Culture, Dance and Music in CUBA! A people to people exchange October 2-7, 2019 Specially scorted by Alex Lopez, President of Interplanner After 58 years of hostilities between the U.S. & Cuban governments, all travelers are always surprised to experience the fact that the Cuban people have a great respect and admiration for the American people. American travelers to Cuba can now, More easily separate politics from culture and appreciate people for who they are. The Cuba travel experience draws people closer together but does not whitewash the challenges that the Cuban people face. The Interplanner travelers will experience the real Cuba, filled with culture, creativity, art and loving people. They will also get to see the reality of Cuban living standards, which are often difficult and impoverished. The program changes beliefs and attitudes and allows people to look past politics and into the heart and soul of a culture and its reality. In my 47 years in the travel industry, I have never seen a single travel experience change so many lives as Cuba does. 7816 12th 7816 12th Street NW Washington, DC 20012 interplannercuba.com Contact us : Interplanner 202.722.6882 Interplanner@comcast.net
October 2nd - Miami-Havana - Day 1 DAY-BY-DAY This morning please plan to meet at the American Airlines counter. Check-in Procedures at Miami International Airport - American Airlines operates out of concourses D & E. Passengers are required to check-in either at the kiosks or with an agent to choose which one of the OFAC twelve categories they are traveling under and obtain their boarding pass. Then proceed to one of the Cuba Ready Booths operated by CTS located in front of the check-in areas spread around terminal D. A CTS agent will check your travel documents and will stamp your boarding pass as Cuba Ready. You may then proceed to airport security and on to your departure gate. Suggest you report to the American Airlines check-in counter at least three hours prior to departure time. WELCOME TO CUBA!! Upon arrival at the Jose Marti International Airport, you will need to make your way through passport control where they will take your photo (be prepared to remove any hats, scarves or glasses) and check your paperwork for entry into Cuba. Make your way to baggage claim and from there exit through customs to where your national guide will be waiting for the delegation. Enjoy some sites of the city in a panoramic bus tour of Havana including a stop to see Revolution Square and Vedado. The Plaza is the 31st largest city square in the world and notable as being where many political rallies take place. Transfer to your hotel for check in at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Miramar. Check in and settle into your rooms. Welcome dinner at La Fontana Paladar. October 3rd - Havana - Day 2 This morning the delegation will have a welcome orientation to Cuba on behalf of the staff at the Cuban Institute of Friendship with People in conjunction with our local team at the Casa de la Amistad. Duration 45 minutes. Continue on walking tour of the historic center of Old Havana, a village founded in 1519 and declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1982. There will be an explanation of the projects carried out by the City Historian s Office for the rehabilitation of Old Havana. Lunch will be provided at San Cristobal Paladar. This afternoon we have made arrangements for a special visit to The Cuban National Ballet School (Escuela Nacional Cubana de Ballet). With 4,350 students, it is the biggest ballet school in the world and the most prestigious ballet school in Cuba, and is directed by Ramona de Saa. The school was expanded in 2002, and of the 52,000 students who applied to join the school, 4,050 were selected. Most of the school s graduates are now eminent dance professionals, recognized for their superb training, technique and style, in Cuba and around the world. Many are members of the National Ballet of Cuba, one of the most important ballet companies in the world, as well as well as many worldwide ballet companies, including in the United States of America. We have specially arranged to meet with directors and dancers to have an opportunity to learn about this great institution. Continue to the Centro Cultural Antiguos Almacenes to visit and talk with private sector owners of more than 300 different booths selling art, handicrafts, clothing, and a variety of Cuban products.
Dinner is by individual arrangement (own expense) This evening enjoy a neighborhood street party with all the residents of the block participating. It s a great opportunity to interact with the locals. A true people to people exchange. Gifts: The delegation should collaborate to bring some rum, chips, crackers, sodas to contribute to the party. These can be purchased at the hotel or any local store. Also some gifts for children will be very much appreciated however we don t have quantities, ages or genders to share. We recommend small items that are easy to carry. Appropriate items could be school or art supplies, books and notebook paper/journals, stickers, children or teen magazines, matchbox cars, dolls, card or board games, etc. October 4th - Havana - Day 3 This morning visit the Museo de Bellas Artes (Fine Arts Museum). The Fine Arts Museum is dedicated exclusively to Cuban art collections beginning in the mid-16th century. Spanning the 17th and 19th centuries, it has galleries devoted to landscape, religious subjects and the Costumbrismo narrative scenes of Cuban life. Other galleries are devoted to more current work, and are recognized for the extensive collection of Hyperrealism and the latest generation of Cuban artists whose works all reflect the strong symbolic imagery prevalent in recent decades. Lunch at El Bodegon de las Brisas Paladar, a place related to the life of the famous writer and to Gregorio Fuentes, the captain of his fishing boat. Continue on visit to the Hemingway Museum located in the Finca Vigia, former residence ofthe American writer located in the San Francisco de Paula neighborhood on the outskirts of the city. We will tour along the beltway of the city reaching Cojimar, a fisherman s village where Hemingway docked his fishing boat El Pilar, a source of inspiration for this famous novel The Old Man and the Sea. Dinner at Paladar El Guajirito Evening performance at El Tablao e Pancho. Enjoy original music of the Buena Vista Social Club. October 5th - Havana - Giron - Day 4 (2 ½ hours each way) This morning you ll head south towards the Zapata Peninsula and the famed Bay of Pigs. Shrouded in history, the area is home to the Playa Girón Museum. There you will find photos, relics, and a written history detailing the Bay of Pigs Invasion and battles. Lunch at a local restaurant in Giron. In the afternoon, travel to the rural town of Papite - home of the Korimacao Community Project, where residents from the surrounding communities are given the opportunity to develop and improve their performing skills such as singing, dancing, and playing musical instruments. You ll learn about the growth and development of the program and interact with the talented students.
The students don't need to have any prior art background. The only requirements: they need only be young and have talent. The project is an attempt to provide community art, cultural training free of charge to young artist. Return to your hotel. Dinner is by individual arrangement (own expense) October 6th - Havana - Day 5 This morning depart for a visit to the city of Regla. Visit the church of Nuestra Señora de Regla, one of Cuba s most frequented pilgrimage churches. The most impressive is the statute of the Virgin of Regla who is black and cradles a White infant in her arms. She is the patron and protector of sailors. She is considered the equivalent of Yemaya, the goddess of the sea in the Yoruba religion. Visit the Municipal Museum of Regla. There will be a ritual dance of Santeria, the religion brought to Cuba by African slaves. Lunch and cooking class will be provided at Jardin de los Milagros Private Restaurant. After lunch visit the Havana Compas Dance Company recognized nationally and internationally for combining dance and percussion, it has accumulated more than a decade of work in favor of Cuban Culture. The company is composed of 24 dancers and 2 dancers as well as a music group composed of: violin, flute, piano, drums, percussion, bass and voice, which contribute to a more accomplished harmonic work. The use of batá drums, tumbadoras, drumsticks, castanets, shekerés, heels, flip flops, keys, stools and percussive chairs, mostly made by the maestro Eduardo Cordova, makes this dance company one of the best in Cuba. Habana Compás dance has taking its art into many countries, including: Mexico, Chile, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Turkey, South Korea and the United States, where it has always received favorable reviews from the press. In addition to its cultural work, the group promotes teaching, sponsoring the Project Dance and Percussion for girls and boys from five years of age and thus leave their cultural legacy to future generations. Time for Q & A with the company members. This evening farewell reception in Old Havana. The stilt walkers dance group will entertain you as you follow them dancing in the streets to your farewell dinner. Share your memories of Cuba with other delegates at a farewell dinner in the historic center. October 7th - Havana - Day 6 DEPARTURE DAY Prepare your luggage for check out. Please settle all incidental expenses incurred during your stay. Delegates will transit to the airport for their flights home. Notice: Scheduled meetings and other planned interactions are subject to the availability of the professionals we seek to collaborate with, as well as allowances made by the Cuban government to grant visits to visitors. Where permission from the Cuban government is required, adjustments may need to be made. Interplanner is committed to featuring replacement program activities that will retain the content and quality of this cultural experience.
PRICE & INCLUSIONS TRIP PRICE: FROM MIAMI: $2496.00 Double occupancy $464.00 Single room supplement. For departures from other cities inquire by email, and we will send you a quote. Reserve your place with a $500 non-refundable deposit. QUESTIONS? CONTACT: Interplanner - 202.722.6882 EMAIL: interplanner@comcast.net Package Features Included: Five night accommodations at the Four Point Sheraton Hotel Four Points By Sheraton Round trip air transportation from Miami Address: Avenida 5ta, La Habana, Cuba Breakfast daily Phone: +53 7 2141470 Four lunches Three dinners Round trip airport transfers English speaking guide for the full program Air conditioned motor coach & driver Visa fees Sightseeing tours & visits as per day by day itinerary Visit to the Fine Arts Museum Visit Playa Giron Museum City tour of Old Havana Visit Hemingway Museum Visit Regla Museum & Church Ritual dance performance Visit Korimacao Community Project Cooking class Full day side trip to Playa Giron CDR block party Evening performance Farewell reception Amistur/ICAP Cuba travel orientation meeting U.S. & Cuban departure taxes Two bottles of water per person per day Interplanner local English speaking representative services Fully escorted by an Interplanner tour director
INFORMATION Reservations: Reserve your place with a $500 deposit. Final payment is due August 2nd, 2019. The package has been based on a minimum participation of 10 full paying participants. Register NOW and save your spot. The tour is limited to 25 participants Travel Restrictions: Travel to Cuba is severely restricted under the Cuban Assets Control Regulations. Under these regulations, spending money relating to Cuban travel is prohibited unless the traveler is licensed. There are some travel categories that are authorized under the OFAC general license. You are traveling under the People to People General license. Further, each traveler must complete and sign a Travel Affidavit before departure. Forms will be provided by Interplanner. Forms must be received by INTERPLANNER no later than August 2nd, 2019 Travel Provider: International Planning Services, Inc. d/b/a INTERPLANNER. Air Transportation: Air transportation by American Airlines. Airfare based on the group advanced purchased airfare. All airfares are subject to change without prior notice. Tickets are nonrefundable once issued. Baggage allowance is 50 pounds. Overweight fees are expensive so we recommend you pack within your allowed limit. One small pieces of hand luggage is allowed not to exceed 15 pounds. There is a charge of $25.00 for first checked bag in the U.S. and also returning from Cuba. Your ticket purchase includes medical expenses for illness and accident up to $30,000 CUC and repatriation transport of deceased, injury and illness up to $15,000 CUC A group consists of a minimum of 10 ticketed adult passengers who must travel on American Airlines to the same destination on the same flights. In the event that your group does not meet this minimum, passengers will be considered as individual travelers and ticketed at the available published fare for which they qualify and which may be available. Schedules are subject to change without prior notice. Tour Price Includes: Ground Transportation: All sightseeing and transfers as well as overland transportation will be by private motor coach with English speaking guides/interpreters. Hotels Accommodations: All Accommodations will be provided in twin bedded rooms with private bath or shower. Hotel categories are by official classification of the respective government. Single rooms are available at a supplement charge. Interplanner reserves the right to substitute any previously confirmed hotels in the event that the tour operator in the respective country encounters an oversold situation and to replace with others of similar or better quality. Additional costs incurred as a result of any such change in hotels shall be borne by the tour participant except in cases of change after travel has commenced. Any individual tour member who requests to share a twin- bedded room is subject to the payment of the single room supplement unless another tour participant is, or becomes, available to share. No refund is made for any unused portion of the member s original accommodations. Interplanner will try to assist the tour member in finding a suitable replacement hotel. Meals: As specified in itinerary and listed in the tour features. Tips & Taxes: Service charges imposed by hotels and taxes by local administration and government authorities are included in all services rendered. Tips to your local guides, drivers and restaurant staff are not included and are usually expected, subject to your own satisfaction with the services rendered. Departure taxes are included in the tour price. GENERAL INFORMATION Documentation Required: A valid passport and individual Cuban visa is required for all U.S. and Canadian citizens. Vaccination or inoculations are not required, however, we urge you to consult your physician or local health department as requirements can change from time to time. Visas: Visas will be obtained by Interplanner. Participants are required to provide a clear photocopy of their valid passport, participants born in Cuba regardless of their present nationality please contact us, since entry procedures differ. Interplanner cannot guarantee any visa if participants does not comply with the required deadlines. Visa fee is included in the tour price. Passport copies must be received by INTERPLANNER no later than August 2nd, 2019 Cancellations & Changes: 59-30 days prior to departure full refund less 50% of program cost. 29 days or less days prior to departure NO REFUND In the event of cancellation by the passenger, there is an additional $100.00 per person administrative charge. Cancellation must be done in writing. Changes once reservations have been confirmed on dates or names will be at $100.00 USD fee per change. Trip cancellation insurance is recommended. We recommend: Travel Guard Insurance Group 24 hours service toll free 1.800.826.1300. Tour Membership: The right is reserved to decline, to accept or to retain any person as a member of the tour. Final Itinerary & Travel Tips: Will be sent to each participant after the tour operator has received final payment. The packet of information will give full details regarding mailing addresses, recommendations about baggage, suggestions for appropriate clothing, customs and currency regulations, departure instructions, and so on. Tariff & Exchange Fluctuation: Prices are based upon tariffs and exchange levels in effect January 1, 2019 and are subject to change without notice. Transfers: Provided on all arrivals and departures between hotels and airports for tour members and one average-sized piece of luggage per person. Please have in mind that due to limited space in motor coaches, only one suitcase per person is allowed Sightseeing: By motor coach including the services of Englishspeaking guides and entrance fees to places visited. Tour Price: All costs quoted are based on tariffs and currency exchange rates in effect at the beginning of each calendar year. Tour rate does not include: Passport fees, laundry, valet wines and liquors, mineral waters, food, transportation not included in the itinerary, beverages not on the regular menu of the included meals, additional baggage in excess of allowance foreign airport taxes, and other expenses of purely personal nature. RESPONSIBILITY Traveler s membership and participation in this program is accepted by International Planning Services, Inc. d/b/ a Interplanner only in accordance with, and expressly conditioned upon, these Terms and Conditions of Travel and the following statement of conditions and responsibilities: International Planning Services, Inc. d/b/ a Interplanner acts only as an agent in securing accommodations, transportation, sightseeing, tournament participation and other travel services and in no event shall International Planning Services, Inc. d/b/a Interplanner be liable or responsible in connection with or in respect of any acts or omissions of any third party, including but not limited to third party contractors, suppliers, and vendors who render services in connection with the program. All accommodations, transportation, sightseeing and other travel services are provided to travelers subject to all the terms and conditions under which they are offered to the public generally. Neither International Planning Services, Inc. d/b/a Interplanner nor its agents shall be liable for any loss, injury or damage to person or property resulting from, but not limited to, government actions or restraints, disturbances, hostilities, war, epidemics, breakout of disease, quarantines, labor disputes, machinery breakdown, weather conditions, natural disaster, delays, accidents, personal injuries, annoyance or inconvenience or any other cause beyond its control. International Planning Services, Inc. d/b/a Interplanner shall not be liable for any additional expense incurred by any traveler as a result of any of the foregoing causes. International Planning Services, Inc. d/b/a Interplanner and its agents reserve the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a traveler. International Planning Services, Inc. d/b/a Interplanner does not discriminate based on race, national origin, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation or any other category protected by applicable law. Should a traveler have a health or mobility limitation, allergy, severe sight or hearing limitation, or any other medical condition which could restrict or substantially interfere with the traveler s ability to participate in the program, an aide will be required to accompany the traveler. All travel and hiring expenses for the aide may be the responsibility of the traveler, including a single-room charge, if needed, unless otherwise dictated by applicable law. The traveler shall be solely responsible for monitoring and shall be able to self-administer, without supervision, any required and recurring medications, injections, or any other treatments. Program staff, leaders, guides, or any other third-party, will not hold or administer any medication or treatment that may be required for a traveler. The contents of food products cannot be controlled or guaranteed during travel. All special dietary needs, or monitoring the contents of food products, are the responsibility of the traveler. Should a traveler s health, physical infirmity, or general deportment, in the sole judgment of International Planning Services, Inc. d/b/a Interplanner and its agents, impede the operation of the program or the rights, welfare or enjoyment of other travelers, International Planning Services, Inc. d/b/a Interplanner and its agents have the right to terminate the traveler s participation. If this occurs, no refund will be given. The traveler acknowledges and agrees that International Planning Services, Inc. d/b/a Interplanner and its agents shall have the right to contact the traveler by means of telephone, cellular telephone, email or other correspondence. Additional Risks: Travel involves some risk and each traveler acknowledges that there could be hazards of traveling in other countries, undeveloped areas, and that there are hazards when traveling by plane, car, bus, van, boat or other means of conveyance. Additional risks include animal interactions, forces of nature, political unrest, other unrest, hazardous local customs and practices, differing levels of sanitation, differing standards of safety, risks associated with water, food, plants, insects, and differing animal regulation, accident or illness in areas lacking means of rapid evacuation or medical facilities, and acts of national and local governments and unrest and acts of others against governments.
You are voluntarily participating in these activities with the knowledge that there are significant dangers involved, and you hereby agree to accept any and all risks. As lawful consideration for the agreement with International Planning Services, Inc. d/b/a Interplanner to participate in the trip and activities, you agree that you will not make a claim against International Planning Services, Inc. d/ b/a Interplanner or its personnel or sue for bodily injury, emotional trauma, death, property loss or damage or other loss or expense. You release International Planning Services, Inc. d/b/a Interplanner and its personnel from any and all claims, known or unknown, arising from contracting for, traveling to or from, and in any way participating in a trip. This release of liability and assumption of risk agreement is entered into on behalf of you and all members of your family and party. This agreement also binds your heirs, legal representatives and assigns. The payment for reservations on this tour shall constitute consent to all provisions in the Tour Conditions published herein.