What to expect on a Sail Cuba Tour

InsightCuba’s Sail Cuba tour offers a unique opportunity to experience a beautiful corner of this tantalizing island in true comfort and style. Over 8 days, passengers aboard the state-of-the-art sail cruiser S/C Panorama II will journey between major highlights of western Cuba, including Havana, Trinidad, Cienfuegos, Caya Largo, a national biosphere reserve, and 3 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The tour includes a full exclusive guided program of activities, complete with memorable people-to-people experiences with musicians, artists, educators, naturalists and everyday Cubans. All meals during your time in Cuba are included, as are the services of an expert guide and experienced tour leader and driver.

Facilities aboard the vessel include 25 fully equipped, well-appointed cabins, an outdoor-indoor dining area and bar, comfortable indoor lounge with sofas, and a sundeck where passengers can relax and admire each destination from a spectacular vantage point.

With the ship’s crew to attend to all your needs, you’ll experience minimal hassle as you travel seamlessly between some of Cuba’s most sought-after destinations.

 

Here’s a rundown of the highlights:

On the first day, you’ll fly to Cienfuegos, a charming island town known as “the pearl of the South”. Following a guided walking tour of the city, you’ll visit the Graphic Arts Workshop and chat with local artists. A stop at the farmer’s market provides a fantastic opportunity to interact with locals and purchase delicious fresh produce. You’ll spend the second half of the day at Los Laureles, where you’ll savor a sumptuous lunch over Cuban music, try your hand at salsa dancing and enjoy a cultural exchange with the musicians and singers.

Next on the itinerary is the remarkably well-preserved colonial city of Trinidad, replete with inspiring architecture, from pastel-colored houses and atmospheric cobblestone streets, to elegant palaces and imposing plazas, set against a backdrop of green mountains and blue Caribbean sea. Today, you’ll tour the town with a knowledgeable historian, visit artists’ studios, and admire displays at the Museo Romantico or the Architecture Museum.

On the secluded Cayo Largo, you might visit the local medical clinic or sea-turtle-breeding center, and interact with the friendly locals. Afterwards, you’ll have time to discover one of Cuba’s most spectacular coral reefs and relax on the coveted Playa Sirena.

Our next destination is Maria La Gorda. You’ll travel by boat to the rural community of La Bajada, learn about Cuba’s education system, and meet with enthusiastic school children. Then, it’s on to Guanahacabibes National Park, one of Cuba’s largest and most spectacular natural reserves, on an isolated peninsula on the country’s westernmost tip. Learn firsthand about this beautiful and ecologically rich area from local naturalists, and enjoy a barbecue lunch on a picture-perfect beach.

On days 5 to 8, you’ll soak up Havana’s intoxicating culture and atmosphere. Highlights include people-to-people exchanges with the Lillet Riveria dance group, acclaimed modern artist Jose Fuster, and musicians from the Cuban trio Carpe Diem. You’ll enjoy opportunities to admire the colonial architecture of Old Havana, watch cigars being made, take part in a cooking demonstration, visit Hemingway’s house, and explore the San Jose art market.

Most evenings, you’ll share dinner and cocktails with your traveling companions aboard ship, enjoying panoramic sails at sunset and a variety of onboard entertainment. In Havana, a couple of evenings will be spent at some of the area’s best restaurants. You’ll also have plenty of free time to experience Cuba’s capital at your leisure.

Visit Cuba with with this gracious ship as your home on insightCuba's Sail Cuba Tour.

 

Written by Sian Atkins