A TASTE OF CUBA

9 days from GBP1,249 to GBP1,799 including flights
Tripcode: AUW

Countries Visited: Cuba

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Our Clients’ Reviews

Average Review Rating: from 28 reviews.

Janet Roberts

A TASTE OF CUBA

Written January 2012
An excellent tour that really does give you a flavour of Cuba from the colonial city of Havana to the tobacco fields of Vinales.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The beauty and diveristy of Havana is amazing - the buildings, architecture and colours are even better than the photos you see. There is so much to see that there just isn't time on this trip to see and visit it all! The beach at Cayo Blanco and countryside of Vinales is picturesque and there is no better place than to have a mojito or two than Cuba!
What did you think of your group leader?
Mariella, the leader was excellent - well organised and always listening to the needs of the group. She also organised extra activities such as being driven around Havana in classic cars and chose excellent restaurants serving nice food.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Definitely go, especially as the pace of change in Cuba is increasing.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Cuban food isn't particually spicy unlike other Caribbean countries - few spices or sauces so take some tabasco sauce if that is more your preference.
Brendan McGreal

A TASTE OF CUBA

Written November 2011
An excellent holiday which underpromised, but overdelivered.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I thoroughly enjoyed quality viewing position of music and dance in Trinidad.
What did you think of your group leader?
Fantastic...Martha went out of her way to improve our holiday at every venture.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
bring mozzy repelant
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Beth, who dealt with my booking. I foolishly was late in booking my holiday and was effectively too late to book my prefered Cuban holiday. After 2 efforts, i got to speak with Beth, who went out of her way to get me onto my holiday of choice. Within 24hrs she was able to give me the go-ahead for my holiday, so 'Thankyou Beth'. This sort of activity does wonders for your companies reputation and inspires me to come back and holiday with you again. Also a thankyou to our tour guide Martha, who more often than not, was able to upgrade our experience. For example, on the catarmaran trip, the boat quickly filled up with other groups and promised to become a squeeze. Martha worked her charm to get us our own seperate boat to travel on, Horray!! This was only one of the many ways that she helped. I believe that this holiday and your company 'underpromised and over-delivered', making better of our expectations, Thankyou all at Exodus! Brendan
Ioannis Bouzopoulos

A TASTE OF CUBA

Written September 2011
Very good programm, the guide was excellent.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
visit with the catamaran to an island
What did you think of your group leader?
Excellent
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Just do it!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Visit to Varadero even only for lunch on the return
Michelle Tillsley

A TASTE OF CUBA

Written September 2011
Cuba is an amazing destination and this trip really did give you a taste of Cuba! The trip managed to fit in so much and gave you a real flavour of the country. The whole experience far exceeded my expectations!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Too difficult to pick just one. Walking around historic Havana and soaking up the atmosphere, snorkelling in the Bay of Pigs, Che monument, Trinidad and the catamaran trip and lunch at the Bella Vista Paladar in Vinales were certainly highlights of the trip.
What did you think of your group leader?
Martha was fantastic! Nothing was too much trouble and her knowledge of her country was incredible. She certainly made the trip relaxing, interesting and fun!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go as soon as you can. Cuba is changing and although some of it might be for the better, aspects of what makes it a truly special destination will have disappeared forever. On a practical note if you go on the catamaran trip make sure you take something to cover up with on the boat, it was really hot and not much shelter from the sun!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This is a great trip. Real mix of history, culture, scenery, salsa and rum!! Make sure you go to a Paladar and try a strawberry daiquiri at El Floridita!
Mark Benson

A TASTE OF CUBA

Written June 2011
Very enthrusiastic guide - Mariella, who bent over backwards to do her best for us. This resulted in us all eating the finest cuisine Cuba had to offer - 3 lobsters in a week!! Accommodation - though basic was more than adequate for our needs.In addition, I feel that this trip strikes the best balance between travel and seeing the place without the travel aspect of it overwhelming the whole holiday as I have been told can occur on the longer Cuba trips.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were a few really. Overall, it was good to see a country very different to the one we are used to before it too becomes just as commercialized as anywhere else.
What did you think of your group leader?
Exceptional. A real asset to her country and EXODUS. Talks alot though.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Do the one week trip. Not the 2. The complaints surrounding the long bus journeys on poor roads on this trip indicated that the amount of travel on it was too much. By contrast, the one week trip strikes the balance just right.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Very good trip with very friendly group of people. Anybody going on this trip needs to be aware however that it is not that relaxing and does involve packing alot into your week. If this is what you are after in a unique land unlike any other then I can wholeheartedly recommend this trip and EXODUS's operation of it.
Iain Sykes

A TASTE OF CUBA

Written June 2011
It was a busy week, cramming in lots of different experiences! However, it was an excellent way to see as much of the island as possible in a short time.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
There were plenty of great experiences, but my favourite was having dinner in a paladare in Trinidad one evening. There was live music from a quartet, the food was excellent, the setting in a beautiful old house was just fantastic. Truly memorable, it defined my trip to Cuba.
What did you think of your group leader?
Mariella was an excellent group leader. Nothing was too much trouble and she did a great job in balancing everyone's needs and views. She was always happy and really passionate about her country and her job.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go sooner, rather than later! Change is slowly coming......Be prepared for slow service in some bars and restaurants, you just need to get into 'Cuba' time as soon as possible. Relax with a cuba libre, or a mojito!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
It was a great trip, which I'd recommend for anybody who is short of time, but wants to get the real essence of a country. One of my favourite trips with Exodus.
Yvonne Kemp

A TASTE OF CUBA

Written March 2011
Cuba is a wonderful island with diverse countryside, sunshine, beaches, beautiful and historic spanish cities, cars, cigars and very friendly people. I was very lucky as I travelled with a really nice group which also makes the holiday special. This is a cultural and historical experience not to be missed.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Walking around the colourful streets of Havana; the magnificant architecture, music floating on the balmy breeze, the ambience, the history and of course the friendly, smiling Cubans.
Santa Clara; the history and of course, the Revolucion!  The battles fought in and around Santa Clara  were the turning point of the Revolucion the city belongs to Che Guevara - he is everywhere. Unfortunatley we didn't spend enought time to walk the streets of the city and absorb the ambience.
What did you think of your group leader?
Mariella (not sure of spelling) was an brilliant tour leader/guide. Her historical knowledge was second to none and her passion for all things Cuban was wonderful and her sunny disposition made us feel relaxed when we arrived in Havana after a long day of travelling. Our driver Eduardo was fabulous and very accommodating. The tour ran smoothly; our hotels were very comfortable and well located (except the location of the hotel in Miramar, fabulous hotel but too far out of Havana). All our meals were very good - contrary to what all the guide books say - the food was really tasty and varied.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Cuba, despite all the really positive things is a poor country. Take lots of colouring pens for the children, cheap automatic umbrellas (£1 shop) for the elderly ladies to use as parasols and any spare summer clothes you don't need. Trinidad is a fabulous preserved Spanish colonial city sandwiched between beautiful mountains and the Caribbean Sea. It is also touristy and locals ask for pens and clothes mostly.   DO NOT GIVE TO THE LOCAL PEOPLE.   Give your donations to your tour leader who will distribute to the people who need it the most.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Visit Cuba whilst it is still under communist rule. The political climate is changing some of it good but no one knows if it will become commercial/capitalist - if it does - Cuba will never be the same again.