Sight & Sounds of Cuba itineraries

HAVANA TO CIENFUEGOS

Day 1: Saturday | Havana
Embark the Variety Voyager at the Sierra Maestra Port at 3pm or later.
Or alternatively for passengers already in Havana – Optional excursion in Havana . Havana excursion including the Plaza de la Revolucion, followed by a visit to Finca Vigia, beloved home of Ernest Hemingway where he lived for 21 years. After lunch in a traditional paladar, we will visit a very unique nostalgic car garage to view just how the Cubans manage to creatively keep those old American cars in such fine working condition. Then enjoy a performance with dancers, musicians and performers of Havana’s Compas Dance Group before we continue to the pier for embarkation on the VARIETY VOYAGER, followed by a boat drill and welcome briefing.
Overnight in Sierra Maestra – Havana

Day 2: Sunday | Havana
After breakfast, disembark for another – Optional Havana excursion. Walking exploration of Old Havana, a mixture of beautiful old baroque and neo-classical monuments, arcades and private balconies. We will stop at Fusterlandia, studio of artist Jose Rodriguez Fuster. The brightly colored mermaids, roofs, walls, benches, and doorways are greatly inspired by Gaudi in Barcelona and Brancusi in Rome, but most of all by Picasso and Dubuffet. Lunch will be at another of Cuba’s paladares, followed by a stop at the Merger Art Studio to view some magnificent sculptures and beautiful paintings before we continue to the San Jose Arts and Crafts Market. Dinner to be enjoyed at the Cafe Taberna or similar.
Overnight in Sierra Maestra – Havana

Day 3: Monday | At sea
Early morning sailing around Western Cuba for a day at sea toward the Isla de la Juventud, the second largest island in Cuba and the seventh largest island in the West Indies. Our Cruise Director and local guide will conduct informative programs and lectures about Cuba and its people.
Overnight at sea to Juventud Island – Singuanea Bay

Day 4: Tuesday | Isla Juventud
We reach Isla de Juventud. Until 1977, the island was called the Isle of Pines. In 1978 Fidel Castro turned the island into one grand Communist university for students from around the world and thus the Island of Youth. Enter the Bay of Singuanea and moor in front of the Colony Hotel. After breakfast disembark on the beach and board the bus for an Optional Juventud Island excursion. We will drive to the capital city of the island – Nueva Gerona. Visit the Universidad de la Isla de la Juventud Jesus Montane Oropesa, enjoy panoramic sightseeing and tour the Presidio Modelo, an abandoned prison where both Fidel and Raul Castro were imprisoned from 1953-1955. We will also visit Nueva Gerona before returning to ship for a late lunch.
Passengers not taking the optional excursion will have free time for enjoying the sea at the Colony Hotel.

Overnight at sea to Cayo Largo.

Day 5: Wednesday | Cayo Largo
Disembark in mid-morning ready for our Optional Cayo Largo excursion.
We will visit the local clinic to discuss the medical system in Cuba and engage with the local doctors and nurses. Visit the Sea Turtle Breeding Center and Endangered Species Protection program. There will be time for some snorkeling and swimming to explore the coral reef in open sea.

Overnight at sea to Casilda /Trinidad

Day 6: Thursday | Casilda/ Trinidad – Cienfuegos
We disembark this morning for our Optional Trinidad excursion
Today we visit Trinidad, a meticulously well-preserved Spanish colonial city. With its rich architecture, cobblestone streets, palaces and plazas, it is sometimes referred to as the “Museum City of Cuba.” We will walk through the town, and then meet with a representative of the Office of the City, interacting with residents along the way. Stop at the Romantic Museum located in the old palace of the Count Brunet. Visit the studio of Lazaro, a very unique woodcarver. Lunch at a local restaurant. Midafternoon we sail for Cienfuegos and arrive by nightfall.
Farewell Dinner. Overnight in Cienfuegos port on board the M/Y Variety Voyager.

Day 7: Friday | Cienfuegos
Enjoy breakfast onboard before disembarking for our Optional Cienfuegos excursion.
We will visit a colorful city founded by French settlers and thus with a unique architecture. Cienfuegos is also known as the Pearl of the South and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visit the graphic arts workshop and the Benny More School of Art. Walk around the city center and admire outstanding examples of French neo classical architecture from the 19th Century. A special treat will be a concert by the singers of the Chorus of Cienfuegos, or string quartet. After lunch we will stroll around the city, meet the locals, and visit the galleries and the local market.
Overnight in port

Day 8: Saturday | Cienfuegos
Disembark after breakfast and included transfer from Cienfuegos to Havana.