Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Sitting in the Case de la Trova in Trinidad listening to the band - youngest member 50, oldest 88 - playing music with love, passion and commitment. We danced the chachacha and drank rum cocktails. Yes, before noon, but who cares? This is Cuba, this is where the music lives.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ray was a total and utter star. Probably the best leader I've ever had. Charming, funny, knowledgeable, organised, responsive to the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Change money at the airport, but there are ATMs in Trinidad and Havana, and maybe more if I'd looked. It's easier than I thought to get money. No need to worry about saving $25 for departure tax either, it's included in your ticket. Read up on Cuban history before you come.

Suggestions

I've had such fun.

Most Inspirational Moment

The trip to Vianles and Trinidad along with Santa Clara were good

Thoughts on Group Leader

Overall Enio was good and he tried hard

Advice for Potential Travellers

I thought that at times the "chosen / recommended" restaurants were a bit iffy food wise so choose your own and you may enjoy more. Check out toilets, too many in restaurants just did not work!!!

Most Inspirational Moment

I really enjoyed staying in the casa particulares with local families

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had a brilliant group leader

Most Inspirational Moment

Many but:1. leader - see below 2. Cuba's countryside was consistently much more interesting and verdant than we expected - we thought a driving holiday there would be good. 3. way of life - thought provoking, free health, education and death, community service after education, even encouraged hitch-hiking! 4. Colonial Havana itself - nothing quite like it

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good - She had enthusiasm, knowledge, commitment...10/10! And kept us on schedule!

Suggestions

2 gripes - 1. water - it is ridiculous to charge for water on the bus, after all the trip is not cheap! 2. included meals/drinks. It was very annoying to have to keep paying out ourselves when I am sure Exodus could be more 'obliging'. After all whilst the casas particulares are a good idea, they must be alot cheaper than hotels. We appreciate in some Groups not everyone wants to eat together every night, but you need to be more accommodating. And we didnt need 3 free drinks on one evening, but say each night it would have been really pleasant to have had a free drink. The overall impression was that Exodus were trying to do the trip on a tight budget/optimising the margin. It spoilt the trip for us somewhat having done other trips with Exodus and other companies and not experienced the same feeling.

Most Inspirational Moment

An educated and welcoming population despite their relative material poverty. Unique political and economic system in action. Music, dancing and those cocktails everywhere - just cannot resist joining in. Some amazing colonial architecture in La Habana. Trinidad a delight of colours and history. A ride in a classic car.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jorge was very helpful and a great ambassador. Really helped group get under the skin of island life and what it was like for the population. Fun Cuban sense of humour and went out of his way to support us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Maybe get Salsa lessons in before leaving - trip lesson is too short and late in schedule. If you master basics early, chances to join in are everywhere during the trip. Quad measure Mohito's slip down too easily. Food in private restaurants surprisingly good - had anticipated it being very bland and basic. Don't expect mobile data or wifi. Usual tropical climate precautions - sun cream, hat, lots of water and insect repellent evenings.

Suggestions

Visit soon - if the US embargo is removed, suspect island live will change rapidly.

Most Inspirational Moment

Visit to Trinidad the people and vibe was amazing. Also to explore different areas of Cuba and the people and learning more about the history of the country. Dinner in a farm house in Vinales. Live Music in most restaurants. Also the dancing - salsa was amazing!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jorg - knowledgeable and helpful. Was a bit of a joker.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you stay hydrated. As it can get really hot. I suffered from bad stomach bug after so be a bit careful with where you eat.

Suggestions

Some of the food was a bit disappointing.

Most Inspirational Moment

Staying with a lovely young family in a Casa Particular in Trinidad - it was great to see how Cubans are now able to show a bit of enterprise to take advantage of the tourist industry and improve their own standard of living. They were so friendly and couldn't do enough to help. Also provided the biggest breakfast I've ever had - it went on and on!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Mirta was fantastic. She had so much energy and was great fun to be with - it seemed as though she enjoyed the week as much as all the travellers did! She was very open about how things really are for the average Cuban and very honest about the history of the country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take some ear plugs as the cockerels and bread sellers start very early in the morning! Also, if you can learn a little bit of Spanish it will be really helpful and enhance your experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing hummingbirds on our trek at Vinales; The first Mojito with a gorgeous view; The Red Road and loadsa crabs (shame about the squashed ones); The chameleon in the coffee shop; The salsa class; Casa de la Trova in Trinidad; The Buena Vista Social Club in Havana.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Felix was great. He made sure we all had a great time, adapted the itinerary to suit us and kept us on track when we had to be. He was very patient too. He has great knowledge and passion for his country and it shone through.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book a few extra days in Havana. You do not get long enough there to enjoy this fabulous city. Don't bother with soap and pens etc for the locals. Just be ready to tip everyone!

Suggestions

I didn't go mad on either cocktails or souvenirs and still managed to spend around £240. Change enough money when you arrive at the airport to save having to track down an ATM or a bank later on. Have some stirling on you for the end of the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Trinidad is a great place to see the old cars, history of Cuba and some of amazing architecture without as much of the tourism which is starting to creep into Havana. The people here were so friendly and the Casa was a great place to stay. We had some of our best meals here along with the best Daiquiri in the Floridita bar. A walk around the town at a leisurely pace is the best way to see the difference between the areas, walking through the poorer areas was safe and very interesting.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Felix was so passionate about his country, he ensured we ate at the best places, persisted with the chance for us to see a cigar factory when the planned trip was unavailable. He told us the history of the country as we travelled around it, and made sure we kept our great driver Orlando, throughout the trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack lightly as you don't stay anywhere more than 2 nights & will want to buy souvenirs to take home. Change your money at the airport as the first hotel didn't change Sterling and I had to borrow money until Felix took a couple of us to the bank in Vinales, this is easy once you get in but you do gave to queue, and there are not many of them until Havana. I spent money more in Havana than expected but about £250 will be enough for the trip, including buying some souvenirs.

Suggestions

This is a fast paced trip so make the most of the opportunities to relax on the beach. The Casa's are great to stay in and perfectly safe, the hotels are not the best but you are not in them long. Even if you are not a Rum drinker try the different cocktails, they vary in quality but are slightly different to those you get at home.

Most Inspirational Moment

An amazing trip that lived up to my expectations. A great group consisting of singles and couples aged 20's to 70's.Vinales was beautiful and I could have stayed there longer. The Casa check in here is unique-your name and guest house hand written on A4 paper and waved at coach.Being in Trinidad for the 500th anniversary and surrounded by music and dance in the streets.Lots of rum-preferably dark and at least 7 years old.Being given a friendship bracelet by the landlady in Trinidad and the welcome in all of the casa's. Welcoming but not intrusive.  

Thoughts on Group Leader

Jorge was brilliant with unending patience and diplomacy. Any problems were sorted and  always helpful with ideas when having free time. I hope he is enjoying the union jack umbrella I gifted to him, we never lost him on the tours as we could spot him a mile away.Alex was an excellent driver who drove the comfortable Chinese bus safely. Jorge tells us China have donated about 2,000 buses. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack lightly as this is the first holiday I have been on when I have never unpacked my case.If doing the optional catamaran trip from Trinidad which I would highly recommend, you need beach shoes as there are sea urchins in the area you swim.A beach extension for a few days would have been good as a hectic but fulfilling schedule.

Suggestions

I took lots of soap for the locals who ask for it as they also did on my trip 2 years ago, but Jorge informed us that some use it to sell and buy rum. He advised us to give to people who do not ask for it. Soap and pens were gratefully received by the children.English magazines and tampons went down a treat with the landladies in the casa's so take some to leave.You definitely need to take tissues and hand sanitizer as no paper in most toilets.The sinks have no plugs.