By – KG
Recommended for:
Incentive – Me and the team
Cigar lovers in general
Step back in time into a city that looks like a place time forgot. A city where “old cars” can be seen everywhere, where music and laughter are pretty much found in every corner, where a smooth dark rum and a world-renowned cigar are happily married. This is Habana, the capital of Habanos.
We would like to invite you to think differently when planning your next incentive trip. Here is an opportunity to combine history, folklore, salsa, rum and cigar. An opportunity to visit a unique destination, where MacDonald’s and Coca Cola signs are nowhere to be seen.
Here we would like to present you with a hand-crafted itinerary that will leave you with a lot of “how”, “why”, and will make you reflect on our priorities in life. Seeing first-hand the way locals live will be an unforgettable experience. Being able to visit a school in the countryside and spend some time with students and teachers, will be priceless and meaningful.
Habana and Habanos
Day 1 – Habana
Arrival to “Jose Marti” International Airport in Havana
Private transfer to Hotel in Habana. Accommodation in a five star hotel Dinner at a local Restaurant
Free evening
Day 2 -Habana to Pinar del Rio
Breakfast and private Transfer to Pinar del Rio. Discover “La Ruta del Tabaco” (The Cigar Tour). See and experience firsthand how cigars are produced, from the seed to the factory.
Visit a plantation in the region of Vuelta Abajo, the finest cigar tobacco-growing land in the world. You will learn the essential steps in the production of the best cigars in the world.
Lunch at a plantation farm, where you will enjoy a “puro” right after lunch
Visit a cigar factory in Pinar del Rio
Arrive at Viñales. Accommodation and dinner at “Los Jazmines” hotel,with its unrestricted views of the valley and its”mogotes” (the valley is classified as a Unesco world heritage site)
Day 3 –Viñales
Breakfast
Visit a local Tabaco plantation. Taste a cigar and enjoy some Cuban coffee.
Time for “let ́s make a difference” –Visit a local school. Spend some time touring the school surrounded by local kids. A donation will be made on behalf of the company.
Lunch at a local restaurant
Return to Habana
Dinner at Restaurant “La Divina Pastora”. Enjoy a habano and a nice Cuban Rhum
Go back in time and witness “El Cañonazo de las 9” –A cannon shot at 9 pm
Day 4 –Habana
Breakfast
Visit “Partagás” Cigar Factory
Tour Old Habana –Unesco World Heritage Site since 1982.
Lunch at a local Restaurant
Visit “El Laguito” cigar factory
Dinner and entertainment at “Cabaret Tropicana –A Paradise under the stars”
Day 5 –Departure Date
Breakfast and check out. Private transfer to “Jose Marti” International Airport
This itinerary could be modified according to your needs.
Happy to help – Let us become your one stop shop solution for all of your travel needs. Corporate, Incentive, Leisure, we can plan it all.
The Incentivo Advantage:
- The right size matters – We specialize in small groups and private luxury travels
- Taylor-made incentive trips with unique and thought-provoking itineraries
- Giving back to the community – All of our programs will have a space to reflect and give back to those in need. Feel the connection with the community we are visiting. This is an integral part of our Incentive Programs. Learn more @ http://incentivo.ca/philanthropy-initiatives/
Receive 10% off your Habana & Habanos tour. Valid for reservation made for September and October, 2017.
A little bit of cigar history
The largest of the islands Columbus would claim for Spain was named Isla Juana in honor of the ruler of Castile. Later it would be known as Fernandina. Native Taino Indians called it Colba, which Spanish tongues twisted into “Cuba.” They also had a name for the curious dried leaves they set on fire in order to inhale the smoke – cojoba or cohiba.
Cuba is probably the most famous cigar producing country in the world. Its tobacco is renowned for its flavor and high quality. Although it has been banned in the United States for more than half a century, it still has the reputation for making the best cigars in the world. Some famous brands crafted here include the original versions of Montecristo, Partagas, H. Upmann, and Cohiba.
Because of its fertile land and favorable climate, Cuba is the only country where all three types of tobacco leaves to be used in a cigar are harvested – the wrapper, filler and binder. Cuba is also the only place where cigars are hand-rolled from start to finish.
Fun fact – American retaliation against Castro took the form of an economic embargo but, according to JFK’s press secretary Pierre Salinger, not until Kennedy assured himself a stockpile of his favorite Habanos. Called into the Oval office one afternoon, Salinger was ordered to obtain a thousand Petit Upmanns by the next morning. He returned and proudly reported completion of the assignment. With a satisfied smile Kennedy opened his desk, took out a long sheet of paper, and signed his name to it, therewith imposing by the stroke of his pen an embargo on all imports of Cuban cigars that would remain in effect for decades.
