I’d heard so much about this Caribbean Island and was intrigued to find out about the post-...
Salsa Cubana
Trip type:
Cultural & Nature
Activity level:
Moderate
Max group size:
20 Cuba, Americas | 16 days
Trip code:
CU Reviews
Don't take our word for it - read through our customer reviews. All of these have been published without any editing.Visiting the tobacco farm and seeing the farmer roll a cigar which we could all try was a highlight. A swim in the waterfall and cave in the Sierra Escambray area was not to be missed.
Mark Roper, December 2009
the trip provided an intensive but thorough view of Cuba, physically, socially and politically.
The walk up to Castro's rebel headquarters was very atmospheric as well as exceptionally pretty.
'Yazel Peterssen our leader was outstanding - everything one could wish for- well organised, diligent, extremely knowledgeable, spoke fluent english, fun and pleasant to be with.
Mr D - Travelled in November 2011
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It really was an adventure of a lifetime.
Our guide, Freddy was outstanding. His knowledge, insight, professionalism and caring nature were winning qualities that made an excellent trip truly memorable.
Highlights of places visited were Havana, Vinales and Baracoa. We packed a huge amount into two weeks. It really was an adventure of a lifetime.
Hotel Las Amercias was really quite dreadful - and one to be avoided. The Hotel Melia opposite was more of the standard I expected.
The Hotel in Baracoa didn't have hot running water so showers were quite unpleasant affairs.
Apart from the hotels in Bayamo and Vinales, all of the bedrooms were pretty basic and lacked even items such as table lamps.
With the exception of Bayamo and Andos Mundos, the breakfasts in the hotels were completely unappetising, even by Cuban standards.
Freddy was the best tour leader myself and the group had had the pleasure of experiencing. He is a credit to Cuba and your company.
Miss S - Travelled in December 2011
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Too many visits to revolutionary sites.
We had to use Air Europe via Madrid. Nor impressed with the standard of the aircraft nor food
Too many visits to revolutionary sites. Boring!
A number of things in the rooms didn't work such as light bulbs and the safes.
Occasional difficulty in understanding his English.
Mr A - Travelled in March 2012
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Visiting Che's mausoleum at Santa Clara.
Visiting Che's mausoleum at Santa Clara.
Excellent evening listening to the Buena Vista Social Club. Enjoyed the music at Casa de la Trova in both Trinidad and Baracoa.
Long days of travelling although this was broken up by visits to various town of interest or beaches on route. Spectacular scenery to keep me occupied.
I would have preferred the trip to run in reverse as the highlights of the trip were at the beginning.
Due to the visit of the pope our accommodation in Santiago was in a seedy all inclusive resort an hours drive from the city. Limited the time we had to spent in the city. Only option to eat was at the hotel which was poor. However this was due to exceptional circumstances.
Accommodation in Havana was very central.
Provided a wide range of dining experiences from state run restaurants, paladares, picnics and local Cuban restaurants. Had expected to only eat in state run establishments. Provided the opportunity to experience different types of local Cuban music with local residents.
Miss C - Travelled in March 2012
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Cuba was absolutely great as a trip
Cuba was absolutely great as a trip there was too many highlights to mention e.g. Tobacco farms in Vinales, Walk to Fidel Castro's hideout in the Sierra Maestre, Musics on the streets of Santiago, Salsa in Trinidad, Bike ride in Camaguey, the boat and swimming trip down the river after walking through the farmers fields and being treated to coconuts, almonds and cocoa beans in Baracoa (which was not officially on the trip)and havana! The cubans so passionate about their history and sense of fairness and justice.
Very helpful and knowledgeable [Yazel] went out of his way to try and ensure everyone was happy. Answered all questions asked and held sessions everyday on the coach to answer all and every question even when he was being patronised and told he was indoctrinated by his government. Handled it very well and never reacted at all.
Worked over 20 hours a day trying to ensure everything went to plan and worked and that we were all safe and happy. Even with some very trying couples on the tour that went out of their way to just be disagreeable and disrupt the tour arrangements. 1 couple was only using the tour to get around Cuba so went off the itinery all the time and was always late on turning up which obviously caused the tour leader concern. The other couple just moaned the whole time regarding the amount of food being provided as we suggested several times - you don't need to eat it all just because you pay for it!
I believe that he went over and above in exceptional and trying circumstances.
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overall we thoroughly enjoyed our holiday.
Meeting and being guided by Lazarro of Cubanacan, our friendly, helpful and enthusiastic local guide; Visiting historical sites, such as 'La Plata', Castro's HQ in the Sierra Maestra, the music, the nature trails and swimming in the Caribbean.
Would have liked to have stayed longer in some places and have more time on our own to wander round and to swim near Baracoa. We spent too much time travelling on the coach in the last few days without breaks. However, we appreciate in 15 days the itinery was going to be challenging as we covered many many kilometres.
Our 'family' as Lazarro liked to refer to the group were great and overall we thoroughly enjoyed our holiday. Thank you!
'The accommodation and food was much better than we had expected. This was our first group holiday experience. We may have been lucky with our group, but the attitude of the Guide helped us gel and enjoy each other's company in a relaxing way. We would love to return to Cuba, which we found inspirational.
Fantastic-went out of his way to make sure each of us had their needs and wants met.
Mr D - Travelled in November 2011
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The mouse that roared!
There were a few; one that has to count amongst the most inpirational moments was the visit to Fidel's hideout in the Sierra Maestre mountains, another the visit to the Che memorial at santa Clara. Others were the music and the joyful spirited people of Cuba who have endured so much and have come out smiling, laughing, singing, dancing and happy to share their experiences and their wonderful island with us.
Ennio was a real star, very knowledgeable and very happy to share his knowledge to enrich our experience of the island, always available and happy to answer our questions and support us during our stay. Thanks Ennio!
Get out there, meet the Cuban people and dance with life, enjoy!
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The trip was fantastic
The trip was fantastic, it offered a combination of cultural sightseeing and walks in the nature,including swimming in the sea, rivers and waterfalls. We visited museums, cigar and rum factories, local farmers, major city sights and more. Unforgettable experience!
'he couldn't have been any better [Yazel]
Miss K - Travelled in November 2011
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Just wonderful
It was all fantastic and the guide, Freddie, could not have done more - he is a real star!!Freddie went out of his way to make sure we had a fantstic time and this included some unique eating expereiences - ignore what the guide books say. We had a local banquet in a little house in vinales, cooked just for us, goat stew in the mountains and on Xmas day , some very kind people catered for us in every way - continual supply of food, drinks and a very amused tolerance of our loud and awful singing!!
We were serenaded at every turn by lots of local musicians and offered complimentary cocktails at each hotel. The whole country seems to be full of fabulous locals who can dance and were happy to show us how to. Such fun!!
I loved the options and choices - so driving down to the Caribbean on Xmas Eve in an old chevy for a couple of hours of sun, sea and cocktalis was great.
Visiting Che's museum was a very important and moving experience for me,
climbing up to see the HQ of Fidel was just amazing - even when we went up the steepest hill and had to get out of the bus - I was in my flip flops by then and found it very difficult- the guide, Freddie, came and took my hand and helped me up the last few steps- what an act of solidarity!!
I loved Caramguey and especially, having the chance to look at some of the local art work, the sunset and canon fire at Santaigo, and dancing at Baracoa in the local Casa de Trouve with the locals - and so much more .
Just wonderful
There was very little that I did not enjoy and overal it was really great- a lot of time and thought ahd clearly gone in to planning the itineray and checking all the bookings.
I suppose the hotel in Baracoa was a bit disappointing - it was far out of town and had an air of " end of season" disinterest - shown by not filling the pool but having a notice banning swimming next to it!! On the other hand, the cyclo guides were great and we had soem good coversations with one of two of the locals
I think the itineray is good, as we got to see a lot of the highlights and heard a lot about the history, culture and politics - I really appreciated that unique insight. Inevitably, there will be a lot of time on the bus when covering such a distance - but they worked really hard to plan stops and break up the journey well. there was always a little treat of some sort - home made fudge for when wwe were climbing, banannas for a snack etc
The driver, Ariel, was excellent and also a great laugh
Oh, forgot to say that the hotel in Santiago was not very good - looked ike it needed an upgrade- Las Americanas- and just opposite a very upmarket hotle opposite. However, we met some nice locals in the seedy hotel disco!!
the hotel in Habana was great - Ambos Mundos as was the on in Bayamo, so overall we were ahppy
I have been on many of your trips and the group leaders are all pretty good, but I would say Freddie was exceptional. I cannot think of a thing he did not know, consider or do to make our stay a fantastic one. Please increase his salary!!!
Ms T - Travelled in December 2011
Can we encourage those on the trip to give more generously -including their clothes and toiletries- most would give more if it was put to them in an attractive way . When we could, we left or gave some of our clothes to individuals and there was no shame or embarassment - people were delighted and we felt great and our cases were lighter, too!
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The whole itinerary was good.
The whole itinerary was good. The only negative was that the other 4 people in the group had booked together. Although they were all very friendly and inclusive there was an age difference and they preferred a quieter slightly less active holiday which did affect some aspects of the holiday.
accomodation varied from excellent to occassioally more basic but often the location made up for this. In my opinion the Gran Hotel in Camaguey stood out as being a lovely hotel with character, the best room of the whole trip and a great central location.
Miss W - Travelled in March 2012
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$2,770pp inc flights
$1,698pp exc flights
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Among many other things, we offset the carbon emissions associated with in-country travel on all of our trips, supporting a solar stove and clean energy project in Madagascar.
