Cuba - "Forbidden Pleasures"
Cuba, just 90 miles from Key West, has been off limits to Americans ever since 1962 when President Kennedy and the US Congress enacted an embargo in the midst of the cold war and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Despite its isolation from the US in recent times, Cuba and the US share much in the way of history.
The island was claimed for Spain by Christopher Columbus in 1492. It was under Spanish control for 400 years and was one of Spain's most loyal possessions. Eventually, independence movements gained traction. The US warship, Maine, was sent to Havana in January 1898 to protect Americans during an uprising. The ship was sunk in Havana's harbor after an explosion of indeterminate cause. The event and the resulting clamor triggered the Spanish-American War which eventually resulted in in Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines being ceded to the US for $20 million. President Theodore Roosevelt, who fought in the Spanish American War. sympathized with the independence movement in Cuba and Cuba eventually achieved independence in 1902. The US retains, to this day, it's lease of Guantanamo Bay as a naval station under the "Platt Amendment".
Cuba, 1240 kilometers long, is the largest island in the Carribean and has a population of over 11 million people. Our tour is about 400 kilometers (not including the day ride from Vinales) and takes us on a route west of Havana through two national parks, the best tobacco farms and onto tranquil Cayo Levisa island before turning back towards Havana.
Day 1 - Arrive Havana
Havana is the cultural heart of the island. It offers museums, palaces, public squares, avenues, churches and fortresses. Efforts have been made to restore Old Havana, which is a Unesco World Heritage site. We spend a night in a convenient spot close to the attractions before departing the next morning.
Day 2 - Havana to Mariel
It's an easy 3O mile ride to Mariel, the site of the Mariel boat lift. The "Mariel Boat Lift" occurred in 1980 when an economic downturn caused 10,000 Cubans to seek asylum in the Peruvian Embassy in Havana. Fidel Castro invited malcontents to leave the island. And they did. Some 125,000 Cubans made their way to Florida on 1,700 boats of all descriptions.
From Mariel, we will take our own lift (or you can bike) to San Diego to Los Banos in the foothills of the Sierra de los Organos mountains. San Diego to Los Banos is a small town with hot springs. It's story dates back to 1632 when Taita Domingo, a slave, discovered the healing powers of its aquas caliente.
Day 3 - San Diego de Los Baños to Viñales
We bike to Vinales which is the gateway to Vinales National Park, one of Cuba's great beauty spots. Viñales is a lush valley, famed for its picturesque tobacco farms called "vegas".
Day 4 - Viñales (tbd)
There are several choices for day rides in and around Vinales. The Vinales valley is a karstic depression having an area 51 sq mi. This Unesco designated site is unusual due to the "Mogotes", geomorphologic limestone formations which rise from the valley floor.
Day 5 - Viñales to La Palma
We say good bye to the Mogotes and bike north on to La Palma near the coast. From La Palma we will ferry across to nearby Cayo Levisa (an island) and spend a very quiet night off the "mainland".
Day 6 - La Palma to Las Terrazas
We head west along the coast to Las Terazas. Nearby is where Che Guevara hid out in a cave. We will plan to visit.
Day 7 - Las Terrazas to Havana
It's a fair ride back to Havana, 91k. We will stop 10k outside of town and take a lift in so as to avoid most of the traffic.
Included:
7 nites accommodations at hotels and inns
Breakfast and dinners
Stocked support vehicle and driver
Bi-lingual local guide
Excluded:
Lunches
Beer, wine booze
Entrance fees to museums, attractions
Airport Transfers
