papagaio-new-banner
Back
CUB_Havana_JP_staff (1)

Yesterday (29th November) the 'Caravan of Freedom’ left Havana in the direction of Santiago where it will end its journey on 3rd December. The route travels in the opposite direction to the original 'Caravan of Freedom’ which, in January 1959, celebrated the overthrowing of the Batista government, the rebel victory and the revolutionary takeover. A mass will take place in Santiago and the internment of Fidel’s ashes will take place at the famous Santa Ifigenia cemetery where Cuban hero Jose Marti is buried alongside more modest tombs for Cuban soldiers who fought in the Angolan war.

We look at the highlights that mark Fidel’s Cuban history with our Self-drive Eastern Cuba: Havana to Sierra Maestra trip which includes the best of Havana and Santiago.

There are many ways to visit the historical highlights of Castro’s Cuba but we’ve found that travelling at your own pace in a hired car and using local guides in conjunction with a good guidebook makes for an authentic Cuban experience.

CUB_Havana_PlazaDeLaRevolucion_JMS_free (1)

Highlights:

Old Havana and Plaza de la Revolución - The famous plaza where Fidel made many a lengthy speech to the nation.

Cienfuegos
- In 1969 and 1970 Soviet naval vessels carrying missiles appeared to be heading to Cienfuegos convening the Kennedy-Khrushchev agreement of 1962 - the mission was aborted. You could add a day and visit the Bay of Pigs and the Revolution Museum at Playa Girón.

There is the option of visiting the Che Mausoleum in Santa Clara en route from Sancti Spiritus to Camagüey.

Visit the revolutionary hide out of Comandancia de la Plata
in the beautiful hills of Sierra Maestra where the revolution gained pace and a call-to-arms was broadcast through a clandestine radio announcement.

Santiago de Cuba – Visit Moncada Barracks where 120 revolutionaries plus other volunteers attacked an army garrison thus sparking a wider belief in the cause.

Tailor-made holidays

Flexible, custom-made holidays to Latin America created to match your exact requirements: our tailor-made itineraries are as unique as the clients for whom they are designed.

Design my trip

Papagaio

Your edit for Latin American inspiration

Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

View Extraordinary Inspiration
Bartolome, Galápagos

Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

  • Ben Line
    Ben Line - Travel Expert

    Ben fell in love with Latin America on a six month backpacking trip from Colombia to Mexico in 1995. Since then he has explored most of South America, including living in Peru for a year. He is now Head of Sales.

  • Sophie Barber
    Sophie Barber - Travel Expert

    Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.

  • Chris Rendell Dunn
    Chris Rendell-Dunn - Travel Expert

    Anglo-Peruvian Chris grew up in Lima and spent much of his adult life in between London and Cusco as a tour leader, before settling permanently in our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours sales team.

  • Hannah Waterhouse
    Hannah Waterhouse - Travel Expert

    Hannah had an early introduction to Latin America when her family moved to Ecuador and she returned to study in Buenos Aires for a year before backpacking across the continent.

  • Sally Dodge
    Sally Dodge - Travel Expert

    A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.

  • Paul Winrow Giffen
    Paul Winrow-Giffin - Travel Expert

    After graduating in Computer Science, Paul spent seven months travelling from Colombia to Argentina and came home hooked on Latin America.

0 1 2 3 4 5