Hotel Melia San Carlos

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

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

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

Highlights: The music/case da la culturas. driving and getting off the beaten track.

RGJ, London

All places were well worth visiting for their particular character etc. Our over-riding memory was of the lovely people we met and the sounds and rhythms of Cuba.

IB, Chesterfield

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

We really enjoyed the historical part of our trip ie the walking tour in Havana and our excursions that we arranged from Trinidad. The luxury and relaxation in the all inclusive resort were also good.

KM, Sutton

The live music in all the bars, restaurants and on street corners everywhere. We loved the variety of Havana , vinales, Trinidad and the flop on the beach at the end at Cayo Santa Maria.

LD, Beaconsfield

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

AKD, Malmesbury

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

AH, London

Highlights? The wonderful beautiful Cuban people. The stunning landscape the memorable architecture. The wild weather. Just the sense of being propelled back in time but also to a possible future of less empty consumerism, less intensive agriculture, mores social connection and less social media allowing for more actual sociality

DM, Brighton

An excellent trip covering many of the key historical, geographical  and political sites, and providing insight into a rapidly changing country. Go before it changes irrevocably.

DW, London

Hiking in Topas de Collante - swimming in a natural pool and bar hopping in Old Havana. 

RS, Twickenham

Cuba is a very diverse country and fulfilled our expectations.  Parakeet is an adventure rather than a holiday so go with an open mind and immerse your self in the Cuban way. Colour, music and smiles more than make up for what some people may find frustrating if comparing Cuba to life in the UK. 

GW, Birmingham

Highlights?: Topes de Collantes water fall. Visit to Santa Clara Che Guevera monument. A day spent with a family we met in Bayamo, visiting their home & the local market, food preparation, and just chilling with them.

DW, Mirfield

Most Memorable Moment?: The bronze statues by Martha Jimenez in Camaguey were very memorable. The Cubans were all extremely friendly.

SO, Abingdon

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

We had a great time in Cuba, very pleased with the literary suggested and implemented by JLA. Hannah (W) was a pleasure to deal with. We would certainly recommend JLA to anybody thinking of travelling to South America / Cuba etc.

JH Bedford

Really enjoyed all of it, especially Havana and Trinidad. Loved the music, the atmosphere and the people. Very good walks.

GG, Diss

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

Cuba is a fascinating, beguiling, enchanting, confusing and sometimes challenging country caught in a 60 year timewarp. It is almost as though the clock stopped in 1960. If you can't live without creature comforts you'll find plenty to complain about; if you like a challenge and adventure, thrive on the unexpected, then go quick before it's too late! The only way out of their economic and social chasm is private sector capitalism and it's waiting less than 100 miles away...

SM, Madrid

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

Highlight?: Our stay in Trinidad

PD, Woking

Most Memorable Moment: Seeing so much of Havana and the amazing countryside around Vinales.

GF, 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: “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

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

Highlights: Meeting the local guides and owners of casas particolares, who were unfailingly helpful, friendly and genuinely keen to welcome us to their country. On of the highlights of the trip was probably the transfer in a wonderful red and cream American classic car with a skilful driver (you have to be on Cuban roads!)

RP, London

Driving was fascinating & not too stressful due to lack of traffic . We felt we saw bits of CUBA not seen by many tourists.

DM, Falmouth

Most memorable: "The driving around seeing all the towns and villages and their inhabitants. Seeing and understanding how life has progressed since the revolution. We also found the scenery amazing in many parts. Hard to pick out one memorable part as there was so much we enjoyed."

GG, Chepstow