Cuba Reviews
Review 1
What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The culture of Cuba really captured my heart. I do Cuban salsa and with the salsa music and dancing everywhere this was exactly what I booked the trip for. Dancing salsa in front of a massive group of people at the Casa del a Musica in Trinidad with one of the locals! The group was small (12) and we all got on so well and still keep in touch!
What did you think of your tour leader?
They were both excellent. It was fantastic to have a local tour guide who could give you a real picture of Cuba. Their knowlege was great.
What advice would you give to other travellers?
Be open to experience new cultures and ways of life. Mojitos Mojitos Mojitos!!! Learn to salsa and practice it with the locals at the Casa de la Musica in Trinidad!
Reviewed by Katy Brooksbank who travelled in May 2011 on the Cuba Fantastica trip
Review 2
What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Exploring the streets of old Havana
What did you think of your tour leader?
Passionate about sharing the history of cuba
What advice would you give to other travellers?
Cuba is a relatively poor country which can be reflected in hotel standards and price/availability of some food and drinks. The country is rich in culture though so come ready to immerse yourselves and have a great time!
Reviewed by Kirsten Sowerby who travelled in April 2011 on the Cuba Fantastica trip
Review 3
What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Dancing salsa
What did you think of your tour leader?
Excellent! Hard working, always going out of his way to please the group.
What advice would you give to other travellers?
Travel light with a case with wheels. Be prepared to travel lots. Take light-weight clothes as it's very hot! Be prepared for repetitive food. Buy local specialities when you see them: Havana does not have a wide variety of stock, neither the duty-free.
Reviewed by Angela Hector who travelled in July 2011 on the Salsa Cubana trip
Review 4
What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
To be honest, the entire trip was completely memorable! Being away in a country where you don't speak the language, meeting a group of fantastic people and having the best holiday of your life - what more do you want?!
What did you think of your tour leader?
Extremely knowledgable! Having grown up during the revolution, Raul was the perfect tour leader to show us the best of Cuba. He even managed to get a couple of extra visits thrown in! Ask for more? I don't think so!
What advice would you give to other travellers?
Keep hold of your 1 CUC coins/bills! You will need a LOT of them to tip as often as I think is becoming expected! And most of all, go with an open mind, try everything, and smile - it opens doors in Cuba!
Reviewed by Christopher Christopher who travelled in May 2011 on the Cuba Fantastica trip
Review 5
What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Getting up to the hideout that Fidel & Che used in the Sierra Maestra - and the delicious lunch afterwards. The warmth and welcome from Cubans in general. Getting a glimpse of Guantanamo Bay.
What did you think of your tour leader?
He was pleasant, well organised, professional and knowledgable - what more could you ask?
What advice would you give to other travellers?
Be prepared for a lot of travelling if booking this tour but you'll see loads and the food & accommodation was very good. Please tip - the Cuban economy needs it and people are poor. They don't hassle you but be plase be generous if only for generosity's sake.
Reviewed by Janice Jarvis who travelled in April 2011 on the Salsa Cubana trip
Review 6
What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
All of it! Really enjoyed Havana and Trinidad/Playa Ancon. Also the climb up Grand Piedra for that spectacular view
What did you think of your tour leader?
He was excellent. A bottomless pit of knowledge - had the answer to every question and seemed to know everything about the history of Cuba. He was extremely organised and provided us with tons of options.
What advice would you give to other travellers?
Spend another few weeks in Cuba after the tour to see all the other parts of the country that you will want to see after getting a taste of what's on offer :-) Speak to the locals that you meet - people working in hotel, restaurants, drivers etc. Ask them about their lives and get recommendations for places to stay, eat, see. Bring home as much rum as you are allowed to - particularly rum you can't get outside of Cuba
Reviewed by Maria Heffernan who travelled in April 2011 on the Complete Cuba trip
Review 7
What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
- Revolution museums, squares, posters/slogans - Sugarcane plantation (for history of slavery/colonisation) - The people, socialist society in practice and as ideology - MUSIC - Old cars, architecture, cocotaxis, the Malecon, the ambience...CUBA!
What did you think of your tour leader?
Arisley was superb, a great fund of knowledge about Cuban society, history, aspirations and needs. Very aware of tourists' needs and sensitive to differing requirements. Problem solver, adaptable, hard working.
What advice would you give to other travellers?
- Imaginative Traveller do not make it clear that late April is very HUMID as well as hot and that the optimum time to visit would be 2 or 3 months earlier. - A direct flight (if from UK) would be best. - Check the age demographics. At 61/62 we were the oldest couple by 15 years and, with the majority being sub-35, were inevitable rather marginalised at times, partly due to the extreme weather.
Reviewed by Geoffrey March who travelled in April 2011 on the Complete Cuba trip
Review 8
What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Havana
Do you feel your holiday benefited local people?
Local people as in guides and personnel? Yes.
Do you feel that you got under the skin of a country?
No, the visit is too short for that.
What advice would you give to other travellers?
Bring a lot of money in euros. You can change it everywhere.
Reviewed by Robert Te Brake who travelled in August 2010 on the Complete Cuba trip
Review 9
What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Seing Polski Fiat/Fiat Polaco on the streets. Visiting Che Memorial in Santa Clara. Cayo Levisa. Walk in the pouring rain in Valle de Vinales.
What did you think of your tour leader?
Very informative, but wasn't spending enough time with the group in the evenings, especially after the initial meeting. Also on previous tours the tour leader always remembered birthdays of the travellers - this time mine was forgotten.
Do you feel your holiday benefited local people?
The ones that work within tourism industry - yes, but not in any other areas.
Do you feel that you got under the skin of a country?
Up to certain extend - yes, but I think I would have to stay longer in the places that we visited. I only wanted to get a general feeling of the country and that was exactly what the trip gave me.
What advice would you give to other travellers?
Be prepared for a lot of tipping - so more spending money than on other holiday. Bottled water - essential. Great food, great music. People asking for money for every little thing they do for you: showing you around, answering your questions. Also it's good to bring some small things to give away. In Trinidad people were asking for soap. And for the heat: shorts are the most comfortable wear.
Reviewed by Karolina Gorska who travelled in June 2010 on the Cuba Fantastica trip
Review 10
What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
All the fun I had, and all the things I got to see
What did you think of your tour leader?
Able was a realy good and wery helpfull tour leader.Perfect english and always trying to help if you needet it.
Do you feel your holiday benefited local people?
Hmmm... I did not feel like my trip benefited the local people, but i did not feel like we did anything that would change their way of living in a negative way eather
Do you feel that you got under the skin of a country?
A lot more that I would have been able to my self. I am suprised that Cuba is so hard to travel in by your self. (did that for 7 days after the tour)
What advice would you give to other travellers?
Don´t bring USD, ad it cost extra to change USD. Bring extra lighters if you smoke as thay can be hard to find. If it is winter in Europe, bring worm clothes. Don´t expect to find internet.
Reviewed by Ditte Mikkelsen who travelled in January 2010 on the Cuba Fantastica trip
Review 11
What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Finding out about Cuban life and society from our excellent guide; also the colonial twon of Trinidad and Cayo Las Brujas.
What did you think of your tour leader?
The guide was excellent
Do you feel your holiday benefited local people?
Yes, financially. I feel local people could benefit from interacting with people from outside Cuba
Do you feel that you got under the skin of a country?
To some extent yes but the barrier of language prevented us from interacting with more people.
What advice would you give to other travellers?
Be prepared for the widespread expectation for tipping - have small change
Reviewed by George Hadjimatheou who travelled in January 2009 on the Cuba - Special Adventures and Honeymoons trip
Cuba Forum Feedback
Cuba november 2008
On this link you will find photo's from the Carrabean rythms tour in November 2008 http://picasaweb.google.nl/Linlin8574/Cuba2008#slideshow
Caribbean Rhythms 27 December
Would love to hear from anyone also on this trip. Kind regards Sarah sarahscott666@hotmail.com
Caribbean Rhythms April 09 LTCR
Hey is anyone booked up for this trip Cuba in April 2009? I have a few extra days at the start of the trip can anyone recommend places around Havana to go visit or see that you won't visit while on the tour perhaps down the coast?
Carribbean Rhythms 27 December
Hello! I'm booked on the above trip. I was wondering whether anyone else on this trip would like to spend Christmas on the beach with me? This seems a far better idea than spending it in the UK! Please phone and we can meet and discuss, or just book accommodation and see you there in three months' time! I'll look forward to hearing from you. Sarah 07958 480 126
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