Morning: guided walking tour of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old Havana.

Visit to the Cathedral Square, named after the masterpiece of Cuban baroque architecture: the Cathedral of Havana built by the Jesuit order.

Just up the southwest corner of Plaza de La Catedral, we find the Experimental Printing Workshop. Next we will meet with a cooperative of young artists who work tirelessly, shirtless in an airy, spacious colonial building where we can see original prints being created.

Visit to Square of Arms, ancient military parade ground for Spanish soldiers and surrounded by impressive buildings such as:

Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, the former official residence of the governors (Captains General) of Havana, Cuba. It is home to the Museum of the City of Havana. It houses exhibitions of art and historical artefacts and many of the rooms are preserved with their original Colonial decoration.

Palacio del Segundo Cabo. The seat of the second authority of the island. Today it houses important publishing concerns.

Castillo de la Real Fuerza. The second oldest fortress built by the Spaniards in the West Indies. The castle was recently renovated and reopened in June 2008 to hold the impressive maritime museum. Well laid out exhibits chart Spain and Cuba's naval history.

Visit to Plaza Vieja, the only civic square of colonial times. Notice it doesn't have a church or government building around. Here we will visit important institutions for visual arts.

Continue walking tour onto San Francisco Square, named after the Convent of San Francisco, this square was conceived in 1628, with the objective of supplying water to the ships trading with the metropolis. For many years it also served to stockpile the goods arriving from the harbor.

Free time in the famous handicraft market of Old Havana where you can purchase all sorts of crafts and souvenirs by local artisans.

We are now "leaving" Havana and entering Jose Fuster, the studio, residence and wild kingdom of José Rodriguez Fuster, one of the most important Cuban ceramists and painters today. Complimentary lunch will be hosted by the artist himself in his personal residence and privately-owned studio-art gallery. Hence, supporting the Cuban people by patronizing privately owned restaurants, stores, art galleries and other small businesses.

Followed by a panoramic tour around Modern Havana in privately-owned vintage cars. These classic cars range from 55 to 85 years old, featuring dream cars from the 1950s. The portfolio includes nearly every brand you can think of, such as Cadillac, Ford, Buick, Chevrolet, Mercury and Chrysler.

Next we will visit to the studio of various artist participating in the 15th Havana International Art Biennial such as Eduardo Roca (Choco) and Karlos Perez.

We will have an exclusive opportunity to visit the studio of renowned Cuban artist and engraver, Eduardo Roca, affectionately known as Choco. In recognition of his remarkable contributions to the visual arts in Cuba, Choco was awarded the National Prize for Visual Arts in 2017. His artwork is displayed in esteemed museums and galleries around the globe, including the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Cuba, the DuSable Museum in Chicago, the Museo de la Estampa in Mexico, the Kochi Museum in Japan, the Miró Foundation in Palma de Mallorca, and various institutions in Sweden.

Choco specializes in various printing techniques, with a particular focus on collagraphy. His artistic creations are profoundly shaped by African religious themes and their enduring influence on Cuban culture, which is reflected in the distinctive features and textures of his human figures, as well as the overall mood of his pieces.

Evening: attend one of the most traditional and popular ceremonies in Cuba, Fire of the Cannon of 9 O'Clock at the Fortress of San Carlos de La Cabana where Che Guevara established his headquarters after the Revolution came to power in 1959.

Morning: Visit to Partagas Cigar Factory, founded in 1845 by Spaniard Don Jaime Partagas. Before and after the Revolution, the Cuban-produced Partagás has been one of the most revered and highest-selling brands of cigars in the world.

Next we visit Finca Marta in the rural municipality of Caimito. This 8 hectares ecological privately owned farm was established in 2011 by Fernando Funes, a Ph.D. turned farmer. Its products are free from agrochemicals and special attention is given to the care of the environment, flora, fauna and soil restoration.

The farm produces 60 kinds of vegetables, fruits and herbs; and provides a range of healthy, organic food to the top paladares in Havana. ‘Finca Marta’ provides home and livelihood to over 30 employees and their families. The farm was visited by the Prince of Wales during his trip to the island in March 2019. Special Highlight- Enjoy a fresh and delicious farm-to-table lunch!

Afternoon: Visit to a Farmers’ Market. Urban farmers sell all manner of organic fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices from simple stalls. Separate sections sell meats and live poultry. All of the essentials for traditional Cuban cuisine are available here, along with the aromas, sights and sounds of a bustling bazaar.

Followed by visit to the headquarters of Havana Compass Dance Company. The work of Habana Compass Dance attracts international personalities. U.S. singer Usher and the vocalist of the British band The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, have visited its headquarters. Exchange with students and dance instructors.

Evening: enjoy a performance of the world famous Legendarios del Guajirito. This cultural project is dedicated to preserving traditional Cuban music. Some of its musicians are former members of the Buena Vista Social Club and the Afro-Cuban All Stars. The band includes 7 Grammy Award winners and 4 Latin Grammy Award winners. (Optional– Not included in tour cost)

Morning departure to Trinidad, in Central Cuba.

En route, we will visit Cienfuegos, a city of neoclassical buildings with a European flair.

Upon arrival to Cienfuegos city, we’ll have lunch at paladar (private family-run restaurant) Finca del Mar.

Afternoon: guided walking tour of Cienfuegos Historical Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visit to Palacio de Valle upon arrival. This architectural jewel originated as a home for trader, Celestino Caceres, who later gave it as a wedding present to the Valle family who added to it (in a Mughal Style with carved floral motifs) a stunning Carrara marble staircase, cupped arches, bulbous domes and delicate arabesques.

We will visit neoclassical buildings around Paseo del Prado and the main Square Jose Marti such as:

The Tomas Terry Theatre, completed in 1895 and named after a sugar baron from Venezuela who arrived in Cuba with no money and made his fortune by buying sick slaves for a low price, to later nurse them back to health and reselling them. This money was invested in a sugar estate that brought him the wealth to build several outstanding buildings in Cienfuegos, including this theatre, with materials specially brought over from Europe.

The Casa de la Cultura, home of another wealthy sugar baron, stunning mansion in neoclassical style.

The Cathedral built with the donation of wealthy families like the Lebrancs, the Albis, the Terrys. Inside you find the reproductions of the 12 Apostles in stained glass imported from Paris. Also the original machinery of the clock tower was built in France. Still in place and working.

We'll also visit the elegant art gallery Galería de Arte Maroya and review its impressively displayed collection of paintings, sculptures and antiques.

Followed by visit to the privately-owned Art Gallery Poco Bonito where local young artists show and sell their work. Here you'll find photography, painting, and sculpture.

Now we journey on to the historic city of Trinidad and check in at all-inclusive Melia Trinidad Peninsula Hotel. You'll have time for dinner and a swim in the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Morning: guided walking tour of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Trinidad's Historical Center, a perfect relic of the early days of the Spanish colony with beautifully preserved streets and buildings with hardly a trace of the 20th century anywhere.

Visit to the Architecture Museum (Casa de los Sanchez Iznaga), housing the most representative samples of the city's architectural development in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Visit to Museo Lucha contra Bandidos, former home of the San Francisco de Asis convent.

Visit to Museo Romantico, overlooking the Trinidad main square. It has an excellent exhibition of romantic style porcelain, glass, paintings and decorative furniture which belonged to the Conde de Brunet and other Trinidad notorious families.

We will stop at a mirador (lookout) over the Sugar Mill Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is one of Cuba's most iconic landscapes and a highlight for visitors to the area. The valley is home to 65 significant sites that showcase the historical importance of sugar colonization on the island, making it a compelling destination for tourists.

In the 18th and late 19th centuries, a burgeoning national middle class, enriched by the sugar industry, established themselves in this expansive and fertile valley, which quickly became one of the country's leading sugar-producing regions. Tragically, countless enslaved Africans lost their lives while laboring in the grand sugar mills and the lavish structures that were constructed amidst the lush natural surroundings.

Followed by visit to the Manaca-Iznaga Hacienda. The famous Manaca-Iznaga Tower, built in 1816, is 45m high, has seven floors and 136 steps to the top. The restored hacienda is now a restaurant with a terrace overlooking the valley.

A traditional guarapera at the rear serves fresh-squeezed cane juice. Some barracones (slave quarters) still stand too.

Trinidad is well known for its pottery makers. We meet with a family that has been passing the tradition for generations: the Santanders.

Lunch back at the hotel.

Afternoon: private visit to the studio of local artist Yudit Vidal. Yudit is the founder and director of the project ‘Entre hilos, alas y pinceles’ (Between threads, wings and brushstrokes) which groups 21 craftswomen who cultivate unique and exclusive stitches. Yudit was appointed ‘Ambassador for Peace’ by the International Circle of Ambassadors for Peace of Switzerland and France.

Evening is free to enjoy the beach, hotel amenities, and the lively streets of Trinidad. How about live Cuban popular music on steps of Casa de la Música – a great opportunity to dance with Cubans and your tour companions.

Return to Havana City.

Lunch on route. (Not included in tour cost)

Afternoon: Check-in at your hotel.

Evening: dinner at the private family-run restaurant paladar Le Chansonnier. (Optional – Not included in tour cost)

Morning: visit to the studio of various artist participating in the 15th Havana International Art Biennial such as Mabel Poblet and Gabriela Pez.

Next we visit the organic farm Finca Vista Hermosa (Beautiful View Farm). This farm is deeply involved in promoting a healthy food culture in Havana. Here you will hear all about the process of getting your food directly from the farm to your table.

You will learn about the fruits and vegetables grown locally, such as mangos, bananas, mamey, chirimoya; and will taste some of them. You will also have the opportunity to tour the farm grounds via a horse ride or on a cart to see chickens, pigs, goats, ducks; and will get to feed them.

Finally we will walk to the top of a mild hill; and from this lookout, you will catch a breathtaking glimpse of the northern coast of East Havana.

Next we will get to enjoy a typical Cuban countryside lunch at the farm.

Afternoon: visit to Finca Vigia, a hilltop villa 20 kilometers east of Havana, where famed author Ernest Hemingway lived from 1939 to 1960. It is here where the writer completed some of his greatest works, including The Old Man and the Sea, Across the River and into the Trees, and Islands in the Stream.

The villa has been maintained as a museum for the past 49 years. It contains original book and short story manuscripts, letters, over 3000 photographs, Hemingway’s fishing tackle and gun collections, furniture, priceless art collection, and a 9000 volume library that contains rare first editions of his books and those of other famous writers.

Free time in the famous handicraft market of Old Havana, located inside the Almacenes de Deposito San Jose, an old warehouse on the harbourside where you can purchase all sorts of crafts and souvenirs by local artisans.

Evening: farewell dinner at thet privately-owned restaurant paladar La Moneda Cubana.

Next we recommend you visit FABRICA DE ARTE– The Factory of Art (F.A.C.). This is one of Havana’s finest new art spaces located in a converted factory in Vedado neighborhood. This is the brainchild of Afro-Cuban fusion musician X Alfonso who, after making a lot of money in the Hip Hop circuit, wanted to put something back into his community. Celebrities Mick Jagger, Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga, Sting and Katy Perry have visited here. (Optional – Not included in tour cost)

Early morning departure to Havana City International Airport for departure.