"HISTORY AND FUN IN THE SOUTH OF CUBA" Tour (3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS)

"HISTORY AND FUN IN THE SOUTH OF CUBA" Tour (3 DAYS / 2 NIGHTS)

Varadero - Zapata Peninsula - Cienfuegos - Trinidad - Santa Clara - Varadero

DESCRIPTION:

One of the most impressive cities of the south-central Cuba. The tour includes a visit to the city of Cienfuegos, known in Cuba as the Pearl of the South, founded in 1819 by the French as population center around the Bay of Jagua. In the admirable nature of the territory protruding three distinct landscapes that identify the province: A mountain range where the Peak San Juan stands out with about 1200 meters height, the most prominent elevation throughout central and west of the country, the Bay of Jagua, beautiful for its legends and a long coastline open to the Caribbean Sea.

Founded by Spanish colonizer Diego Velazquez as the third settlement of the island, the colonial gem of Trinidad is nowadays one of the best preserved towns of the Caribbean and the second in Cuba to earn a UNESCO listing after Havana. After Hernan Cortes set sail from here to discover Mexico, the city became incredibly wealthy through the sugar trade and the exploitation of slave labor in the cane sugar mills of the Valle de los Ingenios. Much of the heritage remains visible today and can be explored in and around the colorful cobblestone streets of Trinidad. Trinidad is the best preserved colonial town in Cuba and the Valle de los Ingenios is a living museum of the former sugar trade of the 18th and 19th century. This UNESCO site is located at the southwestern coast of Cuba, in the Sancti Spiritus province, in the center of the island. Originally founded in 1514 by Diego Velazquez, most buildings in Trinidad date from the time of the sugar trade in the 18th and 19th centuries. The UNESCO inscription happened in 1988.

Santa Clara is the capital of the province of Villa Clara, located in the central region of the country. It has a total geographic area of 513.7 km², its population is 239,091 inhabitants, of which 92.3% is urban. It is an important industrial, commercial, service and communication center located in a vital node of roads and railroads. It also has an international airport. It was founded on July 15, 1689 and became a city in 1867. It was taken militarily by Commander Ernesto "Che" Guevara in December 1958 during the final stage of the revolutionary struggle led by Fidel Castro against Fulgencio Batista and Zaldívar. In the Plaza de la Revolución is the sculptural group raised by the sculptor José Delarra, dedicated to Ernesto Guevara de la Serna (Che). At its base there is a Mausoleum, where the remains of a renowned hero have rested since 1997.

ITINERARY:

1st day: (VARADERO - ZAPATA PENINSULA - CIENFUEGOS)

• At 8 am, departure from Varadero.
• Stop at the Finca Campesina at the entrance of the Zapata Peninsula.
• Visit to the Crocodile Farm and swimming time at the Cueva de los Peces (Fish Cave).
• Continue to the beautiful city of Cienfuegos, known as the Pearl of the South and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
• Lodging in a private rental house.
• Night at disposal of the clients to enjoy in an optional way in the Benny Bar or another cultural option that the city offers to the client's choice.

2nd day: (CIENFUEGOS - TRINIDAD)

• At 9 am tour of Cienfuegos, visiting the Martí Park, the Punta Gorda neighborhood and the Palacio de Valle.
• Departure to the historic city of Trinidad, located about 90 km to the east.
• Free time for lunch.
• Tour of the beautiful historical center of the city of Trinidad. Night at leisure.
• Lodging in a rented house in the city.
• Free night at disposal to enjoy the traditions and cultural nights of Trinidad.

3rd day: (TRINIDAD - SANTA CLARA - VARADERO)

• At 8 am. Visit to Valle de los Ingenios, one of the most emblematic sites in the area, also declared World Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
• Departure to the city of Santa Clara. Visit to Leoncio Vidal Park, the Armored Train Museum, the Che Guevara Mausoleum and its central square.
• Time for lunch (at the client's disposal).
• Return to Varadero.

Important note: In this program the client has the option to choose to enjoy the 3rd full day in the city of Trinidad (without passing through the city of Santa Clara) and return at 3 pm directly to Varadero.

Services included in the tour:

• Round trip transportation from the hotel to the Zapata Peninsula, Cienfuegos, Trinidad, and Santa Clara..
• Specialized guide service.
• Visits as described in the program.
• 2 nights lodging in private rental houses.

Services not included in the excursion:

• Entrance fees to museums or other tourist sites described in the program are at the client's choice.
• Other visits not described in the program.
• Breakfast, lunch or dinner service. Additional meals and beverages.
• Tips for the guide and driver at the client's discretion for the quality of service received.

Minimum number of passengers in the tour: 2 pax. Maximum number of passengers in the tour: 12 pax.

Cars for transfer services during the tour:

• American classic cars: 2 to 4 pax.
• Minivan: 5 to 8 pax.
• Microbus: 9 to 12 pax.

Important note: Guided tours in German and Russian are subject to availability (due to a reduced number of guides in those languages) and are subject to an extra charge of 10% of the tour price.