for check- in. Proceed for a full day sightseeing tour of Havana, one of the most beautiful cities of Latin America. Havana captivates everybody, this real Caribbean metropolis has a unique atmosphere, where a time travel tempt us, where the Colonial era, the mark of the ‘50s US mob’s mark and the retro, socialist present is simultaneously existing. We start a panoramic city tour of modern Havana, we cross Havana’s famous seaside promenade, the Malecon which is a favourite meeting place for locals, we can admire the mansions of the Paseo, then stop at the Revolution Square where the Jose Marti Memorial is located. On the way back to we drive next to the world-famous Colon cemetery that is one of the world’s richest graveyards with more than 500 statues, and arrive to the old town. We visit the Havana Club Rum Museum where we get acquainted with the making of the world famous Cuban rum, the growing and processing steps of sugar cane to follow through the process until it has matured, barrel filling, bottling, and we close the visit with a tasting. We can purchase the original Havana Club memorabilia, as well as can taste the typical Cuban drink called Guarapo made from fresh sugar cane and the excellent Cuban cocktail, Guarabana. After it we start to explore the old town on foot with its rich cultural and historical attractions, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. Visit the Plaza de Armas, the “Arms’ Square”, the Governor’s palace, while we can hunt local antiques at the authentic antique market, walk through the Plaza San Francisco where we will see the old Stock Exchange Palace and St. Francis of Assis Church and the Cathedral Square. Then we visit La Plaza Vieja, the “Old Square”.After lunch we join in Hemingway’s footsteps: we visit the famous Hotel Ambos Mundos where the “For Whom the Bell Tolls” was born, the hotel room and the thematic exhibition. Then stop at Hemingway’s favourite places, La Bodeguita del Medio and La Floridita bars, where the world famous “Mojito” and “Daiquiri” cocktails began their journey of conquest. Then visit the outdoor exhibition of the Revolutionary Museum, where the famous ship Granma is exhibited, we will see the boat, which Fidel and the other revolutionaries landed to launch the revolution. Meals: Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast we start a full day excursion to the western part of the country, the province of Pinar del Rio, 170 km from Havana, the picturesque Viñales Valley, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1999. Pinar del Rio province is also called the country’s “green” part. Our way leads along the lush tobacco plantations. This excellent climate is the secret to the excellent Cuban tobacco, the raw material of the famous Cuban cigars. Today we will learn about the making of cigars, the tobacco production and processing through to wrapping cigars. We visit the house of an authentic Cuban tobacco producer family, who lead us through the plantation, a tobacco drying barn and we can look at the process of tobacco step by step. We learn how we can recognize high-quality tobacco leafs; learn the art of wrapping cigars as one of the famous Cuban cigars is made before our eyes. Next stop on our way is the exquisite Valley of Viñales, stopping at a lookout point where we can enjoy the breath-taking panorama with the remote scenery of “Mogotes” and mountains make this place deservedly a World Heritage site. After lunch we start hiking the Indian cave, and river boating inside the cave. We will then visit the famous wall painting, the “Mural de la Prehistoria” that fascinates us with its unique technology of gigantic size. Late afternoon return to Havana. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Breakfast and proceed to Santa Clara, the City that achieved its significance during the Cuban revolution and located in the middle of the country. The fate of the revolution was decided here in December 1958, when the Che Guevara led division took the armoured train carrying supplies. Visit the famous armoured train, and the Che Guevara Mausoleum where the famous military leader and several companion rest. After lunch we continue our trip to Sancti Spiritus, a small colonial town founded 500 year ago in 1514, preserved in almost original state. Cuba’s oldest stone bridge, the bridge Yayabo, is within walking distance of our hotel. Check in at your 5* hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 5 - SANCTI SPIRITUS – ESCAMBRAY MOUNTAINS - SUGAR MILL VALLEY – TRINIDAD - CIENFUEGOS DAY 4 - HAVANA – SANTA CLARA – SANCTI SPIRITUS

SIGNATURE JOURNEYS & CLASSIC TOURS

All bookings are subject to our general information, booking conditions and information. Fuel surcharge may apply. Prices may vary without notice. For a full list of terms & conditions visit www.rocsgrp.com/travel/ terms. For a more detailed description, full details of facilities and supplements, please refer to our website. E&OE. 65 WWW.ROCSHOLIDAYS.COM | 2015 1515 | TRAVEL@ROCSGRP.COM FLORIANA | MELLIEHA | MINUSTHREE - THE POINT | MOSTA