Cuba Oriente with Damaris Hechavarría

We arrived in the heart of eastern Cuba: Santiago, We met as a group, settled in and shared our first gig in the vibrant city and cradle of many Cuban musical genres. We met as a group, settled in and shared the first welcome dinner. An evening stroll through the city centre will allow us to start to feel the rhythm of the city, perhaps we could stop by the Casa de la Trova, The place where the son was born, to listen to a live music group and to dance.

Today we will be picked up by transfer early in the morning for a long journey to Baracoa, The first town founded in Cuba and one of the greenest and most authentic. 

Upon arrival, we can take the opportunity to eat our first lobster Cuban, either grilled, sautéed with garlic and butter, in creole sauce or even in coconut milk, very typical of the area.

In the afternoon, we will take a walk around Baracoa to contemplate the view of the bay with its mountain range around. We will also stroll along the Malecon and through the streets of the centre with its colourful houses, where we will rarely come across any tourists. We will also be able to see the Cruz de la Parra, which was left by Christopher Columbus on his first voyage to the island in 1492.

And, of course, you can't miss our first class We then went out for dinner and enjoyed the live music at the Casa de la Trova.

If there is one thing that distinguishes Baracoa, apart from its incredible landscapes, it is its handmade chocolate. High quality cocoa is grown in this region, thanks to its tropical climate and fertile soils. The cocoa from Baracoa is 100% natural and is exported all over the world, mainly to Europe.

Today we will visit a farm where the family has been producing cocoa for several generations. We will learn about the complete process of cocoa production and we will be able to taste their handmade products.

We will then have the option to do hiking by some of the natural parks surrounding Baracoa, as well as swimming in some of the natural pools. We have several alternatives depending on the physical level or the time you want to spend, to be decided by the group: Yumurí River Canyon, Alejandro de Humboldt National Park or El Yunque.

On our way back to Baracoa, we will have our second class before going out for dinner and having our mojito of the day.

Today we have a 5-hour journey to Holguín, the country's 3rd largest city and also known as the “CITY OF PARKS”The city has a large number of squares and parks.

We will have lunch in a traditional paladar in the centre of Holguín, and then we will make our way through the city. DANCE CLASS daily and thus activate the body after the journey.

Afterwards, we will stroll through the Calixto García Park, the colonial streets of the city centre, the Cathedral of San Isidoro and if we have the energy, we can visit the La Periquera Museum to learn a little more about the history of the city.

Afterwards we can walk up (465 steps) or take a taxi to the emblematic viewpoint of La Loma de la Cruz with spectacular sunset views.

In the evening we can dine in a restaurant with live music or a Cuban atmosphere.

Today we will get up early to make our DANCE CLASS, before heading to the most spectacular coastal area of the east where we will spend the day, famous for its endless beaches of fine sand and crystal-clear water with extensive coral reefs and abundant marine species.

We will be able to choose between the Guardalavaca Beach (livelier) or Emerald Beach (quieter), or even both! 

Today is a day to enjoy the sun, the sea and to relax or maybe do some water activities. We can take the opportunity to stay until sunset and then return to Holguín to enjoy the last night in the city.

Today we travel to Camagüey, The city of labyrinthine alleyways, colonial squares and a wealth of culture. 

Upon arrival we will have lunch at a paladar and have a afrocuban class with live music with the Camagüey Folkloric Ensemble.

Afterwards, we will go for a walk through the historic centre, which has been declared a World Heritage, discovering its labyrinthine streets, squares and emblematic tinajones.

In the evening we will have dinner in a restaurant with a terrace and see what the Camagüey night has in store for us.

Today we will attend a company rehearsal and then we will have our Afro-Cuban class with live music.

We will then continue with a bike taxi tour to get a broader view of the city accompanied by a local guide.

With a bit of luck, we will also try to see some yoruba drumming ceremony to understand the origin of the Afro-Cuban dances we dance today.

We leave the city and head for the postcard-perfect beaches of northern Cuba.

Cayo Guillermo is a small islet in the Jardines del Rey archipelago. Connected by road from the mainland, it is one of those places where time stands still and the sea seems hand-painted.

Famous for its white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, The atmosphere is peaceful and perfect for relaxing. 

We will stay in a resort where we will have 3 days on all-inclusive basis.

Today we will have free time to enjoy the beach, the swimming pool or whatever we feel like, and in the afternoon we will have our daily class dance.

Today we will start the day with our DANCE CLASS to start the day on the move.

We will then move on to Pilar Beach, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. most beautiful in Cuba and named after the yacht of the writer Ernest Hemingway, who frequented the area.

There we will be able to enjoy the sun, the turquoise waters, relax, stroll along the beach or have a cocktail in one of the beach bars before returning to our resort.

Today we will have the free day to do whatever we want, although a highly recommended option is to go on a boat trip from Cayo Coco, neighbouring Cayo Guillermo, in order to make snorkel or diving for certificates or those who want to have a christening.

The Jardines del Rey area has coral reefs It is a very well preserved area, with a lot of marine life and very good visibility all year round, which makes it a very interesting destination for snorkelling or diving, even if you have never done it before. It is also an uncrowded area, compared to other parts of the Caribbean, which will allow you to enjoy the experience more.

If you don't feel like it, you can simply enjoy the beaches of Cayo Coco or just stay at the resort in Cayo Guillermo and relax from your last day in paradise.

We will finish the evening with our DANCE CLASS, before going out for dinner and enjoying the hotel's shows.

Today we will take advantage of the last few hours of relaxation in Cayo Guillermo, to return to Camagüey, where we will have our DANCE CLASS with the Folklórico de Camagüey with live music.

We will have the afternoon free to stroll around the city and we will meet for dinner and some dancing before returning to Santiago.

Today we have a 6-hour journey from Camagüey to Santiago.

In the afternoon we will have the option of taking a Free Tour of the historical centre or take a stroll at our own pace where we can't miss the Céspedes Park, the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, the Padre Pico Staircase and the Velázquez Balcony overlooking the sea.

We will end the day with our son class, which cannot be missed in the city where this musical genre was born and which is still very present today.

We'll end up having dinner together on a terrace and if we have enough energy left, we can go out to enjoy Saturday night in Santiago, to places such as the Casa de la Trova or the House of Traditions, to be able to put into practice what they have learned.

Today we will start the day with our DANCE CLASS, before going into the revolutionary and patrimonial soul of Santiago de Cuba. We will visit places that marked the history of the country, where every stone holds a memory, every statue has a story to tell, and every corner beats with strength.

We will start the day with a visit to the majestic Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, It is the resting place of great figures such as Fidel Castro, José Martí and Compay Segundo, and the scene of the emotional changing of the guard.

We will continue to the Moncada Barracks, epicentre of the assault led by Fidel Castro in 1953, and a key piece of the Cuban revolutionary imaginary.

Before lunch, we will make a brief stop at the impressive Revolution Square Antonio Maceo, to contemplate his enormous equestrian sculpture and to understand its symbolic significance for the people of Santiago.

In the afternoon, we will let ourselves be conquered by the sea from the heights of the Morro Castle, The hotel is a World Heritage listed colonial fortress, with spectacular views of the bay ideal for sunset.

In the evening, we can't miss the Claqueta, Every Sunday, professional musicians and dancers play and interpret the different Afro-Cuban folkloric dances. Afterwards we can continue dancing and enjoying ourselves until we feel like it!

After having lived the intense and vibrant pulse of Santiago, today it's time to slow down and connect from another place: silence, spirituality, nature... 

After our daily dance class, we have the option to watch:

• National Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre: It is the sanctuary dedicated to the patron saint of Cuba, which is equivalent in the Yoruba religion to Oshún, which is why it is a sanctuary much visited by devotees of both religions. It is the symbol of the union between the religious and the popular, a place charged with emotion and syncretism, where offerings, promises and devotion are mixed, as well as being located in a beautiful natural environment.
• The Big Stone: This is an impressive volcanic rock at an altitude of 1225m high in the Sierra Maestra. From there, one of the most spectacular views of the whole of eastern Cuba unfolds, but bear in mind that to get to the top you have to climb more than 400 steps.
• Siboney BeachA local beach, simple and full of authenticity. It can be a good time to relax, mojito in hand, with the Caribbean breeze caressing your body. 

The decision to go to one place or another will depend on the group. It is a day to absorb what we have experienced, release tensions and reconnect with ourselves before returning to Santiago.

Today is our last day in Santiago and in Cuba... but we are not leaving empty-handed. We take with us the sounds, the footsteps, the looks, the stories... and that energy that can only be experienced when the body moves to the rhythm of the soul.

We will start the morning with our last class and then we'll take a last stroll through the Alameda Park, where our group photo awaits us in the letters of the CUBAA symbolic souvenir of this shared experience. 

There will also be time to buy souvenirs, have a coffee, have a few laughs, maybe a little unfinished conversation or simply contemplate the city one more time. It will be a quiet day, designed to savour the last moments without rushing. 

Finally, we will have our farewell dinner where we can close this journey with gratitude, with words, hugs, or however each one of us feels it. Because what we have experienced here is not kept in our suitcases, it stays dancing with us.

Many of us will be flying out in the early hours of the morning, so let's make the most of the last few hours we have together!

It's time to say goodbye. We take with us memories, music and a lot of connection in our hearts. 

We hope you enjoyed the trip and we'll see you on the next adventure with Dance Travelling!