7 Night Sights and Sounds of Cuba Cruise departing roundtrip from Havana onboard Panorama.

Experience a harmonious balance between conventional cruising and private yachting, along with an exciting voyage of discovery, unravelling the wonders of Cuba await to be discovered. Each day you will discover a new port of call, a hidden cove with crystal blue waters to cool you, a glimpse of ancient history to amaze you and rich cultural diversity to intrigue you. The colonial cities of Cienfuegos and Trinidad, the verdant landscapes of Vinales/Pinar del Rio and the crystal clear seas and amazing underwater life in Bahia dos Corrientes and Juventud Island and Cayo Largo.

Highlights of this cruise:

Day 1 (Friday): Havana
Embarkation at 4 pm. Overnight at sea to Puerto Esperanza.

Day 2 (Saturday): Puerto Esperanza
Excursion in the Pinar del Rio province. We will go inland to visit the Valley of Vinales, one of Cuba's most scenic regions. You will be astonished by the view of the "magotes" rock formations and by the 18th century city of Vinales all of which contributed to make it a Unesco World Heritage site. The full day optional excursion includes a visit of the towns of Vinales and of Pinar del Rio.

Day 3 (Sunday): Bahia de Corrientes
The Panorama will reach the Bahia of Correntes, a site of stunning beauty for its crystal clear waters and pristine beaches and wildlife and a Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO site. Half day optional excursion. Overnight at anchor.

Day 4 (Monday): Juventud Island or Cayo Largo
We leave Bahia Correntes in the morning and navigate the turquoise waters of the Caribbean side of Cuba to reach the Island of Juventud. It is a unique opportunity to admire the most beautiful reefs and coast line in the Caribbean.

Day 5 (Tuesday): Playa Giron
This morning we reach Playa Giron mostly known as the Bay of Pigs site of the unsuccessful attempt for Cuban exiles sponsored by the CIA to overthrow the Castro regime and of the modern history classic David against Goliath struggles. We will also visit the Zapata ecosystem in the afternoon. Half day optional excursion.

Day 6 (Wednesday): Cienfuegos
Cienfuegos was first discovered by Christopher Colombus on his second voyage to the Americas and is reached through narrow straits. It is rightfully known as the pearl of the south. It was founded by the french in 1819 and it has kept a homogeneous architectural character which earned the city a UNESCO listing with a strong french neo classic style. Our full day excursion will show the many facets of this city and of the surrounding area which is the birthplace of Benny More the legendary cuban music composer and player. Half day optional excursion.

Day 7 (Thursday): Casilda/Trinidad
We reach the port of Casilda starting point of our visit to Trinidad, a spanish colonial settlement and Cuba's most notorious city. For many, the clock stopped ticking in 1850 when the city was built on huge sugar fortunes. Colonial style mansions make it Cuba's largest outdoor museum and a World Heritage site since 1988. In the afternoon we travel to the verdant Valley of Ingenios, just 8 km east of the city and also a World Heritage site, where 19th century sugar plantations are now in ruins amongst a landscape of royal palms. 2 Half day optional excursions. Evening in Casilda.

Day 8 (Friday): Casilda/Trinidad - Havana
Disembarkation 9 to 10 am. Excursion trip by bus back to Havana with lunch. Late evening arrival at Havana.

Disclaimer: The Sights and Sounds of Cuba program is not presently available for sale to US passport holders until such time when proper licenses and authorisations are obtained from the US authorities.