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Cuban Highlights Ride

Resort:Cuban Highlights Ride
Operator: Exodus
Destination: Caribbean Islands, Cuba
Price From: £2349.00

Overview


Experiencethe real Cuba on two wheels

Cycle through lush Cuban countryside, colourful colonial towns and alongside
quiet coastal roads where the inviting waters of the Caribbean await. Cuba is
the ideal destination for a cycling holiday, with a refreshing mojito to
reward your efforts at the end of the day! Out of the saddle discover
Cubas fascinating revolutionary history, visiting the Bay of Pigs and Che
Guevara’s Mausoleum. The UNESCO towns of Cienfuegos and Trinidad are bursting
with music and Cuban spirit, not forgetting enigmatic, charming Havana where
this trip ends.

Highlights

* Time to relax, swim and sample Cuba’s famous mojitos
* Immerse yourself in Cuba’s unique history and culture
* Cycle gently through stunning tropical scenery
* Full vehicle support throughout trip
* Cycling leaders trained to UK leadership standards (CTC Bike Tour Leader
Award)
* Cuban Tourist Cards included for all UK residents
* Direct flights with Virgin Atlantic usually available

Itinerary

Day 1
Fly to Havana.

The group flight arrives in the afternoon and we transfer to our hotel. Those
on Land Only arrangements should join us at the hotel in the evening.

*Standard Hotel*

Day 2
Havana cycle tour; to the Bay of Pigs.

After being fitted with our bikes we have a cycling tour of Havana with
members of the Cuban Masters Road Cycling Club. This club is made up of
veteran Cuban cyclists who regularly compete in races in their respective age
groups and will give us an insight into competitive cycling in
Cuba.Arriving into the Old Town, well stop for a visit to a community
cycling project run by an inspiring group of Cuban women. As well as hiring
out bikes and promoting cycling as form of transport, they use limited
resources to help fix peoples bikes up so that they are roadworthy, and
teach the children of La Habana Vieja how to ride!

Later we transfer to Playa Larga and stay overnight at the Bay of Pigs and
have dinner at a small beachfront restaurant with a large Cuban welcome. The
speciality here is fresh fish caught by local fisherman just off the coast.

*Casas Particulares*

Day 3
Coastal cycle ride; to Cienfuegos.

Our day begins with a coastal cycle ride from Playa Larga to Playa Giron
where we visit a museum to learn about the Bay of Pigs invasion and the
region’s historical significance.Afterwards we cycle to the coast and a
place called Caleta Buena for lunch and a swim, before transferring onwards
to Cienfuegos. Todays riding will be along a flat road that clings to the
shimmering Caribbean coastline. The city of Cienfuegos is full of
architectural delights, with a beautiful main square and restored buildings.
One of the best ways to get around is by Bici Taxi, a fun tour using Cubas
eco-friendly and typical city transport. Each Bici Taxi can accommodate two
people and will be pedalled by a local resident (most of whom like to
introduce their guests to reggaeton music!) The Bici Taxi tour is a great
time to talk to local Cienfuegos residents and have a go at practising your
Spanish. Afterwards we check into our casas for the night. Casas will be
located close to the town centre, and to some great paladares. The
maleconcoastal road is usually a lively place to soak up the atmosphere
with locals.

*Casas Particulares*

Day 4
Ride from Cienfuegos to Rancho La Vega farm; to the World Heritage Site of
Trinidad.

On todays cycle ride we are joined by members of the Cienfuegos Cycling
team, there will be plenty of time to chat before and during the ride at the
various pit-stops.This morning we cycle from Cienfuegos to Rancho La Vega
farm. During our visit we will have time to have some fruit juices or
coffee.

Trinidad has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1988 and is perhaps the
best-preserved colonial town on the island. Exploring Trinidad can feel like
entering a time warp, its colourful, cobbled streets and horse drawn
transportation whisking us back. There are many interesting museums housed in
old colonial buildings and music drifts through the streets and plazas,
bringing the town to life. We will be joined by a local resident to have a
walking tour who will give us an insider perspective of what its like to
live in Trinidad.

We’ll stay overnight in charming Casa Particulares, private Bed and Breakfast
accommodation in local Cuban houses. Our dinner this evening will be at
Alberto & Osmarysnew restaurant or casa, where a local collective of
musicians will perform interpretations of classic Cuban trova songs. This is
sure to be a lively evening and a wonderful opportunity to enjoy Cuban music
with its distinct rhythms.

*Casas Particulares*

Day 5
Cycle to Playa Ancon and back; salsa class.

We cycle to the fishing village of La Boca which is a popular spot with local
fisherman going about their daily business, before continuing our ride to
Playa Ancon, a classic white sand Caribbean beach, where weather dependent we
will have a picnic lunch. Otherwise our cycle continues to Casilda where our
lunch will be taken at La Marinera, a private family run paladar.

We will have a short cycle to get back to Trinidad, where this evening we
take part in a salsa class with Cuban dance partners. There will be one dance
partner for each member of the group, to assist with teaching the correct
salsa moves. Trinidad is known for its nightlife, so after weve learnt the
basics of salsa well go to the towns Casa de la Trova live music
venue to listen to local musicians playing authentic Cuban music. This venue
is always lively and sociable, with plenty of local Cubans keen to let us
practice our dancing with them!

*Casas Particulares*

Day 6
Cycle to Rio Seibabo; transfer to Hanabanilla.

After breakfast we will cycle to Rio Seibaboin the heart of the Sierra del
Escambray mountain range. On route we will stop at the Manaca Iznaga textiles
market where we will meet traditional textile makers and sellers. Our next
stop willbeat the house of campesinos and are introduced to a local
farmer and his family who make delicious honey. We will also go to a small
coffee farm where a family of coffee growers welcome us to taste their
freshly roasted coffee. Hanabanilla is situated on the shores of Lake
Hanabanilla and surrounded by lush tropical hills. This is one of the most
beautiful days in terms of scenery. Afterwards we will transfer to
Hanabanilla, we eat at a private paladar for a taste of authentic Cuban
cuisine.

*Standard Hotel*

Day 7
Cycle to Matagua; transfer to Che Guevara Mausoleum in Santa Clara; to
Havana.

This morning we have short ride from Hanabanilla to Matagua, stopping along
the way to visit a tobacco factory before transferring onwards to Santa
Clara. Santa Clara was the first major city to be liberated by Castro’s army
in December 1958. Today several monuments commemorate this important period
of Cuba’s history, including the mausoleum of the legendary Che Guevara,
where we’ll stop for a short visit.Afterwardswe transfer back to Havana.
There is no better way to see Havana than by classic car, travelling in
immaculately looked after classic cars in vibrant colours. Visiting both the
old and new areas of the city, we discover the distinct neighbourhoods of the
capital, stopping at points of interest for explanations and stories. Feel
free to ask questions about why the streets of Cuba are filled with classic
American cars manufactured in the 1950s and how on earth the owners manage
to maintain them! This evening we have dinner at a private paladar in
Havana.

*Standard Hotel*

Day 8
Sightseeing in Old Havana; transfer to the airport.

This morning we’ll have a walking tour of old and new Havana, Cuba’s capital
and the largest city in the Caribbean. Havana is a busy, bustling, energetic
capital. It is one of the finest colonial cities in the Americas with narrow
streets, spacious plazas and glorious architecture. There is an air of faded
grandeur about the place with paint peeling off buildings. The area of Old
Havana is often described as a living museum, with its marvellous monuments,
cathedrals and palaces. During our tour we visit a ration store, food market
and artisan market for a chance to buy some souvenirs.

Those on group flights will transfer approx. 30 – 40 minutes this afternoon
to Havana airport for the return flight to London.

Day 9 Arrive London.

Arrive London.
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