Havana and Western Cuba | Gardens, Agriculture, History, and the Arts

Upon arrival at the Havana International Airport, after clearing customs and collecting your luggage, you will be met by your guide and driver and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy exploring your new surroundings this afternoon, depending on your time of arrival. This evening, meet your fellow travelers for an orientation and celebratory Welcome Dinner at a special paladar in Old Havana.

This morning return to Old Havana for a guided walking tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the four main plazas with your excellent guide: Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de San Francisco de Asís, and Plaza de Armas. Learn about the ongoing restoration projects throughout Havana and see the giant model of the city. After lunch at a local paladar, enjoy a private performance by Danza-Teatro Retazos. This talented group of dancers and their instructor will amaze and delight you, as they have been doing for audiences not only in Cuba, but internationally in the US and Europe. Return to your hotel for free time, or remain in Old Havana and return to the hotel on own via one of the many iconic antique cars available. This evening, enjoy dinner at Le Chansonnier.

immigrant from Nicaragua. Food is a main subject in their culture and plays a large role in everyday life, despite societal ups and downs that have affected access to it. Finca Tungasuk is a member of Jesús Menéndez Farmer's Cooperative C.C.S.F. The owners will give you the opportunity to learn and participate in their cooking techniques, enjoying a tasty lunch. This afternoon, visit Cuba's oldest botanical garden, La Quinta de los Molinos. It was founded in 1864 and has a butterfly house as well as a breeding nursery of Polymita spp., a terrestrial and eastern-endemic genus of very colorful mollusk. This evening, dinner is on own so that you can discover one of the many Paladares in Old Havana. You may also wish to take in the music and dance stylings that Cuba is known for - whether at the Tropicana Cabaret, Cabaret Parisien at Hotel Nacional, or one of the many cafes featuring talented local musicians. Your hotel concierge will be able to assist you.

This morning, travel to the outskirts of Havana for a visit to the jewel of Cuba's public gardens, the National Botanical Garden. Your host at the garden will be able to give you an introduction and overview of the Garden, as well as accompany you during your visit. Stroll through the collections, then board your vehicle for a drive through the expansive acreage of the garden's arboretum, which features trees from a variety of countries and regions throughout the world. After your time at the garden and arboretum, travel to the coast and enjoy time at Playa Santa Maria del Mar, including lunch at a seaside paladar upon arrival. Return later in the afternoon to your hotel, with dinner this evening at a paladar in Old Havana.

Today, begin your travels to western Cuba, stopping en route in Soroa for a visit at the Soroa Orchid Garden. Meet with a staff member for a guided tour of the garden, which is run by the University of Pinar del Río. Lunch will be at a paladar en route. Continue to Viñales, known for its limestone formations called mogotes: flat-topped hills dating to the Jurassic period, and can only be found in only four countries in the world. Viñales is also famous for its rich soil and agriculture, including tobacco production. You will have time to explore your new surroundings before going to dinner at a local paladar.

This morning visit the Finca of Raúl Reyes. Learn about his crops and how he makes a living in this area. Take a walk on the Cueva de la Vaca trail, which not only goes through Raúl's finca, but also gives you a chance to see plants common to the mogote vegetation complex, including the "mogotes triad": Bombacopsis cubensis, Gaussia princeps, and Spathelia brittonii. With flashlight in hand, pass through the cave for which the trail is named, looking for bats as you go; on the other side, you'll come out into Palmarito Valley, surrounded by palms and many species of birds. Return to town for lunch at 3J Bar de Tapas café, followed by a visit to a local botanical garden. Located on one acre in the heart of the neighborhood, this whimsical home and garden has been in the same family for many years. Next, meet the female owner of Finca Agroecologica El Paraiso, probably the finest paladar and farm in the area. Here you will be given an overview of the Finca, having the opportunity to hear about the techniques and schedules used to run a farm as well as a very popular paladar. After dinner, return to your Casa for overnight.

This morning you will return to La Habana, giving you free time this afternoon. You may wish to return to Old Havana, perhaps walk through the fascinating indoor market located on the docks, or take in a museum or art studio that you might have missed during the city tour. This evening enjoy a delicious Farewell Dinner at Paladar La Guardia, where the Oscar-nominated Cuban film "Strawberry and Chocolate" was filmed.

At the appropriate time you will be transferred to the Havana International Airport for your flight(s) home.