Cuba — The Americas — Explore Worldwide 2008/09 online holiday brochure

THE AMERICAS CUBA Relax on white sandy beaches/Valerie Walker Backroads & Beaches of Cuba 9 DAYS HOTELS WESTERN CUBA REVEALED Ref CN Mogotes' and tobacco fields JFMAMJJASOND JFMA CUBA Cycle Cuba! CYCLE GRADE B Ref CCC JFMAMJJASOND JFMA Backroads & Beaches of Cuba Ref CN G U L F O F M E X I C O Atlantic Ocean Ar c el hip ago s C o lo r a d o s Cayo Levisa de lo Ferry White beaches VINALES Caves, walks & cycling 16 DAYS HOTELS EXPLORING THE BACKROADS OF CUBA HAVANA City tour Historic capital LAS TERRAZAS Pe n i n s u l a d e G u a n a h ac a b i b e s Reserva de la Biosfera Guanahacabibes & Caribbean Coast era dill Cor de Guani guanico Scenic walks Cycle Cuba! Ref CCC Valle Yumuri HAVANA Cayo Jutias Optional visit Las Terrazas ATLANTIC OCEAN Pinar del Rio Colonial town SOROA VINALES � km San Tomas Cave Optional visit 60 C U B A SAN DIEGO DE LOS BANOS � SANTA CLARA C U B A C A R I B B E A N S E A 0 Western Cuba is an ideal destination for a shorter tour to this beautiful island. We combine the colonial atmosphere of Havana and Pi�ar del Rio with an overnight in the Cordillera de Guaniguanico, allowing time to visit both the Atlantic and Caribbean coast along with exploration of the fascinating scenery around Vi�ales. Colonial Havana & the Cordillera range After a day exploring many people's favourite city in the Americas we travel a short distance west for a totally different experience to the community of Las Terrazas, located in the Sierra del Rosario, a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Here we have the chance to gently explore the hills on foot, visit the ecological research centre or simply relax. Traditional Market towns & the Caribbean We head into the rural western province, home to the world's finest tobacco, through a landscape which has barely changed over the years. Sugar cane gives way to paddy fields; pine forests alternate with citrus. We overnight just outside Vi�ales. The town is graced with fine neo-classical buildings, its streets alive with cyclists, horses and carts. Heading further west onto the Guanahacabibes Peninsula, there is the opportunity to swim, snorkel, scuba dive or go birdwatching. Vi�ales & offshore Cayes The limestone outcrops (Mogotes) of Vi�ales are, without doubt, the most scenic part of Cuba. Rising from the valley floor they dominate the fields beneath. We explore on foot the tobacco fields and drying sheds. Leaving this beautiful area behind we take a ferry over to Cayo Levisa, blessed with beautiful sand, azure water and offshore coral reefs before heading back to Havana. R I B B E A N C A km 0 100 S E A Cueva de Pesces Bay of Pigs Playa Gir�n CIENFUEGOS Manicaragua Tropes De Collantes TRINIDAD Anc�n FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Havana. 2 In Havana; city tour; free afternoon. 3 Drive to Las Terrazas; afternoon exploratory walk. 4 In Las Terrazas; visit Soroa, swim in jungle falls. 5 Drive to Vi�ales; visit Mogotes'; optional visit to Santo Tomas Caves. 6 Excursion to Biosfera Guanahacabibes; visit beaches. 7 Drive to Atlantic coast; ferry to Cayo Levisa; relax on island; drive to Havana. 8 Fly London. 9 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 7nts hotel; 7 breakfasts & 2 lunches included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/Ferry/On foot. Comment: An incredibly varied tour combining coast and mountains with beautiful cities and villages. Time is built in to relax, swim or birdwatch. Walks are optional and graded easy. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s) and some local guides. Group Size: Approx. 14 to 18. Cuba is one of the most rewarding countries to visit in Latin America and there is no better way of appreciating the countryside than by bike. All the major highlights of the centre and west are incorporated into our route colonial towns, stunning limestone scenery, lush forests and of course time cycling alongside the Caribbean. Travelling by bike allows us to explore the countryside and small villages often overlooked on many itineraries, and gives us an insight into the daily lives of Cuba's friendly and proud people. Old Havana & Vinales Havana boasts some of the most impressive colonial architecture in the New World. We discover its secrets on foot and on bike, absorbing the atmosphere of the old quarter and touring the Plaza de la Revolucion by bike. We travel west into the countryside to the community of Soroa and Las Terrazas, located on the edge of the Sierra del Rosario, a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Taking to the backroads for 2 days and we then spend time amidst the mighty Mogotes' in Vinales, a dramatic backdrop of huge limestone outcrops, hemming in the ochre tobacco fields below. Caribbean shores & Colonial Trinidad No visit would be complete without time on the Caribbean. We drive to the infamous Bay Lunch on the trail/Mike Tyler of Pigs, site of the ill-fated US-backed invasion and then spend 2 days cycling along this stunningly beautiful coast. Here we have the chance to stop and swim to dive into caverns and be surrounded by tropical fish. There's time to enjoy the sleepy town of Trinidad where faded, painted houses and quiet streets reflect the laid back atmosphere. Wild mountains & Untouched Valleys Driving up into the densely forested Sierra Escambray to Topes de Collantes NP and weather allowing, we can start with a walk into the jungle and a morning swim in the natural pool at the Caburni waterfall. Then its back onto our bikes for the most spectacular descent down to the plains, continuing on to Santa Clara, home to Che's mausoleum. Our last stop is the unknown Yumuri Valley near Matanzas a beautiful landscape ready to be explored. In the afternoon we should have time for a last swim in the sea at Jibacoa beach before heading back to Havana. FACTFILE Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Havana. 2 In Havana, sightseeing, drive to Soroa. 3 In Soroa, cycle to Las Terrazas eco-project. Optional visit to Orchid Gardens. 4 Drive and cycle to San Diego de Ban�s. 5 Drive and cycle to Vinales. 6 & 7 In Vinales, cycling amongst the Mogotes. 8 Drive to the Bay of Pigs, cycle along the Caribbean to Cueva de Pesces, drive to Cienfuegos. 9 Cycle to Trinidad. 10 & 11 In Trinidad, orientation tour. 12 Drive to Topes de Collantes NP, cycle down to Manicaragua, drive to Santa Clara. 13 Drive to Valle Yumuri; cycle through the valley; drive to Havana. 14 Exploring Havana on bike. 15 Fly London. 16 Arrive London. Accommodation & Meals: 14nts hotel; 14 breakfasts & 3 dinners included. See insert p2.. Bicycles: 21-gear hybrid bikes with front suspension, bag-rack & pannier bag for day things. Grade & Terrain: Grade B 393km/10 days (average 39km/cycling day). 2 days are left free with optional rides available. Cycling is mostly on the flat apart from some uphill sections during the first days in the Soroa area. Road conditions are ideal as there is very little traffic with the exception of Havana where car traffic is more abundant (here our route mainly follows small back streets). Cycling is 100% on tarmac. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader cycles with group on each day; support staff and driver. Our bus acts as vehicle back-up whilst cycling. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16. Local transport in Vi�ales/Jason Beevis 204 For information, inspiration and latest tour availability visit www.explore.co.uk

The Americas contd… Cuba