Discover the Rhythm and Heartbeat of Cuba

The highlight was the Cuban People. I would have liked to spend more time in a casa particular. As long as I have a bed and bath I’m happy. There’s no sense staying in a high end hotel if you don’t have time to enjoy the amenities. Our bus driver was amazing, but there was too much driving. I think there could be a more efficient route so we don’t crisscross and backtrack.

It offered a good taste of Cuba, from national parks to cities. I felt certain sections were rushed and would have preferred cramming less into one day.

While the itinerary was densely packed, highlights were in meeting people across all places we visited, flora and fauna, music and the unexpected surprise of truly falling in love with Cuba. I understand the requirements of meeting the "People to People" qualification status and while a very busy and packed itinerary, we would not have had the breadth of exposure and locales we say had the itinerary been more of one of staying in places for longer than a day or two. More time in Havana would be great, but also loved the botanic garden tour, Hemingway house, countryside, national parks, etc!

Our Cuban guide was wonderful, very knowledgeable. I learned so much about Cuban culture and way of life.

The different activities that we did outside of hiking were awesome. I liked listening to the local guides, going to the tobacco farm.

Casa stays and interaction with the people of Cuba, getting a feel for daily life in the country. Exploring sights that aren't on the regular tourist track. Great group of people to travel with, all were bright, funny, open-minded, adventurers. Some of my favorite moments are those casual gatherings over drinks, dice, and stories.

I enjoyed all the aspects of the trip.

So many.... visiting the tobacco farm, snorkeling in the Bay Of Pigs, visiting the hummingbird "house", the choir, the hikes in both parks, listening to Frank speak to conservation.

Every day was better than the first. I came with few expectations, other than the itinerary. It does seem that the itinerary was altered mid-trip without letting the participants know it was happening (some stops did not occur without discussion), so there was some confusion and maybe some people were a bit disgruntled. But there were additions to the itinerary which were wonderful surprises, so it balanced out. We sure squeezed in a lot of activities and saw much more of Cuba than I thought we would be able to do. I do wish there had been more time to experience local music and to shop for locally made goods (art, clothing, etc).

Visiting several parts of Cuba was a highlight. Yecel was great. Loved our first and last nights at first/last hotels. Casas were good to great. Liked the variety of things we learned saw. Loved our small group, everyone was great. And, several days were too packed - not enough time to enjoy one part before we were on our way to another place. Most hikes closer to 3 than 2. Overall rating should be 2-3, not 2. The rooms at Vinales National Park were total disappointment. And it was for two nights 😕 Overall a very memorable trip. My first. Loved it.

One thing I would say is that it was too packed a trip, especially the first three days. There was hardly time to absorb where you were. Limited time to explore on your own - ie, shops in the towns or just experiencing little Vinales. I know it's hard to think what to leave out. But, for example, the group had 90 minutes for snorkling. I'm not a snorkler so I hung out at the seaside. But 90 minutes to change, learn about snorkling, do it, and then change again and be on the bus ready to go. There was no way I was going to even try, with that rushed a schedule.

I really enjoyed traveling with a small group of open-minded, adventurous women. The trip gave me a nice overview of the country of Cuba and it's charming people. I do wish I'd had a little more time in Havana. I can't say enough good things about Adventures in Good Company! This was my first trip with AGC and I wish I'd traveled with you sooner!

What an amazing people to people experience! It was like no other trip I've ever taken. The small group size was an asset for really getting all we could from out tour guides and people to people experiences. I think meeting Ysel and listening to all she had to tell us about the history and culture was an awakening. And of course hiking to waterfalls, swimming in the caves, hearing and seeing the various birds and all that the local guides showed us was great. Our surprise stop to see the hummingbirds was wonderful. I loved the tobacco farm and the incredible concert in Cienfuegos! Etc., etc., etc.!

Snorkeling and swimming at the waterfall

Highlights included: the guides were all excellent - knowledgeable, friendly and unflappable. This included Lisa from AGC, who was an inspiration, and the local Cuba guides who were all very professional, great sense of humor and very smart. I also enjoyed the company of the fellow participants. Everyone was a great sport and fun to be with. Finally, the sights and experiences in Cuba were all wonderful.

I didn't really have a lot of expectations other than that I was going to be able to hike and travel in Cuba. I was nervous that if I had too many expectations going into the trip that I would be disappointed.

riding in the 50's cars, choir, snorkeling, Buena Vista Social Club

Our Cuban travel guide Ycel - she was exceptional! And all the other "local guides" we had, too! All super-professional and knowledgeable. The variety of things and places we did/saw. The organization of the trip: tight and on-time but it never felt "too tight". Some days felt VERY full - Tuesday and Wednesday - but/and: I wouldn't have wanted to miss any of the activities either. The COUNTRY and the people - and HAVANA!

Just having the ability to see Cuba was a highlight.

While I previously filled out this form, I would also like to add that I would have really liked to spend more time in Havana. Adding a 2-day post trip in Havana would be great. I really wish I'd stayed longer and am already looking at going back sometime.

there were so many highlights but Havana was definetly it! Also, the music everywhere, much of which I sure was specially arranged.

concert, music, snorkeling, hummingbird house, riding in old cars, hike in back woods

I was surprised at how established the tourist industry is in Cuba. I enjoyed visiting the local establishments.

The guides, Anne and Ycel were terrific! And Islan was a competent and kind bus driver. Thanks for having seat belts...I used mine all the time. I had some health issues with my neck and thumbs a few weeks before leaving which caused me some concern about traveling. I think I needed some down time in the afternoon for a siesta on this trip. I enjoyed using my Spanish with several people but I would have preferred more time with my host family in Trinidad and the tobacco farm family. Also, another day in Habana for museums, art, dance, music, schools, or whatever could be included in the trip category of people to people!

Really great local guides. Hiking in the national parks

first hike, village walk and tobacco farm. Warmth of people, beauty of country. The probability of rain deterred me from third hike. A mistake - Snorkling was outstanding.,Grotto/cave/river amazing. Havana on Saturday night was quite festive.

So many highlights: hearing the choir in Trinidad, visiting the Bay of Pigs Museum, hiking in the national parks, seeing the mix of old and new vehicles sharing the road with horses.

I learned much about Cuban geography, Cuban people, and Cuban socialism. Highlights were the rides in the old American car convertibles on Friday night in Havana, the musical group that entertained us in our casa in Playa Larga on Wednesday night, the 2 days in Trinidad where we were immersed in the country people's lives, the national parks, the trip to the tobacco farm.

Hiking in nat'l parks and tobacco farm / Havana car ride / 2nd casa particular

Just being in Cuba was great. We all kept pinching ourselves all week at the thought since we never thought this was a location we would be able to visit. Loved the vintage cars on the last night, the visit to the tobacco farm, Playa Larga and hiking around the limestone formations. I find myself wanting to list practically everything!

Everything!

I loved the interactions with Cuban people! The tour guides were beyond exceptional! This includes the 2 Cuban guides, and Jan.

Met a number of Cubans and stayed with several famillies. Also reunited with a group of former travel companions that were a great source of joy.

Swimming behind the cave, fellow travelers, awesome guides, Cienfuegos choir, casa stay in Trinidad, classic cars, cigar factory visit. I know there were mixed reactions to the photographer and while I was disappointed we didn't see some photos, I enjoyed the visit.

Highlights included the wide variety of interactions and people-to-people experiences, plus a few serendipitous conversations with locals, and of course our running interactions and conversations with Ycel and Maria Rosa. I so appreciated their openness and frankness, and the fact that no question or topic was taboo.

highlights- Cienfuegos choral presentation, hiking through the various rainforests, snorkling, walking on the beach, Hemingway's home, great orchid garden, exploring Havana, riding in a 1937 ford roadster, meeting and interacting with a great group of people.

I try not to have expectations. Having said that, the Cuban guides, Maria Rosa and Ycel far exceeded any expectations I could have had. they were personable, knowledgeable, helpful, open, and friendly and they gelled so well with the group. I have a few suggestions based on my personal experience: 1. I would skip the whole sonoroa part of the trip (Hemingway's house, the gardens and most of all the villa sonoroa hotel.) Instead, I think I would have enjoyed a full day in Vinales with time to walk around the town and do other activities and then 2 days in Havana. (there was a hotel in Havana that we visited where Hemingway had stayed and that could have served as the hemingway 'fix' for those needing it.) More time in Havana would have given us a chance to see more of what life is actually like (grocery and other stores etc.) 2.I loved the music and dancing. I think an evening with scheduled salsa lessons would have been a fun addition to the trip. 3. I would skip the meeting wit

The choir, the snorkeling, talking to the locals, seeing the beautiful countryside, the buildings, the history, the children, and the classic cars.

Not enough room to list them all. I enjoyed not going on several hikes, thank you for that option. Remaining behind gave me some one on one interaction with locals. Sitting at the coffee shop wondering who or what would come up the hill. Watching the old cars go by sitting on the side of the road. I loved staying at the casas. Loved the openness of our guides. So on and so on!

That the Cubans were so open about discussing politics, customs etc

Meeting Cuban people, driving in retro cars, seeing Trinidad and Havana, snorkeling (although I think boating to the live reef would have been much better) , the local guides were great and of course Jan was great!