What we’re about
The purpose of this group is to travel around the world with a small group of like-minded tripmates, offering a more affordable, comfortable, and customizable experience compared to trips organized by specialized travel companies or most Meetup groups.
During our events, we discuss past trips, ideas for future adventures, feedback on current issues, and suggestions for improving group management and encouraging member involvement in activities.
I was born in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, and lived there for many years. During that time, I traveled extensively within the former Soviet Union (USSR), visiting 13 out of the 15 Soviet republics that are now independent countries. I have a deep understanding of the history and culture of these countries.
During my lifetime I have visited the following countries: Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kirghistan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mexico, Montenegro, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan.
We will also engage in a variety of activities such as hiking, visiting museums, watching and discussing movies and theatrical performances.
All group trips are customized for a maximum of 6 people, with a minimum of 2, at a cost of $60.00 per person per day, plus lodging. Our goal is to keep the total cost below $150.00 per person per day.
Here are some of our recent trips:
- April 2022: 12-Day Trip to Uzbekistan
- September 2022: 12-Day Trip to Georgia and Armenia
- October 2023: 7-Day Trip to Greece
- February 2024: 11-Day Cuba Tour
- September 2024: 22-Day Trip to Spain and Portugal
Upcoming events (3)
See all- Customizable Cuba TourHavana, Havana
This 9 Days / 8 Nights Cuba Trip will give you an authentic Cuban experience that will live long in your memory.
Why travel to Cuba now?
https://www.wanderwithjo.com/reasons-to-visit-cubaThis is a small group tour. We can accommodate group sizes starting from 3 and up to 11 people.
Havana
- Privately guided walking tour including many of the historical sites
- Fusterlandia & Jaimanitas Fishing Village: Colorful fishing village made famous by local artist, Jose Fuster, outside Havana.
- The traditional cannon shot ceremony:
Soroa
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
- Las Terrazas: Mountain community was built as a reforestation project in the 1960s and is now part of the same UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
- Orchid Garden: Specialized botanical garden, with a collection of 20,000 specimens and more than 350 species of orchids
- The Salto del Arco Iris, also known as Salto de Soroa, is a waterfall reaching 22 meters in height and featuring a natural pool to swim.
Viñales
- Valley Walking Tour & Tobacco Plantation: A beautiful walk through the valley to a local tobacco farm to learn about the making of Cuba’s famous cigars
- Cueva del Indio (Indio Cave) is an ancient indigenous dwelling located 5.5 km north of Viñales and near the town of San Vicente, in an important Cuban cave system.
- The amazing Mural de la Prehistoria (Prehistoric Mural) is painted on the wall of the Pita mogote in Sierra de los Órganos, 4 km west of the town of Viñales, in western Cuba.
- The Parque Nacional de Viñales, (Viñales National Park), also known as Valle de Viñales, is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular natural landscapes in all of Cuba.
Playa Giron and Playa Larga
- Visit the crocodile colony located in the Treasure Lagoon and discover more about this interesting animal
- Secret Garden and Bee Hummingbird Haven at Finca de los Colibríes
- Bay of Pigs: Scenic drive along the site where the Bay of Pigs occurred in 1961.
- Sinkhole or Ocean Snorkel: Stop for a swim and snorkel in the ocean or by a sinkhole which resembles a huge natural tropical fish tank.
Cienfuegos
- Guided Orientation Walk & Palacio de Valle : A short walk to see and learn the local landmarks followed by a visit to the Palacio de Valle, an "Arabian Nights" like aspiring restaurant with a fantastic terrace bar.
- Paseo del Prado in the city of Cienfuegos (Calle 37) stretches from the Inglés River to Punta Gorda, the longest street in all of Cuba. It is the perfect place to wander through and to see how the daily lives of the locals unfold. This area is imbued with beautiful Neoclassical elements and pastel-color columns.
- Tomás Terry Theater, declared a National Monument, is located at the heart of Cienfuegos' historical center, this eclectic-style building being considered one of the most important in the city.
Trinidad
- Guided Trinidad Walk: Cultural tour of numerous churches, museums, and many colonial buildings
- Salto de Javira Waterfall: An easy hike to this beautiful waterfall, perfect for photos and a dip to cool off.
- Parque el Cubano is located only 5 km north of the city of Trinidad. It has an extension of about two kilometers along the Rio Guaynabo. It's an enriching route in which both nature and colonial history are the prominent figures.
- Torre Manaca-Iznaga is located on an old sugar plantation at about 15 kilometers from Trinidad,
- The Ancón Beach (Playa de Ancón) is located 12 km Southern from Trinidad, made by 4 km of thick white sand thanks to the Caribbean current. The wonderful beach offers excellent seabeds in which you can contemplate the coral reef.
Included:
- Airport Transfers
- Transportation between destinations in air conditioned transport
- Upgraded "casas particulares" (the unique family-run Cuban form of bed and breakfast) double occupancy with breakfasts
- Guided sightseeing per itinerary
- Local English-speaking guides
Not included
- Cuba tourist card, available through U.S. airlines (you can buy them at the gate) or online at https://cubavisaservices.com/ $85-$100
- International-flights to Havana
Cost $1,395 - $1,595 (depends on group size)
* There are other Cuba tours on meetup platform but they are much more expensive. For example compare with a similar tour
https://www.meetup.com/sanjosetravelbuddies/events/292253242/
Price: $2,495.00 with Single Supplement: $695.00** For detailed itinerary send a request to mirony@yahoo.com
*** We will conduct weekly Q&A online sessions before departureFor people who join the trip we will create WhatsApp group for discussions and updates.
- Customizable Cuba TourHavana, Havana
This 9 Days / 8 Nights Cuba Trip will give you an authentic Cuban experience that will live long in your memory.
Why travel to Cuba now?
https://www.wanderwithjo.com/reasons-to-visit-cubaThis is a small group tour. We can accommodate group sizes starting from 3 and up to 11 people.
Havana
- Privately guided walking tour including many of the historical sites
- Fusterlandia & Jaimanitas Fishing Village: Colorful fishing village made famous by local artist, Jose Fuster, outside Havana.
- The traditional cannon shot ceremony:
Soroa
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
- Las Terrazas: Mountain community was built as a reforestation project in the 1960s and is now part of the same UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
- Orchid Garden: Specialized botanical garden, with a collection of 20,000 specimens and more than 350 species of orchids
- The Salto del Arco Iris, also known as Salto de Soroa, is a waterfall reaching 22 meters in height and featuring a natural pool to swim.
Viñales
- Valley Walking Tour & Tobacco Plantation: A beautiful walk through the valley to a local tobacco farm to learn about the making of Cuba’s famous cigars
- Cueva del Indio (Indio Cave) is an ancient indigenous dwelling located 5.5 km north of Viñales and near the town of San Vicente, in an important Cuban cave system.
- The amazing Mural de la Prehistoria (Prehistoric Mural) is painted on the wall of the Pita mogote in Sierra de los Órganos, 4 km west of the town of Viñales, in western Cuba.
- The Parque Nacional de Viñales, (Viñales National Park), also known as Valle de Viñales, is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular natural landscapes in all of Cuba.
Playa Giron and Playa Larga
- Visit the crocodile colony located in the Treasure Lagoon and discover more about this interesting animal
- Secret Garden and Bee Hummingbird Haven at Finca de los Colibríes
- Bay of Pigs: Scenic drive along the site where the Bay of Pigs occurred in 1961.
- Sinkhole or Ocean Snorkel: Stop for a swim and snorkel in the ocean or by a sinkhole which resembles a huge natural tropical fish tank.
Cienfuegos
- Guided Orientation Walk & Palacio de Valle : A short walk to see and learn the local landmarks followed by a visit to the Palacio de Valle, an "Arabian Nights" like aspiring restaurant with a fantastic terrace bar.
- Paseo del Prado in the city of Cienfuegos (Calle 37) stretches from the Inglés River to Punta Gorda, the longest street in all of Cuba. It is the perfect place to wander through and to see how the daily lives of the locals unfold. This area is imbued with beautiful Neoclassical elements and pastel-color columns.
- Tomás Terry Theater, declared a National Monument, is located at the heart of Cienfuegos' historical center, this eclectic-style building being considered one of the most important in the city.
Trinidad
- Guided Trinidad Walk: Cultural tour of numerous churches, museums, and many colonial buildings
- Salto de Javira Waterfall: An easy hike to this beautiful waterfall, perfect for photos and a dip to cool off.
- Parque el Cubano is located only 5 km north of the city of Trinidad. It has an extension of about two kilometers along the Rio Guaynabo. It's an enriching route in which both nature and colonial history are the prominent figures.
- Torre Manaca-Iznaga is located on an old sugar plantation at about 15 kilometers from Trinidad,
- The Ancón Beach (Playa de Ancón) is located 12 km Southern from Trinidad, made by 4 km of thick white sand thanks to the Caribbean current. The wonderful beach offers excellent seabeds in which you can contemplate the coral reef.
Included:
- Airport Transfers
- Transportation between destinations in air conditioned transport
- Upgraded "casas particulares" (the unique family-run Cuban form of bed and breakfast) double occupancy with breakfasts
- Guided sightseeing per itinerary
- Local English-speaking guides
Not included
- Cuba tourist card, available through U.S. airlines (you can buy them at the gate) or online at https://cubavisaservices.com/ $85-$100
- International-flights to Havana
Cost $1,395 - $1,595 (depends on group size)
* There are other Cuba tours on meetup platform but they are much more expensive. For example compare with a similar tour
https://www.meetup.com/sanjosetravelbuddies/events/292253242/
Price: $2,495.00 with Single Supplement: $695.00** For detailed itinerary send a request to mirony@yahoo.com
*** We will conduct weekly Q&A online sessions before departureFor people who join the trip we will create WhatsApp group for discussions and updates.
- Customizable Cuba TourHavana, Havana
This 9 Days / 8 Nights Cuba Trip will give you an authentic Cuban experience that will live long in your memory.
Why travel to Cuba now?
https://www.wanderwithjo.com/reasons-to-visit-cubaThis is a small group tour. We can accommodate group sizes starting from 3 and up to 11 people.
Havana
- Privately guided walking tour including many of the historical sites
- Fusterlandia & Jaimanitas Fishing Village: Colorful fishing village made famous by local artist, Jose Fuster, outside Havana.
- The traditional cannon shot ceremony:
Soroa
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
- Las Terrazas: Mountain community was built as a reforestation project in the 1960s and is now part of the same UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
- Orchid Garden: Specialized botanical garden, with a collection of 20,000 specimens and more than 350 species of orchids
- The Salto del Arco Iris, also known as Salto de Soroa, is a waterfall reaching 22 meters in height and featuring a natural pool to swim.
Viñales
- Valley Walking Tour & Tobacco Plantation: A beautiful walk through the valley to a local tobacco farm to learn about the making of Cuba’s famous cigars
- Cueva del Indio (Indio Cave) is an ancient indigenous dwelling located 5.5 km north of Viñales and near the town of San Vicente, in an important Cuban cave system.
- The amazing Mural de la Prehistoria (Prehistoric Mural) is painted on the wall of the Pita mogote in Sierra de los Órganos, 4 km west of the town of Viñales, in western Cuba.
- The Parque Nacional de Viñales, (Viñales National Park), also known as Valle de Viñales, is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular natural landscapes in all of Cuba.
Playa Giron and Playa Larga
- Visit the crocodile colony located in the Treasure Lagoon and discover more about this interesting animal
- Secret Garden and Bee Hummingbird Haven at Finca de los Colibríes
- Bay of Pigs: Scenic drive along the site where the Bay of Pigs occurred in 1961.
- Sinkhole or Ocean Snorkel: Stop for a swim and snorkel in the ocean or by a sinkhole which resembles a huge natural tropical fish tank.
Cienfuegos
- Guided Orientation Walk & Palacio de Valle : A short walk to see and learn the local landmarks followed by a visit to the Palacio de Valle, an "Arabian Nights" like aspiring restaurant with a fantastic terrace bar.
- Paseo del Prado in the city of Cienfuegos (Calle 37) stretches from the Inglés River to Punta Gorda, the longest street in all of Cuba. It is the perfect place to wander through and to see how the daily lives of the locals unfold. This area is imbued with beautiful Neoclassical elements and pastel-color columns.
- Tomás Terry Theater, declared a National Monument, is located at the heart of Cienfuegos' historical center, this eclectic-style building being considered one of the most important in the city.
Trinidad
- Guided Trinidad Walk: Cultural tour of numerous churches, museums, and many colonial buildings
- Salto de Javira Waterfall: An easy hike to this beautiful waterfall, perfect for photos and a dip to cool off.
- Parque el Cubano is located only 5 km north of the city of Trinidad. It has an extension of about two kilometers along the Rio Guaynabo. It's an enriching route in which both nature and colonial history are the prominent figures.
- Torre Manaca-Iznaga is located on an old sugar plantation at about 15 kilometers from Trinidad,
- The Ancón Beach (Playa de Ancón) is located 12 km Southern from Trinidad, made by 4 km of thick white sand thanks to the Caribbean current. The wonderful beach offers excellent seabeds in which you can contemplate the coral reef.
Included:
- Airport Transfers
- Transportation between destinations in air conditioned transport
- Upgraded "casas particulares" (the unique family-run Cuban form of bed and breakfast) double occupancy with breakfasts
- Guided sightseeing per itinerary
- Local English-speaking guides
Not included
- Cuba tourist card, available through U.S. airlines (you can buy them at the gate) or online at https://cubavisaservices.com/ $85-$100
- International-flights to Havana
Cost $1,395 - $1,595 (depends on group size)
* There are other Cuba tours on meetup platform but they are much more expensive. For example compare with a similar tour
https://www.meetup.com/sanjosetravelbuddies/events/292253242/
Price: $2,495.00 with Single Supplement: $695.00** For detailed itinerary send a request to mirony@yahoo.com
*** We will conduct weekly Q&A online sessions before departureFor people who join the trip we will create WhatsApp group for discussions and updates.
