Author Topic: Re: Viva Cuba (Read 4268 times)

bellagio · « **on:** September 02, 2005, 12:57:00 PM »

Have been pricing up this holiday, also checking on availability.

Fly Cubana to Holguin.

Day 1 to 3 All inclusive at Brisas, Guardalavaca.

Day 4 Lunch at Bayamo then 3 nights at Melia, Santiago de Cuba.

Day 7 Travel to Camaguey - staying at Hotel Colon.

Day 8 Travel to Sancti Spiritus stay at Villa Rancho Hatuey Hotel.

Day 9 On to Trinidad - staying all inclusive at Hotel Brisas Trinidad for 2 nights.

Day 11 Tour of Cienfuegos including lunch and then on to Havana staying at the Hotel Maritim Panoroma for 3 nights on full board.

The price of £1194 includes all transfers, coach travel, all breakfasts, 10 lunches and all dinners including guided tours of Santiago de Cuba, Trinidad and Havana.

In total it is 13 nights in hotels and the holiday is with Saga. I just thought that it was quite a good itinerary allowing me to see a fair amount of Cuba.

Would be interested to hear everyone's views. If I opt for this one in May next year it will mean that the PCV on Nov 4th is 'all systems go'.

FredTracie · « **Reply #1 on:** September 02, 2005, 05:54:00 PM »

Bellagio
We thinks it sounds like a really great way to see a lot of Cuba!! Would still like to rent a motorhome from Havana and tour!!

F&T

lesab33 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 07, 2005, 05:30:00 AM »

You would see an awful lot. I met a woman while in Holguin a couple of years ago that did a similar type of guided tour & she loved it.

bellagio · « **Reply #3 on:** September 07, 2005, 05:48:00 AM »

I agree with both F&T and Lesab33 but I need to sort out the projected November visit to Holguin first of all.

At the moment I'm still waiting to hear from an ex colleague of mine about coming to the PCV with me. Hopefully I will have his answer by this weekend.

If he cannot make it I may well have to take a chance and continue to monitor prices whilst in Canada.

Milli · « **Reply #4 on:** September 07, 2005, 08:19:00 AM »

:) Bellagio: I was not aware that you could go on excursions like that in Cuba. That sounds like a really nice change from AI life since you do that fairly often. It would be interesting to see other areas of Cuba. The price is not all that bad- I converted it and I believe around $2617 Can. and that is what I am seeing as the 2 week rate for some 4+ star resorts. It would certainly be worth checking out.

bellagio · « **Reply #5 on:** November 22, 2005, 04:07:00 PM »

Still looking closely, very closely indeed, into this 'Viva Cuba' tour with Saga.

The date now looks likely to be 29th April next year where the cost is £1294.

My original date at the end of May, when it is £100 cheaper, may not suitable now as I could be once again touring the States with my son on one of our famous Roller Coaster trips.

The new wooden coaster under construction, The Voyage, at Holiday World in Santa Claus, Indiana is calling loudly in my ear.

Harlequin · « **Reply #6 on:** November 23, 2005, 01:43:00 AM »

This company does tours of Cuba, flights are not included, it also does tailor made tours, haven't got round to pricing one up yet, the set tours start from £625 for the salsa & rum tour

http://www.southamericanexperience.co.uk/cuba/cuba.html

bellagio · « **Reply #7 on:** November 23, 2005, 07:53:00 AM »

Thanks Garin for posting the link. I have had close look at the tours on offer, but as you say the transatlantic air fare is not included, so it is difficult to work out a final price.

The only tour that I would be interested in is 'Castro's Cuba' and that is priced at around £1099 mark for 12 days.

However with the additional flight back to Havana required, plus the return transatlantic air fare to add on also, the cost would be well in excess of the Saga tour I'm considering.

Nevertheless I much appreciate you posting the link.

I have just found this also, which is very interesting:

Cubre Libre tour

Prices are £1249 and include transatlantic air fares. However on this tour there is an awful lot of walking involved and few meals are provided, other than breakfasts. This tour is mainly designed for the younger element I fear. Just re read the itinerary and YES there is far too much walking involved for me (eg: a 12 km hike on one day!!!).

The Saga tour seems to cater the best for my needs I think.

debmich · « **Reply #8 on:** November 23, 2005, 04:23:00 PM »

BOOK IT BOOK IT BOOK IT!
Before it gets away!

D

bellagio · « **Reply #9 on:** November 26, 2005, 01:41:00 PM »

I have just 'provisionally' booked the Viva Cuba tour departing on Saturday 29th April 2006.

By provisionally booked I mean I have reserved it and will be contacted within the next four days for payment details, during which time I can choose not to go ahead.

This must be some kind of record to have three trips to Cuba already booked and to look forward to.

MCB · « **Reply #10 on:** November 26, 2005, 04:32:00 PM »

Hello bellagio,
Wow!...hope you are able to do this tour.
I've been to Trinidad..one of my favourite places in Cuba.Cienfuegos has a botanical garden(don't know if it's on this tour) that was actually built by Harvard University..quite the place.
You can tell I am excited for you and hope it
all works out.
Good for you.
:)

Harlequin · « **Reply #11 on:** November 27, 2005, 05:41:00 AM »

That sounds like a great trip, can't see you changing your mind in the next few days, it sure is a good feeling when you have got more than one holiday booked