CUBA & CARIBE EXPRESS

a TRANSNICO INTERNATIONAL & GROUP S.A. product

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WELCOME … To the future most attractive luxury train in all ... the AMERICAS.

We are proud to announce the preparation of a real experience of a lifetime by luxury train.

The most unique project in Cuba.

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CUBA, the most exotic and enchanting island in the entire Caribbean offers not only some of the world' s finest beaches but also a rich cultural heritage with a vibrant, passionate approach to life. The Cuba & Caribe Express, one of the World' s most exclusive trains offers you a true revival of the romantic time era of steam rail travel in a country that the sophisticate has been longing for. You are assured the warmest reception in Cuba.

© Photo - Thierry NICOLAS/Transnico

Welcome in the Greatest Caribbean Island.

CUBA & CARIBE EXPRESS

• The Cuba & Caribe Express will be one of the world' s most exclusive trains, that will offer to the discerning traveler a superb way to discover Cuba with many historical and cultural attractions, breathtaking countryside, widest choices of beaches, tobacco fields, music and of course the graciousness of the Cuban people naturally open and friendly.
• Discover Cuba by train self its personalized coaches reflecting the characteristics of each of the Cuban provinces. In fact, the train itself will be decorated in the classical Cuban Latin style with delicate European & American influences.
• Enjoy a luxury world class service with a smiling attentive staff offering a twenty-four hour service.
• Enjoy the exotic and French cuisine created by a French chef offering you great gastronomic experiences combining both fresh local food with delicacies from the rest of the World.
• Enjoy our five stars accommodation in coaches that promise an adventure of a lifetime as we consider you to be the most important person in the World.
• Enjoy the finest of Cuban cocktails as you follow the shadow of " Hemmingway " during the advent. Of this discovery of Cuba within the comforts of a great Palace on Wheels.
  
• THE MOST ATTRACTIVE LUXURY TRAIN IN THE CARIBBEAN AND IN THE WORLD IS COMING SOON... OUR TOKEN FOR YOUR PLEASURE.

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CUBA & CARIBE EXPRESS

TRAIN COMPOSITION

PRATICAL INFORMATIONS

• The train is 100 % air conditioned but you have the possibility to open the windows in your cabin.
• The train is 100 % secure against fire and smoke and will be classified F1 and S2 for the international laws of safety.
• The kitchens will be equipped by the last technical models for the best and easy work but also with the latest anti-fire system.
• A security internal phone system will equipped all coaches. The " Chef de Train " can be reached all the time.
• Two satellite phone will be installed in the train as customers can be reached or can phone worldwide.
• A special security system will be adopted by the company and the National railways of Cuba to protect from all possible accidents regarding the operation of the circulation of the train. A top priority will be planned.
• A very professional and multilingual staff will be on board to provide the best service and the best security for all passengers.

THE RAILWAY COACHES ARE STILL UNDER REHABILITATION

(all the pictures shown the actual state of the cars)

	De Luxe sleeping car De Luxe & Suite sleeping car
	Piano Bar & Office exclusive Presidential car
	Dining car

THE ITINERARY

LA HABANA

Before or after traveling in the "Cuba & Caribe Express" to discover the most fascinating scenery, the most friendly people, the colonial and the architecture of this wonderful country, enjoy first the capital of Cuba : La Havana. The city was founded in 1519 with the name of San Cristobal de La Havana (Saint Christopher of Havana) in the very same place know as its historical center nowadays. Its presence impresses due to the varied architecture of its neighborhoods, its statues, its broad avenues and malls. Havana's essence is a synthesis of history, culture and climate that give the city its peculiar character and a unique way of living. It is difficult to define the city since none of it can be said in a few words but its typical spontaneity.

Seeing from its seawall, Havana seems to take you back in time. Its past is the Old Havana, a colonial jewel whose historical center exhibits firm fortresses, castles and squares, all representatives of the XVII, VIII and XIX centuries, with predominance of Cuban baroque, having its most outstanding example in the Cathedral of Havana.

Due its preservation degree and architectural richness of its monuments and buildings, Old Havana was acknowledged in 1982 by the UNESCO as World Heritage Site.

Its seashore, a distinctive feature of the city's apperance is extended from the east to the west giving birth to excellent beaches like Santa Maria del Mar. To the west is found Hemingway Marine, a free seaport whose piers may shelter almost 100 vessels.

At nine o'clock sharp in the evening, from San Carlos de La Cabana Fortress, the traditional cannon shot resounds all over Havana's streets, an explosive signal that hastens the pulse of its nights. It is the time for the Palacio de la Salsa (Salsa Palace), discos and big shows that continue having on the Tropicana cabaret their highest exponent.

The high level of its cultural life is demonstrated with personalities on the spheres of music, theater, fine arts and ballet, this one presided by Cuba's National Ballet. On its theater, art galleries and showrooms, you may appreciate the virtuosity of famous artists of this capital. Havana is an intense city like its lights and shadows. No one escapes to its vitality. Havana may be respectful on its silence or explosive on its happiness and bustles.

DAY 1 - La Habana Cristina-Pinar del Rio…

Welcome drink and cocktail with typical Cuban music in the Hall of Havana-Cristina Station.

Departure at 9.30 a.m. from Havana-Cristina Station in direction of Pinar Del Rio. The train will leave La Habana to Pinar del Rio by diesel. Lunch in the train. Arrival Pinar del Rio at 14.00. Musicians are welcoming you at the station.

You will enjoy the discovery of the this wonderful and green region of Pinar del Rio, the westernmost Cuban province, is the only one whose 14 municipalities border with the sea : to the North with the Florida Stray, to the South with the Caribbean Sea and to the West with the Gulf of Mexico. The most important features of its landscape are the Sierra de los Organos (The Organs Mountain range), characterized by the renowned "Mogotes" (flat-topped hills), only found on this province and rarely found in any part of the world; and the Sierra del Rosario (Rosario mountain range), Biosphere reserve, where the Pan de Guajaibon is located, the highest point of the western part of the country with its 692 meters.

The spaces between each mountain have formed land where the most prestigious black tobacco of the world is grown. Distinctive places of this province are represented by the spectacular beauty of Vinales Valley.

Depart Pinar del Rio at 18.30 in direction of Cienfuegos. Dinner in the train. Enjoy the bar coaches with musicians, piano when tasting the best Cuban cocktails. Overnight in your cabins.

DAY 2 - … Pinar del Rio-Santa Clara-(Cienfuegos-Trinidad)-Santa Clara …

Breakfast in the train (in your cabin). Arrival in Santa Clara at 08.00 a.m. Our Deluxe Coach will wait for us at train arrival to visit Santa Clara including the main Square, the Theater "La Caridad", the famous place Ernesto "Che" Guevarra where the body of the "Che" is guarded 24 hours a day and the most important moments of the Cuban revolution.

Transfert by bus to Cienfuegos. That city was the only Cuban city founded by French settlers. Founded in 1819, the city of Cienfuegos is a whole tourism resort in itself. Its French stock gives it a really distinctive touch: perfect proportion on its urban outline, neoclassical constructions, a large wall. Its beautiful downtown constitutes a place of unavoidable visit: Marti Park and its surroundings, with some of the city's most important buildings: Terry Theater, Cienfuego's cultural symbol; the Spanish casino, the City Hall; Ferrer Palace, where Enrico Caruso stayed. Cienfuego's city seems to breathe in culture. An intense and varied artistic, cultural life bils in it, getting the rest of the municipalities of the province. There is room and time for everything in Cienfuegos. Nature, sea and mountain climate, culture, active social life, and a happy people. There are the distinctive landscapes of the outstanding nature from the center and western part of the country (San Juan peak, 1.200 m); Jagua Bay, is beautiful as its legends and an extense coastline open to the Caribbean Sea, with hidden cave beaches waiting to be discovered. The blue and green colors intermingle in incredible sceneries of this province. The wet tropical forest governs in the mountain. Profuse, native vegetation, rich in orchids, palms and ferns get together with waterfalls, springs and full of life streams.

The ride to Trinidad from Cienfuegos will take about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Enjoy the ride with beautiful views of the Caribbean sea. A traditional lunch in Trinidad is planned at 13.00 h. in that historical city founded in 1514.

Trinidad de Cuba, located in the valley and surrounded by mountains, is in the Sancti Spiritus province. At the Escambray Mountains we find Topes de Collantes, with all the ecological range of a special microclimate: there, the main touristic health installation of the country is placed. And at the Ancon Peninsula is the best beach of the southern coast of Cuba.

Trinidad is a National Monument and declared by UNESCO - together with the Valle de los Ingenios - World Heritage Site. Trnidad is the colonial city of Cuba best preserved; really, our only city-museum. Founded by the conqueror Diego Velazquez in 1514, it would turn into a place of cultural and economic opulence. At the urban historic center is where the greatest architectonic values are concentrated and it is formed by, with 1211 properties; one of its oldest houses being from 1730.

The Main Square, a garden of proud palm trees, gracefully fenced in white and with the serene custody of its bronze dogs; its is surrounded by once most stately residences: the home of Councilman Ortiz (The Archeology Museum Alejandro Guamuhaya), Padron's home (Natural Sciences Museum Alejandro Humboldt), the Palace of the Counts of Brunet (Romantic Museum), the Sanchez Iznaga's home (Trinitarian Architecture Museum). This last one with one of the very few portals of the city and one with one of the most precious inside garden.

Palaces, churches, squares and small squares: everywhere wooden banister tournings, complex railing works, walls decorated by hand, stairways deeply treaded, inside gardens, ancestral traditions and legends. Roof-tiles everywhere. Stone-paved streets. An almost cloister - like silence. A city-museum inhabited by delicate people, used to live in the beauty.

Very near the Valley of the Sugar Mills, the scene of the enrichment of Trinidad. Here, over 50 sugar mills came into being, and in a single year made the largest sugar crop of the world; today it is a natural archeological reserve.

You will have time to discover all the treasuries of Trinidad and the "Valley of the Ingenios - Iznaga" including for the participants interested a sweet time on the best beaches in Southern Cuba.

Return to our train waiting for us in Santa Clara by bus at 16.30. Upon arrival in Santa Clara station, we board the train for the 20.00 departure. Dinner in the train. Enjoy the bars with great cocktails and sweet salsa music. Overnight in your cabins

DAY 3 - Cienfuegos…Santiago de Cuba

Breakfast in the train (in your cabin). Enjoy the Sierra Maestra mountains from your cabin or from the observatory car before arriving to the colonial city of Santiago de Cuba.

Lunch will be served in our dining cars. Our arrival in the second biggest city of Cuba is planned at 14.30 h. A welcome cocktail on the platform in Santiago de Cuba station is waiting for you with the best musicians.

The afternoon will be free to discover this great colonial city. The easiest way and the most convenient to explore Santiago de Cuba is walking. We will give facilities for the participants having difficulties. Your hotel on wheels will be always at your disposal during the two days in Santiago de Cuba.

The dinner will be served at 19.00 h. in the dining cars of our train as you have with you the best cook in Cuba. Cocktails will be served in the bar cars.

For those interested as paying optional, you can spend the evening in the "Tropicana show" in Santiago. A Deluxe Coach transfer will be provided.

Santiago is one of the country's most eastern provinces. The most important mountains of the country, the Sierra Maestra range, is located here; including the biggest rock (la Gran Piedra) and the highest Cuban point: Turquino Royal Peak (1.974 m).

This province is home to one of the country's richest mining zones (copper, iron, manganese), as well as Cuba's largest National Park (Baconoa), declared Biophere Reserve by UNESCO. Here too is the Shrine to the Lady of Charity (Cuba's patroness), in El Cobre, one of the country's most popular places of worship.

The city of Santiago de Cuba, province's capital, is the country's second most populated municipality. Since its foundation (1515) by the Spanish conqueror Diego Velazquez, was the nation's capital till Havana city replaced it as such 38 years later.Throughout its history, Santiago was a heaven for various migrations from the Antilles, their becoming our most Caribbean city where races and culture intermingled more than in any other Cuban area. It's people's joy and hospitality are anthological, just as much as its carnivals and tradition music. Santiago is birthplace of bolero, the charanga and the son rhythms.

Santiago's architecture had to fit its ondulating terrain, its streets comprises Cuba's purest urban complex, with the largest number of high porches. Among its streets, Padre Pico is one the most famous one. Variegated, warm, noisy, full of spontaneous and musical neighbours, Santiago opens its brave and lovely heart. Home of the son and rum, Santiago is matchless.

DAY 4 - Santiago de Cuba…Camaguey

Breakfast in the train staying in the Station of Santiago (in your cabin). We leave by Deluxe charter bus to discover the beautiful region of Santiago de Cuba with a cruise to the important San Pedro de la Roca Fortress - commonly known as El Morro - was built in the XVII century, on a steep cliff overlooking the bay entrance, so as to defend the city from the sea rovers' attacks.

There it is the Piracy Museum. We follow the tour with a visit to Cayo Granma (Granma Key). Lunch in an original location. We return to Santiago to follow our discovery of the region and the Sierra Maestra Mountains including " La Virgen del Cobre ".

Return by De Luxe coach to the station at 15.00. Our train is waiting for you with musicians and a lot of smiles.
We depart Santiago de Cuba at 16.00 with steam power (double-header and pusher) or diesel to climb the Sierra Maestra mountains. From the observatory car or from the window of your cabin, you will enjoy the real spectacle. Dinner will be served in the train. An other nice and enjoyable evening is waiting for you in this great train. Overnight in your cabins on the way to Camaguey.

DAY 5 - Camaguey…Matanzas

Breakfast in the train (in your cabin). Arrival in Camagüey at 09.00 a.m. Awaiting in front of the train, Barouches (Caleches) will be ready for your exclusive use to discover the city and mostly the historical and colonial quarters. Return to the train around 12.30 h.

Originally called Santa Maria del Puerto del Principe, the city of Camaguey is one of the first seven communities founded by the Spanish conquerors in Cuba. It's located in the entrance to the original part of the island (565 Km from Havana City). Today is the capital of the most extensive province of the country.

The city's colonial architecture has been amazingly well-preserved throughout the years. Narrow, labyrinthine streets and huge colonial houses decorated by the city's emblematic "tijajones" (huge, roundshaped, clay containers traditionally used to sore rain water), lend the city its visual singularity.

Churches abound in Camaguey: the city's skyline is presided over by the belfries and domes of more than ten churches. Some of then command important squares as in the case of the San Juan de Dios Church, built in the 18th century and now a National Monument. Camaguey churches contain important pieces of arts of 17th and 18th centuries, like Las Mercedes Church.

Camaguey has been the cradle of eminent scientific, cultural and historical personalities like the Medical and Chemistry Doctor Carlos J. Finlay, the poetress and writer Gertrudis Gomez de Avellaneda. The city is a strong cultural site since 150 years ago.

The train will leave at 13.00 a.m. Lunch in the train. At Placetas, the convoy continue to Santa Clara through great natural sceneries. Arrival in Santa Clara at 16.00 h. Our train will stay in Santa Clara station for about 2 hours. Continuation to Matanzas. Dinner in the train. Overnight in the train.

DAY 6 - …Matanzas-Varadero-La Havana

Breakfast in the train (in your cabin). Arrival in Matanzas at 08.30 a.m. Transfer by the Deluxe coach to Varadero. A visit of Matanzas will be organized on the way. This city is quite interesting with its architecture, its seafront and Dutch colons have designated Matanzas as an important port in the Caribbean.

Varadero, the "Mecca" of the beaches is waiting for you. Varadero extends as a narrow peninsula to the North of Matanzas province. The white, fine sand of its beaches, all along 20 Km, and the transparency of its warm waters, make of this tourism resort one of the most important and renowned spas in the world. All kinds of watersports can be practiced at Varadero, even scuba diving due to the diversity of corals in the seabeds of some areas next to the beach.

Enjoy and relax in the sun, on the beach with great Cuban music. You will be also able to practice salsa with the best dancers. A wonderful lunch organized on a private beach will be ready at 13.00.

You have also the possibilities to enjoy (as paying optional) the watersports, snorkeling, fishing, golf with 18 holes, … Our specialized guides will help you to provide all services requested.

Return by Deluxe coach to Matanzas station. Our train will leave hauled by two steam locomotives to La Havana at 17.00. Enjoy the tee time in your cabins before arriving in La Havana/Cristina private station around 19.30. A nice and original farewell will be upon arrival in La Havana. Transfers to your respecting hotels.

CUBA & CARIBE EXPRESS

1. The only luxury train with private station for exclusive use (in La Habana Cristina). In fact the C & C E will depart each week from La Havana/Cristina station and Santiago de Cuba station.

2. The Cuba & Caribe Express will be an exotic Cruise its direct connections in both La Havana and Santiago de Cuba with all Cruise ships. The train can pass through Old Havana directly to the modern Cruise terminal. In Santiago de Cuba, our exclusive old station is no more than 300 meters from the cruise ship terminal.

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ALLOW US TO RECREATE AND FULFILL YOUR FANTASY... WE LOOK FORWARD TO ENTERTAINING YOU ON BOARD.

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CUBA - THE PERFUMES OF A MAGICAL ISLAND

Cuba is not the easiest country in the world to travel and to entertains those from the upper scales of society with a refined palette and a sense of adventure. The CUBA & CARIBE EXPRESS will change all in providing the finest cruise on wheels with impeccable service and comfort for all people with discerning taste.

Cuba is the only island in the Caribbean to have complete facilities to run a Luxury train as all the other islands don' t have a railway system or a very limited one.

Cuban tourism will grow prolifically in the next few years and we are enhancing the exclusive tourist market still almost forget on the island. The Cuba & Caribe Express will create a worldwide reputation in Cuba. In fact, a bright future for the tourism business in Cuba has already started. We don 't need to mention that after the U.S. embargo regarding the American tourist is left, Cuba will become one of the most important destinations for American tourists. We also need to think of all the cruise ships sailing all around Cuba that will soon be docking in Cuba.

The most complete island in the Caribbean has so much to offer to the international adventurer and will become one of the most greatest country in the world.

You will find a fascinating country, one that beguiles its visitors with a combination of Caribbean, American, Spanish and African influences. All evident wherever you go, in its sights, sounds and tastes. Most of all, you will remember Cuba for the warmth of its people.

CUBA & CARIBE EXPRESS

PUBLIC PRICES in € (per Person)

(5 Nights & 6 Days)

De Luxe cabin

Suite cabin

Presidential car

(this car can be rented for 1 to 6 Person, have a private kitchin & cook, dining room, saloon, terrace and nobody can walk in you railway car - 100 % private, extra service, special treatment VIP, special classical car for the excursions).

CONTACT INFO

TRANSNICO INTERNATIONAL GROUP S.A.

INFORMATIONS

TRANSNICO INTERNATIONAL & GROUP S.A.
Head Office
Avenue Montjoie, 114
B - 1180 BRUSSELS / Belgium
Tel : 00 32 2 344 46 90
Fax : 00 32 2 346 56 65
E-Mail : transnico.international.group@skynet.be

President & C.E.O.: Mr. Thierry NICOLAS

TRANSNICO INTERNATIONAL CUBA
La Havana Office
Lonja del Commercio - Piso 6
HABANA VIEJA - LA HABANA / Cuba
Tel : 00 53 7 66 99 54
Fax : 00 53 7 66 99 08
E-Mail : ana@transnico.co.cu