CENTRAL HOLIDAYS - CUBA

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DAY 2 I MON I HAVANA ¡Bienvenidos! After breakfast at the hotel,
depart for Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore its
four main plazas and cobblestone streets. Stop at the Maqueta Vieja
Habana Museum that houses the scale model of the city before
continuing to the Graphic Arts Workshop where you will have an
opportunity to speak with their artists. Next it’s on to meet locals at
ArteCorte, a community project started by a successful hairdresser
that gets idle young kids off the streets and teaches them money-
making skills. After an enjoyable lunch at El Figaro, a local paladar,
continue through Old Havana and see the Almacenes de San José,
an artisans market for shopping and learning first-hand how some of
the local crafts are created. Dinner this evening will be at “La Elite”
Paladar. (B,L,D)
DAY 3 I TUE I HAVANA Your culturally enriching adventure continues
today with a morning visit to a local cigar factory to see firsthand how
they grow, dry and prepare the tobacco before hand-rolling the
famous Cuban cigars. Next, in the Romerio neighborhood, you will
visit one of Cuba’s most well-known artists, Kcho, world-renowned for
his monumental and evocative sculpture, installations, paintings and
prints inspired by his island home. Following, continue on to the
home/studios of acclaimed artist José Fuster who specializes in
ceramics, painting, drawing, engraving and graphic design. His
ongoing project is redecorating his and his neighbors’ houses into
what is called Fusterlandia in Jaimanitas with lunch following. In the
afternoon enjoy a special presentation and tour of the Antonio Núñez
Jimenez Foundation for Nature and Humanity, a scientific and
cultural institution dedicated to the research and promotion of
culturally and socially directed environmental protection. This
evening is yours to enjoy dinner and explore the city at your leisure –
make Cuba your own tonight! (B,L)
DAY 4 I WED I HAVANA Following breakfast, depart for a visit to a
community dance project where you will see and learn firsthand how
to dance and sway to the marvelous rhythms of salsa. Then it’s on to
the Litz Alfonso Dance Company to meet the students and be treated
to a special live rehearsal. After a visit to a marvelous children’s art
project, lunch has been organized at a local paladar. Next, step back
to the 1940s and 50s as you enter the landmark Hotel Nacional de
Cuba. Feel like Hollywood elite as you tour the hotel where time
stands still and sip on a mojito in the lovely gardens overlooking the
Malecón (broad esplanade and seawall) and Straits of Florida
beyond. The balance of the afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the
wonders of Havana. Take in the sounds of the Buena Vista Social
Club with dinner at Café Habana where you can dance late into the
night. (B,L,D)
DAY 5 I THU I HAVANA I CIENFUEGOS We depart Havana today for
Cienfuegos, Cuba’s “Pearl of the South.” Our morning commences
with a visit to the Museum of Fine Arts or the Museum of Decorative
Arts to marvel at Cuban masterpieces and more. On our way to
Cienfuegos we visit Finca Yoandra, a farm that supplies many of the
local restaurants – including Il Divino Paladar, where we will enjoy
lunch. Upon arrival in Cienfuegos you will get to check in to the hotel
and then partake in dinner at a local restaurant followed by a stop at
the Afro-Cuban community project of Trazos Libres, an art project of
murals on homes. (B,L,D)
DEPARTURE DATES
2017 - Dec. 10 & 24
2018 - Jan. 7 & 21; Feb. 4 & 18; Mar. 4, 18 & 31; Apr. 8 & 22;
May 6 & 20; Jun. 3 & 17; Jul. 29; Aug. 12; Sep. 9;
Oct. 14 & 28; Nov. 11 & 25; Dec. 2, 16 & 30
(*)Prices are per person, based on double occupancy and a minimum of 18 full paying
passengers. Single supplements available on request.
Note: Price does not include round trip air fare to Havana. Scheduled round trip flights
are now available from your hometown to Havana. Call for further information.
ACCOMMODATIONS
City Nights Hotel
Havana 5 Melia Cohiba
Cienfuegos 2 Hotel Jagua or Similar
Hola Cuba
Aerial view from Palacio Ferrer to Jose Marti park
DAY 6 I FRI I CIENFUEGOS Today, on your way to the colonial city of
Trinidad, stop for a walk through the Botanical Gardens of
Cienfuegos, brimming with lush greenery and beautiful flora and
fauna. Then it’s on to Trinidad, a well-preserved UNESCO World
Heritage Site founded in 1514 situated between the mountains and
the sea. After a city tour and lunch at a local restaurant, tour Casa del
Alfarero, a ceramics workshop where you will learn the secrets to
creating some of the handicrafts you have seen throughout this
adventure. Then enjoy some free time to walk the winding
cobblestone streets with oxcarts loaded with local wares, and take in
the views of the pastel colored homes and buildings. Dinner and
further discoveries are at your leisure this evening back in
Cienfuegos. (B,L)
DAY 7 I SAT I CIENFUEGOS I HAVANA After breakfast this morning,
enjoy the Cienfuegos Choir before departing the city and heading
towards Finca Vigia (Lookout Farm), in San Francisco de Paula, to visit
Ernest Hemingway’s winter home from 1939 to 1960. See the
author’s 9,000 volume library, his yacht Pilar and the typewriter on
which he wrote some of his greatest works (For Whom the Bell Tolls
and The Old Man and the Sea) while learning about his life here
during a talk with a docent. Lunch will be enjoyed in the former fishing
village of Cojimar, where Hemingway moored his boat and the movie
The Old Man and the Sea was filmed. After having time to speak with
local fishermen, you will head back to Havana and check in to your
hotel. A special farewell dinner is planned this evening to cap off your
Cuba vacation. (B,L,D)
DAY 8 I SUN I HAVANA TO USA After breakfast transfer to the airport
for your return flight to the USA. We hope you had an inspiring,
insightful, and wonderful holiday with Central Holidays in Cuba! (B)
(B) Breakfast - (L) Lunch - (D) Dinner
The included features for this program can be found on page 5. Tour
includes 18 meals: Breakfast daily, 6 lunches and 5 dinners with a
cocktail and wine.