CENTRALAMERICACUBA 142 " I have never been on a trip where the leaders have showed so much interest and enthusiasm and looked after the whole group so well. I thought the trip was fantastic! " Sonya Ball central america Imaginative Facts Tour code: LTCR • Activities: Hiking in the Sierra Maestra Mountains • Accommodation: 14 nights tourist class hotels • Transport: Private air- conditioned bus, truck in Sierra Mountains • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader and/ or local Cuban guide DAY 1: HAVANA- Arrival day. DAY 2: HAVANA- Morning orientation tour of the old city of Havana on foot. Free afternoon to further explore this vibrant city with its creaking old cars, beautiful colonial buildings and lively street life. ( B) DAY 3: HAVANA - CIENFUEGOS - TRINIDAD- Drive to Cienfuegos, ' The Pearl of the South'. This famous Caribbean port was redesigned by French colonists in 1819. We have time to explore the city and sample the local speciality of fresh seafood before driving to Trinidad. ( BD) DAY 4: TRINIDAD- Free day. ( BD) DAY 5: TRINIDAD - CAMAGUEY- Drive to Camaguey, known for its narrow, twisting streets and alleys which form a complicated labyrinth designed to confuse pirates in the past. Free day to explore. ( B) DAY 6: CAMAGUEY - SIERRA MAESTRA-Head into the Sierra Maestra Mountains. ( B) DAY 7: SIERRAMAESTRA- The Sierra Maestra Mountains form a rugged massif that stretches along Cuba's south- eastern coast. We spend the day hiking through this wild landscape up to the Comandancia de la Plata, Castro's former headquarters. ( BL) DAYS8 & 9: SIERRA MAESTRA - SANTIAGO DE CUBA- After a free morning to enjoy the stunning views we drive to Santiago de Cuba. Sandwiched between the Caribbean and the mountains, Santiago is Cuba's second city and the undisputed home of the nation's music scene. As well as many opportunities to hear live music, there is also a wealth of colonial and revolutionary sites to visit. ( B) DAY 10: SANTIAGO - BARACOA- Free morning in Santiago de Cuba. We then drive to Baracoa, the oldest city of the island in the easternmost point of Cuba. ( B) DAY 11: BARACOA- Baracoa was the first city in Cuba founded by the Spaniards, back in 1512. We have a free day to explore the city's historic centre, enjoy the tropical landscape, or relax on the beaches. ( B) DAY 12: BARACOA - HOLGUIN- With beautiful trails, archaeological sites and stunning beaches, Holguin has many attractions to explore on our day here. ( B) DAY 13: HOLGUIN - SANTA CLARA- Drive to Santa Clara, a buzzing provincial town that was the first major city to be liberated by the communists. We visit the Che Guevara monument and have time to explore the old city. ( B) DAY 14: SANTA CLARA - HAVANA- Return to Havana. End your trip drinking a Mojito in ' La Bodeguita del Medio', Hemingway's favourite waterhole in Havana. ( B) DAY 15: HAVANA- Tour ends. ( B) Get into the swing of Cuba! • Enjoy a mojito cocktail to the backdrop of salsa in lively Havana • Explore the exquisite colonial citiesof Trinidad and Santiago de Cuba • Hike to Castro's former HQin the rugged Sierra Maestra Mountains • Wander the winding alleys of Camaguey and dine on seafood in Cienfuegos • Relaxon the beautiful beachesat Holguin and Baracoa Caribbean Rhythms Cuba Caribbean Rhythms Havana Trinidad Santa Clara Cienfuegos Santiago de Cuba Baracoa Holguin CamagueySierra Maestra Cuba Havana Trinidad Ancon Beach Santa Clara Cienfuegos Vinales Puerto Esperanza Cycling Cuba • Christmas Supplement £ 25 * High Season Supplement £ 60 Single Supplement £ 155 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 17.44 * Price includes tour price of £ 865and local payment of € 250All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1055pp Land Only * traveller Tour duration 15 days © Imaginative Traveller © Imaginative Traveller Starts SatEnds Sat HavanaHavana 2009 24- Jan- 0907- Feb- 09 * 21- Feb- 0907- Mar- 09 * 21- Mar- 0904- Apr- 09 18- Apr- 0902- May- 09 16- May- 0930- May- 09 13- Jun- 0927- Jun- 09 11- Jul- 0925- Jul- 09 * 08- Aug- 0922- Aug- 09 * 05- Sep- 0919- Sep- 09 03- Oct- 0917- Oct- 09 31- Oct- 0914- Nov- 09 28- Nov- 0912- Dec- 09 26- Dec- 0909- Jan- 10 • * High season supplement applies Starts SatEnds Sat HavanaHavana 2010 23- Jan- 1006- Feb- 10 * 20- Feb- 1006- Mar- 10 * 20- Mar- 1003- Apr- 10 17- Apr- 1001- May- 10 15- May- 1029- May- 10 12- Jun- 1026- Jun- 10 10- Jul- 1024- Jul- 10 * 07- Aug- 1021- Aug- 10 * 04- Sep- 1018- Sep- 10 02- Oct- 1016- Oct- 10 30- Oct- 1013- Nov- 10 27- Nov- 1011- Dec- 10 25- Dec- 1008- Jan- 11 • • Christmas supplement applies If you are keen on cycling holidays then we also run our Bangkok to Saigon by Bike trip and the new Cycle Thailand tour. See pages 31 and 37. don't forget ... We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

CUBA 143 CENTRALAMERICA Imaginative Facts Tour code: LACU • Activities: Cycling • Accommodation: 12 nights tourist class hotels • Transport: Bike, private bus • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader and/ or local Cuban guide DAY 1: HAVANA- Arrival day. DAY 2: HAVANA- After a morning orientation tour of the old city of Havana, we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. Free afternoon to further explore this vibrant city with its creaking old cars, beautiful colonial buildings and lively street life. ( BL) DAY 3: VIÑALES- An early morning start on the ' Tobacco Road' brings us to the province of Pinar del Rio in the western part of Cuba, where we visit a cigar factory on the way to the picturesque village of Viñales. Today we begin our cycling with a short ride to prepare ourselves for the rest of the tour. ( BD) DAY 4: PUERTO ESPERANZA- Today we cycle to nearby Puerto Esperanza, a charming village by the coast which is almost completely untouched by tourism. ( BLD) DAY 5: VIÑALES VALLEY- Cycle through the lush Viñales Valley, visiting several local farms and tobacco leaf- drying sheds. ( BLD) DAY 6: CIENFUEGOS- Drive to central Cuba and Cienfuegos, ' the pearl of the south'. Overlooking the Caribbean Sea, this famous port was redesigned by French colonists in 1819 and has many beautiful buildings. We have time to explore the city by bicycle, and sample the local speciality, fresh seafood. ( BLD) DAY 7: TRINIDAD- We transfer to Guajimico, from where we begin cycling to Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with unique colonial architecture. There is time to wander the cobblestone streets, and admire the main square, surrounded by the mansions of the former sugar barons. ( BLD) DAY 8: TRINIDAD- A full free day to explore this enchanting town. Alternatively there is the option to cycle to the Valle de los Ingenios ( Sugarmill Valley) in the Sierra del Escambray, one of the most beautiful areas of Cuba. In the evening we might visit the local Casa de La Musica ( House of Music), to enjoy some of the best Cuban music. ( BD) DAY 9: ANCON BEACH- Today we ride our bicycles to the nearby Ancon Beach. We spend the day relaxing on its golden sands and swimming in the Caribbean Sea. ( BD) DAY 10: SANTA CLARA- Transfer to Topes de Collantes, from where we continue by bike to Santa Clara, a buzzing provincial town that was the first major city to be liberated by the communists. We visit the Che Guevara monument and have time to explore the old city. ( BD) DAYS 11 & 12: HAVANA- We return to Havana where the rest of our time is free to explore this amazing city. Why not spend your last evening drinking a Mojito in ' La Bodeguita del Medio', Hemingway's favourite bar in Havana. ( B) DAY 13: HAVANA- Tour ends. ( B) Note: A support vehicle accompanies the group at all times. This means that it is always available for those who might require a rest from cycling. Cycling to the rhythm of this fascinating country • Starting and ending in Havana- with support vehicle throughout! • Visit cigar factories and coastal villagesin the scenic Viñales Valley • Enjoy the best Cuban music in colonial Cienfuegos and Trinidad • Relaxon the golden Caribbean sandsof Ancon Beach • What better way to truly experience Cuba and meet the local people? Cycling Cuba • Seasonal Supplement £ 25 Single Supplement £ 130 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 17.44 * Price includes tour price of £ 999and local payment of € 275All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1140pp Land Only * adventurer Tour duration 13 days Starts SunEnds Fri HavanaHavana 2009 03- May- 0915- May- 09 28- Jun- 0910- Jul- 09 • 23- Aug- 0904- Sep- 09 • 18- Oct- 0930- Oct- 09 13- Dec- 0925- Dec- 09 • Starts SunEnds Fri HavanaHavana 2010 07- Feb- 1019- Feb- 10 • 04- Apr- 1016- Apr- 10 30- May- 1011- Jun- 10 25- Jul- 1006- Aug- 10 • 19- Sep- 1001- Oct- 10 14- Nov- 1026- Nov- 10 • Seasonal supplement applies new tour for 2009 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243