Havana

Do you want to travel back in time and live the beautiful moments? Maybe! Maybe you just want to visit Havana- a magical place that has been rediscovered by time only now! A city of culture, joy, music, and jumble, Havana is a heaven in all forms. It has everything you need, classic streetcars cruise, tops down musicians, ultimate vacation playlist rolling at every corner and what not! The buildings are painted with every shade and hues of the rainbow, and you will find it hard to walk a place without smile and happiness.

January & February- The best time to visit

Havana is a warm place hosting tropical climate all around the year. So, you just need two seasons when you should be worried, and they are the dry and wet season. The dry season comes with winter and thus, the best time to visit this place is when the temperature drop, the skies are clear. In short, months of January and February are best.

Get Your Steps In

One just cannot replicate a walk around the old Havanas’s cobblestone street. There are several street vendors, buzzing shops as well as restaurants that are broken up by Mojito bars at all corners. You can take in all the energy and vibes from Calle Obispo or discover and explore the street all by yourself while the city talks with you at night. If you find yourself in the dark at this place, simply follow the music to any second-story bar and you can see true local’s scene and a great view.

New Ride- Why so?

Guess what? You can rent a streetcar and explore the city in most fashionable and open stile. When the sun starts getting close to the horizon, you must try to cruise down at el Malecon and capture the moment when the sun kisses the sea while the salty air fills up your lungs. If you manage to find a street vendor, pull over and gran a mango to indulge in the Cuban sensory overload.

Hang like Hemingway

No reasons why the famous writer frequented and praise Florida for inspiration. They have to-die-for daiquiris that are enough to make anyone’s creative words and emotions start flowing.

Artsy After-Hours

Fábrica de Arte Cubano is a must visit experience for anyone who loves nightlife. Their unique building features art exhibitions throughout, a DJ in the basement, 2 separate areas for the performers, a restaurant in case you want to fuel yourself up. It is a home for artistic expression when you can come to check exhibitions, learn salsa or else.

Make Yourself at Home

Paladares- a family owned restaurant that is operated by the owner’s home. The population of Havana is a population for being friendly and welcoming. So, in case, you are looking for true Cuban meals then it’s the ultimate stop for you. If you are in doubt for taste, always pick Cuban rice and beans or sea food.

Proposed itinerary :

Day 1  Welcome to Havana

Your program today includes:

Transfer Airport Havana – Hotel Havana

Overnight in Junior Suite Saratoga with breakfast OR

Gran Hotel Manzana Kempinski (5 Star) Deluxe Room with breakfast

Day 2  Havana – Colonial & Modern

In 1982, the UNESCO declared Havana’s historic city center as a world cultural heritage

site. There is no city in whole Latin America with a larger colonial center. Enjoy a walking

tour exploring the old city centre through the alleys and over the squares of Old-Havana:

Plaza de Armas, Templete, Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza

Vieja, Hemingway’s “Bodeguita“… Also enjoy a panoramic tour passing by the Malecón,

Hotel Nacional, Avenida de los Presidentes, Plaza de la Revolución, Quinta Avenida and

much more.

Your program today includes:

Bici Taxi Roundtrip

Cigar tasting for aficionados at hotel Conde de Villanueva

Watch and experience the skilled hands of a professional cigar roller (torcedor) in the hotel

Conde de Villanueva. Incl. 1 cigar, 1 glass of rum and 1 coffee.

Cocktail at Roof Top Bar

Table reservation for the private restaurant (Paladar) Doña Eutimia.

Located in the centre of Old Havana Doña Eutimia convinces with authentic Cuban

cuisine. Fairly huge servings are lovingly prepared for the guests. All main dishes are served

with rice and the supposedly best black beans in town. Very cosy atmosphere, just a few

seats, so better book early!

Classic convertible car city tour

Painter Fuster

Visit of the house, street project and gallery of José Fuster, the “Gaudí of the Caribbean”.

José Rodríguez Fuster is a Cuban naïve artist specialized in ceramics and painting. He has

made a major contribution over 18 years of work of building and decorating of a street in

Jaimanitas in the outskirts of Havana, where he lives.

Visit & Cocktail at the Nacional Hotel – an architectural specialty and symbol of the

Cuban history, culture and identity in the heart of the Vedado neighborhood, a few meters

away from the ocean with a wonderful view over Havana´s bay of the Malecón and Morro

Castle.

Stop at the lookout point at the fortress Morro

Enjoy fabulous views over the bay of Havana.

Transfer Hotel – restaurant

Table reservation for your visit to the private restaurant (Paladar) El Cocinero.

This paladar is located in a symbolic area of the Vedado district, in the former cooking oil

factory ‘El Cocinero’. The big brick chimney can be seen from far away. A winding stair

leads to the second floor and to the roof terrace. You can choose from snacks like a cheese

plate or just a sanchwich and barbecue specialities as well as from a large variety of

cocktails. The service is very obliging!

The “Fábrica del Arte Cubano” that was founded by the musician and composer X Alfonso

and supported by a notably large group of helping and creative heads is one of the most

interesting and “hip” cultural offers in Havana. Since 2014 the old oil fabric “El Cocinero” is

the home to this socio – cultural project. Its goal is to support and encourage young creative

people from all kinds of arts, like film, music, dance, plastic arts, literature, fashion or

graphical design. In the last years the “Fabrica” was already able to achieve successes and

an outstanding impact in Cuba with its implemented work.

Transfer Fabrica de Arte – Hotel

Day 3  Havana Music & Art

All the world knows about the rich musical culture of Cuba … did you know that there is

even a lively art scene? There is no doubt that beside music and dance also art is an

elemental factor in Cuban Culture! Today´s program gives you an impression about the

numerous creations of Cuban Musicians and Artists visiting a training session of the

modern Dance-Show “Havana Queens”.

Your program today includes:

Havanna Queens Behind the Stage

Visit of the Dance-Ensemble “Havana Queens” directed by Rosario García Rodríguez

(graduated from “Escuela Nacional Del Arte” und “Universidad de las Artes”) and stage

director Balbina Aspron Chávez (Cuban TV Ballet). Attend the rehearsal of the performance

and take the chance to chat with the contributing artists.

Habana Compás Dance

Attend the rehearsal of the dancer and choreographer Liliet Rivera Puentes and the

musician Eduardo Córdova and their group Habana Compás Dance and experience how

passionate can be the fusion of spanish dances and afro-cuban rhythms.

Table reservation for the private restaurant (Paladar) Vistamar.

This Paladar is located on the 2nd floor of an elegant private residence in the Miramar

district converted into a private restaurant. You can taste delicious sea food while listening

to the waves and enjoying the gorgeous sea-view.

Visit the artist family

Visit a family at their home, which is a gallery as well. In the same residential building you

can find a local community space which on the initiative of the family was recuperated and

renovated with the help of the neighbourhood with the purpose to offer a place for

community projects and art. New artists get the possibility to present their works here.

Exchange with the family on their terrace with a beautiful view over the sea.

1 Dancing lesson

Salsa lesson in a nice location. With your professional instructor you learn how to dance the

“Cuban style” or improve your dance knowledge and personal style.