Page 16 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Cuba

14  INTRODUCING CUBA

A Week in Central Day 3: Exploring Trinidad
Cuba Begin in the heart of the city at
Plaza Mayor (pp186–7). Next to
• Airport Fly to Havana’s José the imposing Iglesia Parroquial
Martí International Airport, de la Santísima Trinidad (p188),
17 km (11 miles) south of the glorious Palacio Brunet
the city. (p189), which boasts furnishings
• Transport This tour is from many wealthy families, is
most easily done with a worth exploring. After wards,
hire car, which you can pick settle into the city’s most famous
up at the airport. Víazul bar, the Canchánchara (p186),
coaches travel to Cienfuegos known for its eponymous drink,
and Trinidad. then visit the handsome Iglesia
y Convento de San Francisco
• Booking ahead Book car
hire ahead in high season (p193). Wind down for the day
(Dec–Feb, Jul and Aug). by listening to live performances
Book hotels and resorts in in the Casa de la Cultura (p193) Iglesia Parroquial de la Santísima Trinidad
advance, as well as any or Casa de la Trova (p282). in Plaza Mayor, Trinidad
coach travel.
Day 4: Around Trinidad located on the outskirts of Santa
Head north to the resort of Clara. Head north from here to
Day 1: Cienfuegos Topes de Collantes (p195), the white-sand paradise of
From Havana, drive four set in the Escambray mountains, Cayo Santa María (p181).
hours southeast along the A1 where visitors can enjoy walks
Autopista, turning south to to waterfalls and caves. Alterna- Day 6: Cayo Santa María
Cienfuegos on the Caribbean tively, travel to the steamy Spend your leisure time sunbath-
coast. Wander the vast central Caribbean coast to swim in the ing, having a massage or cruising
square Parque Martí (p172) and turquoise seas off Playa Ancón on a catamaran at this stunning,
marvel at the extraordinary (p196), or take a catamaran out to small, white-sand resort. Spend
interior of Teatro Tomás Terry Cayo Blanco (p196) for excellent the night here.
(p172), a 19th-century theatre. snorkelling opportunities. Stay
Walk south along Paseo del the night in Trinidad. Day 7: Return via Remedios
Prado (p173), passing the Enjoy your last morning of relax-
columned arcades to the Day 5: Valle de los Ingenios ation before heading back to
stunning mixture of colonial and Guevara’s mausoleum Havana. Stop in the pretty town
and 1950s archi tecture of Punta Leave early, stopping at the of Remedios (p181) and admire
Gorda (p174). Have a drink here Manaca Iznaga Estate (p197), a the lavish altar of the Iglesia de
at the Moorish Palacio de Valle former sugar plantation in the San Juan Bautista before driving
(p174), a private villa-turned- Valle de los Ingenios (pp196–7), the A1 back to the capital.
restaurant. Stay in Cienfuegos. before passing through Sancti
Spíritus (pp198–9). Drive west on To extend your trip…
To extend your trip… the A1 to Che Guevara’s mauso- Visit Matanzas, the “Athens
See the bird and marine life leum, the Conjunto Escultórico of Cuba”, with its interesting
of the Bay of Pigs (pp168–71) Comandante Ernesto Che historic centre (pp162–3).
in the Península de Zapata. Guevara (p180), conveniently

Day 2: On to Trinidad
Head out of Cienfuegos along
the coastal road and visit the
lush Jardín Botánico Soledad
filled with exotic plants en route
(pp176–7). Continue your
journey, arriving in Trinidad in
time for lunch. Either drive the
13 km (8 miles) to Playa Ancón
(p196) to recline on the white
sands, or just take time to
wander the town in the pretty
late-afternoon light – a photo-
gra pher’s dream. Visit the
outstand ing Palacio Cantero
(p193) and climb the tower for
excellent views of the town. Villas along Punta Gorda, Cienfuegos
For practical information on travelling around Cuba see pp302–7

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Country itinerary template “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1.1)
Date 21st March 2014
Size 125mm x 217mm