Cigar Tour of Cuba Program

Cuba, an astonishing cocktail of the joy of life, kindness and sweet intoxicating aromas offered to you with an open heart. You will discover:

• The magnificent architecture and the vibrant life of Havana
• The breathtaking landscapes of the Vinales region with it's more languorous way of life lulled by the music
• An initiatory journey of the Havana cigar puro habano whether you are a novice or an aficionado – a quest to perfect your education of the cigar.

At the end of your stay you will leave for the airport José Marti, your head full of pictures and with many new friends you will long to see again.

• After arriving at the airport travel to your accomodation at the hotel Conde de Villanueva in Old Havana where you will have the chance to settle in before dining.
• Visit the Old city, a walking tour of the old Colonial squares. Sample a Mojito with a Havana cigar -Habanos- and dine at the Hotel Conde de Villanueva then meet with the famous 'Torcedor' – Cigar roller- from the hotel who will present the treasures of his cigar store and then give a demonstration of the making of a Habano cigar. A visit by old american car of the city and the military fortresses and after a visit to 'la Triada' a cigar shop where the longest cigar in the world is on display. In the evening dinner followed by a tasting of old Cuban rum and a puro habano on the roof terrace of the hotel Ambos Mundos,where the famous writer Ernest Hemingway lived for 10 years.
• Leave for Vinales Region. On the way visit the community of 'Las Terrazas' where one can enjoy the coffee plantations, tasting a coffee at the café María. Lunch at the restaurant Buena Vista. Visit to Pinar del Rio then descend into the area of Vuelta Abajo, where in the heart of one of the most beautiful plantations in the world you will learn the essential steps in the production of the best cigars 'puros', at the most famous tobacco farmland 'Vega', home of the renowned Alejandro Robaina.

  Arriving at Vinales settle into your lodgings and dine at the hotel 'Los Jazmines' with its unrestricted views of the valley and its mogotes - domelike mountains ( the valley is classified as a UNESCO world heritage site ). There is the possibility of eating with a local family (arranged on demand). A night visit to Vinales with its Latin music festivities.

• A 2/3 hour tour of the valley on foot, or a visit to a farm to see the tobacco plantation, or the tobacco drying, depending on the season. A local cigar roller making cigars in the traditional manner with the possibility of sharing time chatting with him followed by coffee and a cigar or as the local would say 'la fuma'.Eat at the restaurant at the 'Mural de la Prehistoria'. Visit a centre where tobacco leaves are selected or where one can learn the fermentation process. Visit the garden of Caridad. In the evening dine at the restaurant 'Casa del Veguero' with a sampling of rum and a house cigar.
• Return toward Havana. On the way visit the orchid garden where one can admire thousands of exotic varieties of flowers and trees. Lunch at the restaurant 'Casa del Habano' at Miramar and enjoy a Habano . Free time in the afternoon; staying at the famous 'Hotel Nacional'. Optional request : an evening at the famous caberet nightspot 'Tropicana', or cabaret at the hotel (Cabaret Parisien).
• Visit a cigar maker of your choice. Visit to the craft market in Old Havana – Lunch at the restaurant 'El Patio' situated in the Catherdal Square. A sampling of a daiquiri and a puro habano under the benevolent gaze from a bust of Ernest Hemingway at the bar El Floridita. Visit to the museum of rum. Dinner and a nighttime visit to the fortress de San Carlos de la Cabaña with the historic ceremony of the firing of the cannon.
• A free day at 'Club Havana' situated in the diplomatic quarter of Miramar. You can enjoy its magnificent beach , its pools and its restaurant 'Casa del Habano (drinks and cigars at own expense). Return to the hotel to dine.
• Possibility to make arrangements for the last day and transfer to the airport.

• Conde de Villanueva (4*) in Havana old city or equivalent (2 nights)
• Los Jazmines at Viñales (3*) or equivalent (2 nights)
• Hotel Nacional (5*) at El Vedado quarter of Havana or equivalent (3 nights)

Included in your holiday:

• Airport transfers arrival and departure (time and No. of flight to be notified)
• Qualified French speaking guide with a good knowledge of Cuban culture and cigars
• Hotels which are written in the itinerary including breakfast
• Meals which are written in the itinerary
• Entrance fees and visits as described in the itinerary
• Drinks and Cigars written in the itinerary
• Travel costs for journeys in itinerary, in an air conditioned, chauffered vehicle
• Organisation of the stay at any time of the year on request ( for 2 to 16 persons, with possibility of arranging for a larger group).

Not Included in your holiday:

• Travel requirements/formalities as detailed below
• Air flights to and return (destination airport Havana José Martí)
• Restaurants, food, drinks, cigars and other consumables and arrangements not included in the written itinerary

Travel Requirements/Formalities:

• Valid Passport
• Tourist Visa (tourist card to be requested from the Consulate General of Cuba for your country cost €22/£15)
• Airport Tax (25 CUC is paid per person at departure from Cuba)

Write us for information, adaptation of the itinerary and reservations

Option 'Caberet' as mentioned in itinerary (to be confirmed with travel agent):

• For Cabaret Parisien add 30 EUR per person
• For 'Tropicana' add from 60 to 90 EUR per person depending on the seating booked