Move to the Music of Cuba: Salsa, Rumba, and Afro-Cuban Rhythms

The city of Havana exudes culture and its vibrant Spanish colonial districts reflect Cuba’s diverse historical influences. Colorful buildings create a rainbow cityscape, century-old cars cruise up and down bustling boulevards, and local musicians strum guitars beneath patios for travelers to stop and listen. You will welcome Havana’s warm energy as you land at the airport, clear customs, and transfer to accommodation within easy reach of the town center. Dinner this evening will give you a sense of what Cuban cuisine is all about as you tuck into the world-class regional creations of an award-winning chef.

Havana Old Town is a UNESCO Heritage Site that conjures images of the city’s cardinal colonial roots. Your guide will escort you through streets alive with color and culture that emanate from the vibrant atmosphere and Baroque buildings. The Cathedral of Havana is the oldest in the western hemisphere, a treasure trove of spiritual discoveries en route to the dazzling district circling Obispo Street. You will find gourmet hotspots for lunch and then visit the thumping art gallery and live music venue, Fábrica de Arte Cubano, to see exceptional installations and test the salsa skills you learned earlier in the day.

The modern city of Cienfuegos is as progressive as it is historic, poignantly balancing the luxury amenities of the world’s fanciest destinations with the deep culture that resonates from the immaculate colonial-era architecture. You will stop here for lunch and a quick gallivant around the city to see the sights that grab the attention of travelers who flock to Cienfuegos from all over. Your guide will take you to Trinidad town next, where you will develop your salsa skills further and let the rumba rhythms seduce you at dance halls and Afro-Cuban clubs that peppe the town’s cobblestone streets.

You will unravel the close connection between Cuba’s residents and the resonant history that reverberates through Trinidad. Your day begins in Plaza Mayor, a stone’s throw from the Church of the Holy Trinity, Palacio Cantero, and Convento de San Francisco de Asís. You will also visit Afro-Cuban landmark Casa Templo de Santería Yemallà, before you join your salsa instructor for an advanced lesson. Tonight you will accompany Cuban musicians who share insight into the country’s musical history, soundtrack your evening of song and dance, and show you a one-of-a-kind club within a cave where travelers and Latin celebrities mingle.

You will return to Havana this morning, relishing an opportunity to visit one of Cuba’s most whimsical places en route to your gorgeous Havana hotel. Fusterlandia is Cuba’s art playground that was envisioned and constructed by the genius, José Fuster. Remarkably bright mosaics veil the installations of this fairytale gallery that captures the imagination of adults and children alike. The surreal sculptural pieces are also sublime backdrops for your series of travel photography. In the evening you will join a local musician at a jazz club for dinner, cocktails, and a night of impressive performances.

The small fishing village of Cojímar is a resort town around the corner from Havana where you will lose yourself in the spectacular scenery that inspired the works of Ernest Hemingway. Beyond breathtaking images from every angle, Cojímar is a center for Cuban seafood and culinary hotspots riddle the coast, serving sensational dishes from sunup to sundown. You will taste-tour Cuban delicacies at a collection of charming restaurants, learning from the celebrity chefs and pairing your sumptuous snacks with prestigious bottles of wine or Cuban cocktails. You can also learn to cook Cuban cuisine, before you return to Havana.

Havana hums from the night before as party-goers, explorers, and other travelers return to the bustling streets to grab a bite of delectable eats. You can join the activity in Havana’s vibrant neighborhoods, leisurely browsing the various boutiques and museums dotting the cityscape. You could head for the yacht club and catch a lavish liner out to sea, swim in the gentle waves, or spend the day poolside, lapping up the luxuries of your accommodation's amenities. Tonight you can dance the night away or enjoy a quiet dinner away from the crowds at Cuba’s premier restaurants.

You may wake up early to watch the sunrise over Havana with a fragrant cup of Café Cubano, or Cuban espresso. Downstairs, chefs will prepare beautiful breakfast bowls and delicious sweet treats for you to tuck into in the morning as you hope to see the city one last time before you leave. You can stroll down the street to see performers entertain early risers exploring outwards from the town’s main square. Your walk will lead you past colorful boutiques where you can pick up commemorative items, Cuban memorabilia, and other keepsakes to share with friends and family when you return.