Opening Ceremony of the Habanos Cigar Festival 2012, where Habanos S.A. will introduce new vitolas. During the ceremony, the nominations for the “Premio Habano” awards will take place.
Cuba's Habano Cigar Festival regularly attracts some 1500 producers, distributors and businessmen, as well as large numbers of Cigar aficionados and tourists. A venue for announcing new Cigar brands, the Habano Cigar Festival also unveils new vitolas.
Habano Cigar Festival's attendees have the chance to taste new cigars, visit plantations and factories, roll their own leaves and experience first-hand the secrets of a deep-rooted centuries-old tradition.
Habanos Cigar Festival's Exhibit Fair at Palacio de Las Convenciones. Our tour participants will have the chance to taste the new vitolas that Habanos S.A. will launch to the markets throughout 2012, and to discover first hand the secrets of a deep-rooted centuries old tradition.
Partagas Cigar Factory, founded in 1845 by Spaniard Don Jaime Partagas. Don Jaime owned many of the best plantations in the Vuelta Abajo tobacco-growing region of Cuba and being able to choose from among the finest tobaccos on the island made the brand Paratagas incredibly successful.
Viñales Valley, containing the most spectacular scenery in Cuba and some of the most interesting and varied geological formations on the island. The valley is particularly famous for its great freestanding rock formations called mogotes. Local tobacco growing farmers have been passing from generation to generation the secrets of growing the best tobacco in the world.
Day 1. Sunday 24 February. Hello Cuba

Arrival at "Jose Marti" International Airport in Havana.
Group welcomed by the Authentic Cuba Travel Cuban Guide. Transfer to
Hotel Habana Libre,
located at the cultural center of Havana City. Private group check-in.
Breakfast is complimentary from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Day 2. Monday 25 February. Havana
Morning: guided walking tour of
Old Havana, UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visit to
Square of Arms, ancient military parade ground for Spanish soldiers and surrounded by impressive buildings such as:
Palacio de los Capitanes Generales was the former seat of colonial government. Today the building houses the Museum of the City.
Palacio del Segundo Cabo, the seat of the second authority of the island.
Castillo de la Real Fuerza. The second oldest fortress built by the Spaniards in the West Indies. The castle was recently renovated
and reopened in June 2008 to hold the impressive maritime museum. Well laid out exhibits chart Spain and Cuba's naval history.
Visit to
San Francisco Square, one of the oldest in the historical quarter.
Visit to
Plaza Vieja, the only civic square of colonial times. Notice it doesn't have a church or government building around.
Here we will visit important institution for visual arts.
Visit to the
Cathedral Square, the most beautiful and private 18th century colonial plaza of Cuba, named after the masterpiece of
Cuban baroque architecture: the Cathedral of Havana built by the Jesuit order.
Free time in the famous
handicraft market of Old Havana where you can purchase all sorts of crafts and souvenirs by local artisans.
Lunch at
1830 Restaurant.
Afternoon: attend the opening of the
Habanos Cigar Festival's Exhibit Fair at Palacio de Las Convenciones. Our tour participants will have the chance to taste the new vitolas that Habanos S.A. will launch to the markets throughout 2012, and to discover first hand the secrets of a deep-rooted centuries old tradition.
Evening: the event begins with the
Opening Ceremony of the Habanos Cigar Festival 2012, where Habanos S.A. will introduce new
vitolas. During the ceremony, the nominations for the “Premio Habano” awards will take place. Followed by a private concert by well-known Cuban Musician (to be announced).
Day 3. Tuesday 26 February. Havana
Morning: visit to
Partagas Cigar Factory, founded in 1845 by Spaniard Don Jaime Partagas. Don Jaime owned many of the best plantations in the Vuelta Abajo tobacco-growing region of Cuba and being able to choose from among the finest tobaccos on the island made the brand Paratagas incredibly successful.
Don Jaime is also believed to have experimented with various methods of fermenting and aging tobacco and is legendarily credited with hiring the first lector to read to and entertain the cigar rollers as they worked. Before and after the Revolution, the Cuban-produced Partagás has been one of the most revered and highest-selling brands of cigars in the world.
Visit to the
Capitolio Nacional, designed by Cuban Architects and built by the American construction company of Purdy & Henderson.
This monumental building is one of Cuba’s most outstanding architectural patrimony packed with artwork from Cuban and foreign artists.
Followed by panoramic air conditioned coach tour of the most important historical sites in the
Modern Havana neighbourhoods of Vedado and Miramar including the Plaza de La Revolución, University of Havana, Habana Libre Hotel, Coppelia Ice Cream Park, Plaza José Martí (in front of U.S. Interests Section), Monument to the Battleship Maine, Malecón seawall, Prado promenade, Central Park, The Great Theatre and the Capitol building.
Lunch at
El Aljibe restaurant.
Afternoon: attend the opening of the
Habanos Cigar Festival's Exhibit Fair at Palacio de Las Convenciones. Our tour participants will have the chance to taste the new vitolas that Habanos S.A. will launch to the markets throughout 2012, and to discover first hand the secrets of a deep-rooted centuries old tradition.
Evening: visit to
Tropicana, spectacular cabarets to open sky. A unique place in the world to enjoy the music and the Cuban and Caribbean folklore in all their color, musicality and rhythm. An art extravaganza to multiply the Cuban happiness of a true tropical night.
Day 4. Wednesday 27 February. Havana
Morning: exploration of the
Habano Cigar Festival's Exhibit Fair at Palacio de Las Convenciones and related venues across the city. Exchange with international and local dealers, exhibitors, and Cigar aficionados and participate in programmed activities.
Followed by visit to Bocoy Rhum factory.
Lunch at
La Mina restaurant.
Afternoon: visit to the
Havana Club Museum of Rhum. From freshly cut stalks of sugar cane to a reconstitution of a distillery and ageing cellars, the museum offers a real-time experience of the rum-making process, as well as a taste of true Cuban culture.
Late afternoon:
cocktail party at Club Habana. Opportunity to exchange with some of our Cuban counterparts in a relaxed atmosphere.
Evening: attend one of the most traditional and popular ceremonies in Cuba, the
Fire of the Cannon of 9 O’Clock at the Fortress of San Carlos de La Cabana. Followed by visit to
Casa del Habano “La Triada”.
Day 5. Thursday 28 February. Havana
Morning: attend private lecture
“The Spirit of Smoke. A Taino Ritual for Cohiba” by historian José Antonio García, researcher from the “José Martí” National Library of Cuba.
Lunch on your own (not included).
Afternoon: exploration of the
Habano Cigar Festival's Exhibit Fair at Palacio de Las Convenciones and related venues across the city. Exchange with international and local dealers, exhibitors, and Cigar aficionados and participate in programmed activities.
Evening: enjoy Afrojazz, Cubajazz and Sonjazz at
Club La Zorra y El Cuervo, Havana’s most famous Jazz club, located just around the corner from the National Hotel of Cuba. The club features astonishing performances by island bands and soloists! (optional, not included).
Day 6. Friday 1 March. Vinales
Day tour to
Viñales Valley, containing the most spectacular scenery in Cuba and some of the most interesting and varied
geological formations on the island. The valley is particularly famous for its great freestanding rock formations called
mogotes.
Visit local
tobacco growing farms and meet with
local farmers that have been passing from generation to generation the secrets of growing the best tobacco in the world.
Visit to
Mural de la Prehistoria, a huge painting on the side of a Mogote.
Lunch at
Cueva del Indio restaurant.
After lunch we will visit the
Cueva del Indio, used by the Guanahatabey Amerindians as a burial site in ancient time, and as refuge
from the Spaniards for both Indians and Black slaves alike. We’ll take a short boat ride on the
subterranean river running through
the cave.
Explore
Viñales town at your leisure: its open-air craft market, Parque Marti, town church, and other interesting sites of this
charming colonial hamlet.
Visit Carmen and Caridad Miranda’s botanical garden, called the
Viñales Botanical Garden. The two widows maintain a garden
full of fruits, orchids and medicinal plants.
Return to Havana city.
Evening: attend the
Closing Ceremony and
Gala Dinner of Habano Cigar Festival.
Day 7. Saturday 2 March. Free Day
Free day in Havana.
Farewell dinner at
La Cocina de Liliam where ex- president James Carter dinned in his visit to Cuba.
Day 8. Sunday 3 March. Departure
Early morning departure to Havana City International Airport for departure.