The USA has now designated Cuba a State Sponsor of Terrorism. While this is a political action on the part of the USA, it does have implications for anyone who decides to visit Cuba, including Australians. The following is directly from the US Customs and Border Protection official ESTA application website:

How does Cuba’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism impact my travel to the United States using my approved ESTA?
If a traveller is found to have visited a country designated as State Sponsor of Terrorism, the traveller is no longer eligible to participate in the Visa Wavier Program and must apply for a visa to enter the United States.

What this means is that for clients who choose to visit Cuba, it is not possible to enter or transit the USA using an ESTA (visa waiver) and clients would be required to obtain an actual visa to the USA. In order to obtain this visa, an in-person appointment and interview at a US embassy or consulate is required. In Australia the only places where this is possible is in Melbourne or Sydney. The appointment time cannot be requested, is at a time decided by the embassy and wait times for an appointment and interview can be lengthy. This obviously adds considerable inconvenience and expense to the process, especially for clients not residing in one of these locations. This would also apply to any future travel plans to or via the USA so has implications for any future potential travel in years to come.

We intend to continue to support the wonderful people of Cuba and offer this independent touring package to those clients who, after considering the situation, would still like to visit this unique destination.

Welcome to vibrant Havana, Cuba! Cuba is known for its communist past, colourful colonial architecture, music and unique zest for life. Founded by the Spanish in the 16th century, Havana attracts over 1 million tourists every year. It is essentially made up of three cities in one: Old Havana, Vedado and the newer suburbs.

Discover the history and charm of Old Havana on a walking tour this morning. In 1982, Havana’s city center was declared a UNESCO Heritage-listed site, and the city is also known as the largest colonial center in Latin America. You’ll wander various alleys and squares around the city, including Plaza de Armas and Plaza de la Revolución. After we visit the Museum Capitanes Generales, the former headquarters of the Spanish government until the end of their domination in Cuba in 1898.

This afternoon you will visit the traditionally working-class neighbourhood of Cayo Hueso in the cultural centre of Callejon de Hamel to learn about modern Cuban life. After, we’ll visit a local market known as Agromercado, a common marketplace for the people of Havana to purchase goods.

We’ll have an early start this morning to the province of Pinar del Río, taking the tobacco route to the western part of the island. First up we visit The Montesinos Farm, a farm that’s been in the hands of the same family for three-generations and is regarded as one of Cuba’s best known tobacco producers. We’ll then take a photo stop to overlook the astonishing Viñales Valley and Mogotes, peculiar-looking limestone formations, all before visiting Jardín de Caridad.

We’ll stop for lunch at Finca Agroecológica El Paraíso, offering incredible views of the Viñales Valley. After, we visit the Mural of Prehistory and the Cueva del Indio, where we’ll take a boat for a short ride along an underground river.

Today we begin the day with a visit to Ciénaga de Zapata, the largest wetland in Cuba with over 300 thousand hectares belonging to the area. We’ll uncover Casa del Zunzún, finding here a variety of Cuban birdlife, including the zunzuncito which is the world’s smallest bird.

This afternoon we enjoy a walking tour in the city centre of Cienfuegos. We’ll also discover the Palacio de Valle, arguably the most famous building in Cienguegos. This beautiful piece of architecture was built in 1917 and boasts elements of Gothic, Venetian and Moorish styles.

We leave Cienfuegos this morning for the beautiful nature park of El Nicho. Located high up in the Escambray Mountains, El Nicho is known for its crystal-clear pools that connect to one another down the slope of a hill. Here we’ll explore the park, taking in the breathtaking landscapes.

We’ll depart for Trinidad this afternoon, where we enjoy a walking tour in the town’s city centre on arrival.

It's not hard to see why Trinidad was declared a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site—this perfectly preserved Spanish colonial settlement is one of Cuba’s most enchanting cities. Surrounded by sugarcane plantations and situated between the Topes de Collantes Mountains and the Caribbean Sea, Trinidad's location provides easy access to the beach, mountains and the beautiful surrounding countryside.

Our sightseeing today will see us exploring the Parroquial de la Santísima, one of the biggest Catholic Churches in Cuba, and the Municipal Historical Museum, displaying artifacts from the slave trade in Cuba. We’ll also visit Casa del Alfarero, a family-owned ceramic house.

Before enjoying the afternoon at leisure, we’ll indulge in one of Cuba’s oldest cocktails, the ‘Canchánchara’. Invented by the guerilla fighters during the 10 year War of Cuban Independence, this sweet drink is made of water, lime, honey and sugar cane liquor.

Today is dedicated to uncovering Topes de Collantes. Boasting an altitude of 800m above sea level, this natural park is located in the Sierra del Escambray and is Cuba’s second highest mountain range. We’ll begin by walking a trail in Guanayara Park, one of the five parks in the bioreserve. On our journey we’ll pass the waterfall ‘El Rocío’ and the crystal-clear pool of ‘El Venado’. We’ll end our tour with a visit to Casa La Gallega, a 20th century farmhouse where we’ll enjoy a rustic lunch.

We enjoy the afternoon at leisure in Trinidad. Perhaps you want to stroll over to the city’s main square to check out the mansions of sugar barons, or marvel at the local colonial architecture?

This morning we leave Trinidad and head for the little colonial town of Remedios. Known country-wide for its Parrandas tradition, this Christmas festival is regarded as one of the oldest festivities in Cuba.

This morning we’ll visit the Manaca Iznaga Tower and the Mirador Valle de Ios Ingenios, before a walking tour in the city centre of Villa Clara.

Return to Havana today, visiting the Che Guevara Mausoleum in bustling Santa Clara along the way, which was built as a memorial to the man who played such a pivotal role in Cuba’s revolution. You will also see the historic centre and the Monument of the Blinded Train that commemorates the events of the revolution.

The day is at leisure for you to explore more of Havana and its surrounds. Why not visit the nearby Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro? Alternatively, you could take a salsa class or visit the beautiful beach at Playas del Este.

Later this afternoon you’ll witness the contrasts of ‘New’ Havana by classic car, with sightseeing including the artistic area of Fusterland and the Fort of Havana. You will also enjoy a cocktail at the famous Hotel Nacional.

Enjoy a final dinner at a local paladar this evening.

Today marks the end of your Cuban adventure. We hope you leave with fantastic memories!