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Cuban cuisine is a blend of Spanish, African, and other Caribbean cuisines. Some Cuban recipes share spices and techniques with Spanish and African cooking, with some Caribbean influence in spice and flavor. This results in a blend of the several different cultural influences.
Havana was founded in 1519 (third location, officially established by nowadays Havana Bay) by spanish Conquistador Diego Velazquez de Cuellar and soon became the capital city of Cuba after turning into the main business operation hub of the island due to its geographical location. Havana has the most complete architectural compound in Latin America (out of all former Spanish colonial colonies) and is a melting pot of Spanish, Cuban, African and Chinese heritage.
The Viñales Valley in the Sierra de los Organos near the western end of the island of Cuba is an outstanding karst landscape encircled by mountains and dotted with spectacular dome-like limestone outcrops (mogotes) that rise as high as 300 m.
Tobacco and other crops are cultivated on the bottom of the valley, mostly by traditional agricultural techniques. Many caves dot the surrounding hills faces (Cueva del Indio is one example of them).
The conspicuous limestone cliffs rising like islands from the bottom of the valley are called Mogotes. They can be up to 300m tall.
Viñales is a major tourist destination offering mainly Hiking and rock climbing. The local climbing scene has started to take off in the last few years with many new routes being discovered resulting in an increase in local tourism.
*Prices are per person, based on single, double and triple occupancy valid on date specified. Full payment is due when you book your tour. All rates, availability and tours are subject to change without notice. Certain restrictions apply.
* The initial deposit is $500 dollars and is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Itineraries
Day 1
Arrival in Havana
Group will be assisted at the airport by local travel agency and their English-speaking tour guide
Transfer to Havana on a air-conditioned bus
Drive by the city suburbs straight to your hotel
Check-in at 5-star iconic National hotel
7:30 pick-up for Welcome Dinner. Possibility to visit the kitchen for a site cooking demonstration!
Welcome Dinner at Paladar La Guarida or similar choice
La Guarida began to acquire its lofty reputation in the 1990s, when it was used as a location for the Oscar-nominated Fresa y chocolate. Regularly refined in the years since, the food is still up there with Havana's best, with the restaurant's pioneering brand of nueva cocina cubana driving both classic dishes (ropa vieja; shredded beef) and those that are unusual for Cuba
Recommendations for the evenings include world-famous Tropicana cabaret (the Moulin Rouge of Cuba), Casa de la Musica (there are a few salsa venues in town), Cabaret Parisien, La Zorra y el Cuervo (Jazz), among many others, reservations can be made through your tour-guide or at the hotel sales bureau in the lobby.
Included Accommodation, transportation, English-speaking tour guide and Welcome Dinner.
Day 2
Time : 9:00 am
Get to know Havana city, the old and the new
9:00 a.m. pick-up to be taken to the old Havana area
Walking tour of the oldest part of town with stops along the way to sample some of the local flavors. You will be visiting the main city squares and learn about the city’s rich history and fascinating architecture.
Enjoy some local chocolates made with real Cuban cacao, sip on a Cuban “cafecito”, and even sample street foods such as churros or small roasted peanuts (you’ll see people on the street selling cones containing roasted peanuts).
Lunch at a local Paladar. Possibility to visit the kitchen for a site cooking demonstration!
Afternoon visit to Havana’s international School of tourism to meet the Chef Students on the spot
Afternoon drive through New Havana
End your tour at Jose Fuster’s art gallery
Drive back to hotel
Dinner at Cocina de Liliam. Possibility to visit the kitchen for a site cooking demonstration!
Rest of evening at leisure
Included Accommodation, transportation, English-speaking tour guide, Lunch, visit to Culinary School and Dinner.
Day 3
A Culinary day in Havana
Breakfast at hotel
Meeting room for a conference on Cuban Cuisine, its origin, its history, the variety of Cuban dishes, their Spanish, Native, French, Haitian, American and African influence
Later visit to a Farmer’s market followed by a visit a ration store
Lunch at a local Paladar. Possibility to visit the kitchen for a site cooking demonstration!
Afternoon visit the Museum of Rum where you’ll learn about all details of rum production in Cuba.
This visit will be followed by stop at a Flea market for Cuban Souvenirs
Finally you return to the hotel. There is a free evening for dinner or enjoy an evening at the famed Tropicana Cabaret (not included).
Included Accommodation, transportation, English-speaking tour guide, Lunch, conference on Cuban Cuisine and Rum Museum.
Day 4
Time : 9:30 am
Hemingway’s Day
9:30 a.m. pick-up to visit Ernest Hemningway’s Museum
Hemingway became a fixture of Havana, and stayed in the country longer than many Americans chose to after relations between Cuba and the United States began to deteriorate. He fished extensively aboard his boat, Pilar, and enjoyed the island lifestyle, hanging out in Havana, and entertaining guests at the Finca.
Continue drive to Cojimar, a fishing town where Hemingway kept his Boat
Cojímar is a small fishing town located seven kilometers to the east of Havana. This town is famous for being the setting of Hemingway's most famous novel: “The Old Man and the Sea,” which allowed him to be awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1954.
Enjoy Mojitos at Las Terrazas. Drive back to Havana to visit a local Gallery
Lunch at a local Paladar. Possibility to visit the kitchen for a site cooking demonstration!
Free afternoon for clients to enjoy Havana on their own
Rest of day at leisure
It includes accommodation with breakfast, transportation, English-speaking tour guide, Tour of Hemingway, Hemingway’s museum, lunch.
Day 5
Excursion to Viñales Valley
Excursion to Viñales Valley – 2 & ½ hours away from Havana -(Oldest Geological region in Cuba dating back to Jurassic Period- stop at lookout point, visit Indian Cave, Mural de la Prehistoria, Tobacco Farm, Viñales Town). Lunch at Finca Paraiso (THIS COULD BE THE HIGHLIGHT OF CUABN CREOLE CUISINE). Back to Havana the same day at the end of the day. This will include Transportation, Tour Guide service.
The Viñales Valley in the Sierra de los Organos near the western end of the island of Cuba is an outstanding karst landscape encircled by mountains and dotted with spectacular dome-like limestone outcrops (mogotes) that rise as high as 300 m.
Tobacco and other crops are cultivated on the bottom of the valley, mostly by traditional agricultural techniques. Many caves dot the surrounding hills faces (Cueva del Indio is one example of them).
The conspicuous limestone cliffs rising like islands from the bottom of the valley are called Mogotes. They can be up to 300m tall.
Viñales is a major tourist destination offering mainly Hiking and rock climbing. The local climbing scene has started to take off in the last few years with many new routes being discovered resulting in an increase in local tourism.
Drive back to hotel and rest of evening at leisure
Recommendations for the evenings include world-famous Tropicana cabaret (the Moulin Rouge of Cuba), Casa de la Musica (there are a few salsa venues in town), Cabaret Parisien, La Zorra y el Cuervo (Jazz), among many others, reservations can be made through your tour-guide or at the hotel sales bureau in the lobby.
7:30 p.m. pick-up for Farewell Dinner at local Paladar San Cristobal. Possibility to visit the kitchen for a site cooking demonstration!
San Cristóbal Paladar is an environment full of reminiscences that point to our culture and our heritage. The Havana of the 50s stalks us in every corner, in the meticulous composition of each dish. San Cristóbal transports those who visit it to the lost universes that still remain in the works of Lezama
Former President Barack Obama dined here upon his visit to Havana
Recommendations for the evenings include world-famous Tropicana cabaret (the Moulin Rouge of Cuba), Casa de la Musica (there are a few salsa venues in town), Cabaret Parisien, La Zorra y el Cuervo (Jazz), among many others, reservations can be made through your tour-guide or at the hotel sales bureau in the lobby.
Accommodation with breakfast, transportation, tour guide service, Hemingway’s museum visit and Farewell Dinner
Accommodation with breakfast. Full-day excursion to Viñales valley with Lunch. Entrance Fees to places, Farewell Dinner.
Day 6
Departure Day
After breakfast, transfer out for outbound flight to USA
END OF SERVICE
- As described in the day-by-day itineraries
- Tips of any kind (maids, tour guides, drivers), personal expenses at hotel facilities, personal expenses of any kind, meals and services not mentioned in itinerary
