Trip to Cuba – December 2022
You’re invited! Come to Cuba with us in December!
Ronnie and I are excited to be going back to Cuba together in December, and we would love you to come along with us!
We’ve chosen to run the trip during that ‘nothing week’ in between Christmas and New Year, because who wants to sit on the couch eating all the mince pies when you could be in hot and sunny Cuba, having the experiences of a lifetime?!
This trip is really, really inclusive. We’d love you to come along if you’re a solo traveller, with friends, with partners, with your family etc.
We can also tailor the itinerary to suit you, so just reach out to us with any questions!
ITINERARY
Monday 26th December
Welcome to Havana! We’ll collect you from the airport (in a classic car of course!), and take you to the BEAUTIFUL boutique accommodation in Havana Vieja.
Depending on timings of arrivals – dinner & drinks in a super snazzy spot.
INCLUDED: airport transport, accommodation
NOT INCLUDED: dinner, drinks
Tuesday 27th December
Explore Havana Vieja (with someone who knows it well!)
Free afternoon to mooch, soak it all in, have a mojito.
Sunset trip along El Malecon in a convertible car – because it has to be done!
Dinner, drinks and dancing at a trendy and popular venue.
INCLUDED: accommodation, breakfast, all activities
NOT INCLUDED: lunch, dinner, drinks
Wednesday 28th December
Leave Havana and make our way to Viñales, with a couple of special stop-offs.
We’ll visit FincaTungasuk – an organic farm in Caimito – for a tour, conversations with the owners, and a little brunch to keep us going.
We’ll then continue on to our next stop – Ronnie’s home village! You’ll meet Ronnie’s old friends and neighbours. We’ll have a big al-fresco lunch under the mango tree, home cooked by our friend. It’s a really special and unique experience.
You’ll be the only foreigners to visit this village, and this is the time to give any donations you might bring – these people need it.
If you’re interested in trying and buying some honey (I go home with litres of the stuff), here’s your chance, as the ‘melipona bees’ are next door to where we’ll be having lunch.
When we’re fed and watered, we’ll continue on to Viñales.
Check-in to accommodations (casa particulares) and have a night to yourselves.
INCLUDED: accommodation, transport, brunch & lunch
NOT INCLUDED: dinner, drinks
Thursday 29th December
Hopefully you’re rested and raring to go, as we’ve got an exciting day ahead!
We’ll spend the day riding horses (or horse and cart, if you prefer) into the Valley of Palmarito to Ronnie’s family’s tobacco farm.
Here we’ll enjoy a tour of the farm, conversations with the farmers about how the tobacco is grown and dealt with the government, shown how to roll a cigar, tasters of locally produced rum, honey and coffee, and unlimited rum…
All this as well as a delicious, home-cooked al-fresco lunch in the viewpoint farm with plenty of fresh coconuts to wash it down with.
We’ll also visit a hidden cave (where you can even swim inside if you dare!) and enjoy endless views of the gorgeous landscape.
This will likely be one of your most treasured days.
We’ll pass by Ronnie’s family’s home for a coffee before heading home to freshen up.
Tonight is dinner in the casa – prepare yourselves for a home-cooked feast!
INCLUDED: accommodation, all activities, breakfast, lunch & dinner
NOT INCLUDED: drinks
Friday 30th December
Recover from yesterday’s antics with a day trip to the beautiful and lesser known beach of Cayo Jutias – it’s pure paradise.
INCLUDED: accommodation, breakfast, transport, lunch
NOT INCLUDED: dinner
Saturday 31st December
THIS IS THE BIG ONE!
I won’t go into too much detail as we want it to be a surprise. But think – pig roast (the whole experience from start to finish – it’s a real experience); think rum; think live music; think authentic; think PARTY IN OUR NEW FARM; think a bloody good knees up with all the new friends you’ve made along the week.
We’re hosting the party of the year and WE’RE SO EXCITED YOU’RE COMING ALONG!
A NYE to remember!
INCLUDED: accommodation, all activities, breakfast, lunch & dinner
NOT INCLUDED: drinks
Sunday 1st January 2023
This is a ‘free day’ to do as you please! There may be some hangovers flying around, so we don’t want to make any fixed plan.
There are plenty of options – snooze in the hammocks all day sipping coconuts; head back to the beach; head up to Hotel Los Jazmines to sunbathe and use the swimming pool; come back to our house for left-over lunch and more mojitos… go hiking or horse riding if you’re feeling fresh!
We’ll organise this day with each of you individually when we’re there 🙂
INCLUDED: breakfast, accommodation
NOT INCLUDED: extra activities, drinks
Monday 2nd January
It’s time to leave! We’ll pack up the cars and head back to Havana. If you’re going straight to the airport, we’ll liaise to get you there in good time*. If you’re spending more time in Cuba, we’ll take you back to Havana and drop you off wherever you’d like.
*please note we cannot organise to get you back to the airport for before 12pm. Please get in touch if your flight is before then and we will organise this with you and let you know any extra costs.
PAYMENT
Early Bird offer from NOW until August 1st 2022!
(times are GMT zone (England))
Non-refundable deposit is obligatory to confirm your place and to secure yourself at the lower Early Bird price.
Total price of Early Bird ticket: £1750 GBP per person.
Non-refundable deposit: £250 GBP per person.
£150 extra surcharge for single occupancy.
Children under 10 come TOTALLY FREE with 2 adults (offer limited to 1 child max per x2 adults. If x2 children coming with x2 adults, a fee of £500 will be required).
The below pricing will come into effect from the 2nd August 2022.
Regular trip price: £2000 GBP per person
Non-refundable deposit: £300
Children under 10 come TOTALLY FREE with 2 adults (offer limited to 1 child max per x2 adults. If x2 children coming with x2 adults, a fee of £500 will be required).
To confirm your space on the trip, a non-refundable deposit is required per person.
This can be paid by: Paypal, Revolut, Monzo or Bank Transfer (fees may be incurred).
You can also choose to send the full payment in advance of the trip, or to send instalments at your leisure until the full payment has been received.
The final payment is due 21days before the trip at the latest. You will get an email reminder when payment is due.
IMPORTANT:
It’s REALLY important that when you make your payment you DO NOT write the word ‘Cuba’ anywhere in the transaction.
If it asks for a reference please write ‘DECEMBER TRIP’.
I cannot be responsible for any loss of money if the above instruction is not followed.
HSBC BANK TRANSFER:
Miss Cassandra E Yeldham
Sort Code: 40-19-27
Account: 81301004
MONZO:
monzo.me/cassieyeldham
REVOLUT:
@cassieyeldham
PAYPAL:
@ronaldovidalgarcia
(ronaldovidalgarcia@gmail.com)
Cancellations prior to 30 days before the trip are 50% refundable (minus the initial deposit).
Cancellations made on or after 30 days prior to the trip are non refundable.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
Why do we ask you to release us from liability?
By participating in any tour with us, or hiring us for any service, you agree that you will not hold us responsible for any accident, theft or negligence by us or any third parties.
The nature of travel in Cuba means the locations that we visit have inherent risks. We take you off the beaten track, we use classic cars from the 1950’s, we ride horses which are live & unpredictable animals, and there are so many aspects of the environment we can not control.
Traveling to Cuba means you will be in a country under a communist government. This has restrictions and life here can be incredibly challenging. Sometimes there are short-falls of basic products, including but not limited to water/food stuffs/petrol/flushing toilets/running water etc. Whilst we endeavour to always have reserve access to basic things, you agree that you will not hold us responsible for any lack of 1st world product that you might be used to at home.
We take as many precautions as we can, such as selecting safe drivers with high quality cars, using strong and well-cared for animals, but in a complex country such as Cuba, the roads and driving standards of locals can be more dangerous than home, the unexpected can happen, and there are no safety equipments like helmets available for purchase. You are coming here from your own free will and accept the hazards. We ask you to think of your trip with us as an ‘adventure’ rather than a ‘tour’, accepting the risks & cultural differences that this brings.
We strongly recommend to do your research on Cuba before traveling here, so you know what to expect. This is not a luxurious Caribbean island. Please read this useful blog post to determine whether you are suited to a trip to Cuba, as it really isn’t like any other country you’ll ever have been to.
RELEASE & WAIVER OF LIABILITY – the legal bit
By travelling with us you acknowledge and agree to the following statement:
I have voluntarily consented to participate in a tour, and the other outdoor activities (the “Activities”) guided or arranged by The Viñales Experience (also trading as Travels With Cassie) or any respective partner, staff, directors, and freelancer or supplier they hire, herein known as “The Company”).
I understand that the tour and all other hazards and exposures connected with related outdoor activities, involve risk of harm. I am aware of the risks and dangers inherent with the Activities, and I knowingly and willingly assume the risk of injury, including but not limited to injury that might result from a fall, slip, drowning, injury from any person or object such as (but not limited to) other tour participants, guides, drivers, trees, rocks, holes, rafts, boats, animals, food, bodies of water and other obstacles, whether obvious or not obvious. I agree that any bodily injury, death, or loss of personal property and expenses as a result of my negligence in the Activities or any other activity is my responsibility. In consideration of and as a part of the right to participate in the Activities with The Company, and any related party, including hotels, cruise companies, drivers, car hire companies, bike rental providers, local tour operators and freelance guides, and any respected landowner (hereinafter referred to jointly as “Members”). I agree and state that I am fully capable of participating in the Activities, I am in excellent health with no known handicaps that might hinder my full participation in the Activities, and I am fully capable of handling the hazards of an active tour, the traffic, weather conditions, walking, terrain and all and any similar conditions associated with said Activities.
As lawful consideration for being permitted by the Members to participate in the Activities, I release from any legal liability the Members and all of their officers, managers, organisations, agents, employees, successors and assigns for any and all losses, damages to property or body, including any injury, death or loss or damage caused by or resulting from my participation in the Activities whether or not such injury or death was caused by or resulting from their negligence or any other cause. I further agree not to sue, claim against, attach the property of, or prosecute Members and all of their officers, managers, affiliated organisations, agents, employees, freelancers, individuals, successors and assigns for any injury or death caused by or resulting from my participation in the Activities provided by Members whether or not such injury or death was caused by or resulting from their negligence or any other cause. I agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Members and all of their officers, managers, affiliated organisations, agents, employees, successors and assigns for any injury or death caused by or resulting from my participation in the Activities provided by Members whether or not such injury or death was caused by or resulting from their negligence or any other cause.
This contract shall be legally binding on me, my estate, heirs, assigns, legal guardians, and personal representatives. I have carefully read the above and fully understand its contents. I am aware that I am releasing certain rights that I may have, and enter into this contract of my own free will.
By reading this agreement, I acknowledge the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assume the risk that I am entirely responsible for or may be exposed to or infected by COVID-19 by attending this trip and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability, and death. I understand that the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of myself and others, including, but not limited to, suppliers volunteers, and program participants and their families. I voluntarily agree to assume all of the foregoing risks and accept sole responsibility for any injury myself (including, but not limited to, personal injury, disability, and death), illness, damage, loss, claim, liability, or expense, of any kind, that I may experience or incur in connection with my attendance.
FARES AND PRICES
All fares and prices quoted are subject to availability. Prices are subject to change until full payment is received. Prices that are quoted include all taxes and fees unless we advise otherwise.
MINIMUM GROUP SIZE
TwC trips are priced based on a minimum group size that varies by trip, making the trips financially viable to operate. TwC reserves the right to cancel any trip if the trip does not attract the minimum number of clients required to make the trip financially viable. TwC will not cancel a trip due to minimum group size any later than 21 days prior to the commencement of the trip. In the event of cancellation, TwC shall not, in any case, be responsible for nonrefundable expenses incurred by the client, including, but not limited to airline cancellation fees or insurance purchases.
Alternatively, clients may choose to pay a small group surcharge that would be assessed to each guest in groups that fall below the minimum group size, which avoids us having to cancel the trip.
INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
Cuban regulations requires that all travellers have comprehensive travel insurance covering medical emergencies, personal injury, personal property losses and trip cancellation expenses. You are also required (not just by us but by the Cuban government) to have adequate health insurance that will cover you should you become sick or injured during your time in Cuba. By purchasing a trip with us you are acknowledging that you have traveler insurance coverage and that we have no liability for any potential shortfalls in your coverage.
ITINERARY CHANGES BY US
There may be changes in our itinerary due to circumstances beyond our control. By coming on a trip with us you acknowledge that these situations are a normal part of a travel experience, especially in a location like Cuba.
COMPLIANCE WITH LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
We expect that all participants on its trips are respectful of the laws, customs and culture of Cuba. Enjoy yourself, have fun, but respect your fellow travelers and the many Cubans you will meet. Cuba has a zero tolerance for drug use. Drones and many camera equipments are prohibited.
PASSPORTS AND VISAS
You are solely responsible for ensuring that your passport is current. Depending on your home country, please make sure you are compliant your specific regulations. If you cannot join the trip because of passport issues you will not be refunded any payments made to us.
You are responsible for purchasing your travel visa. We can advise but take no responsibility for errors made.
PHOTOGRAPHY RELEASE:
The tour participants permits TwC photographs, films, images, text, and participant testimonials for its own commercial use without compensation to participants.
By registering and paying for the trip, you fully agree to the above Terms and Conditions including Release and Waiver of Liability.