Escorted Tours 2022-23 2nd Edition

South America Day 4: Viñales B/L/D After the energy of Havana, soak in the slower pace of rural life in breath-taking Viñales, a town framed by limestone hills and dotted with the greenery of tobacco farms. A scenic drive through the rural landscape takes you to the cigar factory and tobacco plantation in Pinar del Rio where you can witness how Cuba’s famed cigars are toasted and rolled. Travel onward into the surrounding valley then board a boat and float downriver to Cueva del Indio, an otherworldly river cave that was once an ancient, indigenous dwelling. Your boat ride then carries you to Mural de La Prehistoria, a fantastic 120-metre-long rock mural that took over four years to paint. After lunch at a local restaurant, return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure. Day 5: Viñales to Cienfuegos B/L/D Depart Viñales and drive onward to spectacular Soroa, whose natural beauty has earned it the name “Rainbow of Cuba”. Wander the fragrant pathways of Soroa’s Orchideary, surrounded by the delicately coloured foliage of over 700 orchid species then travel to Las Terrazas, a small rural community set in the heart of a picturesque 25,000 hectare UNESCO biosphere reserve. Explore one of the many trails that criss-cross this verdant area as a local guide takes you through its nature, community and history. After lunch, drive onwards to the seaside city of Cienfuegos. Day 6: Cienfuegos B/L/D The nearby town of Trinidad has charmed visitors for decades with its brightly coloured buildings, lovingly restored plazas and churches, and donkey- drawn carts rolling down cobbled streets. After breakfast, make the short trip from Cienfuegos to Trinidad for a morning tour of the city. Admire the stately architecture and fascinating artefacts of the Romantic Museum, which offers a window into the world of the wealthy sugar baron, Conde de Brunet, who once owned this mansion. Catch a glimpse of the pretty yellow and green bell tower of Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco, located a stone’s throw from the museum, as you continue on to Bar La Canchanchara for a taste of the bar’s signature cocktail, made of local rum, honey, lemon and water. Visit the soaring bell tower of Manaca Iznaga before lunch at a local restaurant. This afternoon, return to Cienfuegos for a tour of this city on the shores of the Caribbean. Enjoy a leisurely walk down the central boulevard as you make your way to the magnificent Palacio de Valle. Wander the towers and hallways of this lavishly designed marble and alabaster mansion, built by a wealthy businessman in the early 1900s, before returning to your hotel. Day 7: Cienfuegos to Varadero B/L/D After breakfast, travel to Santa Clara, the centre of revolutionary Cuba. In 1958, the revolutionary forces of Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos attacked the city and derailed a train carrying military supplies for the dictator Fulgencio Batista, a move that led to Batista’s fall. Explore the Che Guevara Square, Museum and Mausoleum - the memorial and resting place of the revolutionary and the museum which retells his life’s work, then visit the Armoured Train Monument where the remnants of the derailed trains lie. Make your way to tranquil Parque Vidal, the city’s central park, and take in the elegant neo-classical buildings which line its borders. Drive onward to the seaside resort town of Varadero for an afternoon at leisure. Day 8: Varadero to Havana to the UK B After a morning at leisure transfer to Havana for your return flight to the UK, via Madrid, or continue on to your chosen extension. Tour includes • All meals daily • 3.5, 4 and 5 H accommodation: Havana-Habana Riviera by Iberostar, Viñales-Rancho San Vicente, Cienfuegos- Rancho Luna, Varadero-Iberostar Bella Vista • Flights from London Heathrow with British Airways/Iberia (via Madrid) Havana Tobacco plantation Mural de La Prehistoria, Viñales Varadero Tour pace: Intermediate Departures & from prices 20 Nov 22 £2,089 30 Apr 23 £2,199 8 Jan 23 £2,339 4 Jun 23 £2,099 12 Feb 23 £2,399 10 Sep 23 £1,899 12 Mar 23 £2,499 8 Oct 23 £1,999 23 Apr 23 £2,599 19 Nov 23 £2,299 2024 DATES AVAILABLE • A single supplement starts from just £189 Extend your tour Varadero beach stay, 5 H All-Inclusive, 4 nights from £329 or 7 nights from £499 Private Tour Upgrade Upgrade to a private tour to include your own guide and transport, plus your choice of departure date from £549 95 Hundreds more escorted tours are available on our website www.mercuryholidays.co.uk