CENTRAL HOLIDAYS - LATIN AMERICA & CUBA

117 / 128

117 For more information, call: 800-539-7098 or visit:
DAY 1 I HAVANA Upon arrival at José Martí International Airport you
will be met by your English-speaking Cuban Guide and driven through
the city, stopping at Revolution Square to see the famous Che
Guevara image with his well-known slogan of “Hasta la Victoria
Siempre” (Until the Everlasting Victory, Always). Enjoy your first taste
of authentic Cuban cuisine for lunch at El Aljibe, a famous restaurant
known for its mouthwatering chicken. The journey then continues to
the Museum of the Revolution that displays documents and artifacts,
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 Casa
Particular for check in. This evening 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 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 HAVANA After breakfast, we will depart for UNEAC, the
Cuban Association of Writers and Artists. 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 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 Casa Particular. 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 SANTIAGO DE CUBA Start with breakfast 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 6I 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 SANTIAGO DE CUBA I CAMAGUEY After breakfast depart
Santiago de Cuba and head to CamagPey, Cuba’s largest province
situated in the center of the island. CamagPey’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 CamagPey and check in
to your Casa Particular. This evening dinner is at Paladar 1800.
Further optional cultural activities are on offer this evening to get you
in the true CamagPey spirit! (B,L,D)
DAY 8 I CAMAGUEY Start the day’s activities with a walking tour of
CamagPey’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
CamagPey. 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 CamagPey, 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 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, (Dinner)
INCLUDED FEATURES
•U.S. Department of the Treasury authorization under a “General
Support for the Cuban People License”
•Accommodations in Cuba in a Casa Particular (Upscale Private
Home-see images on our website)
•Round trip transfers from the airport to your Casa Particular
•Full Support for the Cuban People Cultural Exchange Program
•Fresh Bottled Water while touring
•All entrance fees for scheduled activities and events
•22 included meals consisting of: Breakfast daily, 8 lunches and 6
dinners with a cocktail and wine
•Professional English-speaking Cuban Guide
Not Included: Round trip airfare to Cuba, Visa for Cuba ($55 per
person), meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary, porterage,
tips and other items of a purely personal nature
*From Price is per person based on double occupancy in a Casa
Particular (Upscale Private Home)
For 5 to 7 people traveling together Prices from $2,649
FOR GROUP TRAVEL
We can offer this escorted program for larger groups under the
“People-to-People Program” License using the following hotel
accommodations. Call for details.
ACCOMMODATIONS (or similar)
City Nights Hotel
Havana 3 Melia Cohiba
Santiago de Cuba 3 Melia Santiago
Camaguey 2 Gran Hotel