Classic Cuba tours

Planet

We use minibuses to travel overland through Cuba rather than flying, which helps us reduce the negative environmental impacts of our travel. We do the majority of our sightseeing on foot, which is perfect for visiting Cuba's fascinating and tumbledown colonial cities.

On this trip we visit Las Terrazas biosphere reserve, a unique self-sustaining community to the west of Havana that is dedicated to the research and protection of the local ecosystem. The entrance fee, which is included within the trip price, goes directly to the community’s environmental initiatives.

Similarly, we also explore the Valle de Vinales, which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. This was established to protect the biodiversity and cultural integrity of the region, as traditional agricultural techniques are still used to farm and plant tobacco here. We ensure that our walks only follow marked official trails and actively encourage clients to carry all waste out of the area and not to pick flowers or disturb the natural resources.

As a travel company we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key, and so all staff, Tour Leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage.

People

Food supplies to Cuba are sometimes in short supply as a result of their economic situation as well as the restrictions due to the US embargo. For this reason it is not uncommon for some restaurants and hotels to run short of ingredients. We encourage our groups to eat in small Paladars run by the locals where the food is more limited but fresh and often organic. By eating here it not only supports the local economy but also gives our customers a real insight into the realities of Cuban life.

Whilst walking in Valle de Vinales we visit a small-holding growing local crops. Where the group learns the traditional techniques for growing and harvesting tobacco, and how the celebrated cigars are made.

As a company we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of the UK travel industry body AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.