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Mural de la Prehistoria

The Mexican artist Leovigildo González Morillo liked the area so much that, in 1961, he created a huge painting on a rock wall in the Valley of Vinales. Precipitation makes it necessary to renew the color of the painting every once in a while. Of course we can visit this place with our bikes!

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Las Terrazas

Built since the Revolution, this mountain community was constructed around a lake to provide a sustainable livelihood for impoverished locals suffering from decades of deforestation. Millions of trees were planted in the 1960s, creating a forest reserve. The community is today a center for ecotourism and has an active artist community. We will have the chance to visit a local artist that has chosen to live here and has participated in exhibitions also abroad.

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Bahía de Cochinos (Bay of Pigs)

The Bay of Pigs is an inlet on the southern coast of Cuba. Its name stems from "cochinos", which in Cuban Spanish may also mean the queen triggerfish, which inhabits coral reefs in Bahía de Cochinos, and not - as frequently assumed - from the Spanish word for swine/pig.
It became famous in April 1961 as the site where an army of CIA-trained exile Cubans landed to link up with counter-revolutionaries and topple the Castro regime. Fidel himself led the defense in the three-day battles that resulted in defeat of this fatally-flawed invasion. Its failure led directly to the cause of the Cuban Missile Crisis. Let’s find out more about the invasion!

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Topes de Collantes (National Park)

Topes de Collantes is a nature reserve park (and UNESCO World Heritage Site) established in the southeastern ranges of the Escambray Mountains. The vistas are sublime and the air crisp and pine-scented, as we ride past coffee plantations and through stands of Royal palms.

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Valle de los Ingenios

The valley was a centre for sugar production from the late 18th century until the late 19th century. At the peak of the industry in Cuba there were over fifty cane sugar mills in operation in the valley with over 30,000 slaves working in the mills and the sugar cane plantations that surrounded them. The entire area covers 100 square miles and includes the sites of over 70 former sugar mills. Our stop at Hacienda-Torre Iznaga is an opportunity to learn about the brutal history of slavery, and to enjoy a fresh-squeezed guarapo (sugarcane juice).

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Monumento-Memorial Che Guevara

The Mausoleum of Ernesto Che Guevara, guarded by a gigantic statue of himself, contains the remains of the marxist revolutionary and his 29 fellow guerrilleros killed in combat during the attempt to encourage an uprising in Bolivia during the dictatorship. The monument was created in 1988, but only in 1997 Guevara's exhumed remains were transferred to Cuba. Santa Clara was chosen as it was the city that in 1958 saw the final battle between the Revolucionarios and the govern of Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista, fleeing into exile after Santa Clara battle.

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Classic Cuba ^CKU

Cuba

This motorcycle tour through Cuba is loaded with culture, great scenery and good roads.

Cuba, the Caribbean island full of history, is not only famous for its communist regime, but also for its cities, beaches and the hospitality of the people. Discover the secrets of Cuba on this motorcycle tour!

Starting in La Habana and heading out West, we ride to Viñales, famous for its beautiful landscape full of limestone rocks and caves as well as for its tobacco fields. Learn about the production of the famous Cuban cigars and taste one if you feel like it. On we ride to the nature reserve of Las Terrazas to take a bath in its beautiful waterfalls before we will visit the museum at the Bay of Pigs on our way to Cienfuegos. Our next stop is the city of Trinidad, part of the UNESCO world heritage and considered by many as one of the most beautiful cities at the Caribbean coast.

Curvy streets will then take us up the mountains of Topes de Collantes, where we get to see lush tropical forests and waterfalls and enjoy the view over Lake Hanabanilla. The island of Santa Maria with its white dream beaches and crystal-clear turquoise sea is our next destination, before we head to Remedios and back to the idyllic North to Varadero – and eventually reach our starting point, La Habana.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR US CITIZENS Since 2011 all U.S. citizens can participate in ‘people-to-people’ programs that provide for ‘meaningful interaction’ with Cubans. We have designed special departures for U.S. citizens that conform to the requirements of a general license for “people-to-people” educational exchange per Cuba Assets Control Regulations, 31 CFR Part 515 administered by the Dept. of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control.

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR U.S. CITIZENS
Since 2011 all U.S. citizens have been able to participate in ‘people-to-people’ educational exchange programs that provided for ‘meaningful interaction’ with Cubans. On June 4, 2019, the Trump administration rescinded the “people to people” license. However, every U.S. citizen can still legally travel to Cuba, pre-approved, under the “support for the Cuban people” license, which requires that each itinerary adheres to a full-time schedule of “meaningful interaction” with Cubans.
Although Edelweiss Bike Travel’s Cuba programs are designed for an international clientele, they are also designed to maximize “support for the Cuban people” as much as possible through stays at private B&Bs, meals at private restaurants, and interactions with independent artists, private tobacco farmers, etc.
NOTE: It is the responsibility of individual U.S. citizens to review existing Cuba Assets Control regulations (31 CFR Part 515 administered by the Dept. of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control) to ensure each traveler’s compliance.

CHRISTOPHER P. BAKER
Renowned motojournalist and Cuba expert Christopher P. Baker will be acting as one of your tour leaders on those specific dates (look for the * people-2-people approved mark). Christopher has been acclaimed by National Geographic as “one of the world’s leading authorities on Cuba travel and culture.” His seven books about Cuba include the National Geographic Traveler Cuba guidebook and Mi Moto Fidel: Motorcycling Through Castro’s Cuba.

Christopher has been acclaimed by National Geographic as “one of the world’s leading authorities on Cuba travel and culture.” His seven books about Cuba include the National Geographic Traveler Cuba guidebook and Mi Moto Fidel: Motorcycling Through Castro’s Cuba.

Meanwhile, Cuba has been in news quite a bit the last couple of months and if you are worrying if it was the right time to take this motorcycle tour with Edelweiss, please read the following personal note from Christopher, who just returned from leading our first ‘Classic Cuba’ trip of 2019:

THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO VISIT CUBA

Recently Cuba has been in the news quite a bit. First, I wish to assure you that Cuba has recovered fully from post-Hurricane Irma. I just returned from leading Edelweiss’ first ‘Classic Cuba’ trip of 2019 (my eight trip to Cuba in the past 12 months) and things on the ground are totally normal and safe.

More importantly are the charges by the Trump administration of ‘sonic attacks’ on U.S. diplomats in Cuba. Four FBI teams were sent to Havana at the invitation of the Cuban government, and their report states there is no evidence whatsoever of any ‘attacks.’ The symptoms, most medical authorities agree, appear to be consistent with mass psychogenic illness (MPI), and the Trump administration’s allegation has the appearance of being nothing more than a politically motivated attempt to reduce U.S.-Cuba travel: READ MORE. For that reason, the State Department Travel Advisory now lists Cuba as Level 2 for safety – the same as France, Germany, and the UK.

Meanwhile, on January 18, 2018, Cuba was named “Safest Country for Tourism” at the 38th annual International Tourism Fair (FITUR), in Madrid, Spain. And the Cubans are wholeheartedly warm and welcoming. Reason enough to visit!

Christopher P. Baker

• At a glance
• 11 days vacation
• Tour prices & motorcycles 2019
• Tour prices & motorcycles 2020

Start/Finish:	La Habana (Havana)
Nearest airport:	Havana
Duration:	11 days vacation, 9 riding days
Route:	Total distance: 1617-1857 km, 1005-1154 miles Daily distances: 70-360 km, 43-224 miles
Accommodations:	Comfortable middle-class hotels und Casas Particulares
Rest day:	Trinidad
Highlights:	Mural de la Prehistoria, Las Terrazas, Bahía de Cochinos (Bay of Pigs), Topes de Collantes (National Park), Valle de los Ingenios, Monumento-Memorial Che Guevara, Cayo Santa Maria (beaches)
Minimum number of participants:	8 Please note paragraph 4.2. a) of our terms and conditions of travel to find out more about the cancellation of tour through Edelweiss Bike Travel when the minimum number of participants is not reached - Terms and Conditions

11 days vacation

9 day riding route

DAY 1:	Arrival in La Habana (Havana)
DAY 2:	La Habana (Havana) - Viñales
DAY 3:	Viñales - Las Terrazas
DAY 4:	Las Terrazas - Cienfuegos
DAY 5:	Cienfuegos - Trinidad
DAY 6:	Trinidad
DAY 7:	Trinidad - Cayo Santa Maria
DAY 8:	Cayo Santa Maria - Remedios
DAY 9:	Remedios - Varadero
DAY 10:	Varadero - La Habana (Havana)
DAY 11:	Departure from La Habana (Havana)

The daily riding kilometres are approximate distances and may vary. The first and last days mentioned in the itinerary are the arrival and departure days; there is no riding on these days. Arrival time should be arranged before 3 pm on the arrival day (Day 1). Bear in mind the time difference between your country of origin and your travel destination. Please book your flights accordingly. Route and overnight places may change due to unforeseen events.

Tour prices & motorcycles 2019

Included services

Tour price per person	sharing room, riding 2 up	sharing room, riding solo	single room, riding solo
BMW F 700 GS	$ 5.540,-	$ 6.760,-	$ 7.200,-
BMW R 1200 GS	$ 5.730,-	$ 7.130,-	$ 7.570,-
Harley-Davidson® Electra Glide Harley-Davidson® Road King	$ 5.940,-	$ 7.560,-	$ 8.000,-
OPTIONAL: Guided City Tour (Minimum number of participants: 1)	$ 195,-	$ 195,-	$ 195,-
OPTIONAL: Cuba Travel Authorization Documents (mandatory for US citizens)	$ 200,-	$ 200,-	$ 200,-

Tour prices & motorcycles 2020

Included services

Tour price per person	sharing room, riding 2 up	sharing room, riding solo	single room, riding solo
BMW F 700 GS	$ 5.540,- *	$ 6.760,- *	$ 7.200,- *
BMW R 1200 GS	$ 5.730,- *	$ 7.130,- *	$ 7.570,- *
Harley-Davidson® Electra Glide Harley-Davidson® Road King	$ 5.940,- *	$ 7.560,- *	$ 8.000,- *
OPTIONAL: Guided City Tour (Minimum number of participants: 1)	$ 195,- *	$ 195,- *	$ 195,- *
OPTIONAL: Cuba Travel Authorization Documents (mandatory for US citizens)	$ 200,- *	$ 200,- *	$ 200,- *
* Please note that the dates and prices for 2020 are not confirmed yet. The dates shown on our website are preliminary dates for 2020 and might change. Also, for this tour there are yet no prices confirmed for 2020. If the tour price differs more than 5% from last year’s pricing you can cancel your participation until October 31, 2019 without any cancellation fee. CUSTOM TOURS: For custom tour bookings please refer to the pricing included in the special tour offer for your tour. If having any questions please contact our service team at customtours@edelweissbike.com!

Included services

• All overnights (comfortable middle-class hotels and casas particulares) during entire tour
• breakfast every day
• all dinners
• motorcycle rental with unlimited mileage
• third party liability insurance for motorcycles
• comprehensive vehicle insurance for motorcycles with deductible according to the booked motorcycle model
• tour information package in English or German including safety tips, details about the hotels, the route and the sights
• English and German speaking tour guide on motorcycle
• support van for luggage transportation (1 piece per person) and space for passengers on entire tour
• Edelweiss Riding Tips

Services not included

• All services not mentioned as included and all items of a personal nature.

Optional Services

• optional deductible reduction on included motorcycle insurance (Cover All / Cover Plus)

Please note

• This group tour is not suitable for people with limited mobility.

INFORMATION - GUIDED CITY TOUR

• The Guided City Tour Havana does not include an extra hotel night. Any extra nights have to be booked individually or on request with your booking agent.

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Prices start at $ 5.540,-

per person

Included services

Motorcycle category 2

Testimonials

Classic Cuba

This Cuba tour must be one of the best Edelweiss tours. Excellent riding, varied scenery, history, culture, vibrant colour and vintage cars just everywhere. We even swam in the ocean. The highlight for us was to visit Havana with all its wonderful old buildings and bright 1950's cars. That ride along the Malecon is unique. We also enjoyed riding through the old colonial towns full of colour and character, the roads lined with revolutionary slogans and images of Che Guevara. We spent a few days in old Havana before and after the trip taking in the atmosphere, visiting the museums and having salsa lessons. Cuba is a unique destination - thank you Manuel (our tour guide) for your excellent guiding!

Vivien & Paul Newrick, Great Britain

Klassik Kuba

Kuba zu erleben war eine Erfahrung die wir nie vergessen werden! Schon bei der Landung in La Havana hatten wir das Gefühl, eine Zeitreise in die 50er Jahre gemacht zu haben in ein Land, wie es kaum ein schöneres gibt. Man merkt auch, dass Kuba sich allmählich von den Fesseln des Komminismus löst, und unsere Motorradtour war auch gleichzeitig eine Reise durch die Geschichte des Landes. Wir hatten die netteste Gruppe, die man sich wünschen kann, mit Teilnehmern aus aller Herren Länder und unser Tour Guide Jens war nicht nur ein Reiseleiter, sondern ein Freund, mit dem es Spaß machte zu touren. Wir Jungs aus Südafrika freuen uns, ihn und den Rest der Gruppe bald wiederzusehen.

Tony Cimato, Rod Wooldridge & Dave Leyshon, Südafrika

Classic Cuba

This was our first motorcycle holiday with Edelweiss. Words can not describe how unbelievably impressive this journey was with our guides Domenico Schiano, Christopher Baker and Anivar Falcon Hayes!
Not only is Cuba a country which is incomparable concerning its special character, it is also a perfect motorcycle touring destination, because we felt thrown back in time for a hundred years. There is nearly no car traffic – horses, oxen and carriages dominate the streets.
For us it was a perfect combination of riding and an educational journey!

Every day, Christopher Baker, a well-known American journalist and travel book author, gave us an understanding of the people, the political system and the characteristics of this country. Through his decade-long experience and his numerous contacts, no matter if sports legends, artist or private contacts to the people who live there, we had the chance to experience this country in a way we have never done before!

Domenico Schiano shared his enthusiasm for motorcycle touring from the first moment and understood how to bring harmony to a group of bikers from many different countries with his kindness. His experience and the joy he shared every day created an absolutely harmonic and happy atmosphere among the bikers. Never before have we experienced so little problems and disharmony!

Anivar Hayes is the good soul from Cuba who always took care for everything by managing all the technical stuff at various places without any problems and without us even noticing. His contacts to the people of Cuba made many things easier and gave us a first-hand experience.

All 3 together made it possible to not only experience a motorcycle holiday in a foreign country, but also to have an adventurous and educational journey, which truly is something special in its combination.

Last but not least we would like to say a big thank you to Edelweiss’ product management. A perfect travel preparation, great organization and many, super friendly phone calls and e-mails before our tour contributed to making our trip a perfect one – exactly the way we experienced it.

Oliver & Kathrin Gerber, Germany

People to People, Ride magazin

Thank you Thorsten Dentges for your contribution in Ride Magazin.

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Thorsten Dentges

Classic Cuba onTwo Wheels

Thank you Jorge and Anabele for the great article at your Diaries of magazin!

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Jorge & Isabel Valente