First trip to Cuba

[ubiquito]

Agree with the above comment re the Partagas Factory. Just don't visit the 'shop' behind the Partagas factory. The cigars on offer will be cheaper but for a good reason !

I don't plan on visiting any shops "behind" anywhere. I am aiming to smoke mostly custom rolls while there unless I happen upon anything really unusual on the shelves.

You can walk all throighout Habana Vieja and see some nice sites..Havana Club Museum, Old Churches, and make your way west to HAbana to the Capitolio. There are Havanatur buses that will take you to some nice sights, but remember you are on their clock and have to leave when they say so. If you havent booked any lodging, casa particulares are a great deal. If not a hotel near Parque Central (Inglaterra Hotel etc)will facilitate you to points of interests in case you chose to walk around. Enjoy and dont forget to visit the Partagas shop behind the Capitolio....

Cheers

We are going to have plenty of time to tour the area but probably won't be joining any bus groups for the reasons that you just mentioned. Lots of walking and will try to hook up with locals who can show us around.