Signature Cuba: The best of the highlights

Situated in the heart of Cuba, Santa Clara is a vibrant city steeped in history as a result of its involvement in the battles which took place during the Cuban Revolution. Che Guevara is especially venerated here, the site of his Mausoleum.

In 1967 Guevara and a couple of dozen of his Cuban comrades were killed while fighting for revolution in Bolivia and buried in situ in an unmarked grave. Following the discovery of their remains they were flown to Cuba in 1997 and ceremoniously re-interred here in a grandiose monument overseen by a bronze statue of Che. A stay in Santa Clara would not be complete without a visit both to the Mausoleum where photographs and sculptures narrate his life story and especially his military campaigns.

You can also visit the military train - laden with soldiers and weapons intended for the struggle against Fidel Castro’s rebels - which was derailed by Che and his comrades during the Cuban revolution.

On a tour around town, don’t miss the main square, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Caridad Theatre.  

Numerous short walks in the beautiful, bucolic region of Las Terrazas offer the chance to enjoy the Cuban countryside without straying far from Havana.

One of our favourites is to the ruins of the Santa Serafina coffee plantation, reached via a leisurely hike along a river valley where clear waters cascade from forested banks dripping with flora and fauna.

For a slightly tougher challenge, there are some steep inclines to be tackled on the climb up to the top of El Taburete hill, but you'll be rewarded with excellent views all the way to the coast and the chance to take a relaxing dip in the Río San Juan baths on the way back down. An easier option is the short trek overlooking the San Juan valley, easily combined with a visit to a working coffee farm.

There are walks of up to 9km, showcasing the best of the valley as well as offering the chance to interact with local farmers and visit a tobacco farm. 

Nestled between the coast and the sierra lies Trinidad, Cuba's most graceful town. Wander around the picturesque streets of this surprisingly vibrant colonial treasure: its cobblestones and elegantly crumbling town houses may give a sedate first impression, but a quick stroll will reveal vibrant plazas filled with music and salsa dancing. This UNESCO World Heritage Site seems barely touched by the modern world, and show you around its main sights and crafts workshops.

Another optional experience would be to head into the surrounding agricultural region of the Valle de los Ingenios. This sleepy valley was once one of Cuba's most prosperous areas, having gained a fortune off the back of the African slaves working in its many sugar plantations. If you have a head for heights you can climb to the top of the Manaca-Iznaga tower to take in panoramic views across the rural landscape.

Known in the colonial era as 'the Pearl of the South', the architectural jewel of Cienfuegos is a richly evocative setting for this guided walking tour. Amble along cobbled streets and French-inspired boulevards, taking in the laid-back maritime ambience.  The city's historical and cultural importance is in evidence as you visit its key sights, from fortifications to elegant balconied mansions.

The warm, aquamarine seas of the western cayes are awash with tropical marine life, giving the impression of having jumped straight into an aquarium.

Head out on a diving expedition to immerse yourself in this lively underwater world, exploring the varied topography of the sea bed. Whether you're an experienced diver or a complete beginner, there are courses for all levels and trial dives offering a tantalising taste of the scuba experience.

Taberna Beny Moré may be a restaurant, but it's not the food that attracts its clientèle. With its nostalgic décor and prime location in Old Havana, this is the venue for electrifying live performances featuring the music of the legendary Buena Vista Social Club.

The music exudes an infectious energy as the mood  of the 40s and 50s, is captured. At that time the real social club  - after which the acclaimed band was named  - was a melting pot of musical styles and upcoming stars. Meanwhile, salsa dancers hit the dance floor to complete a quintessentially Cuban scene.

Enjoy a dining experience unique to Cuba at a friendly and intimate paladar, one of the small privately owned restaurants authorised by the regime (the only other restaurants are run by the state). They are typically in crumbling historic homes and are subject to rather strict regulations, although these don't limit their gastronomic accomplishments – these family-run eateries are at the heart of the capital's burgeoning culinary scene.

Enjoy homemade food prepared with flair and imagination at one of our favourite paladares, where along with a delicious meal in atmospheric surroundings you can also get an authentic feel for the reality of Cuban life beyond the tourist haunts.

The historic core of this wildly atmospheric capital is a maze of cobbled streets, elegant plazas and picturesquely crumbling colonial mansions, a joy to explore on foot. You'll have the chance to admire all the most important historic buildings and churches while learning about the city's history and legends.

You can extend the tour by following in the footsteps of one of Havana's most famous residents, Ernest Hemingway, who was once a regular fixture in the smoky cocktail bars of the capital. To get a sense of his life here, visit the author's former home in La Vigia and the room he occupied in Ambos Mundos hotel, where he began writing 'For Whom the Bell Tolls'. Stop for one of the daiquiri cocktails Hemingway so enjoyed before heading onwards to the fishing village of Cojímar, inspiration for 'The Old Man and the Sea'.