Santiago Walking Tour

This is the Walking Replica of Santiago Panorama. If you choose the walking version you will not be able to visit the Sanctuary of Virgen de la Caridad (the Patron Saint of Cuba) and Castillo del Morro (the fortress that was built in 1638 at the entrance of the bahia to protect Santiago from pirates) but you will have plenty of time for a nice and informative walk around the Center of Santiago and will be able to enjoy its exotic atmosphere together with getting familiar with the most typical views, sounds, rhythms, tastes, odors and some facts of the Cuban life.

I. Duration – one day

• 1.Starting Hour – 9:30 – 10:30
• 2. End Hour – 18:00 – 18:30

II. Price – 40-60 Euro (depending on the size of the group).

What covers the price?

• a/ the transportation
• b/ all the entrance fees (not the fees for cameras and photos)
• c/ the lunch (food, cocktail, beer/soft drink)
• d/ one cocktail (coffee, soft drink) in Casa Granda
• e/ a bottle of mineral water
• e/ one cocktail in “Don Pancho” (coffee, ice cream, soft drink in Casa de Chocolate or Copelia)
• f/ the fee of the musicians
• f/ copies of the texts accompanying the excursion

III. Starting point – depending on the location of the passengers: Parke Cespedes, in front of the Port or Hotel Melia Santiago

IV. Places to visit

1. Museum Diego Velazquez

• 1.1 Distance – at Parke Cespedes
• 1.2 What is to see?

  It is the original Palace of the Governor of Cuba since the establishment of the Spanish Government of the Isla and the foundation of Santiago (1515). The construction, the architecture and some parts of the Palace are preserved as in the times of Velazquez. Later the Palace was bought and owned by some of the rich and notorious families of Santiago and was refurnished according to the styles of its epochs so that it presents a picture of the historical development of the high life in Cuba

• 1.3 Duration – 45 minutes
• 1.4 Photos are allowed but there is a fee of 5 CUC for a camera

2. Balcon de Velazquez (the Terrace of Velazquez)

• 2.1 Distance – 100 meters from the Museum Diego Velazquez.
• 2.2 This is the Terrace where the first Governor of Cuba used to come every morning and personally scrutinize the bahia for any activity (trade and especially pirate) going on. Here the portrays and parts of the biographies of Diego Velazquez, Hernan Cortez (the first mayor of Santiago and later the conqueror of Mexico) and de Soto are exhibited and the view over the bahia is magnificent. On the way from the Palace you will pass next to the building where in 1722 fray Geronimo
• 2.3 Duration – 30 minutes
• 2.4 Photos – photos are allowed everywhere

3. The Cathedral of Santiago

• 3.1 Distance –
• 3.2 What is to see?

  What is to see? The Cathedral of Santiago was built in 1522, just 30 years after Columbus discovered America and just 7 years after the foundation of Santiago and this adds to the impressive presence of the Cathedral on the skyline of Santiago. There is a very interesting Archibishop’s Museum at the side of the Cathedral

• 3.3 Duration – 45 minutes
• 3.4 Photos – photos are allowed in the Cathedral

4. The Museum of Rum

• 4.1 Distance – 150 meters from Parke Cespedes along Calle Herredia (the artistic center of Santiago)
• 4.2 What is to see?

Santiago is the berthing place (la cuna) of the contemporary rum. It is very interesting to know how Facundo Bacardi developed and produced the fine Santiago Ron that later became the matrix of the rums of the Caribbean and Central American most famous drink. In the tour is included tasting of the rum produced in the former Bacardi factory from the Museum of Rum in Santiago.

In addition in the Museum of Rum usually one of the best a capello feminine groups of Cuba is performing at this time

• 4.3 Photos – photos are allowed
• 4.4 Duration – 40 minutes

5. Restaurant “1900”

• 4.1 Distance – the Historical Center of Santiago. Time of arrival – around 14:00
• 5.2 What is to see?

  “1900”, is situated in one of the houses belonging to Emilio Bacardi (built in 1900) and the architectural style, the authentic porcelain vases and sculptures, big Venetian mirrors, the old marble, inside garden with marble fountain, six meters high ceilings, luxurious terrace covered with vines makes it deserve the qualification “The Best Restaurant of Cuba” given by Fidel Castro in 1973 and written on a bronze plaque at the entrance

• 5.3 What is to taste?

  The cuisine of “1900” offers a good variety of succulent meals prepared of beef, pork and chicken. Of course, the marking point is the seafood, langosta /lobster/ tail being the pearl in the crown. Also chatinos (tostones) – the favorite dish of the Queen of England is offered as side dish and Cocktel de Camarones (Shrimp Cocktail) as a starter.

  “1900” is specialized in preparation of Daiquiri. Daiquiri Rebelde (Daiquiri with Mint Liquor) is the specialty of Santiago (as everything “rebelde”) and the specialty of “1900” bar.

• 5.4 What is to hear?

  Beautiful trio tenors is performing the best of the Cuban traditional music in two formats – three guitars and guitar, tres and maracas. It really is something that is a must.

• 5.5 In the price of the excursion is included the food (langosta grille – or any other main course, chatinos, salad, rice), one cocktail, one Cuban beer or soft drink.
• 5.6 Photos – photos are allowed everywhere
• 5.7 Duration – 75 minutes

5. The Museum of Rum

• 5.1 Distance – next door to “1900”
• 5.2 What is to see?

  Santiago is the berthing place (la cuna) of the contemporary rum. It is very interesting to know how Facundo Bacardi developed and produced the fine Santiago Ron that later became the matrix of the rums - the Caribbean and Central American most famous drink. In the tour is included tasting of the rum produced in the former Bacardi factory at the Museum of Rum in Santiago.

• 5.3 Photos – photos are allowed
• 5.4 Duration – 30 minutes

6. Musical and shopping tour along the “Boulevard”

• 6.1 The “Boulevard” starts from Parke Cerano that is 150 meters from “1900”
• 6.2 What to see?

  On the way to our destination we will pass along Calle Carniceria (Butcher Street) where never existed a butcher shop. Its largely known with this name because this was the route of the slaves led to Parke Cerano to be severely punished there for disobedience.

  Within 150 meters you can see the monument of Miguel Matamoros (considered the first musician promoting the format of a trio voices and musical instruments – guitars, maracas, and composer of some of the most popular Cuban songs), the Place of Sindo Garay (one of the famous Cuban musicians and composers) and the Church of Sebastian Salas (considered the founder of the Cuban music). The “Boulevard” is the shopping street of Santiago for souvenirs and is a very exotic picture of the everyday Cuban life.

• 6.3 Duration – 45 minutes
6.4 Photos – photos are allowed everywhere

7. The Terrace of Casa Granda

• 7.1 Distance – 100 meters from the Church of Sebastian Salas
• 7.2 What is to see?

  Casa Granda is old and luxurious hotel and its terrace offers a pleasant view over Parke Cespedes in combination with half an hour of rest accompanied by a cup of coffee, soft drink, an ounce of rum or one of the famous Cuban cocktails.

• 7.3 Duration – 30 minutes
• 7.4 Photos – photos are allowed.

8. Carnival Museum

• 8.1 Distance – five minutes walk from Museum of Rum
• 8.2 What is to see?
  • 8.2.1 The Carnival of Santiago takes place between 21 and 27 of July and is considered the richest carnival in Cuba. You can see musical instruments, costumes, masks etc. used in the carnival together with authentic photos from the carnivals along the years 1940-2010.
  • 8.2.2 From Monday to Saturday starting at 16:00 in the inside yard (patio) of the Museum there is folklore show where you can see the African part of the Cuban music, dancing, religion and participate in the traditional carnival Conga under the sound of Cornet Chino and all types of percussion instruments that you can imagine.
• 8.3 Photos – photos are generally allowed but one snapshot costs 5 CUC.
• 8.4 Duration – 1 hour

9. Walk around Plaza Dolores, one authentic Cuban cocktail in “Don Pancho” prepared with Ron Santiago, Ron del Caney or Ron Cubay (or an ounce of the beautiful local rums), then walk down “Enramadas” (the central street of Santiago), passing along Carniceria Street, Cerano Park and finishing in Cespedes Park in front of the Cathedral.

9.1 Duration – 45 minutes

Texts

• 1. Races and religions in Cuba. The racial tolerance – now and before. The slavery. Values and customs in Cuba.
• 2. The story of the Virgen de la Caridad
• 3. Moments of Cuban History
  • a/ foundation of Cuban state – Diego Velazquez, Hernan Cortez
  • b/ the mambies in Sierra Maestra, the Independence Wars – Moncada, Antonio Maceo, Jose Marti, Quintin Banderas
• 4. Santiago as a center of:
  • a/ the revolutionary movements
  • b/ the Cuban music – Esteban Salas, Miguel Matamoros, Sindo Garay, Nino Saquetti, Compay Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer, Eliades Ochoa, the musical perception of the Cuban world
  • c/ the Caribbean rum – Facundo Bacardi, Ron del Caney
  • d/ the Cuban cigars
• 5. Children and education in Cuba.