Cuba Adoration: A Kid-Friendly Tour through Cuba

The town of Varadero is located on the Hicacos Peninsula, which encompasses a 12-mile stretch of beach. The turquoise radiates against the bleached color of the shoreline. In the distance, you can see how the water darkens. The relaxed ambiance of the town provides a serene introduction to the tropical Caribbean island. Your private transfer greets you at the airport upon your arrival and escorts you across the lift bridge to your hotel overlooking the water. After you check into your hotel, the remainder of the day is yours to explore the streets and indulge in the gorgeous scenery.

Parque Josone acts as an emerald oasis in town. A rum distillery established the garden in 1940, along with the neoclassical mansion rising above the blossoming flowers. Couples venture out on the lake in small rowboats in search of a secluded moment. Geese glide across the surface of the pond. Ostriches graze on the grass in the park’s south end. Mansion Xanadu resembles a historical Spanish fortress but was actually constructed in the 1930s. The mansion is now an upscale hotel featuring an 18-hole golf course and a top-floor bar perfect for enjoying the Caribbean sunset with a traditional Cuban mojito as the kids marvel at the views.

The Malecón is the avenue running along the seaside joining the marina with the designer shops and restaurants of the town. Fishing boats depart from Marina Gaviota, venturing to sea in search of a perfect catch. At breakfast, the subtle aroma of coconut moves with the sea breeze. The tropical setting has welcomed you and your family in. After your meal, your private transfer escorts you to the city of Santa Clara, the first major city liberated by Castro’s army during the revolution. The city maintains an edgy, spirited ambiance emanating from the grounds of Cuba’s most prestigious university outside of Havana. Parque Vidal covers the center of the city, providing public space for locals to stroll around.

The colonial houses date back to the 19th century; each mansion harkens back to a time of Cuba’s grandeur. The Boxcar Museum commemorates the battle between the revolutionaries and the Batista regime in 1958. Che Guevara led 18 rebels, who combined, derailed an armored train. The battle lasted approximately 90 minutes. The museum marks the spot where the train derailed. The look out at Loma del Capiro offers the best view of the city. A flag of Che Guevara waves in the gentle breeze. You have a pristine view of the Cathedral de las Santas Hermanas de Santa Clara de Asis.

When the sunlight rises over Trinidad, you can hear the horses trotting along the cobblestone avenues. A light haze washes over the rolling hills bordering the city and quickly dissipates. The town takes you and your family back to the 18th century, eager to discover the meandering cobbled streets and colonial mansions. Picturesque Plaza Mayor creates the heart of the city, outlined by the Municipal History Museum and the Iglesia Parroquial de la Santisima Trinidad. The pastel-yellow bell tower casts a shadow over the square. Palm trees shade the streets and cafes.

The image of sugar barons remains prevalent throughout the city. Make your way to Palacio Brunet, which houses the Museo Romantico. The yellow-hued façade provides a window into the lavish lifestyle of the sugar barons that helped build the city. The palace was erected in the 19th century and now houses exhibits displaying the possessions of former aristocratic Cuban families. Glass, porcelain, artwork and antique furniture shape an elaborate presentation, emanating a former elegance. For a look at Cuba’s natural landscape, you can hike through the Sierra del Escambray, traversing the nearly four-mile trail to witness the 246-foot waterfall known as Salto del Caburni.

Today you embark on a scenic drive to the energetic city of Havana. Before leaving Trinidad, you choose to take part in a Cuban staple: Salsa dancing. Your private instructor meets with you and your kids, eager to impart the lessons of rhythmic movement. Listen to the beat of the music, but pay attention to one another, moving close to each other’s bodies, and enjoying the moment. The pastel colonial homes of Trinidad disappear, replaced by the pearl-white French colonial buildings of the Cienfuegos.

Spend some time exploring the Cuban city. The French settled the area in 1819, combining the Francophile charm with the Caribbean spirit. The huge dome of the Ferrer Palace showcases the Catalan influence of the architecture. The Tomas Terry Theater was erected in the late 1800s overlooking the greenery of Parque Jose Marti. Gold leaf mosaics adorn the façade. Hand-carved hardwoods and ceiling frescoes accentuate the graceful interior décor embellished with Carrara marble. The bay contains one of the most important port complexes in the country, allowing deep-draft vessels to enter and exit the area. The influential 18th-century fortress continues to defend the city from foreign invaders.

Once in Havana, you enter into the vast public square of Plaza de la Revolucion. A 358-foot tall star-shaped tower climbs above a glinting staircase. A statue of Jose Marti, which stands nearly 60 feet in height, adorns the plateau beneath the tower’s frame. A Silhouette of Marti, the famous revolutionary who fought for Cuban independence from Spain, mirrors the outline of Che Guevara, the revolutionary who fought for freedom against an oppressive Batista regime. Once in the center of Old Havana, the wonder of the city embraces you and your family.

The music of Havana begins in the morning. Guitarists pluck the strings of their instruments, filling the streets with a seductive sound. The waves of the Atlantic Ocean crash against the walls of Malecón. The captivating culture of Havana has embraced the rich history of Spanish colonization and the Caribbean spirit. Artists set out their canvases on the elegant walkway of Paseo del Prado, each person finding shelter in the shade of the trees. Classic American cars cruise along the cobblestone streets. Every corner holds a new secret ready to be discovered. Colonial restored colonial mansions accentuate the former ambiance of the city. The Capital building was erected after World War I inspired by the capital building in Washington DC.

Since the Cuban revolution, the building has housed the Cuban Academy of Sciences, along with the National Library of Science and Technology. White limestone and granite shimmer beneath the tropical sun. Doric columns guard the entrance. The stone cupola rises more than 200 feet above the street. A bronze woman standing 36 feet tall symbolizes the Guardian of Virtue and Work. In the evening, you can enjoy a remarkable meal near the old cathedral at Plaza de la Catedral. Bands play enrapturing songs. You sip freshly blended strawberry daiquiris made with real strawberries. You and your family settle into the time-weathered atmosphere of Havana, a city unlike any other.

In the morning, artists make their way to a 19th-century warehouse on Port Avenue. Paintings and handcrafted woodwork fill cubicles. The artwork presents a different image of Havana life, expressed through various means, whether in drawing, leather goods, or even etching a folkloric deity into the handle of an antique weapon. The day is yours to experience Havana at your preferred pace. The walking street of Calle Mercaderes, Merchant’s Street, has been restored to its 18th-century grandeur. Museums and restaurants, along with the local needlecraft cooperative, are located alongside the avenue. Musicians play music for café patrons.

The aroma of fresh coconut and mojitos emanate from the lively bars. Share in a unique moment by visiting Area Expositiva Crisis de Octubre. The grounds have an innocent look today. However, the grassy knoll behind the Cabana Fort now holds the missiles at the heart of the Cuban Missile Crises. The projectiles were moved to their current location in 2012 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the crises. The Soviet R-12 nuclear rocket had a range of more than 1,300 miles. The former Bacardi factory is located in Old Havana. The warehouse was erected in 1929 and maintains an art deco style. On Friday and Saturday evenings, the Malecón erupts with locals enjoying the night sea air. Groups of friends play music and sip rum.

When the midmorning tropical heat moves through the city, many Havana locals go to a popular ice cream parlor in the neighborhood of Vedado. The parlor serves more than 4,250 gallons of ice cream per day. Classic cars pass by on the main boulevard of La Rampa. The combination of ice cream and antique American cars take you back in time. The sweet aroma of ice cream accentuates the rich scent of freshly brewed Cuban coffee. The 1950s modernist structure of the Fine Arts Museum contains some of the best paintings, sculptures, and lithographs created by Cuban artists from the 17th century onward.

The museum captures the elegance of the past and the movement of artistic focus throughout the centuries. Your private transfer greets you at the hotel and escorts you back to the luxuries of Varadero. In the evening, you can make your way to a small restaurant with a genuine Cuban atmosphere. Live bands play traditional music etched into the spirit of the town, the instruments, and the musicians.

In the morning, you listen for the water lapping at the shoreline. The sounds of guitar comfort you at breakfast. The taste of dark coffee brings you back to Cuba. Varadero is the perfect picture of paradise. The sea shines various shades of blue. Locals always smile, and the background of the Yumuri Valley highlights the rural landscape close by. You and your family have shared an unforgettable time in Cuba, traveling from east to west and back again, finding adventure, passion, and memories along the way. After breakfast, your private transfer greets you at the hotel and escorts you to Juan Gualberto Gomez Airport for your flight home.