¡Bienvenido a la Habana! We will be waiting for you when you step outside the airport to take you to your upscale accommodations. Give yourself a moment to soak it all in first though – you are in Havana!

In the afternoon you will check into your accommodations and get settled. Tonight we get our first taste of Cuban food at one of our favorite paladares (privately owned restaurants), Atelier! Consistently reviewed as one of the top restaurants in Havana, the chefs serve a fresh take on Cuban cuisine laced with Mediterranean ingredients. A definite don’t miss dish is the seafood salad with feta cheese, chickpeas and hints of cumin.

This morning it’s time to get to know Havana and the Cuban people. Climb into a vintage car (think ‘57 Chevy) and take in the sweeping ocean views as we drive along the malecon to Havana Vieja. Here we explore two of the four main squares: Plaza de la Catedral, named for the impressive 18th century Catedral de San Cristóbal and Plaza San Francisco de Asis, facing Havana’s harbor. After our walking tour in Old Havana, we will head to Miramar, an upscale neighborhood whose expansive boulevards are lined with foreign embassies. Miramar is also home to one of Havana’s oldest and most renowned paladers where we will enjoy a delicious lunch, prepared especially for us, in a beautiful garden setting. But first, we will lounge at the paladar’s stunning bar to try our hand at making mojitos with an expert bartender. Don’t forget to ask what his favorite cocktail to make is! Then, bring your drink with you as the executive chef invites you into his kitchen for a brief cooking demonstration to learn the secrets to preparing classic Cuban fare with a modern twist, like paella-Cuban style. After lunch, we will make our way to Centro Havana and wander through the street art gallery of muralist and painter Salvador Gonzales. Heavily influenced by the traditions of Santeria, an Afro-Caribbean religion, Salvador’s street art uses everything from bathtubs to car parts. As we stroll through the outdoor alley cum art gallery, the curator will happily answer any questions about Santeria or the artist’s interesting work. Keep an eye out for Salvador himself, relaxing around the gallery. Next up is a salsa class at one of our fabulous dance instructor’s home. Whether or not you choose to dance, visiting Johan’s apartment will be an eye-opening experience. Climbing two stories on a makeshift spiral staircase (the main one is always under repair), you will get a sense of how Cubans’ passion and optimism help them overcome many obstacles. Once upstairs, the dance troupe’s bright smiles, joie de vivre, and endless patience will have you dancing in no time!

This evening, those who are interested in Cuba’s legendary music can attend an optional jazz performance at the Jazz Café in Vedado or a cabaret show at a local hotel. Our guide will be happy to assist you with the details.

We’ll start the day with a morning visit to the Fuster Gallery, where we will see José Fuster’s vibrant and colorful mosaic sculptures that he has created throughout his home and surrounding neighborhood.

We will then visit Finca Vigia, Hemingway’s house just outside Havana, and where he was inspired to write three of his most famous novels. We continue on to Cojimar, a small fishing village where Hemingway docked his beloved boat, Pilar, and the inspiration for his famous novel, “The Old Man and the Sea”. After a delicious lunch and daiquiris overlooking the water at one of Hemingway’s favorite watering holes, we’ll pass through Revolution Square on our way back into Havana.

Once we arrive back in the city, the late afternoon is yours to explore Old Havana on your own or your guide will bring you back to your casa to relax. You could also continue on to the (touristy, but fun) El Floridita, as Hemingway surely would have, to enjoy another drink!

Later in the evening, those who are interested in Cuba’s legendary music might enjoy a visit to the Casa de la Musica in Miramar or the Buena Vista Social Club show at a local hotel. Our guide will be happy to assist you with the details.

This morning, we begin with a trip to a mercado agropecuario (produce market) where you can watch the locals purchase their fruits and vegetables and chat with the friendly vendors. Next up is a visit to the local supermarket. Cuban supermarkets are different than what you might expect and will give you a much better sense of what is, and is not, available to everyday Cubans.

We then head to Old Havana to wander through the Museum of the City and Plaza de Armas. We will enjoy lunch at the famous La Guarida, renowned for its delectable cuisine and of course, its role in the movie “Fresa y Chocolate”. After a hearty lunch, you will be more than ready to walk around and explore the last of Havana’s four historic squares, Plaza Vieja. Dating back to 1559, most buildings have been lovingly restored to their former glory and now house art galleries, a coffee roastery, and cafes. Be sure not to miss the chocolate café, where you may choose to sip on a cup of hot or cold chocolate and taste their delectable chocolate treats. Feel free to wander around the cafe and check out the historic chocolate molds and artifacts. Afterwards, if you still have room, perhaps try some refreshing coconut ice cream from the ice cream street cart! The perfect way to cap off your Havana Weekend Getaway is happy hour at your guide’s home in Centro Havana. Your guide and his family warmly invite you into their home for tasty tapas and cocktails. Assisting with the cocktails is a retired bartender who crafted drinks at the famous El Floridita for 39 years. You are definitely going to want to make these for your friends back home, so he is going to let you in on his secrets for mixing the perfect daiquiri – feel free to try your hand at the second round! Enjoy home-cooked tapas for dinner, great conversation, and more than a few laughs with our hosts before heading back to your casa or out to enjoy your last evening in Havana.

This evening is our last in Havana. For those who are interested in Cuba’s legendary music, tonight is another opportunity to enjoy an optional jazz performance or a cabaret show. Our guide will be happy to assist you with the details.

Alas, the long weekend is over and it is time to head home. Your guide and driver will take you to the airport in time for your flight. Be prepared, good-byes may be tough, because at this point they are far more than just your guide and driver – they are your friends from Havana!