Hi everyone
Well what can I say.
Another amazing holiday with JY. This was my 5th holiday and was a bit worried about the customer service dropping it standards now it's been taken over from G adventures. So was a test before booking any more holidays, but worry not guys their standards were just as high and we were well looked after especially with hurricane Irma hitting just 6 days into the holiday.
Kim Valencia our tour manager, wow. I've seen other reviews about her on here and yes I can completely agree she is amazing. Very much a people person, knows her stuff and was just great. She had to quickly swap a few things around and change hotels and flights for everyone, with not much warning. But she kept everyone claim and happy. I'd definitely book with her again and would well recommend this holiday and any her trips to anyone. But you haven't got long as she is retiring this year and we were her last Cuba trip. JY I hope you look after her and give her a very nice Xmas bonus and bunch of flowers for all her hard work! She really did make this holiday.
I'd well recommend for the extra excursions: Club Tropicana around £100. It is expensive but WELL WORTH IT! Even if that's the only one you do. But out of the 6 trips 3 are the must does
Club Tropicana
Che museum
And the sunset cruise
We were unable to do che and the cruise due to the damage of the hurricane but looked fantastic.
Hotels were great Memories in Havana was fantastic food and Trinidad beach resort was very nice. You will need mossy spray for the beach resorts but not Havana.
We didn't fly to Holguin due to the weather but we did make the most of it!
The Valleys day is a longggggg drive 6 hours in a coach 3 hours there/3 hours back for about 15 mins viewing time. I hope JY can change this. As it is beautiful but not worth it for the length of time sat on a coach when could of spent it by the pool.
This is more of a relaxed holiday compared to China and India holiday with, not to many early mornings, and a few hours in the afternoon/ eve to relax by the pool before getting ready for dinner. So abit of both worlds.
The Botanical gardens was boring! Only talked about 5 Trees out of 2000 and is a long walk in the sun up the hill just for lunch. I'm glad we didn't have to pay for it extra as wasn't worth it really
If you are thinking of doing this holiday. YOU MUST TAKE ENOUGH CASH. STERLING! As they will charge you 10% for dollars as they don't want them ::P this is a cardless community! Everything is cash with no ATMs ANYWHERE on this holiday! Only for the locals. You can't prebook or pay by card for extra excursions on this trip or cigars in the factory. It's all paid Cuban pesos throughout the holiday not uk or euros. I took £550 and was a bit tight towards the end after drinks, lunches, trips, gifts and tips! So please that in mind. As you can't set up a tab in the hotels either
Had a fantastic time and saw some wonderful places, meeting wonderful like minded people and kept in touch with some. Will be looking into booking for Italy and South Africa next year.
I hope this review helps, think I covered everything but I'll answer any questions :)
Chloe xx
