Generally an excellent trip, made good by our guide and fellow travellers. There was a lot of bus travel, and day one and two were long for the limited appeal of what we saw in Vinales. We travelled a tourist trail and stop offs enrolee were uninspired, where perhaps local minor attractions could have been enlivening. We were told of the poverty, sugar cane and tobacco industries but did not experience it. Good spanish Colional building in towns, but we saw little of the post independence or revolution buildings, unless there is nothing more than half a dozen examples. It was certainly a taster trip, would have loved to have seen more.
The accommodations were great. The owner and his family did not live there, but came by each morning to have breakfast for us and help us get started each day. Nicer than the pictures online. Probably the nicest place in the area. 15 minute walk to the bear restaurants in the area. The walk was safe but Old Havana is a fraction of what it once was. The Cuban people are wonderful but are clearly dealing with a tough situation.
Once we'd met the group the morning after arrival, as we flew in a week early to spend time in Havana, our feet never touched the ground. Straight roads, winding roads, flats, up hills, down hills, we cycled a whole range of terrains. Farming communities, mountain communities, fishing communities, we saw a wide range of Cuban life. Our leader, Laz, was knowledgeable on geography, culture, history and politics and always ready to answer questions - no matter how many times he must have heard them before. Learnt loads, saw loads, did loads. Loved it!