Gardner Tours

23/08/2024

In March of 2024, Holly Thompson (), one of the co-owners of in Gainesville, GA, traveled to Cuba with friends on our Premium Cuba Cigar Tour. Here are a few things that she had to say in her TripAdvisor Review:

"Gardner Tours really created an amazing experience that we will remember for a lifetime. The accommodations were 5 stars! Our rooms were immaculate and the hospitality made me feel like a queen, anything you need they are there 24/7 to help you. ... I could talk for days about the food, but let’s move on.... There was always a cigar and beverage in our hands! The cigar pairing was phenomenal! ... I could not ask for a better vacation with the best guide, Colby, ever! There was not a person he did not know and [he] showed us how beautiful, fun, and enjoyable a vacation could be. There is still so much to say and not enough words to say about this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Thank you Gardner Tours!"

Thank you for your kind words, Holly! We truly enjoyed serving y'all and hope to see y'all again sometime soon, whether in Cuba or another one of our destinations!

To read more about what Holly's travel companions and our other travelers are saying, visit our Gardner Tours TripAdvisor page.

20/07/2024

Today is National Daiquirí Day. It might be hard to believe how the Daiquiri came to be, but back in 1898, men blasted away in the mines of a small community off the coast of Cuba during the Spanish-American War. Every day after work, an engineer and his employees would gather at the Venus bar. Then one day, he mixed up Bacardi, lime, and sugar in a tall glass of ice. The drink was named after the Daiquirí mines, and it soon became a staple in Havana. Crushed ice was first added to a daiquiri by renowned Cuban bartender Constantino Ribalaigua Vert at the recommendation of world-renowned author Ernest Hemingway at El Floridita Bar (Cuba’s oldest bar) in the 1930’s.

If you’re not having a daiquirí to celebrate your day, we invite you to share one with us at El Floridita on one of our tours!

04/07/2024

"For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others."

Today is the 4th of July. In the United States of America, we celebrate Independence Day on this day. Often, in the USA, people say things like, "freedom isn't free" and make other statements regarding our own sovereignty, especially on the 4th of July. However, the truest form of freedom is getting to play a part in leading others to freedom. There are multiple forms of freedom, but each is honorable and respectable.

Although we can not liberate politically, it is our utmost goal and highest honor at Gardner Tours to assist in the empowerment and freedom of those that we serve within our destinations. These people are our dear friends: our hosts, our guides, our drivers, etc. By you choosing to travel with us, you are a part of creating freedom for others. Whether it be by the goods you bring to Support the Cuban People, the well-earned tips that you generously give, or the salary that is earned via the tours you book, thank you. Today is a day we celebrate family, and you are a part of ours. And today we celebrate giving freedom to others, even in the most humble sense. Our team at Gardner Tours wants to say a big Thank You to you, our travelers. You have made a gigantic difference in the lives of many people we love and we are humbled to call you family. God bless you.

12/06/2024

🌟 Father's Day is coming up! 🌟

Looking for the perfect gift for dad? Treat him to an unforgettable experience with Gardner Tours! 🎣✨ Whether it's a thrilling fishing trip or an immersive cigar tour, we've got the perfect adventure for the man you call "Pop". Imagine casting lines in the pristine waters of Cuba, or exploring the rich history of Cuban ci**rs together. 🐟🍂

Our expertly guided tours offer the ideal blend of adventure and relaxation, making them a fantastic way to show dad how much you care. Book now and give him the gift of an incredible experience, because we know that making memories together is the best gift to dad! 🎁💙

02/03/2024

We have decided to start posting funny stories from our tours on our GardnerTours.com blog. Check out the first funny story titled "The Ice Cream Man" here: https://gardnertours.com/blogs/tours-travel/the-ice-cream-man

It was a bright and beautiful Thursday morning when I was guiding a walking tour throughout the narrow streets of Old Havana, Cuba. Our travelers were a dear couple from the northeast United States and they were enjoying eight days throughout Cuba on a Custom Luxury Tour. As we rounded the corner ne...

09/01/2024

What is a story without experiencing the things you can see, touch, hear, smell, or taste? Is there a greater chance that you’ll forget them quickly? What happens if you hear a story and get to experience all of the senses at the same time? Do the results create something wonderful? Indeed, they create cherished memories! And if you encounter people in meaningful ways in the meantime, you have created memories that never fade.

We purposefully seek to engage all of your senses on each experience we deliver, whether it be a Classic Car Tour, a Cooking Class, or any personal surprise. Each tour we offer is full of invigorating experiences designed to create warm memories just for you.

Important Stories. Engaging Your Senses. Meaningful Connections. With the people you love. Those are the memories that last a lifetime.

23/12/2023

Calling all cowboys and cowgirls... and fans of rodeo! The International Rodeo and Livestock Show in Cuba is happening March 18-24, 2024. If you are interested in going or participating, please let us know. We are in conversation with the organizer now to get more details. Comment or send a message for more details.

23/11/2023

From our family to yours, we hope you are somewhere warm and cozy, enjoying quality time with your family and friends on this wonderful thanksgiving!

No matter if you’re family, a friend, a traveler who has toured with us, or a follower here, you have great value and we are thankful for your heartbeat. Today we encourage you to invest your time and gratitude in those that surround you. Tell them you love them and hold them tight, as you’ve only got but one life to live. Make it count on what matters most.

22/11/2023

Did you know that Gardner Tours offers the only multi-day cigar tour in Cuba? Google it! No one else offers anything close to what we have to offer: 7 days / 6 nights between Havana and Viñales (in Pinar del Río). To keep with the theme, every single day has at least one to***co-themed experience to ensure that you leave a Cuban to***co expert!

On this tour, you will enjoy ten (or more) premium Cuban ci**rs provided by Gardner Tours, you will tour a world-famous cigar factory, dine at Cuba’s finest restaurants, tour the city in a classic car, learn about Cuba’s head-scratching history on an Old Havana Walking Tour, learn how to make Cuban cocktails, experience Havana’s nightlife at numerous venues, enjoy a fabulous meal with premium ci**rs and drinks while listening to live jazz at a private venue. You might even become a Cuban domino extraordinaire! You will explore indigenous caves, learn the heart of the to***co and coffee trade from Cuba’s local farmers, and much more.

You’ll experience Cuba’s rich history, sweet-natured people, mouth-watering cuisine, unique nature, and its world-famous to***co and coffee like never before. Don’t believe us? Visit our TripAdvisor to read our reviews.

To***co harvest and the best weather are at the same time: January to early April, so contact us today to book your Premium Cuba Cigar Tour! Visit GardnerTours.com for more details.

24/09/2023

Discover the Magic of Cuba's To***co Season! 🌴🇨🇺

Calling all lovers of culture and fine to***co! 🌍 🕺🏻 Want to experience something that no one else offers in the world? Join us in January, February, or March of 2024 to experience seven full days of Cuba’s upcoming to***co season.

Picture yourself in the heart of Vinales Valley, surrounded by rolling green hills and to***co fields as far as the eye can see. 🏞️Meet local farmers whose families have been perfecting the art of to***co cultivation for generations. You will also explore behind the scenes in Havana as you visit a cigar factory, cruise in classic cars, share in hidden bars, dine at award-winning restaurants, and you’ll for sure run into many of our great friends along the way. 🫱🏼‍🫲🏾🌿

Indulge in the flavors of Cuba, from sipping on authentic Cuban coffee to savoring hand-rolled ci**rs with your friends and/or family. 🇨🇺☕ Let the rhythm of Havana's streets and the warmth of its people captivate your soul. 💃🎶

This is your chance to be part of an unforgettable journey through culture, tradition, and natural beauty. Don't miss out on the adventure of a lifetime this coming January, February or March of 2024! Visit the link in our bio for more info and be sure to contact us with any questions. ✨📸🌅 ***coSeason

10/09/2023

We ask for your prayers for the people of Marrakech, Morocco and the surrounding areas, as they were hit by a 6.8 earthquake two days ago.

We have heard from a few of our partners there and have confirmed that everyone that we work with is okay. However, the areas near them were so devastated, every building is on the ground, and many lives were lost.

06/04/2023

The first photo probably sums these two up. They are so cute together and you can tell that they truly enjoy one another.

For eight days, our team has the honor of serving Scott & Dawn on their Custom Luxury Cuba Tour.

Currently (as of writing this post), we are only two days in and they have nothing but amazing things to say. If y’all read this, thanks for trusting us with your precious holiday! ☺️

04/03/2023

You would have thought that Mark & Todd had struck gold! Their first time on a Cuban to***co farm was a huge success, as you can see from the photos. They played around in the fields, explored the drying houses where the women were busy at work, learned to roll a cigar, smoked two before leaving this farm, and even bought 50!

There’s a first time for everything. What’s something you look forward to the most when visiting Cuba?

***co

26/02/2023

When in Cuba, you sometimes just have to stop and inspect the classic cars. Mark & Todd took the time on their Premium Cuba Cigar Tour to browse tons of cars, but this specific car is a 1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air with an original V8. What a unique car!

What’s your favorite classic car?

17/02/2023

Our journey began in 2012, but as of today, our business is officially six years old! Our roots were planted when Colby Gardner was invited to Cuba to work with locals in their churches and organizations, helping support them as they reached for their goals. From the beginning, he connected with the Cuban people in a unique way and it was almost unspeakable how much he felt at home. After traveling 20 countries in two years, Colby had found his match. From first impressions all the way to being an encouraging voice in the most vulnerable times, he felt embraced like family. Little did he know what it would turn into.

After working almost five years in Cuba for up to eight months each year, Colby was wrestling with a dream to do something creative that would get him to Cuba more often and help create an honorable income for many. In the first five years, using a database that he had developed for fun, he sent a few handfuls of friends on special vacations (anniversary trips, honeymoons, etc). Still not sure what to do, one day he got a call from a friend, "I woke up with an idea that you're going to love. You have been in Cuba for five years, you have a huge database and extensive network throughout the island, you have sent a bunch of people on their own private vacations, and you would be amazing at it–start a travel company!" A lightbulb went off and Colby began to formalize what was once “chicken-scratch.” He did his research to ensure it was legal, purchased GardnerTours.com for $1.17 that night, then built a website the next day. Ten days later, we got our first private booking of 14 travelers! 

A lot has changed over the years, but we are honored to say that our team is growing, our level of hospitality and customization has increased to be deemed “world class” by many in the industry, and we have been able to serve some of the most amazing travelers along the way! To our travelers that have trusted us with your precious vacations, thank you. For those of you that are thinking about traveling with us, we are here to serve you with joy. But for now, celebrate with us, because today is a big day! Thank y'all again for taking this amazing journey with us!

14/02/2023

Spring & Summer Travel Discounts are Here! 🌴: In this email we celebrate being IN BUSINESS FOR SIX YEARS, talk about current events, give two discount codes, and our monthly giveaway. - https://mailchi.mp/eebba694e4bd/february-2023

11/02/2023

It’s to***co harvest season and Montesino has always been a class act! He is the owner of his multi-generational farm in the Pinar del Río Provence of Cuba. On this last Premium Cuba Cigar Tour, Colby and Montesino jointly invited Todd to sit down and try rolling a cigar. Todd thought it was the most special thing and it touched our heart to see him enjoying it so much. If you’re lucky, we’ll let you give it a try when you visit. 😉

We are still booking our Premium Cuba Cigar Tours for this year and 2024 is beginning to fill up! Visit GardnerTours.com/premium-cuba-cigar-tour/ for details on the tour. Contact us with questions or for more info on how to book.

**rs ***cofarm

04/02/2023

Today we release the final five of our Top 15 Tips for Traveling Cuba. As you prepare, feel free to reach out to us with any questions.

11. Know How to Communicate with Cubans: If you’re discernibly foreign, you will probably get plenty of attention in the streets. You’ll likely be approached by locals asking where you’re from, etc. Sometimes these interactions can create awkward situations for travelers that don’t speak Spanish. Nonetheless, remain friendly and you will leave smiling. These are usually great moments for our travelers, especially when accompanied by a Gardner Tours guide who can break the ice and help bridge the gap.

12. Travel Light: No matter how you choose to travel in Cuba, we recommend you pack light. Try to travel with carry-on luggage only, as you might carry your own bags up the stairs at your BnB or hotel due to the lack of porters, you might want to think about ensuring you don’t pack your entire house!

13. Utilize Offline Maps: Because your cell provider may not provide service in Cuba, we recommend printing maps or utilizing offline maps on your smartphone. We provide suggested apps for our travelers to download on their smartphones before arriving to Cuba. Our travelers always find this comforting and helpful, even though they might never use them on our tour.

14. Know When to Visit Cuba: Cuba is a tropical island in the Caribbean, but that doesn’t mean conditions are always ideal. Although it’s possible to travel to Cuba at any time, it’s important to know what time of year is best to go. There are only two seasons in Cuba–dry season and wet season. Late October to mid-April is usually best if you desire cooler weather and less humidity (but this season usually gives choppy waters). If you prefer warmth and humidity, May to September is your time to go (especially if you want the best beach conditions)! Keep in mind that July to early November is hurricane season, where likely you’ll just experience windy days at most.

15. Don’t miss an Old Havana Walking Tour or a Classic Car Tour!: Even if you’re one to prefer traveling by the seat of your pants, there are experiences that you just can’t afford to miss nor can you authentically recreate on your own! No matter your plans, we recommend taking time for an Old Havana Walking Tour to discover Havana’s five-century-old history and little-known secrets as well as a two-hour Classic Car Tour to see the city’s best views and most historical sites.

To view all 15 Tips + our BONUS Tip in their entirety, visit our blog at GardnerTours.com.

03/02/2023

Cuba was just named the World’s Top Trending Travel Destination of 2023 according to the Travelers’ Choice Destination Awards! We are not surprised, as our city has more than enough captivating features, simply waiting to awe the world.

We actually offer tours to two of the top ten destinations (Cuba & Morocco)!

If you are looking to travel Cuba (or Morocco) in 2023, give us a call or shoot us a message. We would love to deliver your most epic vacation yet! Visit GardnerTours.com or message us now.

31/01/2023

To continue our Top 15 Tips for Traveling Cuba, we want to remind you to reach out to us with any questions in process of planning a trip or tour to Cuba. As you prepare, here are numbers 6-10 of our Top 15 Tips for Traveling Cuba...

6. Learn How to Get Around: If you’re traveling on an all-inclusive Cuba Tour with Gardner Tours, you won’t need to learn how to get around. However, if you’re an independent traveler, it’s of utmost importance to learn about traversing Cuba before arrival. Most transport needs to be booked in advance.

7. Learn to “Hurry Up & Wait!”: If there’s one thing Cuba is known for besides ci**rs, classic cars, and a rich history, it’s long lines. Another reason to book with an experienced and trusted booking service like Gardner Tours is getting to avoid long lines.

8. Utilize & Appreciate Your Hosts: Whether a tour guide, taxi driver, BnB hosts, or all of the above, know that your hosts are hard-working locals, and chances are, they’ve lived and worked in that area for most of their lives. We always encourage our team and partners to go the extra mile to increase the level of their travelers’ experience.

9. Plan Your Evenings: Be prepared to spend some time and money traveling between venues, especially in Havana where they are greater in number yet dotted sporadically throughout the city. If booking a tour with Gardner Tours, all of it will be pre-arranged for you.

10. Eat at Paladars (Privately Owned Restaurants): Since the Cuban government opened up the possibility for locals to own and operate their own restaurants, the options for exquisite cuisine in Cuba have drastically increased! Creativity in the private food department of Cuba is blooming, and it’s guaranteed to leave your mouth watering for your next meal. Being that we have tried well over 100 restaurants in Cuba, we guarantee you a tasty spread at each meal while on tour with us.

Stay tuned for more to come...

Or to view all 15 Tips + our BONUS Tip now, visit our Blog at GardnerTours.com.

28/01/2023

Over the next few posts, we will be sharing our Top 15 Tips for Traveling our Most Beloved Cuba. Even if you don't travel with GardnerTours.com, we want you to be prepared. Without further adieu, here are the first five of our Top 15 Tips for Traveling Cuba...

1. Plan Well Before You Go: We’ve seen multiple travelers scrounging for housing in the streets of Cuba because they simply didn’t plan well. In light of our experiences and the limitation of information and internet in Cuba, we suggest you plan and book a Cuba Tour before you arrive. Contact us if you have questions.

2. Stay in a Casa Particular (Bed & Breakfast): If you want the most authentic Cuban experience, staying in Casa Particulares (we call them Bed & Breakfasts) are the way to go! Utilizing Cuban BnBs also helps drive economy to the people that work so hard to honorably provide for their families.

3. Understand Cuban Internet & Communications: Internet access is available at some public parks and hotels in Cuba, and is often unreliable. Cell phone access in Cuba also may not be guaranteed or the most reliable. Don’t worry, if you travel with Gardner Tours, we always have a hotspot ready and available for our travelers so you don’t have to worry about connectivity.

4. Don’t Count on Credit Cards, Plan for a Cash-Only Vacation: No matter what country you are from, we recommend preparing for your Cuban holiday to be cash-only. We always provide a page on our website to help our travelers budget for souvenirs in Cuba. Good to Know: If you book a tour with Gardner Tours, you won’t have to worry about money on your tour because we take care of everything for you. All you purchase are souvenirs, lunch, and alcohol (and we can even include those in your tour cost if requested).

5. Know Cuban Currency: Exchanging money in Cuba, especially lately, can be a huge hassle. We always keep our travelers abreast of the current exchange rates and ensure that you get the best rate. However, lately (as of January 2023), it’s best to bring and pay in Euro or USD.

Stay tuned for more to come...

Or to view all 15 Tips + our BONUS Tip in their entirety, visit our blog at GardnerTours.com.

24/01/2023

Due to public knowledge that the national average income in Cuba is between $12 and $30 per month, many of our travelers ask what our guides are paid. In the spirit of being open and transparent, we are proud to inform you that one of our main goals is to help Cubans make an honorable income to provide for their families. That being said, all Gardner Tours guides start out at a minimum of $10 per hour (that's at least $100 per day + tips) and they have opportunities to increase their pay. We believe that this presents a win-win situation for all involved! Our guides are incentivized to serve well and be more personal via an honorable income, our travelers receive outstanding service, and new travelers continue to request our services due to great reviews and a trusted reputation!

This photo was taken when the three guides pictured (Yunior, Albert, and Colby Gardner) guided a special 20th anniversary tour for twenty of Wonder Voyage staff at the end of 2019. It was magnificent making memories with them and we are honored to say that we received all five star reviews! 😍

24/01/2023

Imagine yourself here. Time off. Relaxing with friends. Enjoying some of Cuba’s best food and drinks.

21/01/2023

Zeydi is a native of Trinidad, Cuba, mother of a beautiful little girl, an entrepreneur of , a software engineer, and an amazingly detailed tour guide! She has been working in tourism since 2016 and knows her island quite well. She is an avid dancer, loves to chit-chat over a table of Cuban dominoes, and especially enjoys guiding her travelers into the great nature that Trinidad has to offer. Oh, and everyone in Trinidad knows Zeydi, which helps her give an even more authentic experience to her travelers! It’s guaranteed that you’ll learn a lot and you’ll have fun with her as your Gardner Tours guide!

14/01/2023

Did you know that Cuba is not our only destination? We currently offer Cuba and Guatemala Tours on GardnerTours.com, but we also offer tours in other countries such as Morocco, Nicaragua, and Puerto Rico.

If you are interested in a tour to these other countries, or one that we didn't mention, please contact us. We would be honored to serve you.

10/01/2023

Did you know that Cuba is the largest island in the Caribbean, with an area of 42,803 square miles? It's roughly the width of Texas and overall about the same size (area) as Tennessee.

Did you think Cuba was smaller or larger than it is?

07/01/2023

Q: What will my housing accommodations be like on my tour?

A: We utilize hand-picked accommodations in central locations of interest with our trusted partners to ensure that we deliver you the most comfortable and accommodating experience of your chosen destination. Your accommodations will be at authorized bed and breakfasts or hotels that are equipped with air-conditioners (unless accommodated in certain hotels like the Jungle Lodge in Tikal (in the middle of the National Park), Guatemala where power is limited and adequate fans are provided) as well as private bathrooms. Each of our accommodation partners provide private rooms and can occupy at least two persons per room.

Q: Can I upgrade the accommodations for my tour?

A: Yes, you can always upgrade your accommodations. We have a number of different options to choose from all the way up tou our five star properties that will leave you feeling like kings and queens.

If you have any other questions, feel free to comment below or contact us and we will be happy to answer them!

03/01/2023

You may or may not know this, but our owner, Colby Gardner, was educated to be a teacher and coach. But more than anything, he wanted to connect with people in something that he loved and invite them into those joys. Many years after his education, he is now connecting with people in something else that he loves, it just so happens to be in tourism (and often as a tour guide)! And if there’s one thing he believes, it’s that everything sustainable we do is, or should be, based on relationship. And as a side-note, nothing good comes without trust in those relationships. That is where his business model and favorites begin. The following are Colby's Top Five Things About Being A Tour Guide:

1. Organization and Logistics: The way I look at it, I operate a hospitality company that specializes in tourism, and I know that if we are hospitable in all relationships, well organized, and our logistics are set up properly, it will allow us to deliver the highest quality hospitality and experience to our travelers.

2. Showing Off My Favorite Places & Experiences: No matter how well-traveled you are, Google, YouTube, or travel guides simply can’t replace a great tour guide. This might not come as a surprise to you, but gosh, showing off my favorite places and experiences is such a blast! And it’s so much more worth it for my travelers because it creates memories through highly valued personal interaction based on pre-built relationships. There's nothing like bringing people to my favorite places with my favorite people.

3. Epic Storytelling: Growing up in a family of storytellers, I can’t tell you how many times I have been on the edge of my seat. The perfectly timed pause, engaging questions, tuned tones and expressions, and the proper amount of words as tailored to your audience play the most important role in storytelling. That is something I love to give to my travelers, and I have found that it truly draws them in and opens a destination like no video or travel book could. Perhaps my favorite stories aren’t the historical notes that tug at your heart, but the stories of the people right in front of my travelers.

4. Inviting Travelers Into My Relationships: If you’ve read this far, you can see how I believe that healthy relationships should be at the center of any good thing. That is what I love walking my travelers into. It’s solid, yet always changing, thus I can always invite my travelers into the fresh and well-tended relationships that I have already built. This brings not only a newness to myself as a guide but also to our travelers.

5. Connecting & Staying Connected: Ah, we have come to what might be my favorite part of being a tour guide, just for the fact that it’s enjoyable and can be ongoing. I see it as pretty simple really. When I encounter new people in my life, I observe, genuinely engage, establish connection, and seek to build trust as they give me the grounds. I feel that gives any relationship a great platform to stand on and continue. It's connecting with folks over and over again that creates the most fruitful relationships and fond memories.

What part of my top five things about being a tour guide resonates with you the most?

02/01/2023

This Email Will Make Your New Year Happier! 👙 - https://mailchi.mp/3e0c35bd604a/new-year-2023