La Bella Cuba

Tailor made tours

SUMMARY

9 Days

Cuba

La Bella Cuba: A Journey Through Cuba’s Highlights

Explore the best of Western Cuba on the La Bella Cuba tour, where stunning architecture, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant culture come together. This region offers not only iconic attractions but also the island’s most developed tourist infrastructure, ensuring a comfortable and memorable experience.

Start in Captivating Havana

Begin your adventure in Havana, a city where history and modernity blend seamlessly. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Havana, with its cobblestone streets, colonial plazas, and lively atmosphere. Stroll along the famous Malecón, visit the iconic Capitolio, and immerse yourself in the rhythm of the city’s vibrant music and art scenes.

Discover Timeless Trinidad

Next, journey to Trinidad, another UNESCO World Heritage site, where time seems to have stood still. This charming colonial town is known for its pastel-colored houses, cobblestone streets, and vibrant squares. Explore the historic Valle de los Ingenios, learn about the region’s sugar trade past, and enjoy the laid-back ambience that sets Trinidad apart.

Experience Rural Viñales

Venture west to Viñales, a region celebrated for its stunning natural beauty and traditional Cuban lifestyle. Here, limestone mogotes rise dramatically from lush tobacco fields, creating a landscape unlike any other. Visit local farms, take a guided hike through the valley, or enjoy a horseback ride to experience the rural charm of Cuba.

Stay in Style: Premium Lodging Options

Throughout your journey, enjoy stays in handpicked accommodations that blend comfort with Cuban charm. In Havana, relax in a boutique hotel with classic architecture and modern amenities. In Trinidad, unwind in a colonial-era lodge featuring lush gardens and views of the Sierra del Escambray mountains. Each property offers a welcoming atmosphere and personalised service, ensuring a delightful stay.

Tailor Your Cuban Experience with Contours Travel

The La Bella Cuba tour showcases some of the country’s top destinations and offers flexibility to suit your needs. Whether you wish to extend your stay, add excursions, or upgrade accommodations, Contours Travel can customise your itinerary. Discover Cuba’s most beautiful destinations with comfort and style on the La Bella Cuba tour.

HIGHLIGHTS

Stroll the streets of Old Havana with your guide and visit the four main plazas.
Enjoy the quintessential Cuban experience – a ride in a classic car around greater Havana.
See the neo-classical mansions of Cienfuegos.
Step back in time with a visit to the UNESCO Heritage listed town of Trinidad.
Enjoy Cuban hospitality with dinner at a private family restaurant.
Learn about the fascinating history of the Cuban revolution and pay homage to revolutionary hero Che Guevara in Santa Clara.
Spend time in rural Cuba – visit the stunning Viñales Valley and stay in the pioneering eco-village of Las Terrazas.

ITINERARY

Day 1 Havana

Arrive Havana Airport & transfer to your hotel located in the historic centre. Havana is a fascinating city, from the faded Spanish architecture and cobblestone streets of Old Havana (UNESCO World Heritage Site) to its now famous collection of 1950’s Chevies and Buicks that rumble past to the hum of the Salsa and its bars and cocktails made famous by the likes of Ernest Hemingway. With its magnificent museums and colourful past, Havana offers a wealth of sights and sounds that capture the very essence of Cuba.

Day 2 Havana

After breakfast your local guide will meet you at your hotel and take you on a walking tour of Old Havana. Your first stop will be at a cigar factory (a chance to sample the local produce!). Continue on through the cobblestone streets of Old Havana where you can enjoy the live ‘theatre’ of La Habana Vieja – offering you a fascinating viewing of this wonderful city’s historical and cultural value.

Day 3 Havana

Today, experience the modern side of Havana with a tour by vintage car. Cruise along the iconic Malecón, Havana’s famous seafront promenade, and take in the city’s eclectic mix of architectural styles. Visit Revolution Square, where the impressive mural of Ernesto “Che” Guevara stands as a powerful symbol of Cuban history. This tour provides a perfect blend of nostalgia and contemporary Havana.

Day 4 Cienfuegos/Trinidad de Cuba

A morning drive to Cienfuegos also referred to as The Pearl of the Caribbean. The provincial city of Cienfuegos was founded in 1819 with the name of Villa Fernandina de Jagua. Located in the south center of the island, it is one of the youngest and most beautiful cities of Cuba. The streets are lined with mansions well past their belle epoch. Lunch is included at a local restaurant. Continue onto Trinidad de Cuba and your accommodation.

Trinidad is a monument to Spanish colonialism. Like Old Havana it is also UNESCO World Heritage listed and today much of its architecture and cobblestone streets remain untouched. The town itself is fairly small and much can be seen in one day, including visits to some of Cuba’s best museums. There are plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from and at night the town comes alive to the beat of the best Afro-Cuban sounds. Nearby are some excellent beaches on the Playa Ancon Peninsula.

Day 5 Trinidad de Cuba

Today, discover the best of Trinidad on a guided walking tour. Visit the Plaza Mayor, admire the stunning colonial architecture, and explore the Museo Romantico. Stop by La Canchanchara bar to taste a traditional Cuban cocktail and visit La Casa de Alfarero, a local ceramic workshop, to see skilled artisans at work. Enjoy some free time to browse the local crafts market. Lunch at a local restaurant and dinner at a family-run paladar will give you a taste of authentic Cuban cuisine.

Day 6 Santa Clara/Las Terrazas

Depart Trinidad and travel to Santa Clara, the city at the heart of the Cuban Revolution. Explore key historical sites, including the Che Guevara Memorial and the Tren Blindado Monument, which commemorate pivotal moments in Cuba’s revolutionary past. Visit the charming Plaza Leoncio Vidal and stroll along Boulevard de la Ciudad. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Las Terrazas, where your eco-friendly hotel awaits amidst lush greenery.

Day 7 Las Terrazas

Enjoy a full day tour to Cuba’s western Pinar del Rio Province, stunning Viñales Valley and enjoy panoramic views from the Los Jazmines lookout. You’ll have some time to explore the sleepy town of Viñales before touring the lovely Dos Hermanas Valley. We’ll see a prehistoric mural and visit the Cueva del Indio where a boat tour will take you along an underground river. Enjoy a typical Cuban lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel this afternoon.

Day 8 Las Terrazas/Havana

After breakfast, transfer back to Havana for a final evening in the capital. Enjoy some free time to revisit your favourite spots or discover new ones, soaking in the last of Havana’s vibrant atmosphere.