Hotel del Rijo

Baracoa was very special.

CA, Newark

Spending time with the guides gave us an insight into other aspects of life in Cuba.

SW, Woking

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

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

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

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

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

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? 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

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

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

Highlight?: Santa Clara - fantastic accommodation and very memorable tour of city, Che mausoleum etc. The tour of Cienfuegos thanks to a wonderful guide (Sara(h?)).

JM, Dorking

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

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

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

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

LJ, Wokingham

Highlight?: The road journeys through eastern Cuba.

JB,

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

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?: Watching an elderly Cuban couple dancing the salsa at Artex in Santiago. Amazingly beautiful and exciting dance. Unforgetable! Pink classic car cruise in Havana. 'Swimming' in a remote cave outside Baracoa.

MF, London

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

AH, London

Highlight: Santiago City tour helped us understand the history of the revolution, coupled with the excursion to Comandacia de la Plata.

EM, Bristol

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

RS, Twickenham

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

Best Bit?: Just the huge contrasts in the country.

LW

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 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

Highlights: Our lovely hosts in all the homestays  and especially being looked after by Mirtha in Trinidad.

BG, Bristol

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