Cuba Historical Cultural Tour

See Cuba as it’s never been seen before – through the lens of Cuban-American history!

Ernest Hemingway – Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders – Bay of Pigs

Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life – and travel – leaves marks on you. – Anthony Bourdain

Dates: Nov 2-10, 2019 and Feb 2020 TBD

Improved U.S. relations with Cuba means new tourism opportunities, and there are already many ways you can experience the island nation. But there’s only one tour that caters exclusively to history buffs, that gets you up close and personal with the most momentous times and places in U.S-Cuba history!

The Cuban-American History Tour from Lewis & Clark Trail Adventures is an immersion into one of the most colorful places on Earth, covering more than 500 miles and 500 years of history. Between Lewis & Clark Adventures’ history buffs and a select group of English-speaking Cuban guides, you will experience first-hand the history and culture of this incredible island.

We’ll begin in the region of Cuba’s “Second City,” Santiago de Cuba. You will visit the site of the Battle of Las Guasimas, where Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders saw their first action of the Spanish-American War. You’ll travel to San Juan Hill, where Roosevelt famously overrode orders and led a successful charge that led to U.S. victory. And you’ll see the Caribbean bay outside of Santiago where the U.S. Navy pummeled the vaunted Spanish fleet, leading to Spain’s ultimate surrender.

You’ll also have plenty of time to soak in the culture of Santiago de Cuba, a city known for its music and dancing, as well as its rich heritage of Afro-Cuban religions.

Then we’ll take a day to travel through the heart of the island towards Havana, Cuba’s capital city, with a stop at Bay of Pigs to explore the site of perhaps the biggest near-disaster in American history—and to take advantage of the world-class swimming and snorkeling opportunities there.

Once in Havana, we will visit Finca Vigia, where Ernest Hemingway lived and wrote some of his most memorable works. We’ll also direct you to some of Papa Hemingway’s favorite watering holes, such as La Floridita and La Bodeguita del Medio. And we’ll visit the Hotel Nacional de Cuba, the site of the infamous Havana Conference, a meeting of mafia bosses memorably dramatized by Francis Ford Coppola in The Godfather Part II.

Lewis & Clark Trail Adventures has a long and successful track record of combining history, adventure and culture in our tours of the American West, and we bring that same level of detail and excellence to our Cuban-American History Tours. Trips include all transportation, and we’ve selected excellent casa particulars (the Cuban version of B&B’s) and other 4-star accommodations. Travel with us and experience an unparalleled, hassle-free dive into the rich history and culture of Cuba!

For all of our in-country logistics we have teamed up with Experience Cuba, owned by Joslin Fritz – Long-time traveler and international guide, Joslin began leading people-to-people exchange programs to Cuba in 2012.

 Some Important Dates in Cuban and US History relating to this tour

• 1492 – October 28 – Christopher Columbus lands in NE Cuba near the town of Baracoa
• 1492-1898 – Spanish colonization and rule of Cuba
• 1808 – President Jefferson sends General James Wilkinson (later to be known as a Spanish spy) to Cuba to find out if the Spanish would consider ceding Cuba to the United States. Spain was not interested.
• 1808-1897 – US Government was very much in favor of the annexation of Cuba
• 1897 – November – Spain’s Queen offers Cuba autonomy. Cuban loyalists and rebels reject the offer. Meanwhile in Washington, D.C., Navy Assistant Secretary Teddy Roosevelt is urging President McKinley to intervene.
• 1898 – April – The battleship Maine blows up in Havana harbor. “Remember the Main” becomes a battle war cry. Responding to a perceived Act of War, U.S. enters the war with Spain. A later investigation named an internal fire as the likely cause of the explosion.
• 1939-1960 Ernest Hemingway lives part-time in Havana.
• 1959 – January 1 – Rebel Forces led by Fidel Castro overthrows the Batista dictatorship.
• 1961 – April 17 – U.S. Finances and organizes military invasion of Cuba at Bay of Pigs.
• 2018 – February – Lewis and Clark Trail Adventures travels to Cuba to explore the island and put together a hassle-free tour covering major historical sites and culture.

 

Dates: November 2-10, 2019 and February 2020 TBD

Itinerary & Provisions

Places Visited: Havana, Playa Giron, Sancti Spiritus, Santiago de Cuba

Length: 8 nights, 9 days

(B,L,D signify meals included)

*Itinerary is subject to change

 

Day 1: Santiago de Cuba (D)

• Arrive at Holguin Airport (or Santiago de Cuba airport)
• Depart for Santiago de Cuba
• Check in to accommodations (Hotel Imperial)
• Welcome dinner

Day 2: Santiago de Cuba (B,L,D) (Focus on Spanish American War sites)

• Explore Cuban/Spanish American War battlefield sites including Siboney, Las Guasimuas, El Caney, San Juan Hill, the Surrender Tree Monument
• Lunch at nearby restaurant to the the Morro Fort with a spectacular view
• Visit to Morro Fort and discussion of the naval portion of the battle
• Dinner on your own

Day 2: Santiago de Cuba (B,L)

• Walking tour of Santiago de Cuba
• Visit the Santa Ifghenia Cemetary to visit Fidel Casto’s grave
• Visit to Moncada barracks, the site where Fidel first tried to overthrow Batista in 1953.
• Lunch at local paladar
• Explore the Emilio Barcardi Museum
• Dinner on your own

Day 4: Sancti Spiritus (B,L,D)

• Drive to Sancti Spiritus (7-8 hours)
• Explore the town on Sancti Spiritus with a local guide
• Overnight in a casa particular
• Dinner in casa particular

  

 Day 5: Playa Giron (B,L)

• After breakfast, depart for Playa Giron via Cienfuegos (3-4 hour drive)
• Upon arrival, eat lunch at a private paladar overlooking the water
• Continue on to Playa Giron and visit the Bay of Pigs Museum
• Dinner reservation and overnight in Playa Giron

 Day 6: Havana (B,L)

• Relaxing morning in Playa Larga
• Optional: snorkeling near to Playa Giron in Cueva de los Peces
• Lunch in Playa Larga
• Visit the Sinking of the Main Monument
• Check into accommodations in Havana

 Day 7: Havana (B,L) (Focus on Ernest Hemingway)

• Visit to Finca Vigia Hemingway home
• Lunch in Cojimar fishing village, checking out the spots where Hemingway used to stay
• Visit to the fishing base where Hemingway kept his boat
• Visit to Cabana Fortress on the way back into town
• Enjoy mojitos at the Hotel Nacional and learn about its famous history
• Dinner on your own

Day 8: Havana (B,L,D)

• This morning enjoy a walking tour of Old Havana led by an expert guide
• Enjoy lunch in a charming paladar in Old Havana
• Visit to the Museum of Revolution
• Free time in the afternoon to spend time in Old Havana. Wandering the
  streets of Old Havana with a map in hand is truly the best way to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Farewell dinner at a paladar
• Optional Tropicana show (to be paid on own)

Day 9 (B)

• After breakfast depart for your flight back to the States

Pricing

 

Price per person $3850 (based on double occupancy) Book Now

$600 Single Supplement applies after booking

 Includes:

• Experienced tour guide
• Bottled water during trip
• Legal, licensed people-to-people tour requirements completed
• Meals outlined in the itinerary
• Accommodations outlined in the itinerary
• All entrance fees for activities in itinerary
• Air-conditioned transportation while in Cuba
• Airport transfers to/from Havana airport

Not Included:

• Airfare to/from Cuba and tourist visa
• Travel and medical insurance
• Meals not specified in itinerary
• Gratuities for guide and driver
• Items of personal nature-laundry, internet, etc.

For all of our in-country logistics we have teamed up with Experience Cuba, owned by Joslin Fritz – Long-time traveler and international guide, Joslin began leading people-to-people exchange programs to Cuba in 2012.

If you have your own group, other areas of interest, dates, we can customize a tour with that in mind. Just let us know!

Questions about this trip or booking this tour, please Contact Us and type Cuba in the comments.