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Cuba Under Sail

Cuba Under Sail

From $17,580 USD

Description

It’s time to see Cuba, and what more unique way to do it than by sail on a luxury yacht! Stroll Havana’s picturesque Malecón promenade along the sea at sunset; explore Cuba’s magnificent coral reefs by snorkel or scuba; and, with luck, maybe we’ll even spot the world’s smallest bird: the bee hummingbird.

Note: This trip will be conducted under a General License – Humanitarian project (section 515.575).
Note: Air transportation is excluded.

Trip Name
Cuba Under Sail
Days
17
Overview
Vessel Type: Motor Yacht Length: 88 metres Passenger Capacity: 64 Built: 1991 Experience the privilege of a relaxing cruise aboard Le Ponant, crafted to respect the tradition of famous sailing yachts. Following in the nautical tradition of three-masted sailing ships, Le Ponant will take you on a voyage of discovery.  The ship capacity is limited to 64 passengers, providing intimacy and convivial atmosphere to the cruise.  The refined life on board, the welcoming charm to your cabin, the lounges and the restaurants setting are as many invitations to relax. Under full sail, gliding over the sea with the wind, you will fall under Le Ponant's spell.

Itinerary



Day 1: Havana, Cuba
Check in to the five-star Meliá Cohiba, which overlooks the city’s famous three-mile-long Malecón. Enjoy dinner at one of the city’s finest paladars (family-run restaurant).
Day 2: Havana
Get acquainted with Old Havana—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—on a walking tour this morning. After lunch make a stop at El Floridita Bar—the birthplace of the daiquiri and one of Hemingway’s favorite watering holes—on the way to visit Arte Corte, a hair salon and museum that preserves the history of hairdressing in Cuba. This evening, climb into one of Havana’s vintage cars for a stylish ride to Rio Mar for dinner, then enjoy a performance at the legendary Buena Vista Social Club.
Day 3: Havana / Viñales
After an early breakfast, depart overland to Pinar del Rio, Cuba’s primary tobacco growing region. Visit a local family-run farm to witness the process of creating Cuba’s legendary cigars. After lunch at the farm continue to the Viñales Valley. This World Heritage Site offer some of the most spectacular scenery in Cuba, with dramatic karst outcroppings punctuating the verdant landscape. In Cueva del Indio (Indian Cave) board a boat for a cruise along the subterranean river. Return to Havana with dinner and overnight at our hotel.
Day 4: Havana / Embark Le Ponant
Follow in the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway at lovely Finca Vigia, where “Papa” lived for two decades. The house is now a museum with more than 20,000 of the author’s personal items. Then visit the fishing village of Cojimar, which inspired his Nobel Prize-winning novel, The Old Man and the Sea. Hemingway loved Cuban cigars and rum, and you will learn about the history and production of both during visits to Conde Villanueva Cigar Lounge and the Havana Club Museum of Rum. Embark Le Ponant in the late afternoon.
Day 5: Varadero / Matanzas
Disembark in Varadero and drive to Matanzas, intersected by three rivers, and called the “City of Bridges” for the 17 bridges crossing them. Enjoy a half-day city tour, including the Matanzas Museum which traces the city’s history from 1693 to the present. Return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at leisure. Or, choose an excursion to La Arboleda, a riverside ranch where you can go on a nature walk, go horseback riding, take a swim, or simply relax in this peaceful setting. After a typical Cuban lunch, head out on a 4x4 Jeep excursion through Rio Canimar Nature Park and take a cruise to admire the flora and fauna along the riverbanks. Continue to Cuevas de Bellamar, a fantastical cave system.
Day 6: Cayo Guillermo
Zodiacs take you ashore at Cayo Guillermo for a day of snorkeling and diving in the crystal-clear waters teeming with colorful reef fish. Or, choose to visit the village of Moron, which offers horse-drawn carriages and small shops to browse.
Day 7: At Sea
Enjoy a relaxing day at sea and attend lectures from our experts.
Day 8: Antilla / Gibara / Cayo Saetia
Disembark in Antilla and depart overland for a half-day tour of Gibara. Enjoy stunning views from a hilltop Spanish fortress, and stroll through the leafy Parque Calixto Garcia on your way to the wonderful Museum of Natural History. Your tour ends at Baker’s Cave, where you may choose to take a dip in the underground lake before returning to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at leisure. Alternatively, board a private catamaran for a full-day excursion to Cayo Saetia, an island nature reserve with a wealth of local and exotic wildlife, such as zebra, wild boar, water buffalo, and a variety of birds.
Day 9: Santiago de Cuba
After a morning at sea and lunch on board, arrive at Santiago de Cuba. Founded in 1514, this World Heritage Site was the starting point for expeditions led by Cortés and de Soto. Admire some of the island’s most amazing architecture and historical sites in Parque Céspedes, the heart and soul of Santiago de Cuba. Visit the Cathedral and the First Governor’s House, home to the Colonial History Museum, as well as the Emilio Bacardi Moreau Museum. After dinner on board, step out to enjoy some local nightlife with Cuban music at Casa de la Musica.
Day 10: Santiago de Cuba
Your morning tour begins at San Juan Hill, where during the Spanish-American War, the conquest of Spanish troops led to Spain’s surrender in 1898. Then visit Moncada Garrison, where a young Fidel Castro led an armed assault on the barracks in 1953—the first salvo in the Cuban Revolution. Inside you will find the Museo de la Clandestinidad, covering the period from the Spanish conquest to the guerrilla movement of the 1959 revolution in the Sierra Maestra Mountains. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy an afternoon at sea.
Day 11: Casilda / Trinidad
Today, choose between a morning walking tour around Trinidad; a living-museum of Spanish colonialism, the entire city—even its red-tiled roofs—was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at leisure. Or, opt for a full day at Guanayara National Park; hike through the jungle and learn about the various species of indigenous plants, some of which are still used as herbal remedies. Enjoy lunch at Casa La Gallega, a delightful Creole restaurant surrounded by tropical blooms 1,800 feet above sea level.
Day 12: Trinidad
After breakfast, take a walking tour around Trinidad; a living-museum of Spanish colonialism, the entire city—even its red-tiled roofs—was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon at leisure. Or, opt for a full day at Guanayara National Park. Hike through the jungle and learn about the various species of indigenous plants, some of which are still used as herbal remedies. Enjoy lunch at Casa La Gallega, a delightful Creole restaurant surrounded by tropical flowers 1,800 feet above sea level.
Day 13: Cienfuegos / Disembark / Playa Larga
After breakfast, disembark Le Ponant in Cienfuegos. With its French spirit and fabulous setting along Cuba’s most spectacular bay, Cienfuegos has earned UNESCO status for its outstanding architecture, which you discover on a guided walking tour. Then depart overland for the UNESCO-designated Zapata Wetland region. View some of the local wildlife at the Fiesta Campesina zoo-park before touring the Playa Giron (Bay of Pigs) Museum; located at the site of the unsuccessful military invasion by US-backed anti-Castro forces in April 1961. After lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Playa Larga and check in to the Playa Larga Hotel.
Day 14: Playa Larga / Havana
This morning return to Havana, with a stop at the Korimacao Cultural Project en route. This cultural facility offers residents from surrounding communities the chance to develop and hone their skills in acting, singing, dancing, and music. Enjoy lunch along the way, then check in to Meliá Cohiba. Your farewell dinner tonight is in the Sierra Maestra Restaurant, situated on the 25th floor with jaw-dropping, 360-degree views over Havana.
Day 15: Playa Larga / Havana
This morning return to Havana, with a stop at the Korimacao Cultural Project en route. This cultural facility offers residents from surrounding communities the chance to develop and hone their skills in acting, singing, dancing, and music. Enjoy lunch along the way, then check in to Meliá Cohiba. Your farewell dinner tonight is in the Sierra Maestra Restaurant, situated on the 25th floor with jaw-dropping, 360-degree views over Havana.
Day 16: Havana
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight to Miami and connect with your homeward flight.
Please Note:
We do our best to adhere to the scheduled itinerary, but in the spirit of our expeditionary style of travel we may deviate slightly to take full advantage of encounters with the destination and its people, culture, and wildlife.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
30-03-201714-04-2017USD$17,580Category 1
30-03-201714-04-2017USD$19,980Category 2
30-03-201714-04-2017USD$21,980Category 1 Special Single
30-03-201714-04-2017USD$25,080Category 2 Special Single

Inclusions

    • Immerse yourself in Cuban culture as you visit with friendly locals, savor traditional cuisine, tour the Arte Corte interactive museum, and enjoy musical performances, including a visit to the Buena Vista Social Club.
    • Travel with ease aboard the intimate, 56-guest sailing ship, Le Ponant, the perfect way to see the sights and enjoy the exquisite coastal scenery.
    • Visit the citadel of San Pedro de la Roca in Santiago and stroll through charming, colonial Cienfuegos; both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
    • Snorkel or dive over healthy coral reefs to view colorful tropical fish, turtles, sting rays, and other sea creatures.
    • Stroll the atmospheric streets of Havana to discover stunning colonial architecture and sun-splashed plazas, where classic American cars complete the scene of a by-gone era.

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