Discover Cuba: 16-Day Grand Tour from Istanbul

We meet at the Ejder Turizm counter in the International Departures Terminal at Istanbul Airport at 12:30 and complete check-in and passport formalities. We depart for Havana at 15:35 on Turkish Airlines flight TK 221. During the approximately 13-14 hour flight, we enjoy THY's refreshments and entertainment selection. We arrive in Havana, the capital of Cuba, at 20:45 local time. After passing through passport control and collecting our luggage, we take the private vehicle waiting for us to our hotel. We check in at our hotel, located in one of the city's historic buildings, and rest. We spend the night at the 4-star Mercure Sevilla Havana hotel (or similar).

In the morning, we gather at our hotel for our first breakfast in Cuba, then begin a walking tour of Old Havana (Habana Vieja), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With 500 years of history visible in its streets, the area is like an open-air museum. Around Plaza de Armas (Arms Square), where the city was founded, we see antiquarian bookshops and historic palaces. At Plaza de la Catedral, we stop in front of Havana Cathedral, an example of Baroque architecture, to take in the surroundings. At Plaza de San Francisco de Asis near the port, we learn about the area's trading history. Around Plaza Vieja (Old Square), we explore houses with colourful stained-glass windows and art galleries. During the tour, we have lunch at a local restaurant and sample Cuban dishes. We also pass Bodeguita del Medio and Floridita, where Hemingway drank cocktails. There is free time in the evening. Guests who wish can join our guide for dinner at the city's popular Paladares (locally run restaurants). We stay at the 4-star Mercure Sevilla Havana hotel (or similar).

Today we explore Havana's wide boulevards and squares to see its modern life and sites connected to the revolution. Revolution Square (Plaza de la Revolución) is known as the center of the Cuban revolution. We stop for photos in this square, where Fidel Castro addressed millions and a large silhouette of Che Guevara is displayed. We take a 1-hour city tour in colorful classic American convertibles from the 1950s. Along the way, we drive along the Malecon waterfront with Latin music playing. We visit Cristobal Colon Cemetery, known for its artistic monuments, and view the monuments there. In the afternoon, you have free time for last-minute shopping, exploring local markets, or cigar and rum tasting. In the evening, you can choose the world-famous Tropicana Show or Buena Vista Social Club concerts as optional activities at an extra charge. We spend the night at the 4-star Mercure Sevilla Havana hotel (or similar).

We set off early in the morning for Vinales Valley, located in the westernmost part of Cuba and known for its tobacco fields and large rock formations (mogotes). We visit a tobacco farm to see how the tobacco used to make cigars is grown and dried. During our visit to Mural de la Prehistoria, we view the large mural depicting prehistoric life painted on a rock face. On our visit to Cueva del Indio (Underground River), we take a short boat ride along the river inside the cave and see the natural formations. At Vinales Viewpoint, we take photos from a spot overlooking the valley. After the tour, we return to Havana in the evening. We stay at the 4-star Mercure Sevilla Havana hotel (or similar).

After breakfast, we load our luggage into the vehicle and leave Havana. We head towards Cienfuegos, founded by the French on the island's southern coast. On our panoramic city tour, we explore the UNESCO-protected historic centre. We see Jose Marti Park, one of Cuba's largest parks, Tomas Terry Theatre and examples of neoclassical architecture. We stop for photos at Palacio de Valle at the far end of the city. The palace combines features of Moorish and Gothic architecture. We take a short walk along Malecon de Cienfuegos, the coastal road running alongside the sea. We stay at the 4-star Hotel Jagua, one of Cienfuegos' landmark hotels.

After breakfast, we take a short, scenic drive along the coast to Trinidad, one of Cuba's cities with well-preserved colonial architecture. The city retains its appearance from the 1850s. We walk along the cobbled streets, visiting Plaza Mayor, Santisima Trinidad Cathedral and local workshops known for their ceramic art. At Canchánchara Bar, we taste the Canchánchara cocktail, made with sugar cane juice, honey and rum, which has become a symbol of Trinidad. In the evening, there is free time to listen to the Salsa rhythms drifting from the city's colourful windows and spend time with local people. We stay at the 3-star / 4-star Hotel Las Cuevas, which overlooks the city and offers sweeping city views.

Today we head east towards Camagüey, Cuba's third-largest city, following the traces of the island's sugar aristocracy. On the way, we stop in the Manaca Iznaga (Sugar Valley) area. Here, we visit the sugar cane fields where thousands of enslaved people once worked and the historic 45-metre-high watchtower. During our city tour of Camagüey, we walk through narrow, maze-like streets designed to prevent pirate attacks. We photograph the large water jars (Tinajones) found throughout the city. We spend the night at the 4-star Hotel Camagüey or Gran Hotel Camagüey.

Early in the morning, we leave the maze-like streets of Camagüey and head to Santiago de Cuba, the Hero City at the easternmost tip of the island. Caribbean culture is deeply rooted in this city where the revolution began. Along the way, we see rural life in Cuba, sugar cane fields and local villages. On the road to Santiago, we visit El Cobre Basilica at the foot of the Sierra Maestra mountains. Dedicated to Cuba's patron saint, El Cobre is the island's most important spiritual centre. Upon arrival in Santiago, we take a panoramic city tour before checking in to our hotel. We stay at the 5-star Hotel Melia Santiago de Cuba, described as the city's most prestigious hotel.

Today we explore Santiago de Cuba in detail. We visit Moncada Barracks. Bullet marks can still be seen on the barracks, where Fidel Castro and his companions carried out the raid that began the revolution on 26 July 1953. At Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, we visit the graves of Cuba's national hero Jose Marti and leader Fidel Castro, and watch the soldiers' changing of the guard ceremony. We explore Morro Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built to protect the city from pirate attacks, the castle offers views of the Caribbean Sea. In the evening, we listen to local music at Santiago's well-known Casa de la Trova, in the birthplace of Cuban music. We stay at the 5-star Hotel Melia Santiago de Cuba.

On our eastern tour, we head north towards Holguin, known as the City of Parks. Upon arrival, we ascend Loma de la Cruz hill, which has 450 steps, either on foot or in our vehicle. From here, we enjoy a bird's-eye view of Holguin, observing the city's orderly layout and green parks. During the city tour, we see Calixto Garcia Park and the surrounding colonial buildings and observe social life in the city. We stay at the 4-star Hotel Pernik or Hotel Bosque.

Today we make a long journey to Santa Clara, located in the centre of the island, where the most critical battle of the revolution took place. We visit the Che Guevara Mausoleum to see the tombs of Che Guevara and his comrades. We then tour the museum displaying items from Che’s life. During our visit to the Armoured Train (Tren Blindado), we see the site where Che and his team changed the course of the revolution by derailing dictator Batista’s train loaded with ammunition. We stay outside the city at the 3 / 4-star Hotel Los Caneyes, built in the local architectural style.

After breakfast at our hotel, we leave Santa Clara and head north towards Varadero. We reach Varadero, considered one of the world's best beach destinations, after a road journey of approximately 3 hours. White sandy beaches line the Atlantic Ocean coast here. Our all-inclusive stay begins when we arrive at our hotel. In the afternoon, you can swim in the sea or enjoy the Cuban sunshine while sipping a cocktail under the palm trees. We stay at the 5-star Hotel Melia Varadero (or similar).

Today we spend a full day relaxing on Varadero beach. You can try the water sports offered by the hotel, join catamaran tours (extra), or simply admire the many shades of turquoise. Accommodation is at the 5-star Hotel Melia Varadero on an All Inclusive basis.

We spend our last full day in Varadero. Our tiring but enjoyable journey, during which we have explored the island from end to end for 14 days, is drawing to a close. In the evening, we spend the Caribbean night listening to live music and watching shows at the hotel. Our stay at the 5-star Hotel Melia Varadero (All Inclusive) continues.

After breakfast at the hotel, we depart for Havana Airport. Along the way, we pass through Matanzas, the city of bridges known as the Athens of Cuba. We stop at Bakunayagua Bridge, the highest bridge in Cuba, to take in the views of the valley. Upon arrival in Havana, we have free time for some last-minute shopping for souvenirs such as cigars, rum and coffee. At around 19:30, we transfer to Havana Airport. We depart for Istanbul at 22:30 on Turkish Airlines flight TK 222. We spend the night on board.

Ejder Turizm's 16-day Grand Cuba Tour ends upon arrival at Istanbul Airport at 18:10 local time.