OUR DESTINATIONS
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We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
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- Destinations
- Caribbean
- Cuba
- Trinidad
- Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills)
Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills)
This picturesque emerald valley was once the centre of the sugar
trade industry, and home to the plantations that brought wealth and
prosperity to Trinidad in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, the
ruins of estates, sugar mills and other remnants are visited by
tourists who are attracted by the beauty of the valley, and the
historical significance of the slave trade that operated during the
valley's boom years. The main site is the Manaca Iznaga, a striking
144ft (44m) high tower that was used by plantation owner and one of
the wealthiest men in Cuba, Pedro Iznaga, to keep watch over his
slaves working in the fields. Visitors can climb the tower for
impressive views over the countryside. Horse riding tours to the
valley, departing from Trinidad, are a popular way to see the
sights.
Information & Facts
Address
Carretera de Sancti Spíritus (8km from Trinidad)
Language
The official language is Spanish, but English is spoken
in the main tourist spots.
Money
The official currency is the Cuban Peso (CUP), divided into 100
centavos, but the 'tourist' currency is the Peso Convertible (CUC),
which replaces the US Dollar as currency in tourist related
establishments like hotels, restaurants and so called 'dollar
shops'. US Dollars are no longer accepted as payment, and a 10%
commission or more is charged to exchange them, therefore the best
currency to bring along is Euros, the British Pound or Canadian
Dollars. The CUC is almost equal in value to the US Dollar. Some
places only accept Cuban pesos and others only Pesos Convertible
(usually tourist related establishments). Money should only be
changed at official exchange bureaux or banks to avoid scams
confusing the two currencies. Visa and MasterCard are generally
accepted only in major cities and hotels as long as they haven't
been issued by a US bank; Diners Club has limited acceptance, and
American Express is not accepted anywhere on the island. Travellers
cheques are less readily accepted than credit cards, but all major
currencies are acceptable, except for US bank issued cheques. No
US-issued credit or debit cards will work in ATMs, but those
holding other cards issued in other countries should be able to get
pesos at most major tourist destinations. Euro or Sterling
travellers cheques are accepted at Cuban banks and Bureaux de
Change.
Time
Local time is GMT -5 (GMT-4 from the second Sunday in March
to the last Sunday in October).