The Colors of Cuba: An Eight-Day Getaway

Discover Havana's La Habana Vieja, awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1982. Stroll through the cobblestoned square, flanked by Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, then step inside one of the old cathedrals. Peruse the market stalls along Obispo Street for a lemon-lime fruit juice or some handwoven souvenirs. At lunchtime, you'll visit La Cerveceria, Havana's newest brewery, where you can clap along to live Cuban salsa and rumba melodies. That afternoon you'll visit the Afro Cuban Dance School for private salsa lessons from some of the best teachers in the country.

Head to the shimmering shores of Cojimar, a small fishing village that was the inspiration for Ernest Hemingway’s, "The Old Man and the Sea". Take a private tour of the sleepy coastal town, which maintains the simple, quaint beauty for which it became internationally famous in the early 1950s. Accompany the culinary team back to El Ajiaco restaurant and roll up your sleeves for a private cooking lesson of tantalizing pulled meat and exquisitely seasoned yuca, known as ropa vieja and yuca con mojo.

Venture west to Pinar del Rio, famous for its rich soil, tobacco production, and picturesque scenery. There you'll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Viñales, a village nestled deep within the valley of the Sierra de Los Organos Mountains. In the afternoon you and your tour group will travel to Soroa, a natural preserve with beautiful orchid gardens. After dinner, enjoy a lively evening of music and dancing at the Casa de La Música, filled with passionate tunes and soulful melodies.

As the sun casts over the rolling tobacco fields and coffee farms, sparkling orange-yellow hues cover the plains with a bright, shimmering light. Travel as a group to one of the largest working farms in Viñales. Here you'll be greeted by a local expert amidst the intoxicating aromas of sweet honey as you learn the step-by-step process of tobacco rolling, coffee harvesting, honey production, and rum distillation. At the end of your tour, you'll have the option of a horseback ride, complete with panoramic views of the valley and looming mountain peaks.

Immerse yourself in the rich arts and culture scene in downtown Havana. You'll begin at the Museum of Bellas Artes for an up-close look at Cuban contemporary art, then walk the halls of Alicia Alonso's famed ballet theater. In the afternoon you'll travel to the rural outskirts of the city to experience life at a slower pace. Step inside butcheries dotted along the side of the road and converse with locals over colorful displays of fresh fruits and vegetables. Dinner includes a private demonstration by a local chef.

Meet your guide for a tour of Embassy Row along Quinta Avenida. Admire the exquisite tilework and intricate stone formations that adorn each embassy and consulate in Havana. You'll then make a stop at Fuster's Village, a community project that has put the once sleepy fishing village on the list of must-see destinations. Artist Jose Fuster has embraced his artistic talents and created the famous Mosaic City for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy the afternoon at your own pace at the lovely Club Havana, looking out on the crashing waves as you enjoy a meal of citrus seafood and fruity cocktails.

Bid your final farewell to lovely Cuba, small fishing villages and bustling metropolises alike. In the morning you'll enjoy a light breakfast at the hotel and an opportunity to purchase handcrafted souvenirs nearby. A few hours later you'll be greeted by your private transfer at the hotel and whisked away to Havana's International Airport once again. Breathe in the sea’s aromas one last time as you look to the horizon, where deep-blue waters meet warm orange-yellow hues before your flight departs.