Hotel Rio Miel

Highlights “We really liked Cuba overall. There is not just one thing but the best were 1.The private tour in Havana was excellent as the guide was first rate. The town of Trinidad which we just loved. We thought it was really good to stay at a Casa and would recommend that experience for at least one section of a holiday” 

PD, Dublin

Amazing

The fact that Cuba is so far removed from 21st century life - Cubans seem to have an indestructible soul! Music is their Prozac.

Ck, London

The visit to Vinales - we loved the scenery and the remoteness - and the Escambray mountains.

LJ, Wokingham

Highlights?: In no particular order: (1) the Hemingway tour (2) walking tour of old Havana (3) two trips to the fortresses across the Harbour (4) the Museum of the Revolution and (5) walking tour of the three valleys at Vinales.  . 

DA, London

Highlight?: Time in Trinidad: - enjoyed the town and also did a tour to the mountains to see coffee plants, drink good coffee and see waterfalls and a lovely pool for a refreshing swim. 

FW, Cardiff

Havana music, Vinales cigar plantation & Luis the guide in Cienfuegos

AB, Dollar

Highlight? Driving across Cuba and the fact that having a car allowed you to go off the beaten trip and experience life there at our own pace. Walking round Havana - spent hours walking round both the old town, Centro and Vedado, which was totally fascinating. Groups of horsemen riding the wrong way down the Autopista!
 

RF, Henley on Thames

Highlights? The ride in the Vintage American car in Havana, The walking tour with Louis in Havana, Spending time chatting with Sofia on her deck in rocking chairs in Vinales, Drinking Mojito's in the sun. Snorkelling in the sea at Jibacoa.

TW, Glasgow

All of it was great. It was amazing to visit cities, mountainous areas and the beach. The Rolling Stones weren't bad either!!

LW, Tonbridge

Most memorable experience: “the vibe and architecture of Havana; driving on the roads of Cuba - empty motorways, gigantic potholes, no signs, picking up random people who flagged us down; cigar rolling and smoking on a tobacco farm in Vinales; daily daiquiris and mojitos, especially those in Hotel Nacional garden; gorgeous peaceful countryside; noisy people and music everywhere; but also extreme poverty and areas that had barely moved from early 20th century; every Cuban we spoke with said how hard living was and that no one could survive on one job. We had such an interesting and wonderful time and will definitely return.”

SB, Lewisham

Highlights: “Freewheeling through Cuba and exploring Old Havana brilliant – as were Maria La Gorda – beautiful spot, unspoilt, simple but perfectly adequate hotel.  Also the people – lovely”.  

ES, Buntingford

Wonderful trio

Highlights included dancing and watching dancing in Guantanamo, Santiago and Trinidad. There's music everywhere - it gets inside your head and is wonderful. Also the road trip from Guadalavaca to Baracoa (6.5 hours) was amazing. Beautiful views driving through the mountains.

SZ, Bungay

We got engaged at La Guarida in Havana on the second night, so the whole trip is going to be a memorable one for a very long time!

TO, London

The food was better than we had feared (but they routinely overcook seafood, so stick with chicken) and there was more English spoken than we had expected. Weather was great. The state of the buildings generally was better than we had been led to expect - although there is a lot of work outstanding in the southern parts of the Old Town in Havana. People are helpful. The country is clearly at an interesting stage of its development - which is why we wanted to go - and might go in many directions from here; not all of them favourable. Roads, particularly outside towns, were empty.

PR, Edinburgh

Most memorable aspect: “Watching my Cuban friend in Havana dance with members of his dance company practicing in National Theatre Havana.  Dancing and watching dancing in Guantanemo, Santiago and Trinidad.  The music everywhere - it gets inside your head and is wonderful.  Also the road trip from Guadalavaca to Baracoa (6.5 hours) was amazing.  Beautiful views driving through the mountains.” 

SZ, Bungay

Most memorable experience: "Swimming in a pool fed by a waterfall with no one else within sight or sound. Closely followed by spending my birthday on a tiny Caribbean beach."

MG, Dunstable

Many happy memories but loved the guided tour of Havana in the vintage car (huge 1953 Ford pink and cream convertible) Also enjoyed walking in the beautiful Vinales valley, it was like travelling back in the past with oxen ploughing and tobacco drying in huge thatched barns. It exceeded my expectations. Great organisation, informative guides, careful and punctual drivers and accommodation in convenient yet quiet locations, near to tourist attractions and restaurants.

JR, Cambridge

JLA did a first rate job arranging our holiday which was quite complicated over five locations in Cuba.  It all went faultlessly.

SV, Little Hamton

Overall a great holiday and a fantastic introduction to Cuba, while travelling in comfort.

ER, Richmond

With JLA's help, got an excellent choice of locations and accommodation. Really felt that I got to see a lot of the country and a great variety in just 10 days. No way of knowing how the new trade agreement between Cuba and America will pan out (clearly going to be good for the Cuban economy), but it's interesting that everyone I spoke to said there was a tourism influx at a normally quiet period BECAUSE people wanted to see Cuba before it potentially changed, and not necessarily, tourism-wise, for the better.

PW, Norwich

Highlight?: Our stay in Trinidad

PD, Woking

The hiking tour above Topes de Collantes lead by Valentine was fantastic. Wonderful sights and sounds lead by an experienced guide with a good sense of humour.

DM, Edinburgh

Most memorable experiences: "Driving around the country seeing beautiful buildings and plants. The music in Bayamo - a special festival. Going to the Granjita near Santiago where Castro planned the 26th July."

AH, London

Although I loved the history, architecture, parks, animals wandering about  and music everywhere etc, I'm afraid I fell hopelessly in love with the people most of all. I felt more at home here than anywhere else I can think of. 

PP, Sawbridgeworth

Highlight?: The walk through the 3 valleys in Vinales.

MK, Brentford

Most Memorable Moment?: Hard to say - I love driving in Cuba - and Havana is a great city.

AH, London

Most memorable experiences: "a fantastic thunderstorm while dining in La Habana on Friday night, the waiters bending over backwards to please. Conversations with drivers and guides in Spanish (my mother tongue) about the country and being Cuban. Arriving at Viñales and visiting the tobacco farm. The cobbled streets of Trinidad and music at La Trova. The extra walk we organised at Tope de Collantes and the special cocktail provided for my birthday. Staying in the Village at Ensenachos. Visiting the Che museum and mausoleum. Hearing local musicians jamming in a bar in Havana. The warmth and welcome of everybody we met. Wildlife. Cocktails. Trinidad in general. Music. The stunning beach at Ensenachos."

CB, Swindon

Most memorable experience: "It had to be La Guarida paladar in Havana, travelling in the vintage cars and also the Casa de la Musica in Trinidad, just sitting outside in the evening."

ZEW, London

Most memorable aspect: “The ballet; the coast; bird watching at Las Terrazas and Zapata, La Moka; our stay in a Casa Particular in Trinidad. The whole holiday was very good. Driving in Cuba and life on the roads!!” 

JA, Street

Highlight: The music & atmosphere in Havana. Seeing the countryside. Experiencing the quite different locations.

AKD, Malmesbury