Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Cooling off on a nature trail in the mountains diving (alright, jumping) off a small cliff to swim across a cove. Would not have done on my own but a group of us plucked up courage to brave the waves and rocks!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great welcome and organisation when we arrived from Exodus rep and group leader. The right balance of information about Cuban life given over the tour and ditto for amount of planned stuff versus free time... first ever organised holiday for me and I didn't feel too chaperoned or tied to everything (eg opted out of one long coach ride for day's excursion to do my own day in Havana).

Advice for Potential Travellers

Follow Exodus advice to just bring sterling and enough for all your needs. Had some fraud on my debit card even though I wasn't using it there! And if you do some wandering in Havana on your own, while it certainly feels safe everywhere, do be aware of constant and persistent hustling as soon as you sit down anywhere or look a tad unsure (it's more than just people being friendly as the group leader said...)

Suggestions

I went for the 8 day trip not two week one as per review advice by previous trippers. The perfect length would be 9 or 10 days if Exodus were able to offer this option in future, to leave a bit more time to see Havana as well as do all the excursions (if not, grab a few extra days yourself and delay your flight back via Exodus).

Most Inspirational Moment

Swimming in the Bay of Pigs and our visit around Trinidad! I wish we could have spent more time around Vinares (at least one night hotel around there instead of Havanna on the last days!) 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Umberto was fabulous - very thoughful and well organised.  He made sure we had what was needed and nothing was too much trouble for him.  Very chatty too! 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Relax - climate is good - do not take too much stuff - food is not that bad for tourists (infact quite good and comparable to many other holiday place).  Take small presents for kids if you like (preferably not money).

Suggestions

I wish we had more time to explore the Island on our own and listen to the music - people have time to chat - it is a relax place.  Havanna is an absolute jowel in terms of architecture - many building unfortunately are falling apart but The Old Havanna is being beautifully restored.. a wonderful place to strawl and have coffee - local coffee is very good .. enjoy!JP Feb 2012 trip. 

Most Inspirational Moment

The beauty and diveristy of Havana is amazing - the buildings, architecture and colours are even better than the photos you see.  There is so much to see that there just isn't time on this trip to see and visit it all!  The beach at Cayo Blanco and countryside of Vinales is picturesque and there is no better place than to have a mojito or two than Cuba!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mariella, the leader was excellent - well organised and always listening to the needs of the group.  She also organised extra activities such as being driven around Havana in classic cars and chose excellent restaurants serving nice food.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely go, especially as the pace of change in Cuba is increasing.

Suggestions

Cuban food isn't particually spicy unlike other Caribbean countries - few spices or sauces so take some tabasco sauce if that is more your preference.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too difficult to pick just one. Walking around historic Havana and soaking up the atmosphere, snorkelling in the Bay of Pigs, Che monument, Trinidad and the catamaran trip and lunch at the Bella Vista Paladar in Vinales were certainly highlights of the trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Martha was fantastic! Nothing was too much trouble and her knowledge of her country was incredible. She certainly made the trip relaxing, interesting and fun!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go as soon as you can. Cuba is changing and although some of it might be for the better, aspects of what makes it a truly special destination will have disappeared forever. On a practical note if you go on the catamaran trip make sure you take something to cover up with on the boat, it was really hot and not much shelter from the sun!

Suggestions

This is a great trip. Real mix of history, culture, scenery, salsa and rum!! Make sure you go to a Paladar and try a strawberry daiquiri at El Floridita!

Most Inspirational Moment

I thoroughly enjoyed quality viewing position of music and dance in Trinidad.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic...Martha went out of her way to improve our holiday at every venture.

Advice for Potential Travellers

bring mozzy repelant

Suggestions

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Beth, who dealt with my booking. I foolishly was late in booking my holiday and was effectively too late to book my prefered Cuban holiday. After 2 efforts, i got to speak with Beth, who went out of her way to get me onto my holiday of choice. Within 24hrs she was able to give me the go-ahead for my holiday, so 'Thankyou Beth'. This sort of activity does wonders for your companies reputation and inspires me to come back and holiday with you again. Also a thankyou to our tour guide Martha, who more often than not, was able to upgrade our experience. For example, on the catarmaran trip, the boat quickly filled up with other groups and promised to become a squeeze. Martha worked her charm to get us our own seperate boat to travel on, Horray!! This was only one of the many ways that she helped. I believe that this holiday and your company 'underpromised and over-delivered', making better of our expectations, Thankyou all at Exodus!   Brendan

Most Inspirational Moment

visit with the catamaran to an island

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it!

Suggestions

Visit to Varadero even only for lunch on the return

Most Inspirational Moment

There were plenty of great experiences, but my favourite was having dinner in a paladare in Trinidad one evening.  There was live music from a quartet, the food was excellent, the setting in a beautiful old house was just fantastic.  Truly memorable, it defined my trip to Cuba.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mariella was an excellent group leader.  Nothing was too much trouble and she did a great job in balancing everyone's needs and views.  She was always happy and really passionate about her country and her job.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go sooner, rather than later!  Change is slowly coming......Be prepared for slow service in some bars and restaurants, you just need to get into 'Cuba' time as soon as possible.  Relax with a cuba libre, or a mojito!

Suggestions

It was a great trip, which I'd recommend for anybody who is short of time, but wants to get the real essence of a country.  One of my favourite trips with Exodus.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were a few really. Overall, it was good to see a country very different to the one we are used to before it too becomes just as commercialized as anywhere else.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Exceptional. A real asset to her country and EXODUS. Talks alot though.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do the one week trip. Not the 2. The complaints surrounding the long bus journeys on poor roads on this trip indicated that the amount of travel on it was too much. By contrast, the one week trip strikes the balance just right.

Suggestions

Very good trip with very friendly group of people. Anybody going on this trip needs to be aware however that it is not that relaxing and does involve packing alot into your week. If this is what you are after in a unique land unlike any other then I can wholeheartedly recommend this trip and EXODUS's operation of it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking around the colourful streets of Havana; the magnificant architecture, music floating on the balmy breeze, the ambience, the history and of course the friendly, smiling Cubans.  Santa Clara; the history and of course, the Revolucion!  The battles fought in and around Santa Clara  were the turning point of the Revolucion the city belongs to Che Guevara - he is everywhere.  Unfortunatley we didn't spend enought time to walk the streets of the city and absorb the ambience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mariella (not sure of spelling) was an brilliant tour leader/guide.  Her historical knowledge was second to none and her passion for all things Cuban was wonderful and her sunny disposition made us feel relaxed when we arrived in Havana after a long day of travelling.  Our driver Eduardo was fabulous and very accommodating.  The tour ran smoothly; our hotels were very comfortable and well located (except the location of the hotel in Miramar, fabulous hotel but too far out of Havana). All our meals were very good - contrary to what all the guide books say -  the food was really tasty and varied.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Cuba, despite all the really positive things is a poor country.  Take lots of colouring pens for the children, cheap automatic umbrellas (£1 shop) for the elderly ladies to use as parasols and any spare summer clothes you don't need.  Trinidad is a fabulous preserved Spanish colonial city sandwiched between beautiful mountains and the Caribbean Sea.  It is also touristy and locals ask for pens and clothes mostly.   DO NOT GIVE TO THE LOCAL PEOPLE.   Give your donations to your tour leader who will distribute to the people who need it the most.

Suggestions

Visit Cuba whilst it is still under communist rule. The political climate is changing some of it good but no one knows if it will become commercial/capitalist - if it does -  Cuba will never be the same again.

Most Inspirational Moment

Havana Old Town.  At first sight you are horrified at how run down and ruined the buildings are, how do people live like that?  Then you see the extensive renovations being done and just how beautiful Havana was and will be again.  My group.  We were on a solo departures tour and any reservations I had about the group were quickly resolved after a mojito or two! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Freddie was excellent, he loves his country and all it's contradictions.  He was with us every step of the way, taking us to great places to eat and he always had a plan B in case the weather changed or the road was impassable.  Freddie and Emildo the driver made this holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Cuba is catching up with the western world so quickly.  Don't hesitate, it will never be the same again.