Central Mexico and Unforgettable Cuba (2024)

اليوم 2

Today we have a fantastic day acquaint ourselves with Mexico. We include a sightseeing tour of the city. We will visit the Plaza of Three Cultures, and the historic centre in which the Zócalo (main square) and its Metropolitan Cathedral stand out, the main Aztec temple, Chapultepec Park, the “Paseo de la Reforma” Avenue and the other main avenues of this impressive city. At the end of the visit we travel to the BASILICA OF GUADALUPE, the most visited Catholic temple in the Americas where the Virgin of Guadalupe is found. There we will be able to explore the old basilica dating back to the 18th Century and also the modern temple. In the afternoon we travel to the neighbourhood of XOCHIMILCO, a wonderful place with its canals and semi-floating gardens. Here we include a ride in a “trajinera”, one of the boats festooned with flowers. In the evening we include a transfer to the Plaza de GARIBALDI, with its many bars, restaurants and bars where tacos and tequila are served and the Mariachis sing. Dinner is included in a traditional restaurant.

اليوم 4

We set out for the state of Jalisco. We stop in TZINTZUNTZAN to know this town next to Lake Patzcuaro, which was the most important city of the Purepecha empire. We will visit the Franciscan Convent of Santa Ana, with its olive trees almost five hundred years old. In front of it are the Yácatas, ancient Purepecha Pyramids. We´ll see Lake Chapala, the largest natural lake in Mexico, surrounded by mountains. CHAPALA, time for a stroll and lunch in this small touristic city by the lake. We stop in the TLAQUEPAQUE district with its picturesque streets full of shops and craftsmen. Arrival in GUADALAJARA, capital of Jalisco and birthplace of Mariachi and Tequila.

اليوم 7

Amidst the mountains, we will travel to DOLORES HIDALGO, the city that is the cradle of Mexican independence. Afterwards we head to SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, a beautiful city with vice regal architecture and cobbled streets declared World Heritage. Time for a stroll. In the afternoon, we visit the ATOTONILCO Sanctuary, known as the “Century of God and the Patria”, World Heritage site (sometimes it will not be possible to visit inside due to the retreats that take place there). We then go to QUERETARO, with its very beautiful colonial center, its main square, its busy restaurants and pedestrian streets.

اليوم 10

This morning we include a visit of about 4 hours; we will include a stroll through Colonial Havana; declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a panoramic tour of Revolution Square and the University. We will include a boat trip across the bay in the little boat to Regla where we will see the church of the Virgin of Regla, a place of great devotion where there is a strong syncretism between the Catholic religion and the Afro-Cuban. Will you buy flowers and have a daughter of Ochun read your hand? After this, at lunchtime, we will take you to the area of the ‘Callejón del Chorro’, an area with multiple “paladares” (private restaurants) where you can have lunch. Afternoon free.

اليوم 11

We will leave Havana for the south of the island, where we can enjoy its beautiful tropical landscapes. Arrival in GUAMA, and a visit to the crocodile farm, including a boat trip to admire this area declared a national park. In the village of Taina we will see a little more about the population that existed before the arrival of the Europeans. We continue along the Caribbean coastal road. Have your swimsuit to hand! We will have time in CALETA BUENA, where we will include lunch, and you can swim, see its cenotes or snorkel! After that in GIRON, we will visit the Girón Beach Museum which tells us about the Bay of Pigs invasion and the revolution. Continuation to CIENFUEGOS, “the pearl of the south”, a very nice colonial city, where we will walk through its French neoclassical colonial streets. Dinner included and accommodation.

اليوم 12

A little under a hundred kilometers take us to TRINIDAD, arrival and visit to Cuba’s most beautiful and best-preserved colonial city, a true “open-air museum”, declared a world heritage site. After the visit we will see the “Temple of Santería Yemayá”, dedicated to the orisha (God) of the Sea, with its offerings of fruit, water and stones; a santero will tell us about this religion and its beliefs. After the visit and lunch included, we will stay at our resort hotel at Ancon beach. You will have the afternoon free to enjoy the Caribbean Sea on this magnificent beach, or, if you prefer, to stroll at leisure in Trinidad. At night we provide a transfer to the cathedral to enjoy the “place of music” and its little restaurants with Cuban music. Dinner included.

اليوم 13

Our day is full of beautiful landscapes and unforgettable experiences. By coach we travel to MANACA IZNAGA, at the center of the sugar zone that brought Trinidad prosperity; here we will remember the story of the slaves next to the ancient 44-metre tower that was used to watch over them. We will then take a historic train with its old wooden carriages that slowly runs through the hacienda. The train stops at FENOTA, a sugar mill today a museum, and goes on to GUACHINANGO, in this beautiful area of hills we will have time to relax over lunch (included). In the afternoon, by coach, we will continue to SANCTI SPIRITUS, a charming little colonial town little visited by tourism, where we will have time for a walk and a coffee. Continuation through the center of the island towards CAMAGÜEY-Arrival in the country’s third city, considered the city of art and with a lot of atmosphere at night.-

اليوم 14

Morning visit to the city’s great historical center with its many theatres, squares, alleys and churches. We will include a visit to the Camaguey Ballet Center, where they will tell us about the origin of the company, and we will watch dancers, teachers and choreographers rehearsing and assembling their works. Lunch included. We continue on our route, with a brief stop in GUÁIMARO where the first Cuban constitution which was approved, and the slaves’ emancipation was demanded. BAYAMO, a picturesque small colonial town; here we will stroll and see the schoolchildren practicing at the chess academy. SANTIAGO DE CUBA, arrival at the end of the afternoon. In the evening we will go to CASA DE LA TROVA, a meeting place for Cuban music lovers, with its live performances.

اليوم 15

We include a tour of SANTIAGO, Cuba’s second city and one of contrasts, capital of the ‘son’ and the revolution. Around 20 km from the city, in the mountains, we will go to the Basilica of our Lady of Charity of Copper, where we will be surprised at the veneration for the virgin patron of Cuba. After that we will go to the Santa Ifigenia cemetery, where Fidel Castro and José Martí are buried. We will see the Ron Bacardí factory and go to the CASTILLO DEL MORRO, an impregnable citadel on a promontory declared a world heritage site, which houses an interesting museum on Piracy. Lunch included. Free time in the afternoon.

اليوم 16

Among beautiful landscapes of tropical hills, we travel to the north coast. A walk through the quiet center of HOLGUIN before continuing to GUARDALAVACA, where we see the Museo Chorro de Maita archaeological park that protects the remains of a village and an Indian cemetery with the remains of 62 human skeletons, and Taina Village, which reproduces scenes of how the Indigenous peoples. We see the magnificent surroundings of BARIAY BAY. Lunch included. Afternoon free at the resort by the beautiful Guardalavaca beaches. Dinner included in the hotel.