Santiago de Cuba

A spectacular five-hour journey to Santiago de Cuba winds through verdant mountains, then along the dramatic Atlantic coastline, before taking you through the dry region surrounding Guantanamo, dotted with cacti and wiry goats. Time dependent, on the way you might get the chance to visit the Mirador de Malones for a pretty good view of the Guantanamo Naval Base and surrounding bay. At present the base is not open to the public. If you are keen to see this, please ask your leader, and they will tell you if visits are currently allowed. Continue on to Santiago de Cuba, picking up some Spanish during an informal Spanish lesson from your leader – set between the indomitable Sierra Maestra mountain range and the azure Caribbean, this city's historical centre and colonial architecture retain a timeworn air ideal for photographers. Santiago is the hottest place in Cuba – in terms of both temperature and the vibe of the city!