Saturday 22 October 2016

8 Day Cuba Home Stay @ $2899

Join this 8 day exploratory tour of Cuba. This Cuba vacation for Your Senses people to people program is packed with unique experiences! Throughout the tour, special presentations give a unique real perspective of today's Cuba as well as its past. Travel from Havana to Pinar del Rio and the fertile grounds of Vinales valley before ending in beautiful Varadero. A combination of modest hotels in Havana and Varadero paired with guest house lodging in the countryside make for an authentic and sustainable experience.


DAY 1 - U.S.A. / HAVANA, CUBAArrive to Terminal 2 at Jose Marti International Airport in Havana. After customs our local representative CUBATUR SUNNY LAND TOURS welcome you to Cuba. We begin with a panoramic drive in Havana to 5th Avenue and The Old City along the Malecon where the U.S. Embassy is located for a stop before we continue for your first taste of Cuba's traditional cuisine and culture at the Algibe Restaurant.  After lunch we will explore the classic cars of Cuba where members of A LO CUBANO CAR CLUB present their restored beauties. Sit back and relax while you enjoy a cool ride!  Later, we transfer to our selected hotel for check in.
After settling in, meet in the lobby for a Welcome cocktail and People-to-People presentation which provides an overview of your itinerary, and your participation commitments a
with Msc. Eliodoro Hernandez , a graduate from the University of Havana. Enjoy a discussion based presentation on the economic situation in Cuba and the central bank's exchange rate. Dinner at the hotel.  Overnight Havana Roc Presidente Hotel Meals LD

DAY 2 - OLD HAVANA UNESCO World Heritage Site 
After breakfast, we are off to explore  this sprawling metropolis of 2 million inhabitants. Founded in 1519  Old Havana, by the 18th century, was the most important port of the region. Old Havana, whose walls define it's boundaries, retains an interesting mix of Baroque and Neoclassical monuments and an ensemble of private houses adorned with balconies, wrought-iron gates and internal courtyards.  We will visit the Univesrity of Havana and stop at La Copelia Ice Cream Parlor before we begin our walk through Old Havana making our way to El Template. It is here where the City of Havana was founded in 1514. Nearby we'll encounter the Office of the City Historian and many historical Spanish plazas including the Plaza de Armas, Plaza Vieja and Plaza San Francisco. Lunch serve at Restaurant Templete. Continue to Havana's "Museo de Bellas Artes" and walk the famous Central Park where local Cubans discuss their favorite pastime, Baseball! You'll see the Bacardi Building, famous for its Art Deco architecture, Cathedral Square and La Bodeguita del Medio Bar-Restaurant, Hemingway's favorite stop for a Mojito Cocktail.  (Mojito Cocktail included). Tonight at 9 PM, enjoy the ceremonial firing of the canon at El Canonazo. The world's longest cigar is on display in the fort's gift shop. Return to our hotel in Havana, Roc Presidente Meals BL

DAY 3 - HAVANA  & THE ERNEST HEMINGWAY'S TRAIL
After breakfast, it's all about Hemingway! We visit Finca La Vigia former home of Ernest Hemingway where he wrote many of his novels. A visit to Alamar Community to meet the local leaders and discuss the historic Micro Brigades, organized in 1965  by local residents to build their own housing. Continue  to Cojimar where Hemingway kept his boat Pilar, for daily fishing trips in the Caribbean where he found inspiration for his novel, The Old Man and the Sea. Lunch at Las Terrazas, Hemingway's preferred restaurant where he frequently sat for lunch after fishing on the Pilar. Continue to the monument honoring Hemingway built by local fisherman with their boat anchors.  On our return to Havana, visit El Castillo del Morro, and Fort La Cabana. The tour continues with a walk up Obispo Street and a stop at the Ambos Mundos Hotel and the room, now a museum, where Ernest Hemingway wrote his famous novel, For Whom the Bell Tolls. The walk continues through Havana's former banking district and on to famous El Floridita, Hemingway's favorite bar for his trademark drink, the Rum Daiquiri (Daiquiri included). Overnight Havana Roc Presidente Hotel Meals BL

DAY 4 - EL PARAISO FARM and VINALES VALLEY

After breakfast, depart Havana towards the Province of Pinar del Rio.  The main highway goes along the Sierra and the beautiful landscape is quite stunning. On the way, we will visit the largest Maritime Port of Cuba, Marielos Port, to learn about the impact in Import and Export of goods. Continue to EL PARAISO AGROECOLOGICAL FARM to celebrate the local gastronomy with a traditional Cuban lunch.  This organic family run farm initiative offers a combination of innovation and family tradition. The farm is terraced producing organic vegetables. Located along the hillside over looking Vinales Valley, this is a privately owned family farm, organized with others like it in a credit and service cooperative. Your hosts will share their experiences about the farm, entrepreneurial opportunities and challenges in starting a local business in this rural community.  Mr.  Norges Perez Santos, Government Representative in Pinar del Rio for Tourism Development, will explain with firsthand visits to new local private enterprises. This is a great opportunity to share with the locals their experiences. Drive to the Vinalles Valley National Park  UNESCO World Landscape Heritage Site and an important tourist attraction with spectacular limestone Mogotes rising 900 feet above surrounding farmland. There are numerous caves scattered on the slopes inhabited for many centuries before the arrival of the Spanish conquerors.  We being our exploration of the cave formations of Cueva del Indio by boat. Next, we stop at the Prehistory Mural Project  before we arrive to our guesthouse lodging in Vinales. Check in to Casa de Hospedae where you will learn about this new literally "home grown" form of tourism business in Cuba offering a great opportunity for the locals.  Casa de Hospedaje for  overnight.  Meals BLD

DAY 5 - PINAR DEL RIO TOBACCO'S MASTERS HERITAGE
Today we drive to San Juan Martinez in Pinar del Rio.  If you've ever wondered where the world's finest cigars start out, it's here in the lovingly cultivated tobacco plantations of Cuba's Pinar del Río province. The plantations and landscape are part of the area's magical sense. We will follow Tobacco Road and have the unique experience to meet with the Tobacco Masters to learn how the world's best tobacco is cultivated into the finest cigars. Learn about the main markets for exporting these unique cigars. Visit the tobacco plantation to meet and discuss with Hector Luis Prieto, the youngest  to hold the prestigious Governmental award, Hombre Habano de Cuba, in 2007 and noted as Cuba's Cigar Man for the quality of tobacco he grows in Finca Quemado de Rubi, San Juan and Martinez in Pinar del Rio. Learn about important changes in the tobacco industry in Cuba and  the role this industry has in economy of the local community.  Continue to  Pinar del Rio's City Central Quarter to learn about the history of this quaint town and to visit Guabina Cuban Pinto Horse Ranch and Farm for a Cuban Creol inspired lunch. After lunch enjoy a presentation by the General Manager about the ranch and farms activities. Next, we will visit a local public clinic for health services in the City of Pinar del Rio and learn about health care in this region. 
Overnight at Casa de Hospedaje.  Meals BLD

DAY 6 - PINAR DEL RIO- MATANZAS - VARADERO
After breakfast  drive to Varadero with a stop for presentation of MARDIDAJE of Tobacco & Cuban Rum. Our lunch at 1830 Restaurant  by the ocean side in the exclusive Vedado Neighborhood . To enjoy the taste of fresh fish or shrimp and also see how the Tobacco comes to the City in the shape of a Cigar and matches with an aromatic  glass of Cuban Rum ( Maridaje, a ceremony conducted by an specialist , that will explain everything regarding the way cigars should be lit and smoked, combined with Rum at the end of any Gourmet meal in Cuba) a tradition in Cuba. After lunch continue driving  to the picturesque city of Matanzas situated along Matanzas Bay. The old city buildings are mostly from XVIII and XIX centuries, while in other areas buildings are modern. The first stop will be the visit to the Pharmaceutical Museum National Monument , a French drug store from XIX century, it is the only one that remains in the world, and it preserves the original tools, instruments, furniture and building along the Matanzas Bay continue to the Varadero Peninsula for check in at Roc Arenas Doradas Hotel. Hotel Overnight Varadero. Meals BLD

DAY 7 - CARDENAS SUGAR & LOCOMOTIVE MUSEUM -VARADERO
After breakfast a short drive will take us to the City of Cardenas a very important Sugar Cane center in Cuba.  We'll learn about the second railway station built in Cuba and the museum of the sugar industry  & steam  locomotives used in the transportation of sugar cane. Take a short ride with the  local engineer on one of those ancient engines and learn how they are still in use and maintained. Return for lunch at the hotel. Afternoon visit the  City of Varadero, Cuba's foremost tourist resort town, boasting more than 20 km of white sandy beaches. The first tourists visited Varadero as early as the 1870s, and for years it was considered an elite resort. In 1910 the annual rowing regatta was started and five years later the first hotel, named Varadero and later Club Nautico, was built. Tourism grew in the early 1930s as Irénée du Pont Nemours, an American millionaire, built his estate on the peninsula.  Continue to Museo Municipal for a presentation by the Museum curator.  Visit "Taller de Cerámica Artística" to meet with local Cuban potters and learn about their great artworks. All art works are of high quality and perfect to bring back home.  We end our days visit in the private business district in Varadero said to be home to the largest growing number of entrepeneurs in the country. Overnight Roc Arenas Doradas in Varadero. Meals BLD

DAY 8 - VARADERO- HAVANA-U.S.
Today we drive to the International Airport Jose Marti in Havana in time for your departure flight  to the U.S. Meals B
For more visit: Cuba vacation package
* Sequence of visits may be subject to change

Sunday 9 October 2016

Grand Tour of Costa Rica Vacation Package (2 for the price of 1) $999

Grand Tour of Costa Rica Vacation Package (2 for the price of 1) - CR-SLT-06, HotDeal - Save $600 per couple, regular $2598, use promo code: 6ONZ3



1ST DAY • U.S. / SAN JOSE 

Welcome to Costa Rica. After clearing immigrations and customs follow to the exit and take the transfer to the hotel, less than 30 minutes away.
Check in to the Barcelo San Jose Palacio. 

2ND DAY • ARENAL VOLCANO & TABACON HOT SPRINGS 


The Arenal Volcano with Tabacon Hot Springs tour is one of the most popular tours that we offer.
This tour offers the best of both worlds, in terms of the raw untamed beauty of the imposing Arenal Volcano, which is juxtaposed against the lush and soothing thermal waters of Tabacon Hot Springs. All this set against a backdrop of lush vegetation and breathtaking views of the nearly perfect conical shaped lines of the volcano.
Situated in the northern lowlands of Costa Rica and about a 2 hour ride away, the impressive Arenal Volcano is a magnificent natural wonder that attracts thousands of tourists who come to see an active volcano which on clear days allows one to witness white plumes of smoke that emanate from this conical shaped behemoth. It should be noted, that the volcano had previously been assumed to be dormant, until in 1968, when to everyone’s amazement it experienced a major eruption.

Enroute to the Arenal Volcano there will be a stop in the famous town of Sarchi, known as the birthplace of Costa Rica’s Artisans. In Sarchi, you can see many of the handicrafts that Costa Rica has to offer, as well as the possibility of feasting your eyes on the world largest ox cart. The cart is made of cedar and is painted with several coats (4) of orange paint and is multicolored. The design is typical and intricate, indicative of traditional oxcarts. The oxcart is two stories high and took nearly 70 days to construct and paint. For the record, according to the Guinness book of world recorded, the cart is nearly 45 feet long (14 meters) and weighs 4400 lbs (2 tons).

The journey will then continue, traversing diverse plantations with agricultural products, including pineapple farms, and mango groves, ornamental plants and cattle ranches until arriving to the small town of La Fortuna, and stopping to enjoy lunch at a cozy restaurant with a magnificent view of the volcano.

Then you will go on to relax at one of the best hot springs in the area where you will revel in the cleansing and rejuvenating effects of the thermal waters. Tabacon is nestled at the base of mighty Arenal with a view of the Volcano towering in the background. Here, thermo-mineral springs flowing from Arenal run at a soothing 102 F through a maze of pools, waterfalls and exotic tropical gardens. You'll love exploring the springs many nooks pulsating with these magic hot waters!

Tabacon Hot springs combines the four elements of nature; the heat of the volcano, the flowing waters of the hot springs, the pure air of the rainforest, and the fertile earth of the Fortuna de San Carlos Region, to provided visitors with a first rate experience.

And for a perfect ending, before going back to San José, Tabacon's signature buffet dinner will be served with a great view of the volcano so that you do not miss any opportunity to look at the magnificently shaped volcano.. Meals BLD 

3RD DAY • SAN JOSE 

Today we visit San Jose, the capital city of Costa Rica, and the largest city in the country. 
Our tour will take you through historical monuments, museums and parks. Along the way, our half-day sightseeing will include the commercial district, San Jose's Central Park and the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Theater, the National Museum and the Legislative Assembly. Sight-seeing will continue through the University of Costa Rica's main campus, and then to Moravia, home of leather craftsmen, where you will have plenty 
of time to shop at the stores. Meals B 

4TH DAY • TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK, MAWAMBA LODGE
 
Early in the morning your trip to Tortuguero National Park will depart to Limon crossing Costa Rica from west to east, descending into the lowland tropics of the Caribbean coast. We will stop for breakfast before we continue through a variety of life zones. Here, we board our riverboat for an exciting one hour trip where you will be able to observe various animals and vegetation. Mid-day arrival at Mawamba Lodge in time for a hearty lunch. Afternoon tour to Tortuguero town, starting at the entrance to the beach in front of the hotel. Visit the Caribbean Conservation Corporation Museum and the village. Return back to the lodge walking the beach trail. Enjoy Mawamba's swimming pool, Jacuzzi, hammocks, nature trails and gardens. Dinner and overnight. Meals BLD 

5TH DAY • TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK
Optional tour available at 6:15am to admire the awakening of the wildlife of Tortuguero.  After breakfast, guided tour of Mawamba Park's two butterfly farms, frog garden, biodigestor and River turtle area. After lunch, it's time to explore Tortuguero National Park with a fascinating guided canal tour. Dinner and overnight. Optional night tour during the turtle nesting season (July to September). Meals BLD

6TH DAY • SAN JOSE 

After breakfast, depart by boat back to Pavona Dock and board Mawamba's bus back to San Jose stopping in Guapiles for lunch at Rio Danta. Late afternoon arrival in San Jose for check-in and overnight. Meals BL 

7TH DAY • TORTUGA ISLAND CRUISE by Bay island Cruises or COMBO TOUR La paz waterfall, Poas Volcano, Doka

Tour Tortuga Island

The Gulf of Nicoya’s archipelago paradise is made up of various islands that are home to nature’s abundance. The area is a sanctuary for marine birds, with white sand beaches and flora and fauna native to our Central Pacific Coast. The world-renowned Isla Tortuga is part of this beautiful archipelago.

Located 12 miles from Puntarenas, Isla Tortuga’s 120 hectares are maintained as a protected forest. The area maintains the Bandera Azul Ecológica, a distinction awarded to certain beaches in Costa Rica for their pure, unpolluted waters. Because of the island’s location, its waves are gentle and its waters turquoise.

OUR NEW CATAMARAN:

If you enjoy cruising, we invite you to experience the pleasure on board our new boat, The Great Bay’s Princess, with a capacity for 190 passengers plus crew.

The Great Bay´s Princess is built using the latest technology, including Cummins Marine motors and satellite navigation, and meets all international security requirements. We are the only boat that has the Stability Certificate issued by the International Register of Shipping, the rating entity recognized worldwide.

Our staff has been trained for emergencies and evacuation plans. Our catamaran meets or exceeds all national requirements defined by the maritime division of the Ministry of Transportation and Public Works. Meals BL 

Combo Tour

Coffee, volcano, waterfalls and rainforest come together in this fantastic full day tour. Starting with a drive by the city of Alajuela passing by the Agriculture Monument, the Monument to Juan Santamaria and the famous Mango Park we make our way out of the Central Valley.
  
As we ascend towards the Poás Volcano we will notice the change in temperature and vegetation, palm trees are replaced by pine and cool air overcomes the lowland heat. We will see coffee plantations as well as fern, flower and strawberry farms along the way, creating a beautiful landscape that paves the way to our next stop, The Doka Estates Coffee Plantation.
  
 Upon arrival at Doka Coffee Estate enjoy a delicious breakfast followed by a coffee tour, in the actual coffee plantation. Here, we will learn about the ancient techniques used by the experts to produce one of the best coffees in Costa Rica. Learn about the careful process involved on the cultivation, harvesting and roasting of the Golden Bean.
  
 Next, we will continue to Poás Volcano where we will not only admire the impressive main crater with its sulfur fumaroles, but also learn about the different ecosystems in this beautiful national park. 
  
 Following the visit to the volcano we will continue to La Paz Water Fall Garden for lunch and tour. On arrival to the La Paz, we will walk through a trail, leading to a spectacular waterfall in the middle of the rainforest.   Inside the park we will also visit the largest butterfly observatory in the country, the impressive hummingbird gallery, the serpentarium, the bird house and the frog’s exhibit. Meals BL

8TH DAY • SAN JOSE / U.S.

Hotel-Airport shuttle transfer to the airport for your return flight to the U.S. Meals B 


"Itinerary variations in Tortuguero National Park occur depending on lodge assignment. The itinerary schedule & features displayed here are reflective of Mawamba Lodge."

Pay for a Single Traveler and take your companion for FREE!  

Book and pay in full before September 30, 2016 to take advantage of these tremendous savings!

CALL 1-800-783-7839 or Book Online use promo code: 6ONZ3