Havana, Trinidad and Cayo Coco

Any Cuban journey starts in Havana.  Her faded beauty is legendary – this is hands down the most appealing city in the Caribbean, and one of the top five scrumptious Latin American destinations too.  It’s now rising up from its ruins: a chunk of the tourist money that has hit the Cuban coffers over the last two decades has been showered on sprucing up Habana Vieja, the old colonial centre.  The restored architecture of Eusebio Leal, the cobbled streets, baroque churches, castles and palaces. Plazas have been returned to their former glory, their fountains flowing once more, their facades re-rendered attentively. While the wonderful seafront is gradually being restored.  Stay in an 18th Century former palace which has been sympathetically rejuvenated with Cuban art and furniture to reflect the Cuba in the 19th Century.Spend the next two days exploring this fascinating city.  A walking tour of Old Havana is highly recommended where you will visit many of the beautiful buildings and immerse yourself in the culture of this animated and exciting city.

Check-out of the hotel and pick up a hire car for a fabulous road trip to Trinidad making a stop on the south coast to the colonial town of Cienfuegos.  A beautiful small town with horse and cart still being a popular mode of transport.  Stop for lunch and perhaps visit the Botanical Gardens before continuing onto Trinidad.  Once in Trinidad and settled into your “casa particular” (family run lodgings), then find a paladares (private, family-run restaurant), instead of one of the state-run restaurants, for delicious home-cooked food, where much of the produce is locally grown due to the fertile soil of area.  Trinidad is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  The best way to explore is through a walking tour with a private guide.  For a change of scene, a lovely day trip is to the island Cayo Macho.  Spend the day snorkelling over beautiful coral reef, watching iguanas and having a picnic lunch.

Today you will do drive the last leg of your road trip to Cayo Coco part of the Jardines del Rey archipelago, a beautiful cluster of shoreline resorts with miles of sandy beaches and swaying palm trees.  Choose to relax or take leisurely drives to discover the area.  Enjoy a private villa with endless activities on offer and fantastic seafood.

Transfer to Cayo Coco Airport to board a flight to Havana.  After checking-in to your hotel, you have the rest of the day to explore Havana further, with or without a guide and we will make a reservation for you at a recommended restaurant in the evening.  Before leaving Havana, have time to enjoy a leisurely lunch, then head off to the airport for the direct flight back to London.