Cuba: The People, Culture and Art

Day 1: Depart U.S.

Depart for Havana from Miami aboard your direct chartered flight, operated by ABC Charters, Incorporated, a licensed Cuba Charter Services Provider. After completing immigration and customs formalities in Havana, transfer to the Hotel Telégrafo, located in Havana’s historic center. This evening, enjoy a Welcome to Cuba Dinner at the Roof Garden of the Hotel Sevilla.

Accommodations: Hotel Telégrafo
Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Havana

Discussion: The Historical and Architectural Development of Havana, moderated by Miguel Coyulla.

Afterward, depart your hotel to explore Habana Vieja, Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the Plaza de Armas, Havana’s oldest square and the heart of Old Havana, site of the grand Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, the home of the Spanish colonial governors. Enjoy a drive through Old Havana in one of the “antique” convertables that have become iconic in Cuba.

Walk to the nearby Plaza de la Catedral, dominated by the baroque facade of the Cathedral of Havana, and to the historic Plaza de San Francisco, centered by the 19th century Fountain of Lions. Habana Vieja’s colonial charm is captivating.

Enjoy lunch in Old Havana at the Restaurante Hotel Armadores de Santander.

After lunch, visit Havana’s landmarks, the Cristo de La Habana, the massive stature of Jesus that dominates Havana Bay, and the fortress La Cabana. Your walk through La Cabana will include a discussion with it’s Cuban guards and caretakers.

Conclude your afternoon with a visit to a local health clinic. Through discussions with staff, learn about socialized medicine and the delivery of social services in Cuba.

Dinner this evening is served at the La Florida Restaurant.

Accommodations: Hotel Telégrafo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Havana

Discussion: Contemporary Arts in Cuba, moderated by Wilfredo Munoz, Executive Director of the Ludwig Foundation.

Following the discussion, explore the Cuban Collection of Havana’s National Museum of Fine Arts. Then meet with Cuban artists to discuss their processes, influences and inspirations.

Lunch is served at the Restaurante el Templete.

This afternoon, visit the Ludwig Foundation, a non-governmental, non-profit institute created to promote contemporary Cuban artists and culture. Observe a rehearsal of the Foundation’s Contemporary Ballet Company. Interact with the Foundation’s staff, discussing with them the Foundation’s mission and its cultural outreach programs.

Next, learn about Cuba’s most famous industry during an exploration of the cigar factory, Romeo y Julietta.

Dinner this evening is in a local restaurant, El Ajibe. Then enjoy a performance at the renowned Tropicana Nightclub, featuring an extravaganza of Afro-Cuban music and dance.

Accommodations: Hotel Telégrafo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Havana

Discussion: The Cuban Economy, Professor Juan Triana, University of Havana, Moderator

This morning, discover modern Havana, including the Vedado, Havana’s central district, and elegant Miramar, home to Havana’s elite and a number of foreign embassies. The highlight of this morning’s journey is a visit to the studio of José Fuster, one of Cuba’s most celebrated artists. Mr. Fuster will speak with us about his work and his methods.

Enjoy lunch at the Studio Fuster.

Begin your afternoon explorations with a visit to Cuba’s leading art academy, the Instituto Superior de Arte, the Superior Art Institute. Here, on a beautiful campus that used to one of Havana’s finest golf courses, students study the spectrum of creative arts. We will be hosted by professors and students from the various disciplines, and, through round-table discussions with them, we will compare and contrast the role of the arts in Cuba and the United States, and identify any differences in opportunities for artistic expression.

Complete your afternoon with a visit to La Quinta Santa Venia, a private religious home for senior citizens. Meet and speak with the nuns who operate the home. Share experiences and activities with the home’s residents.

Dinner this evening at the Restaurante Vieja Havana, formerly the American Club.

Accommodations: Hotel Telégrafo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Havana/Cojimar

This morning, visit the fascinating Museo de la Revolución, housing Cuba’s most complete exposition of it revolutionary history, including exhibits dedicated to the Bay of Pigs and the Declaration of the Socialist Character of the Revolution.

Then travel to Hemingway’s estate, Finca Vigia, in the suburb of San Francisco de Paula. Just seven miles outside Havana, in the hills that overlook the capital, you will discover Hemingway’s private rooms, reminiscent of this era of Cuban history. Drive to the fishing village of Cojímar on the coast, the setting for Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea.

Enjoy lunch at Restaurante La Terraza in Cojímar.

This afternoon, return to Havana for a visit to the Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba Company. Interact with instructors and students of this organization’s Children and Youth Ballet program. Engage in substantive discussion with the company’s management team regarding its efforts to export Cuban dance culture, and the political and financial challenges they face.

Later this afternoon, increase your understanding of Cuban culture and history through a visit to Cementerio de Colón, Columbus Cemetary.

Dinner this evening is at one of the privately owned Paladares in Havana, La Moraleja.

Accommodations: Hotel Telégrafo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Cienfuegos

After breakfast, travel to beautiful Cienfuegos, Cuba’s “Pearl of the South” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. En route, stop at the Bay of Pigs, sight of 1962’s failed invation by 1,300 CIA-trained Cuban exiles.
Upon arrival in Cienfuegos, enjoy lunch in a seaside restaurant. Then participate in a walking tour of the central square, the Parque Marti, including Cienfuegos’ impressive Cathedral and the ornate Teatro de Cienfuegos.

Enjoy a performance by the Cantores de Cienfuegos, a renowned choir that has been entertaining Cubans for generations. After the performance, meet with members of the choir to discuss their training and traditions.

This evening, enjoy dinner in a colonial mansion, with live music.

Accommodations: Hotel Jagua
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Trinidad

This morning, discover Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Begin at the center of Old Trinidad, the Plaza Mayor, home to Cuba’s largest church, the Iglesia de la Santísima Trinidad, and the Museo de Arquitectura Colonial. Explore the nearby Museo Romntico de Artes Decorativas, housed in a sumptuous colonial mansion.

Following lunch, return to Havana, and check into the Melia Cohiba Hotel, located facing the Gulf of Mexico, and Havana’s legendary Malacón.

This evening, celebrate your encounter with the people, places and culture of Cuba at a Farewell Reception and Dinner at your hotel.

Accommodations: Meliá Cohiba
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Return to U.S.

After breakfast, transfer to the José Martí International Airport for your return to the United States.