Upon arrival at José Martí International Airport, you’ll be met and escorted to the inviting and comfortable Meliá Cohiba Hotel in the heart of the city. An informative tour orientation and welcome dinner set the stage for your Cuban adventure. Meals D
Start the day with an enlightening discussion on Cuba in the 21st century and some of the most significant changes over the past few years. Then step back to the early days of the city on a walking tour through Old Havana. The city was founded in 1519 and within a hundred years it had emerged as one of the Caribbean’s wealthiest ports and an important ship-building center. Although it’s now a vibrant capital with more than two million residents, its historical core still retains a wonderful mix of Baroque and Neoclassical architecture - including colorful old buildings with arcades, balconies and delicate wrought-iron gates. Your guided walking tour takes you down charming cobblestone streets and through impressive town squares. After lunch, your People-to-People activities continue at a city center for senior citizens. Then visit the Rum Museum to learn about the history of Cuba’s rum-making traditions and to see wonderful exhibits on the distilling and aging process. Our day ends at a local restaurant handpicked for its island ambience and fine presentation of traditional Cuban fare. Meals B+L+D
After breakfast, our day’s activities start at a farmer’s market for insight into daily life and Cuba’s developing community initiatives. Our exploration of Cuban culture continues at a local dance company; with our insider’s access, we’ll even get to go backstage for a dress rehearsal. After lunch, we’ll enjoy another People-to-People activity at the Cuban Institute for Film. Later, we’ve arranged a special meeting with the talented performers of La Colmenita, a children’s theater group that performs locally and internationally; in 2012, they were invited to perform at the United Nations. Meals B+L+D
Founded in 1876, the Colon Cemetery is a 140-acre expanse filled with more than 500 impressive mausoleums, chapels and family vaults. Along with the Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires, it is regarded as one of the most important cemeteries in the Western Hemisphere in terms of both historical and architectural significance. And with our insider’s access, our special meeting here with a Cuban historian offers rich insight into the Cemetery and the people buried here. We’ll end our morning at a clinic to learn about the island’s health care system. After lunch, we’ll tour the Museum of Fine Arts with a local expert. This evening, you’ll dine on your own at one of the city’s paladares, privately owned restaurants that can now be found across the island. Of course, our in-the-know guide is well versed in Havana’s dining scene and will be happy to make personal recommendations. Meals B+L
Heading out from the capital, you’ll journey into the countryside of central Cuba where the scenery is lush and the rhythms of life evoke a slower-paced and more agrarian era. Your first destination is Playa Larga on the southern coast. This is one of the two beaches invaded by US-backed exiles in 1961 and it’s one of the loveliest spots on the coast. After a congenial lunch here in Playa Larga, we’ll continue to Cienfuegos. Established in 1819 and known as the “Pearl of the South,” this is one of the island’s newest settlements. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognized for its architectural diversity including a fine Colonial district and a collection of early 20th-century palaces set on a thin slice of land that extends into the picturesque bay. Here on the island’s tranquil southern side, we’ll enjoy a wonderful 2-night stay at a casa particular. Like American bed-and-breakfasts, Cuba’s casas particulares are found in private homes and offer an authentic, comfortable and memorable stay. Meals B+L+D
Not far from Cienfuegos, the handsome Colonial-era town of Trinidad is another World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO for historic buildings that reflect Neoclassical, Moorish and Spanish Baroque influences. Founded in the 16th century, these architectural landmarks include the historic Palacio Brunet and the Palacio Cantero, built with wealth from the region’s lucrative sugar trade. Your exploration of Trinidad begins fittingly at the Museum of Architecture, where you’ll learn not just about the town’s history but also the background behind its UNESCO designation and ongoing preservation efforts. After lunch, we’ll spend time at the Casa Templo de Santería Yemayá to learn about the beliefs and traditions of Santeria, an Afro-Cuban region that blends local Caribbean customs with elements of Catholicism. This evening, you’ll have another opportunity to dine on your own at one of the local paladares. Of course, our expert guide is happy to make recommendations. Meals B+L
Cienfuegos has been described by many as Cuba’s most captivating town. It’s physically handsome and also bestowed with a certain stylish elegance and flair. Culturally and artistically, it’s also one of the most vibrant in Cuba – if not all of the Caribbean! This morning, you’ll explore this facet of Cienfuegos at a cooperative artist’s center and then again when you meet the singers and artistic director of the Coro del Cienfuegos, a children’s choir that has tour internationally to critical and audience acclaim. After lunch here in the “Pearl of the South," you’ll journey back to Havana and visit Finca Vigia. Built in 1886, Ernest Hemingway purchased this handsome residence in 1940 and lived here for nearly 20 years. It was here at Finca Vigia that Hemingway wrote two of his most famous works – For Whom the Bell Tolls and The Old Man and the Sea. This evening’s farewell dinner is a chance to share your favorite experiences and Cuban memories with your fellow travelers. Overnight once again at the wonderful Melia Cohiba Hotel. Meals B+L+D
After breakfast, we’ll take you to the airport for your homeward flight. Meals B Limited to never more than 24 guests, our Small Group People-to-People Cuba Journeys are individually programmed and in compliance with U.S. Government regulations. Many of the places we visit and the cultural experiences we provide are not in standard touristic venues and are not always available. Thus, your final itinerary prior to departure will detail each day’s full program.
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