Take the family beyond the façade of Cuba to experience the life of Havana and Valley de Vinales. The sound of strumming guitars moves through the streets of Old Town. The engines of classic cars roar above the sound of the waves splashing against the sea walls. Imposing fortresses inspire dreams of pirates. Hummingbirds as smalls as butterflies sip nectar from magnificent flowers. Farmers use oxen to plow the soil. Your custom tailored family friendly tour sets the family on an ineffable journey,...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Havana – Welcoming the Family
You look out the window as the plane descends to find lush grass and swaying palm trees. One side looks out mountains rolling along the horizon. The other side overlooks the turquoise water reaching the edges of the historic city of Havana. Your private transfer greets you at baggage claim upon your arrival. The tropical image of Cuba emanates from the temperate climate and the emerald landscape edging the city. Travel along Calzada del Cerro, the boulevard taking you through the suburbs of Havana, leading to the center of the old city. The soaring, star-shaped spire of the Jose Marti Memorial stands 358 feet tall, towering over Revolution Plaza.
The Malecón wraps around the northern edge of the city, bordering the Caribbean Sea. Waves splash against the wall, spraying mist onto the sidewalk. Your hotel is located in the heart of the old city, inside a renovated 19th-century building. The elegant façade sets the scene of the comfortable, historic interior. Stepping into the lobby is like traveling back in time, delighting the kids and you. Polished tiles lead to the art-deco stairway. An open-air rooftop restaurant offers spectacular views of the historic city. The sophisticated dome of the capital building creates Old Havana’s skyline, challenged only by shifting colors of the ocean in the background.
What's Included:
Day 2
Havana – Havana in Bold
Day 3
Havana – The Footsteps of Culture
Day 4
Vinales – Delicate Ecosystem of Cuba
Day 5
Vinales – Secrets of the Valley
Day 6
Havana – Highlights of Havana
Day 7
Havana – Passage of Time
Day 8
Havana – Cuban Fond Farewell
Trip Highlights
- Indulge in divine Cuban cuisine with a private cooking lesson, allowing the entire family to have a hands-on experience
- Sail along Havana’s picturesque coastline during an exciting catamaran tour
- Visit traditional plantations and farms offering insight into the cultivation process
- Enjoy a cigar rolling lesson from a tobacco farmer (for the parents only!)
- Fly through the sky on a canopy zip-lining tour of an eco-community
- Learn the creative ways mechanics have kept the classic American cars running for more than half a century
- Visit Ernest Hemingway’s home during his time living in Cuba
- Explore the cobblestone streets of Old Havana from inside a classic convertible
- Spend time dancing the day away during a private dance class, highlighting the movement, history, and connection of Salsa
Detailed Description
Your 8-day family friendly tour of Cuba immerses the family in a world far different from the lifestyle they are accustomed to. The Spanish colonial roots of the country continue to mark Havana. Horses pull carts along the main road of Vinales. Zip-lines crisscross the sky above the eco-community of Las Terrazas. The image of Ernest Hemingway and the legends of Che Guevara continue to fill the streets and decorate the buildings of Old Town. The family will experience the relaxed pace of the Caribbean and the indelible culture of Cuba.
Your riveting vacation begins with the family’s arrival in Havana. Your private transfer meets you at the airport and escorts you to a stunning renovated 19th-century hotel in the heart of Old Havana. A private guide leads you through Havana in a classic American car. Spend the afternoon rehearsing the famous steps of Cuban salsa with your private instructor, who introduces the family to captivating rhythms, along with the dance’s history. Set sail along the coast of Havana in the morning. Enjoy the salty air and remarkable skyline of the city. Return to Hemingway Marina to continue your day following in the footsteps of the American writer. Tour Finca Vigia, his former home, and dine at his favorite restaurant in Old Town.
Next, your private transfer escorts the family to the eco-community of La Terrazas. Discover the unique streets and thriving reforestation project set in the western edges of the mountains. Search for hummingbirds, visit a historic coffee plantation and traverse the canopy on a zip-line adventure before continuing to Valley de Vinales. Travel along the winding trails of Vinales National Park. Your guide leads you to a traditional tobacco farm where a farmer gives you an incredible tour of his property, the variety of crops he grows, and provides the adults with a lesson in rolling a perfect Cuban cigar. The kids learn how to make juice from raw sugarcane. Next, you return to Havana by way of Fusterlandia, a neighborhood and interactive artistic space.
Following your inspiring time wandering along the ceramic walls of Fusterlandia, visit a mechanic specializing in creative engineering, who ensures the continued welfare of the antique American cars cruising the city. Then, the entire family can delight in a hands-on cooking lesson. Follow your instructor through the simple methods of traditional Cuban cooking to produce an exceptional dish. Continue with a tour of a Cold War-era bunker set beneath one of the most elegant hotels in the city. On your final day, your private transfer escorts the family to Havana International Airport for your flight home.
Click here to browse some of the other Cuba itineraries we offer, and gain further inspiration to perfect your dream Cuba vacation of a lifetime.
Starting Price
$4,300 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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