Hemingway's Havana
It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and can coast down them… Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motorcar only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” – Ernest Hemingway
Tour Leader
Cost
N/A. Should you register looking to share with an another and we are not able to find an acceptable companion, you will need to pay the Single Supplement charge.
N/A.
Tour Details
- Destination: Cuba
- Duration: 7 days.
- Arrives: 12/02/2023
- Departs: 12/08/2023
- Days of cycling: 5
- Usual daily distances: 30 km
- Terrain: There are no hills, city and county side rides, so a reasonable basic level of fitness is recommended.
- Support vehicle: 100%
- Tour staff: Guide/ leader/ mechanic/ driver(s).
Hemingway travelled extensively and spent a large chunk of his life in Cuba (1939 – 1960).
Cuba fulfilled Hemingway’s desires for solitude and big game fishing. Basing himself in the hotel Ambos Mundos, for a decade, room 511 at this hotel has been preserved as Hemingway liked it with the original furniture and typewriter. Then he decided to buy the Finca Vigía, a villa and farm on the outskirts of Havana.
Hemingway wrote some of his best works in Cuba. A Cuba-inspired novella for which Hemingway won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1953, and the Nobel Prize in Literature the following year. The Old Man and the Sea was Hemingway’s last major work of fiction and is thought to be partly based on Gregorio Fuentes, a seafarer who became Hemingway’s fishing companion and who migrated to Cuba at 22 having been born in Lanzarote. In this respect Cuba was arguably more inspiring for Hemingway, especially considering that his most famous work, For Whom the Bell Tolls, was conceived there as well. Hemingway was at his Cuban villa when he received the Nobel Prize in 1954. He said; “This prize belongs to Cuba since my works were created and conceived in Cuba, with the inhabitants of Cojimar, of which I am a citizen.” Having said these words Hemingway placed the Nobel Prize at the foot of a statue of the Virgen del Cobre. The Virgin was recognised as a saviour of sailors.
TOUR GALLERY
DAY BY DAY SCHEDULE
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7
1
DAY 1
December 2nd
Arrive at Havana airport, transfer to Café Rueda. Fit bikes. Coffee and sandwich (included). Transfer by bus to Hotel Ambos Mundos. Register in to the hotel. Visit room 511 at Hotel Ambos Mundos. Walk Obispo to the Floridita bar. Welcome to Cuba drink (Daiquiri). Walk across Parque Central to visit the National Capitol bilding. Return to the hotel via” Bodeguita del Medio” and enjoy a Mojito as did Hemingway. During dinner,for dinner you can hear the boom of the Cannon Ceremony.
Cycling: 0 Km
Accommodation: Hotel Ambos Mundos
Meals included: Dinner
2
DAY 2
December 3rd
After breakfast, walk to Plaza Vieja. Take a short walk to Plaza San Fransico de Asis, and then bus to San José artisans’ market. After the art market we will ride to the Hemingway mansion located in San Francisco de Paula. After the visit to the Finca, either bus or ride for lunch at La Terraza in Cojimar with a Mojito included (lunch not included). This is where Hemingway and Fuentes would plan there fishing trips. Bus back to Ambos Mundos, and drive in the Cannon Ceremony.
Cycling: 12 Km
Accommodation: Hotel Ambos Mundos
Meals included: Dinner/Breakfast
3
DAY 3
December 4th
After breakfast, drive to Café Rueda, and from here, ride to Playa Baracoa, visiting Fusterlandia on the way. Lunch in Café Istanbul, Playa Baracoa, not included. Ride back to Café Rueda, then drive to the hotel.
Cycling: 50 Km
Accommodation: Hotel Ambos Mundos
Meals included: Dinner/Breakfast
4
DAY 4
December 5th
After breakfast, drive to Café Rueda and from here ride to Lenin Park. Visit the grave of Celia Sanchez. Pack lunch from Café Rueda. Return to Parque Central and visit Sloppy Joe bar.
Cycling: 50 Km
Accommodation: Hotel Ambos Mundos
Meals included: Dinner/Breakfast
5
DAY 5
December 6th
After breakfast at hotel transfer to Café Rueda and ride to “Havana forest (Bosque de La Habana) and come back to Café Rueda and have lunch in the area. After lunch walk to Callejon de Hammel and bus to the hotel. In the evening, visit Fabrica del Arte.
Cycling: 15 Km
Accommodation: Hotel Ambos Mundos
Meals included: Dinner/Breakfast
6
DAY 6
December 7th
Walk from the hotel to the ferry terminal to take the ferry boat to casa Blanca. Visit statue of Jesus and Casa de Che Guevar. Enjoy the panoramic view of the city of Havana. Ride to Velodromo to leave donations for the EIDE. Then ride to Playas del Este near Tropicoco Hotel. Lunch in the area. Bus back to the hotel. In the evening visit the Tropicana night club (included evening meal).
Cycling: 20 Km
Accommodation: Hotel Ambos Mundos
Meals included: Dinner/Breakfast
7
DAY 7
December 8th
Happy to meet, sorry to part. We hope you enjoyed our Hemingway extravaganza in Cuba. Now is time to depart, transfer to the airport and you flight home to greet the cat.
Cycle Rental
Bicycle Breeze has bike rentals at great prices. For this tour we recommend that you use a hybrid bike. If you required an e-bike we have a limited amount in stock. Should you prefer to bring your own that is fine with us, you will get the same mechanical assistance as the renters.
Check your travel company for costs of shipping your bike. Depending on your country of embarkation you may be better to rent. Renting has other positive aspects. Your bike will not get lost in transit. It is far easier to travel without a bike box and spare bikes are on the bus for renters. The negative side is that this is not your favorite ride.
Customize This Tour
With a group of 10 or more riders, Bicycle Breeze can offer the ability to customize a tour to suit your needs. Contact us to start planning your next great adventure.