5 DAY CUBA TOUR - HAVANA WEEKEND (+ VIÑALES)

We start our group tour in Havana at 10am today with an orientation meeting followed by a tour of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This 2-hour walking tour encompasses the four principal plazas of Old Havana, you’ll also learn about the ration system with a visit to a local bodega. Following the tour, we’ll have lunch at a paladar (privately owned restaurant) and learn how to make traditional Cuban cocktails. Once fed and watered, we will explore the hip art district of San Isidro, including stops in a well-known boxing studio and a visit to Galeria Taller Gorria, a cultural project with the aim of providing a space to bring together art & the community through performances, workshops and exhibitions.

Tonight we will have dinner at one of Havana’s classic paladars.

Included Activities: Walking tour of Old Havana, Cocktail lesson, Boxing Studio visit, Galeria Taller Gorria visit

Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Today we cross the bay to Casablanca and Regla to see the Havana skyline and visit with community project ReglaSoul for a discussion on gender and race issues in Cuba. ReglaSoul is a community project formed by a local hip hop artist and an expat photographer/filmmaker, their goal is to promote wellness in the Afro-Cuban neighborhood through free concerts and workshops. For lunch we’ll be treated to a Today we cross the bay to Casablanca and Regla to see the Havana skyline and visit with a local community project in the town of Regla for a discussion on gender and race issues in Cuba. The aim of this project is to promote wellness in the Afro-Cuban neighborhood through free concerts and workshops. For lunch we’ll be treated to a homemade Afro-Vegan meal.

Later we board classic convertible cars (weather permitting) for a panoramic tour of Havana in which you will learn about the history of the American Mafia and the role it played in pre-revolutionary Cuba. We end the tour at the Hotel Nacional, notorious Mafia headquarters and the lodging of choice for America’s royalty.

Tonight’s dinner is at a ‘small plates’ restaurant, with a post dinner visit to the famous Fabrica de Arte Cubano. Named one of Time Magazine’s World’s 100 Greatest Places. Featuring five salons showcasing various types of art, from textiles, to architecture, music, dance, and eye-catching installations, plus bars and pop-up shops; you’ll marvel at the innovation and talent of New Cuba.

Included Activities: Meeting and discussion with local community members of Regla, Afro-Vegan Cooking demo, Mafia History tour in Classic Car, cocktail at Hotel Nacional, Fabrica de Arte Cubano

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

How do you take an impoverished neighborhood known as the ‘Ugliest Street in Havana’ and turn it into a successful community project that catches the notice of President Obama? Today we’ll learn about how individuals used their talents to fuel positive change in their neighborhoods on a special tour with Havana Adventures. Don’t forget your camera, you’ll visit two of the most artistically remarkable neighborhoods in Havana.

After lunch we cover the topic of ‘cuentapropistas’, entrepreneurship in Cuba. Beginning in 2011 the Cuban Government began opening the private sector and legalizing private businesses not seen since the 1959 revolution. Private businesses face a unique set of challenges to succeed in Cuba, from government bureaucracy to advertising bans to scarce resources. In order to survive and thrive they have to show remarkable creativity and tenacity. We will illustrate this topic with a visit to one of Havana’s successful new businesses to hear their story and perhaps get a special demonstration of their manufacturing process.

In the evening we will have the opportunity to experience a “maridaje” ceremony - the pairing of Cuban rum and Cuban cigars.

Included Activities: Murals and Mosaics local art communities tour with lunch and cocktail, Meet & Greet at a Local business - part of the 'new Cuba' movement, Maridaje ceremony (cigar & rum pairing)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We depart very early in the morning to head off towards the mountains and the province of Pinar del Rio. On arriving in the town of Viñales we will meet with a specialist local guide who will take us through the tobacco fields to meet local farmers & visit a farm, learn about growing tobacco, how to roll cigars, taste some local coffee and experience real life in the small country town, After our light trek through the Viñales valley we visit an organic farm for a fantastic farm-to-fork lunch.

We will have a light orientation tour around this small town, and time permitting we’ll visit take a boat ride through Cuevas del Indio (Indian Caves). You will also see the controversial Prehistoric Mural where you can decide for yourself whether it is art or an eye-sore. We’ll end our day with a cocktail in a small local bar (perhaps with some local musicians) before heading back towards Havana for our final night and farewell meal.

Included Activities: Day trip to Viñales - visit to tobacco farm, organic farm, Indian caves (time permitting) and Prehistoric Mural.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you can depart at any time. There are no included activities, however, your tour leader will be around at least until midday in case you have a few extra days planned in Havana and need some pointers or recommendations. An airport departure transfer is not included in the tour package. You can hire your own taxi or otherwise ask your tour leader for assistance.

Included Meals: Breakfast
If you have a little less time consider taking the 4 day Havana weekend