| It is always a good idea to fly to Havana from the | | | | the thrill of swimming under waterfalls. Many people |
| UK and start your trip with a guided tour around the | | | | decide to stay in a homestay when in Trinidad, in |
| capital. To fit in with the local culture you can even | | | | order to get a truly authentic experience of the city |
| do a tour in an old timer car and feel as though | | | | and essentially live as the Cubans do. There are many |
| you've taken a step back in time as you see the | | | | 'casas particulares' (family run accommodation) |
| highlights of this beautiful colonial city. After spending | | | | whereby you live with the family, but are given |
| a couple of nights adjusting to your new environment | | | | separate bathroom facilities and can come and go as |
| I would suggest heading to the tobacco growing | | | | you wish (as with a normal hotel). |
| region of Vinales, in the province of Pinar del Rio. | | | | If you are only going to be on your Cuba adventure |
| Here you can get a true taste of rural Cuba, meet | | | | tours for about 7-10 days, you won't really have |
| local Cuban farmers and either hiking or horse ride | | | | enough time to venture to Eastern Cuba, due to |
| though beautifully lush fields and tobacco plantations. | | | | number of driving hours involved. Therefore, from |
| Cuba is renowned for its white sand beaches and so | | | | Trinidad it would be a good idea to start heading |
| a beach stop should definitely be included on your | | | | back towards Havana. On your way, you may want |
| itinerary. From Vinales you could head to one of | | | | to stop at Las Terrazas to spend a night or two on |
| Cuba's stunning beaches, Maria La Gorda. This is a | | | | route to Havana. This is a place for those who love |
| remote tropical paradise where you can relax and | | | | nature and the rural life. Las Terrazas is a sleepy |
| enjoy the pristine sand, turquoise waters and tranquil | | | | eco-tourism community in an idyllic setting, filled with |
| surroundings. This beach has an abundance of marine | | | | hills, lakes and waterfalls. Here you will see the local |
| life and incredible coral, so is a fantastic spot for | | | | people carrying on with their daily lives and farmers |
| snorkelling or diving. | | | | busy at work; a truly authentic view of Cuba. Coffee |
| Having spent some time relaxing on a beach, you'll | | | | is grown in this area and so you can visit some |
| now have the energy you'll need to experience the | | | | historic coffee plantations, learn how it is grown, and |
| lively and vibrant cities Cuba has to offer. Though it is | | | | then sit back and enjoy a freshly made cuppa. |
| quite a drive (about 6 hours), it is definitely worth | | | | By the time you head back to Havana to catch your |
| taking a trip to both Santa Clara and Trinidad. Trinidad | | | | return flight home you will have experienced both the |
| is an enchanting place, with cobbled streets and | | | | rural, city and beach life that Cuba has to offer. On |
| many colonial relics which give this city a typically | | | | your return to Cuba, you can explore the Eastern |
| Cuban feel. After you've spent some time exploring | | | | side of the island with Cuba's musical hub, Santiago |
| this fascinating city, you are also in close proximity to | | | | de Cuba, as well as the more remote rural areas of |
| the mountain range and nature reserve of 'Topes de | | | | Baracoa and the mountainous region of the Sierra |
| Collantes', where you can do some hiking and enjoy | | | | Maestra. |