About us – Caledonia Worldwide

Established in 1996, Caledonia Worldwide is an independent specialist tour operator organising enriching and unique holidays in Cuba and selected other countries. We organise and promote culturally aware travel for individuals and groups, and strongly believe that our trips provide an authentic way to be involved with local people and communities.

With over 25 years of experience in Cuba, we know the island, its people and landscapes, its culture and history inside out. We love to share our acquired knowledge and personal experiences to ensure we can provide you with the travel experience of a lifetime at a pace to suit you.

Our small team of dedicated bilingual staff have travelled widely in Cuba and we all love our specialist areas. Read on to find out more about our team in Scotland and in Cuba…

Caledonia over the years…

2023

Kath, our director, receives award in Santiago de Cuba for 25 years of cultural collaboration

To celebrate the 25th anniverary of Caledonia Worldwide music and dance trips in Santiago de Cuba, the Performing Arts Council of Cuba presented our director Kath Bateman with an award. This is the first time such as award has even been given to a non-Cuban and was presented during the closing gala performance of FIDANZ, the biannual International Festival of Dance in Santiago.

2018

Recognition as one of the Top 100 Women in Tourism

Our Travel & Operations Manager, Jacqueline Mesa, is recognised as one of the Top 100 Women in Tourism

celebrates 20 Years of Cultural Travel in Cuba

To mark our 20th anniversary of cultural travel in Cuba, we had an evening of celebration in Edinburgh. See highlights from the night by clicking on the following link: Caledonia Worldwide celebrates 20 years of cultural travel in Cuba

2013

Kath, our director, receives recognition of 15 years of cultural collaboration in Santiago de Cuba

Kath was honoured by the Cuban Arts Council (Artes Escenicas), Ballet Folklorico Cutumba and a host of other cultural organisations to celebrate the 15 years that Caledonia has been working in Santiago de Cuba. Kath was interviewed by Cuban national and regional television, was a guest on Radio Revolucion to talk about Caledonia’s work in the cultural and tourism sectors and also featured in the local and national Cuban press. A dedicated gala dance show was held, with the five top professional dance companies, in Santiago de Cuba performing together for the first time ever!

2011

Caledonia moves to own offices

Caledonia bought its own premises and moved to bright, colourful offices in Leith, Edinburgh

2004

Finalist in the national T-Mobile 'Women Mean Business' award

Our director, Kath Bateman, was a finalist in the national T-Mobile ‘Women Mean Business’ award

1996

The year that Caledonia was created

Meet the team…

Kath Bateman

Director

Kath Bateman founded Caledonia in 1996 and still has a very active role in the company. As a linguist and avid traveller, Caledonia brings together many strands of Kath’s personal and professional interests.

She is a Modern Languages graduate with a masters in Tourism Management and has worked as a tour leader, ski resort representative, English language teacher, salsa teacher, cultural events organiser and salsa club promoter. She is also a qualified Blue Badge Scottish tourist guide, has lived and studied in France and Austria and has travelled widely elsewhere in Europe, Latin America, Southeast Asia and particularly in Cuba.

Kath is still very much involved in the business and is as motivated by what Caledonia does as when she first set up the company in the spare room at home all those years ago.

In Cuba

Many of you will know our team in Santiago de Cuba and Baracoa already and will appreciate the friendly, professional support and personal attention provided by our local representatives.

Odalis Calzadillo, Yalina Cardero, Alex Arevalo, Yaritza Castillo and Oscar Gamez have all been working with our clients for many years now and are very definitely part of the Caledonia family!