Day 10 - In Santiago De Cuba

Surrounded by hills and looking out over the Caribbean, Santiago has been the epicentre for revolutionary ideals since the time of Cespedes. Many of the colonial buildings and museums of Cuba’s second city are painted in attractive, traditional pastel shades.

This morning we have a guided tour of Santiago city. We take the bus to the Plaza de la Revolucion with it’s fine monument to the heroes of the Independence wars, visit the remarkable cemetery where independence hero José Martí is buried and then the Moncada Barracks (entrance optional) which Castro and 118 students unsuccessfully attacked in 1953.

 The afternoon is left free for personal exploration – we recommend a visit to El Morro fort (optional), one of the best preserved in Cuba, affording us remarkable views over the harbour right across to the Sierra Maestra, possibly for the cannon firing ceremony at sunset. We have this evening to enjoy Santiago’s famous nightlife.