Soane Travels: CUBA Christmastime & New Year s

Transcription

1 Soane Travels: CUBA Christmastime & New Year s with Sir John Soane s Museum Foundation A special trip for families and friends! We ve seen a dramatic shift with relations between the United States and Cuba, since December 2014 and that historic day President s Obama and Raúl Castro made simultaneous speeches in each country. While our governments are still working through many changes and still early to tell how far reaching these will be or how fast change will come, this is now an opportune time to visit this incredible city, country and its people. Join us as we head to the Caribbean and a place that was first discovered in An Insider s View of Architecture and the Arts Havana and Varadero - with visits to Matanzas and Cardenas Saturday, 26 December 2015 to Saturday, 2 January 2016 Revised and Updated Itinerary as of June 2015 December 26 MIAMI / HAVANA LUNCH/DINNER Saturday Depart Miami on a regularly scheduled morning flight to Havana. Upon arrival at José Martí Airport, transfer to the small, hilltop village of San Francisco de Paula to visit the house Finca La Vigía where Hemingway lived for 20 years. View the rooms of the house through open windows and see Pilar, his famous fishing boat, displayed on the grounds. Continue to El Morro Fortress for a stunning view overlooking the harbor entry and the city of Havana beyond. Lunch at a paladar, a privately owned restaurant often located in the owner s home. In the late afternoon, check into the Hotel Saratoga. This evening enjoy our welcome dinner at a paladar. December 27 HAVANA BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER Sunday This morning we join an architectural historian for a lecture followed by a walking tour of Old Havana focusing on the four main squares: Plaza de Armas, Plaza de San Francisco de Asis, Plaza Vieja and Plaza de la Catedral. We ll likely pass some colorful streetperformers. Conclude with lunch near the cathedral. Visit the Taller Experimental de Gráfica, an opportunity to meet the studio workers and printmakers and purchase their work. Founded in 1962 by mural artist Orlando Suárez with the support of Che Guevara, this studio/workshop is still thriving today and is one of the most important graphic arts establishments, preserving the old printmaking techniques. Late afternoon visits are arranged in the homes and studios of some of Havana s leading artists, where there may be an opportunity to purchase paintings and drawings. Our day will be followed by dinner at a paladar.

2 SOANE TRAVELS: CUBA Page 2 December 28 HAVANA BREAKFAST/DINNER Monday This morning enjoy an architectural tour of the city featuring historic to contemporary styles, including Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern. Our touring starts at the Bacardi Building, a masterpiece of Art Deco architecture and a precursor to many well known buildings of the same style (left). We ll see highlights of achievements before and after the revolution featuring several stops both in the morning and afternoon. Stops may include the Lopez Serrano Building, Havana s first skyscraper - said to be modeled after Rockefeller Center and the Empire State Building - and the Catalina Lasa House, with its interiors by Rene Lalique. Visit the Museum of Decorative Arts to view this extraordinary collection now housed in a former mansion the house was completed in 1927 in the neo-classical style for the Gomez-Mena family (right). Conclude in the afternoon with a drink on the terrace of the Nacional Hotel the hotel was originally designed by McKim Mead and White and opened in 1930 (right). You may wish to enjoy lunch at leisure here and cigar shopping in one of the best shops in town. In the evening we go to the Ludwig Foundation for the Arts (left) where we will have a presentation on Cuban Art. The Foundation President will host a cocktail reception and buffet dinner on the penthouse terrace. Invited guests include Cuban artists. December 29 HAVANA Tuesday Begin with a visit to the National Museum of Fine Arts, focusing on the Cuban art collection. BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER We then continue out to the west of Havana to Jaimanitas, artist Jose Fuster s village, where he has decorated over 80 houses with ornate murals and domes to suit the personality of his neighbors. Among the creations are a chess park with giant boards and tables, and an Artists Wall composed of a quilt of dozens of tiles signed and donated by other Cuban artists (pictures left). After lunch, return to Havana and tour the Colon Cemetery. This cemetery has such ornate tombstones that it is sometimes called the largest sculpture park in Cuba. Dinner this evening is at leisure (reservations will be secured at various locations, so you be able to select where you might wish to dine).

3 SOANE TRAVELS: CUBA Page 3 December 30 HAVANA / MATANZAS / VARADERO Wednesday Depart by private motorcoach for Matanzas, stopping en route at the Bacunayagua Bridge, the highest in Cuba, with panoramic views of the nearby valley. Upon arrival, visit Ediciones Vigía, where handmade books are created. Continue to Cárdenas to meet local artists and visit their studios. A late lunch at historic Xanadu, the mansion built in the late 1920s by French American millionaire Irénée du Pont de Nemours. (Pictures right) BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER Then check in at the nearby Meliá Paradisus in Varadero. Dinner is at the hotel. December 31 VARADERO BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER Thursday This morning meet local ceramists at their workshop, Taller de Cerámica. After lunch at the hotel, drive to Matanzas for a private concert at the Ermita de Monserrate hilltop chapel, followed by an opportunity to talk with the performers. Continue downtown to the main square, Parque de la Libertad, surrounded by many historical buildings, and visit the perfectly preserved 19th-century Pharmacy Museum. Meet an outstanding local sculptor in his studio before returning to the Melia Paradisus for a New Year s Eve celebration at the hotel. January 1 VARADERO BREAKFAST/LUNCH/DINNER Friday We have reserved this morning for artist studio visits (pending confirmation.) Following lunch an, optional guided nature walk amidst the local flora and fauna at Varahicacos Ecological Reserve is planned. Dinner is at the hotel. January 2 VARADERO / HAVANA / MIAMI BREAKFAST Saturday Depart Varadero after breakfast this morning for the Havana airport for a return flight to Miami. Please note that this itinerary is subject to change. All arrangements are made by Academic Arrangements Abroad and their agents on behalf of Sir John Soane s Museum Foundation

4 SOANE TRAVELS: CUBA Page 4 More photos... Havana - Bar La Floridita Havana - Plaza de Catedral (above and below) Havana - U.S. Special Interests Section (former Embassy) Vista on the drive from Havana to Matanzas Varadero - Xanadu, view from terrace, great hall. Sunset view from the Melia Paradisus

5 SOANE TRAVELS: CUBA Christmastime & New Year s An Insider s View of Architecture and the Arts Saturday, 26 December 2015 to Saturday, 2 January 2016 TRIP SPECIFICS as of 9 June all arrangements are subject to change: TOTAL COST: DONATION* $5, per person double occupancy. Single Accommodations: add $595 (very limited availability) The cost per person includes 7 nights in deluxe hotels (x4 Hotel Saratoga in Havana and x3 the Melia Paradisus in Varadero), breakfast each day (except 12/26), six lunches and six dinners as specified, receptions as noted on the itinerary, local transportation by private deluxe coach, all entries, guides. Each traveler is requested to join as a 2015 Soane Patron s Circle member with a fully tax deductible contribution of $1,000 per person note this does not apply to travelers 25 years old and younger. NOTE: Checks for the donation must be payable to: Sir John Soane s Museum Foundation FLIGHTS: DEPOSIT: Please note, all flight arrangements into and out of Miami are up to the individual traveler. Deposits of $2,000 per person to Academic Arrangements Abroad are payable by check or credit card. Balance due payments are due by October 1st and must be paid by check to Academic Arrangements Abroad. R E S E R V A T I O N S Please contact Chas Miller to receive reservation forms - tel or by to Chas@SoaneFoundation.com Not included in rates: Airfare, passport fees, alcoholic beverages other than as noted in the program, meals not specified, personal expenses such as laundry - phone calls - etc., trip insurance. All arrangements are made by Academic Arrangements Abroad and their agents on behalf of Sir John Soane s Museum Foundation For further information and reservation forms, contact the foundation at or Chas@SoaneFoundation.com or Academic Arrangements Abroad at SIR JOHN SOANE S MUSEUM FOUNDATION 1040 FIRST AVENUE NO. 311 NEW YORK NY 10022

6 SOANE TRAVELS: Cuba Join us to enjoy an extraordinary trip which is reserved for up to 15 to 20 discerning travelers and their families who are looking to explore architecture, art and the cultures of Cuba. Participants will be a mix of new friends, architects, designers, collectors and long-time supporters of Sir John Soane s Museum Foundation. John Soane - an English architect born in 1753 won the Royal Academy Gold Medal for Architecture in 1776 and was awarded their traveling scholarship funded by King George III. Following in the tradition of learning while traveling on the Grand Tour, something that upper-class European young men did from the 1660's to the mid 19 th Century John Soane set off to explore Italy for two years. Today SOANE TRAVELS, the travel program sponsored by Sir John Soane s Museum Foundation, strives to enrich the lives of contemporary thinkers with trips of five to ten-nights. While Soane didn t travel to the new world, he certainly would have known about it as the Americas were much discussed in the British press during the many decades of Soane s life. For a period in 1762 to 1763, Havana was controlled by Great Britain as British forces besieged and captured it during the Seven Years War. With the Treaty of Paris, the island was returned to Kingdom of Spain (Charles III) as part of the negotiations with Britain s George III, who agreed to cede Havana and Manila for Florida and other lands. The island experienced amazing growth and influence following the return to the Spanish realm. Sir John Soane s Museum is in London England and is the oldest historic house museum in the world, having opened in 1837 (just after Soane s death). Born the son of a bricklayer, Soane rose to become the star-architect of his day, working for the Bank of England for more than 40 years, designing interiors for No. 10 Downing Street (some of which are still existent today), designing city and country houses, and teaching at the Royal Academy. One of the many aspects that continues to make Sir John Soane relevant in the contemporary conversation about architecture, was his innovative use of natural light in his buildings and he designed the very first purpose built public picture gallery (we d call today an art museum) at Dulwich, just south of London - and it is the most successful use of natural light for viewing paintings. Sir John Soane s Museum Foundation in the United States was founded in 1991 to promote the discussion of architecture, design and the decorative arts and to support the Soane Museum. The foundation since 2009 has focused that support the ongoing conservation needs at the museum -- paying to create a new conservation centre and underwriting of a conservators position. For other information, CONTACT: Chas Miller T chas@soanefoundation.com Online, you can see pictures from previous trips at > click on an image or link for a slide show. All arrangements are made by ACADEMIC ARRANGEMENTS ABROAD and their agents on behalf of Sir John Soane s Museum Foundation. SIR JOHN SOANE S MUSEUM FOUNDATION A 1040 FIRST AVENUE NO. 311 A NEW YORK NY 10022

7 To reserve a place, please complete and return this form with your payment in full of $5,545 (of which $500 is non-refundable for administrative fees) payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad. Mail to: Academic Arrangements Abroad, 1040 Avenue of the Americas, 23rd floor, New York, New York PLEASE NOTE: Sir John Soane s Museum Foundation will be traveling to Cuba under a General license as defined by the Department of the Treasury s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). These regulations, which have been recently updated, require that program participants a) travel to and from Cuba with the group; b) participate fully in all program activities; and c) abide by the terms of the U.S. Embargo. Participants will receive a full explanation of these requirements upon registration, and will be asked to read and sign a form explaining in detail travel regulations under the new guidelines. FIRST PARTICIPANT CUBA WITH THE SIR JOHN SOANE S MUSEUM FOUNDATION RESERVATION APPLICATION I DECEMBER 26, 2015 TO JANUARY 2, 2016 NAME IN FULL AS ON PASSPORT MOTHER S MAIDEN NAME HOME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP TELEPHONE (HOME) (BUSINESS) FAX PASSPORT NUMBER EXPIRATION DATE (must be valid for six months after entry into Cuba) CITIZENSHIP OCCUPATION q M q F DATE OF BIRTH GENDER PLACE OF BIRTH SECOND PARTICIPANT NAME IN FULL AS ON PASSPORT MOTHER S MAIDEN NAME HOME ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP TELEPHONE (HOME) (BUSINESS) FAX PASSPORT NUMBER EXPIRATION DATE (must be valid for six months after entry into Cuba) CITIZENSHIP OCCUPATION q M q F DATE OF BIRTH GENDER PLACE OF BIRTH Accommodations Hotel Room Preference q Double q Twin (limited availability) q Single (at a supplement of $595) Form of Payment q Enclosed is my check payable to Academic Arrangements Abroad. I wish to share a room with Each participant must sign below. I/We confirm that I/we will fully participate in the licensed cultural exchange activities of this People-to-People Program. I/We confirm that I/we have fully read and agree to the Terms & Conditions of this program, including the page on Cuba Travel Restrictions. I/We agree full payment by check, with this reservation form. SIGNATURE REQUIRED DATE SIGNATURE REQUIRED DATE For more information, please contact Academic Arrangements Abroad (an OFAC licensed Travel Service Provider) Telephone: or I Fax: I trips@arrangementsabroad.com

8 TERMS & CONDITIONS PROGRAM RATE $5,545 per person, double occupancy SINGLE SUPPLEMENT $595 very limited availability Rate Includes n Round-trip airfare via regularly scheduled chartered flights: Miami / Havana and Havana / Miami n Seven nights hotel accommodations in Cuba, as per itinerary n Six lunches and six dinners. Bottled water and coffee / tea with meals. Local beer / wine at welcome dinner and all-inclusive food and beverages (including alcohol) at the Melia Paradisus resort n Transportation via private motorcoach as per itinerary, including services of bilingual national guide n Airport / hotel group transfers n Taxes, service and porterage; gratuities to local guides and drivers n Cuban Visa fee (excluding Cuban-born travelers), Cuban Departure tax and limited Cuban health insurance policy (for travelers under age 80) n Pre-departure material, including reading list Not Included in Rate Airfare between home and Miami; passport fees; beverages other than as indicated above; personal items and expenses; trip cancellation insurance; excess baggage; any other items not specifically mentioned as included. AIRFARE Roundtrip air travel between Miami and Havana is via a regularly scheduled chartered flight. Business Class is not available. Academic Arrangements Abroad (AAA) will be pleased to assist with air travel arrangements from your home city to Miami, for a processing fee of $40 per person. Domestic airfare will be quoted on an individual basis and is payable by credit card only. Frequent flyer mileage cannot be accepted in conjunction with this program. PAYMENT SCHEDULE $5,545 per person, payable by check to Academic Arrangements Abroad, of which $500 is non-refundable for administrative fees, is required with the reservation application. HEALTH This is an active program and all participants must be in good health. This program involves extensive walking over uneven surfaces, climbing stairs without handrails at locations that are not handicapped accessible. Any condition that may require assistance or special medical attention must be reported at the time of your reservation. INSURANCE TRIP CANCELLATION / EMERGENCY MEDICAL EVACUATION / BAGGAGE / ACCIDENT AND SICKNESS INSURANCE PROTECTION IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. CANCELLATION PENALTIES ARE STRICTLY ENFORCED. AAA will send an insurance application upon receipt of reservation and deposit, although you may select any insurer of your choice. CHANGES IN ITINERARY & COSTS The itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of Sir John Soane s Museum Foundation (SJSMF) and AAA. All prices quoted are based on prevailing fuel prices, airfares and currency exchange rates in effect at time of brochure printing and are subject to change without notice. Deviations from the scheduled itinerary are not permitted. RESPONSIBILITY CLAUSE The participation of SJSMF is limited to educational sponsorship of the program described in this brochure (The Program). AAA acts only as an agent for the participant with respect to transportation, accommodations and all other services, relating to The Program. AAA, SJSMF and/or their agents assume no responsibility or liability for any act, error or omission, or for any injury, loss, accident, delay or irregularity that may be occasioned by reason of any defect in any aircraft, ship, train, bus or other carrier, or through neglect or default of any subcontractor or other third party, which may be used wholly or in part in the performance of their duty to the participants of The Program. The passage ticket issued by the carrier is the sole contract between the participant and the carrier. Nor SJSMF and/or their agents be responsible for loss, injury, damages or expenses to persons or property, due to illness, weather, strikes, local laws, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature or other such causes in connection with The Program or anything beyond their reasonable control. AAA is not responsible for transportation or other program delays and changes, nor additional expenses or loss of time that may be incurred. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable for the comfort or well-being of the participants, or for any reason whatsoever, to alter the itinerary at any time, without notice to the participants, such alterations will be made without penalty to AAA or SJSMF. Additional expenses, if any, shall be borne by the participants. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the participant at all times. AAA and SJSMF reserve the right to accept or decline any person as a participant at any time, or to require any participant to withdraw from The Program at their own expense when such an action is determined by AAA or SJSMF to be in the best interest of the participant s health and safety, or the general welfare of the other participants. CANCELLATION POLICY AAA must strictly adhere to its cancellation policy to offset costs incurred prior to the commencement of The Program, which may include but are not limited to: advance payments to land operators; communication expenses; development and the loss of time that might have permitted resale of reserved space. All cancellations must be made in writing to the offices of AAA and are subject to a $500 non-refundable administrative fee. All refunds are limited to amounts actually received by AAA and are the sole responsibility of AAA; SJSMF shall have no liability for refunds. At the time AAA receives written notification of cancellation, the following cancellation charges will apply: cancellations received between 120 and 91 days prior to departure, 20 percent of the program cost per person; those received between 90 and 61 days before departure, 50 percent of the program cost per person; no refunds will be given for cancellations received within 60 days of departure. No refunds are given for cancellation on or after the day of departure, or for unused portions of the tour, for any reason. Air cancellation charges, if any, will be assessed in accordance with airline regulations. All group fare tickets must be issued no less than 30 days prior to departure. NOTE: Neither AAA nor SJSMF shall be liable for any airline cancellation penalties incurred by the purchase of a non-refundable ticket. In the case of a cancellation due to shortage of participants, AAA will attempt to notify all participants at least 45 days prior to departure. However, AAA reserves the right to cancel The Program prior to departure for any reason and, in such case, reimbursement of refundable costs of the trip by AAA shall constitute full settlement with the participant. In the unlikely event that a dispute arises SJSMF, the following conditions will apply: (a) the dispute will be settled by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association in New York, NY; (b) the dispute will be governed by New York Law; (c) the maximum amount of recovery to which a participant shall be entitled under any and all circumstances will be the sum of all monies actually received from the participant by AAA. The participant agrees that this is a fair and reasonable limitation on the damages, of any sort whatsoever, that a participant may suffer. Upon payment of the deposit to AAA, the participant agrees to be bound by the above terms and conditions. Copyright 2015 Arrangements Abroad, Inc. California Seller of Travel #

9 SOANE TRAVELS: Cuba CONTRIBUTION FORM Soane Patrons Circle In agreeing to participate on the Soane Foundation tour to Havana and Varadero on 26 December to 2 January 2016, there is a $1,000* per person tax-deductible contribution requested. * this does not apply to travelers 25 years and younger We request this be paid directly to the Soane Foundation for tax acknowledgment purposes. This can either be paid now at the time of your initial booking, or as a pledge for payment no later than 10 December NAME(S): COMPANY/FIRM: ADDRESS: TEL: FAX: MOBILE: CONTACT/ASSISTANT: CONTRIBUTION PAYMENT OPTIONS: Payment enclosed or noted below by credit card Pledge: I pledge to make a payment by (must be received no later than 10 December 2015). FORMS OF PAYMENT: Check - Please make checks payable to: Sir John Soane s Museum Foundation Credit Card - Please charge the contribution of $1,000 per person to an American Express, Visa, MasterCard Please charge $ Signature: Card Number: Expiration: Name as it appears: Billing Zip Code: RETURN COMPLETED FORM TO: FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Sir John Soane s Museum Foundation 1040 First Avenue, No. 311 New York, NY Chas Miller - Chas@SoaneFoundation.com T F * Contributions are typically not refundable, however every consideration will be taken if you need to cancel. SIR JOHN SOANE S MUSEUM FOUNDATION 1040 FIRST AVENUE NO. 311 NEW YORK NY 10022