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For more information, call: 800-539-7098 or visit:
www.centralholidays.com23
ACCOMMODATIONS
City Nights Hotel
Havana 3 Melia Cohiba
Santiago de Cuba 3 Melia Santiago
Camaguey 2 Gran Hotel
DEPARTURE DATES
2017 - Dec. 9, 23 & 30
2018 - Jan. 13 & 27; Feb. 10 & 24; Mar. 10 & 24; Apr. 7 & 21; May 5;
Jun. 2 & 16; Jul. 14; Aug. 11 & 23; Sep. 8 & 22; Oct. 6 & 20;
Nov. 3 & 17; Dec. 1, 15 & 29
(*)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.
weapons and planes from the 1950s revolution. The museum is
housed in the former presidential palace that was home to Cuba’s
leaders from the 1920s until 1959. Next, head to your hotel, Melia
Cohiba, for check in and an informational briefing. Classic cars from
the 1950s will escort you to a welcome dinner at Paladar San
Cristobal followed by a variety of optional local and authentic cultural
activities. (L,D)
DAY 2
I
SUN
I
HAVANA
Following breakfast at the hotel this morning,
a representative from the office of the City Historian will escort you
on a walking tour of Old Havana where you will have the chance to
explore its four main plazas and visit the Graphic Arts Workshop. You
will also visit the Casa de Africa (Africa House) and enjoy a live
cultural performance before heading to lunch with Cuban guests at
the Community Project and paladar. This afternoon we will cross
Havana Bay on the Lanchita de Regla and visit the local church to
speak with the Afro-Cuban community of Regla, known for its rich
colonial history and special carnival and religious celebrations. Upon
return to the hotel this evening, the group will enjoy dinner at Paladar
Los Mercaderes. (B,L,D)
DAY 3
I
MON
I
HAVANA
After a delicious Cuban breakfast at your
hotel, we will depart for UNEAC, the Cuban Association of Writers and
Artists, followed by a meet-and-greet with a well-known Afro-Cuban
filmmaker and an expert on race relations in Cuba. It’s then on to the
Fine Arts Museum for a detailed tour with a curator to enjoy its
masterpieces. Lunch today will be at Café Laurent. Next, you will visit
one of Cuba’s most well-known artists, Kcho, known for his
monumental sculptures, installations, paintings and prints inspired
by his island home. Here you will learn about the progress of the
community during a film followed by a live performance of the local
Colmenita, a children’s theater project from the town of Romerillo.
This evening you will sip on a mojito, the official Cuban cocktail, at
the famed Hotel Nacional overlooking the Malecón, and then choose
where to dine at your leisure. (B,L)
DAY 4
I
TUE
I
HAVANA
I
SANTIAGO DE CUBA
Today, depart Havana
for Santiago de Cuba, but before you leave, you will meet with the
Habana Compas Dance Company for a special interaction and
performance by the dancers as well as time with the director. Next
it’s off to the airport for a quick flight to Santiago de Cuba, the
“Heroic City,” where you will be greeted with lunch at Paladar
Palenquito before checking in to your hotel, the Melia Santiago.
Embark on a special bus/walking tour with a local historian and
preservationist, Omar Lopez, with whom you will explore the second
largest city in Cuba founded in 1515. As the birthplace to some of
Cuba’s most famous musicians, the city is also known for its
traditional dances and its “Carnaval” celebration in July. Share in a
dinner featuring local favorites tonight followed by a few special
cultural options. (B,L,D)
DAY 5
I
WED
I
SANTIAGO DE CUBA
Start with breakfast at your hotel
then head out for a full day of discovery in Santiago de Cuba. Visit
The Society of Tumba Francesa de la Caridad del Oriente and its
president and take-in a special performance at this UNESCO World
Heritage Site. Lunch is at a local restaurant, followed by a VIP guided
tour and performance at the Museo De Carnaval, that showcases the
songs and dances brought to Cuba by African slaves. The museum is
home to special items – such as floats to effigies – from the biggest
Carnival party between Rio and New Orleans held every July. After,
visit Casa del Caribe (Caribbean House), a famous local
home/museum that is filled with city history and cultural items.
Dinner this evening will be enjoyed at Paladar Aurora, then you will
have the chance to speak one-on-one with local residents of the
community. (B,L,D)
DAY 6
I
THU
I
SANTIAGO DE CUBA
This morning you will visit El
Cobre, the sanctuary of the Patron Saint of Cuba, and climb a short
distance to see the monument of The Runaway Slave. This sculpture
on a hill is built of iron and bronze, and honors one of the earliest and
most important slave revolts in the country in 1731. A professor from
the University of Oriente, will join the group for lunch at a local
restaurant to share even more in-depth knowledge of the city and
country. In the afternoon you will take a guided tour of the Moncada
Barracks, where the first armed action of the Cuban revolution
occurred on July 26, 1953. This evening you are free to enjoy dinner
and activities at your leisure – Cuba is yours to explore! (B,L)
DAY 7
I
FRI
I
SANTIAGO DE CUBA
I
CAMAGUEY
After breakfast
depart Santiago de Cuba and head to Camagüey, Cuba’s largest
province situated in the center of the island. Camagüey’s winding
maze of streets was designed to confuse marauding pirates, and it is
filled with cobblestone plazas, historic statues and lavish churches.
On the way, stop in Bayamo, founded in 1513. Walk around the
historic town and enjoy some local sounds from musicians while
savoring a light lunch at Hotel Royalton. We continue on to Camagüey
and check in to the Gran Hotel. This evening dinner is at Paladar
1800. Further optional cultural activities are on offer this evening to
get you in the true Camagüey spirit! (B,L,D)
DAY 8
I
SAT
I
CAMAGUEY
Start the day’s activities with a walking tour
of Camagüey’s city center with a representative from the office of the
City Historian. Explore the many UNESCO-declared sites here and
enjoy a special rehearsal by the dancers of the folkloric Ballet of
Camagüey. Lunch is on your own in the city center before heading to
the Casanova Pottery Studio to see up close how they create their
trademark “tinajones,” earthenware pots made of clay and other
materials that line the streets of Camagüey, designed to collect
rainwater. This evening, you are treated to a farewell dinner at Mesón
del Principe followed by live Afro-Cuba jazz at a local nightclub!
(B,L,D)
DAY 9
I
SUN
I
CAMAGUEY TO USA
Enjoy breakfast at your hotel this
morning before heading to the airport for your return flight home from
your amazing Cuba adventure. (B)
(B) Breakfast - (L) Lunch - (D) Dinner
The included features for this program can be found on page 5. Tour
includes 22 meals: Breakfast daily, 8 lunches and 6 dinners with a
cocktail and wine.
Statues of artist Martha Jimenez, Carmen church, Camaguey