Cradle of the Revolution

History oriented collective tour around the eastern side of Cuba. Overnight in Holguin, Santiago de Cuba and baracoa.

**SATURDAY DEPARTURES ONLY**

Day 1
On arrival into Holguin the first nights accommodation will be at El Bosque Hotel or similar. The remainder of the day will be free to relax at the hotel and explore the local area on an individual basis.

Day 2
After breakfast at the hotel, there will be a short orientation tour of Holguin the provincial capital known for its many peaceful, tree-lined squares, before you proceed to Bayamo, a city of crucial historical importance and the former capital of Cuba.

After lunch, a tour of this picturesque colonial city will include the beautiful historic church of San Salvador(dating back to the 16th Century) and declared a national monument.

You will continue through the foothills of the Sierra Maestra Mountains to Santiago de Cuba, Cuba’s second largest city that has a unique Caribbean and Latin atmosphere. On arrival you can settle at the hotel Melia Santiago and enjoy dinner. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure to relax at the hotel or enjoy exploring the city.

Day 3
After breakfast at the hotel you will spend the day with a full exploration of this city that has been of crucial importance throughout Cuba’s history. You will visit the central square Parque Cespedes, Calle Heredia, one of the city’s liveliest streets, the former Bacardi Rum factory and Padre Pico Street, made famous by the intense games of draughts played by the locals.

The day continues to Castillo del Morro, a historical fortress offering fantastic views across the Caribbean Sea and the impressive Sierra Maestra Mountains. You will enjoy a traditional Cuban lunch at a restaurant next to the fortress offering stunning views of the coastal scenery.

After lunch you will visit the picturesque church of El Cobre, Cuba’s most sacred pilgrimage site in Cuba and a shrine to the Virgin Mary.

In the evening, you will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant followed by an optional visit to one of Cuba’s famous “ Casa de la Trova” for live music - Cuban style!

Day 4
An early morning departure will take you to Moncada Barracks, one of the most important sites of the Revolution boat journey and Cayo Granma boat journey across the bay and lunch at the restaurant overlooking the sea, before continuing to Guantanamo, a typical Cuban town living in the shadow of the US naval base.

Leaving Guantanamo a spectacular drive, one of the best in Cuba, will take you past palm fringed bays, sleepy towns and mountain scenery to Baracoa a fascinating and idyllic small town surrounded by beautiful natural scenery.

In the afternoon there will be an orientation tour of Baracoa including the possibility of a stroll down Baracoa’s seafront promenade the “Malecon”.

Dinner and overnight will be taken at the Hotel El Castillo or similar

Day 5
After breakfast you will travel to Finca Duaba, a traditional Cuban farm surrounded by unspoilt tropical scenery, which gives an excellent insight into rural way of life in Cuba. The tour will continue with a visit to Rio Toa Cuba’s widest river which runs through a UNESCO protected reserve where there will be a chance to have a short boat ride up the river and lunch will be taken in the reserve.

In the afternoon you will return back to Baracoa with a chance to spend some time at leisure before taking dinner in the hotel. The evening will be at leisure.

Day 6
This morning you will leave Baracoa continuing along the coast road to Holguin, with a stop en route at Maguana beach. After a walk along the beach and possibly a cooling swim, you will continue to Cayo Saetia.

On arrival at this picturesque former private game reserve there will be time for a relaxing swim, some leisure time on the stunning white sandy beach, a jeep safari to spot zebra, antelope and deer, and a local Cuban style lunch.

In the afternoon the tour will continue to Holguin city where clients can leave to connect with flights to Havana or carry onto the beaches of Guardalavaca for a few days relaxing in a wide choice of hotels to suit all budgets.

* English Speaking Guide throughout
* Transportation in Air conditioned bus
* Entrance Fees included

NOTE:
This tour is also available on a private basis.