Say “Cuba” to most Canadians and they’ll instantly think of the all-inclusive vacation: beach, evening shows, and lots of Cuba Libres (the official name of rum and coke!)
But Cuba is a great choice for the active vacationer too. Just think of the advantages: lots of direct and affordable flights from across Canada – from Toronto for example it’s less than 4 hours. Little time difference, so jet lag is not an issue. Add a surprisingly large island with lots of history, culture and amazing hospitality and you’ll see why Cuba has a lot going for it.
Ask your Vision Travel Advisor about an Explore Worldwide tour. This UK operator offers four small group adventures to Cuba including their 15 day best-seller Cuba Libre – remember these are big sellers in Europe and the Europeans like to travel for more than a week. Or if time is of the essence, their 8 day Cuba Highlights on foot, where you stay in small inns and casas particulars, or private home B&Bs. What a great way to experience the real Cuba!
Another popular option is biking trips. You cycle through provincial towns and past sugar cane fields, on quiet roads and in the company of new friends, while your luggage is transported on a support vehicle.
There are some dozen itineraries available for cycling trips, lasting between 9 and 15 days. If you’re a first timer cycling holiday person, you might want to visit the western part of the island, as it’s quite flat. For more of a challenge, book something to the more mountainous eastern end of the island.
The nice thing is that the tour operators will spell out clearly how strenuous – or not – each itinerary is and how much you’ll be cycling each day in kms, and along what type of terrain.
These tours are even great for families. What a great way to explore the world at a human pace, experiencing it with your kids!
I’m not alone in thinking that Cuba is a very interesting time in its history. Forget the sip’n’dip pool bar, I say, get out and get active in one of the most fascinating countries in the world, so close to Canada!
Ready to go?