Just Back
 

Hi just back from two wonderful weeks. We stayed at the Sunbeach Hotel in Varadero and loved it. The beach is just like walking in cookie dough and it is very safe to walk around at any time. Took two over night trips. The first was to Havana and it was so very good and the next was to Trinidad and up the mountains and this was beyond all my expectations. Feel free to contact me at [email protected] at any time for info. Wendy PS Steve you are right about how great Havana is but youn must see Trindidad. It is a real time warp but in a wonderful way.

I'd like to hear more! How did you travel to Havana and Trinidad? Since you stayed at Sunbeach you still paid for your rooms while on your overnight right? Where did you stay in Havana?

We are considering Cuba for next year. Tell me more! :)

Hi, We traveled by tour bus to Havana and Trinidad. The trip to Havana was on a large bus with about 30 other people. We stayed at the 5 star LTI Panarama in Havana. This is included in your price of the tour. All meals are included as well. The Tropicana night club was also included. We had about 3 hours free time the second day to explore. Usually we like to travel very independently but this tour was very good and you did get to see so much. The trip to Trinidad was on a much smaller bus, really an over sized van with 13 people. This trip was really a highlight because of all you see. We went to Ceinfuegos, a lovely city, Trinidad is like being in a time warp, not to be missed in my opinion and the trip up to the mountains is beautiful. It was a small, older hotel but very nice. All meals are included on this trip as well. The hike through the forest and the river swim was great. We went to Santa Clara on the way home to Che's final resting place. This is certainly an impressive memorial to him. We drove in the mountains in old Russian army trucks, and yes it is very rough but an experince that I won't soon forget. Hope some of this helps. Wendy

Great information! Who was the tour booked thru?

Hi, the Havana trip was booked through Cubacana and the Trinidad trip was with Rambo tours. Both of these were excellent to deal with. Wendy

Hola Wendy:
It's so nice to hear from people after they get back from their vacation. I'm really happy that you had such a wonderful trip and enjoyed the Cuban experience.
For sure Trinidad is on my "must do" list for future trips, but alas, I was laid-off 1 week before Christmas, so finding a new job is the first priority. My goal after that is to head to Havana to visit friends, but also to rent a car and spend a few days exploring the Bay of Pigs, Cienfuegos, and Trinidad areas. There's just so darn much of the country that I still want to see that it will take at least another half-dozen trips.
Only one small question. Are you sure about the tour company names? I think that you might have meant Cubanacan and Rumbos who are two very big tour operators within Cuba.
Anyway, glad you had a great time.
Steve

Hi Steve, yes you are right about the Cubanacan name but the other was definatly call the Rambo tour. It included a 2 1/2 kilometer walk or you could swim the river for the last 1 kilometer. Yes I do know how Rambo felt at the end of his trips. It was more than I thought I could do but I am so happy I did it. Must be this 50's thing. Even the walk was a chalange because even though it isn't that long there are lots of steps and hills involved. I just can't say enough about this tour and I just loved Havana. The cars just blew us away and the building were incredible. I do hang out my laundry when I don't have snow to contend with but to see it off every patio or door stoop was just incredible. Can you believe how whites the whites are? Just shows us how soft we are. It is an incredible Island and I urge all to see before the change comes. Steve how do you feel about Che? I think they have made alot of him and I can only see he didn't have loyalty to any country but did have some good values. Wendy