Madero Bed and Breakfast

Most Memorable Moment?: Too hard! Havana itself? The beautiful sea up north? The beautiful countryside? Meeting Cuban people and glimpsing a bit of a remarkable country in the midst of some change...  Too hard!

JL, Leeds

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

Most memorable experiences: Trinidad, the town and evenings full of local music were fantastic

SS, Newcastle upon tyne

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

Havana..colourful and crumbling...a prince inside paupers clothes, colonial architecture Trinidad..marvellous and whilst it is built on tourism, within 2 blocks of the historic centre you are in another world. Music, music, music..the talent is extraordinary. Food getting better all the time.

DS, Cambridge

Highlight?: Our stay in Trinidad

PD, Woking

There is no one experience that I would single out. What was memorable were the people, their friendliness and helpfulness, and the real feeling of safety everywhere we went - even when the street lighting suddenly failed in the back streets of Trinidad.

DM, Nottingham

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

Cuba is such a different place that it is hard to pick out an individual experience....Overall, the tour was fantastic. All the guides allocated gave us an excellent description of the area, in each of Havana, Cienfuegos, Santa Clara, Trinidad and Vinales. We used our free time to retrace part of our guided tour, to explore further ourselves, or to enjoy the food and ambience, especially the music and dancing of Cuba! We were warned that the food provided at Homestays (breakfasts and dinners) would be huge, and indeed they were. We were unable to finish any meal because of the quantity!  We did a few of our own trips, catching a taxi to the beach in Trinidad, being driven around Havana in a classic car, museum visits and trips on bicycle taxis. We found the people friendly and very helpful.

IB, Stockbridge

Visiting Trinidad and listening to all the music being played around the city.

RS, Southampton

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

SO, Abingdon

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

AKD, Malmesbury

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

AB, Dollar

Highlight?: The road journeys through eastern Cuba.

JB,

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

MK, Brentford

Most memorable experiences: "The PEOPLE - lovely and warm, friendly, positive. The music and the dancing - in streets, in clubs, in bars. Wonderful!"

MF, London

Loved it!

We really liked Cuba overall. There is not just one thing but the best included: 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

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

GG, Diss

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

Each destination had its own character, they were all good, none more so than others” 

IM, Edinburgh

Most Memorable Moment?: The perfect travel arrangements, staying int he homestays, seeing how much things have changed The refurbished Alicia Alonso theatre is amazing and not to be missed.

AW, Watford

Most Memorable Moment: Soaking up Havana - it's an endlessly fascinating place. Closely followed by swimming in the El Nicho falls and snorkelling off Jibacoa

CB, Eastbourne

Highlight: Wandering around the old town of Havana - great buildings everywhere in various states of repair. Just full of atmosphere. Also the 1950s American cars. I didn't realise just how many there were! Again in all states of repair, but a fantastic sight even to someone who isn't particularly a car buff.

CW, London

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

Wonderful holiday

We found Cuba utterly seductive. It is rare to find anywhere still as distinctive. But it is a country for travellers; to go just to the beach is a waste. But if you find beauty in dilapidation and warm to extrovert people; if you have a grain of curiosity in your soul and a twitch of rhythm in your toes, this is a wonderful holiday.

PH, Pimlico

Most memorable experiences: "The self drive itinerary and experience gave us a window into the real Cuba, off the beaten track but never too scary. We were sad to hand the car over in Santiago! We had an amazing trip to Cuba; a lifetime experience. thank you all for making it happen."

NC, Reading

Most memorable experiences: Visiting Las Terrazas, exploring Havana, brief stop in Santa Clara, and contact with Cubans along the way

HP, King's lynn

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

Highlights?: There were so many!  We took an excursion  to the forest ; truck, walk, waterfall swimming...loved it.  But we really enjoyed everywhere.

ER, London