A Cultural Immersion in Cuba

A FEW EXTRA DAYS TO EXPLORE TRINIDAD

After walking the streets of Havana for several days, give yourself a quieter break in Trinidad - a colourful, colonial city where time seems to have stood still. Take a stroll along Plaza Mayor, which bears witness to the past, or visit the Romantic Museum to get a glimpse of the luxury in which families lived during the colonial period. For those who want popular music and dancing, have a drink at Casa de la Trova. Above the city the Escambray Mountains and the Topes de Tintes Nature Park served as a refuge for the Che Guevara-led rebels during the 1958 revolution. More recently these vast forests also gave refuge to rebels who opposed Castro. Now it's a paradise for hikers - eucalyptus, coffee trees, palm trees and orchids can be found alongside the bamboo groves, as well as the thousands of birds.

Optional

A FEW EXTRA DAYS - BEHIND THE SCENES OF HAVANA

For those who are not pressed for time, there is the possibility of extending your stay in Havana and adding to the list of encounters and experiences that are not on the normal tourist trails... Cubans or expats, our local contacts share, through themes that are close to their heart, their views of the city. One such local is Yazek Manzano, a renowned trumpeter who is very active in Cuba. Yazek shows us the new generation of Cuban music and Havana's secret spots. Another local is musician Brenda Navarrete, who gives you a private percussion or dance class in a colonial house in Vedado. Change of tone: head to Havana's most exclusive cigar club for a presentation on Habano cigars and the opportunity to try them with Belkys, a Cuban-Swiss enthusiast. Go to a boxing club at Centro Habana - boxing is Cuba's first Olympic sport and attending training is a rich experience, whether you're a fighter or just curious. Finally, at night, we suggest that travellers go with a local guide to better acquaint themselves with the different places and the new trends of Havana: bars in the historic district, clubs and rooftops in Vedado, lawns or public benches surrounded by Havana's young residents...

Optional - Half-day or full-day, with private guide.