SANTIAGO DE CUBA Eastern Cuba: Crossroads of Culture, History, and Politics with Ambassador Vicki Huddleston February 8-16, 2019
Only 100 miles from the coast of Florida, Cuba has long beckoned travelers as a neighboring destination a world away. On this 9-day expedition, set foot in the heart of the east, as you explore seaside towns, rural fishing villages, and vibrant Santiago, Cuba s second largest city, and birthplace of the Revolution. Led by American diplomat Vicki Huddleston and accompanied by Cuban naturalist Carlos Peña, you ll not only experience the sights and sounds of this extraordinary country, you ll also gain greater insight into its historical, political, and cultural context, in addition to its abundant natural beauty. Discover all Eastern Cuba has to offer with World Affairs Council of Philadelphia!
Dear Council Travelers, Our Council members have a long history of enjoying legal travel to Cuba. We first visited during the Carter presidency, then again in the 90s, and now since 2011. We now invite you to join us on a 9 day journey through Eastern Cuba. On this people-to-people educational program, you will obtain a better understanding of Cuban views on matters that mean most to them. Led by Ambassador Vicki Huddleston and naturalist Carols Pena, meet other experts along the way including James Cason, a former U.S. Foreign Services Officer, historian Dr. Olga Portuondo Zuñíga, and representatives from natural history and environmental research institutions. Beyond the insider s expertise, we ll have a chance to experience the vibrant spirit of everyday Cuban people, through authentic art, music, and meals, as well as opportunities to chat with locals about their daily lives. Please join us on this unique program to experience beautiful Eastern Cuba and gain a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the country s rich history, natural bounty, and resilient people. Please make your reservation as soon as possible to guarantee your spot! Shoshana Altrichter Director of Travel, World Affairs Council of Philadelphia WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL RESERVATION FORM Eastern Cuba: Crossroads of Culture, History, and Politics Enclosed is my/our deposit for $ ($500 per person) for person/people on the tour listed below. I/we understand the final payment is due at least 95 days prior to departure. Payment may be made by American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or VISA or by personal check. Please make check payable to Holbrook Travel, Inc. and mail deposit check to: World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, 1 South Broad Street, Suite 2M, Philadelphia, PA 19107-3426. For questions please call 215-561-4700 x209 or x217, email travel@wacphila.org, or visit wacphila.org/travel. Full Passport Name DOB Gender E-mail Council Full Passport Name DOB Gender E-mail Council Badge Name(s) Address City State ZIP Home Ph. ( ) Cell Ph. ( ) Please book my/our air from. I/we request an air upgrade to. I will share a room with. I request a single room (limited availability). Note: The undersigned has read the schedule of activities for the above-referenced tour, and agrees that their signature below represents their acceptance of the General Terms and Conditions. Signature(s) Date Method of Payment Check American Express Discover MasterCard VISA Account # Security Code Exp. Date Name of Cardholder Signature Final invoicing will be sent by our tour operator, Holbrook Travel, Inc. The balance of the program price must be paid to Holbrook Travel. Final payment is due 95 days prior to departure (check or credit card).
SIERRA DEl CRISTAL MOUNTAINS WHY EASTERN CUBA? With its beautiful beaches and turquoise waters, lush national parks and mountain scenery, and rich historical significance, Eastern Cuba offers a full spectrum of natural and cultural wonders to experience. PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS WORLD AFFAIRS COUNCIL LECTURER Vicki Huddleston Ambassador Vicki Huddleston is an American diplomat with expertise in foreign, defense, and development policy. She led American diplomatic missions in Mali, Madagascar, Ethiopia, and Cuba; was a senior advisor to the Secretary of Defense and the U.S. Military Command for Africa; and managed a USAID development project in Haiti. She managed American policy toward Cuba as the Coordinator of Cuban Affairs in Washington, D.C., and carried it out as the Principal Officer at the United States Interests Section in Cuba our diplomatic mission in Cuba before it became an embassy in 2014. After leaving the State Department, she became a Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution, where she co-led a project on U.S.-Cuba relations that resulted in a book, Learning to Salsa New Steps in U.S.-Cuban Relations that provides a blueprint for normalization of U.S. relations with Cuba. She is Secretary of the Finca Vijia Board that in cooperation with the Cuban Ministry of Culture has preserved Hemingway s documents and his home in Havana. She is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Havana Heritage Foundation and the Santa Fe World Affairs Forum. Travel Cuba with Ambassador Vicki Huddleston, an authority on the past, present, and future of U.S.-Cuba relations, and Carlos Peña, a naturalist and ornithology specialist. Meet with experts along the way, as they shed light on Cuba s history, culture, tourism, economy, natural life, ecosystems, and conservation initiatives. Visit the sites of Santiago de Cuba and learn about its pivotal role in the country s history. Get a taste of Cuban culture through music, art, and meals at private restaurants called paladares. Explore the most complete collection of ferns and orchids in the Americas at Jardín de los Helechos, including a visit to its research station. Go snorkeling in the turquoise waters of Guardalavaca and learn more about what the Cubans are doing for marine conservation. Meet with farmers in a small fishing village to learn more about rural life in Eastern Cuba. ACTIVITY LEVEL EASY/MODERATE: Travelers should be able to walk at least 2 miles over some uneven surfaces without difficulty and climb 40 stairs consecutively. Walks typically last for at least 2-3 hours at a time. PHOTOS by M. VAN REE, RENATO LORINI, michele testini
ITINERARY BLD = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner on the way to school MIAMI 1 CUBA GIBARA 6 GUARDALAVACA 2 HOLGUÍN 3 4 5 SANTIAGO DE CUBA 7 8 FEBRUARY 8 MIAMI Upon arrival in Miami, check in to Hotel Atton. Please note: all flights should arrive in Miami so that participants will be at the Hotel Atton for the evening s events. After dinner, attend a lecture by our leader, Ambassador Vicki Huddleston, and Ambassador James Cason, who will share their experiences working at the U.S. Interests Section in Havana. Overnight at Hotel Atton. (D) FEBRUARY 9 HOLGUÍN Transfer by bus to the Miami International Airport for the short flight to Holguín, Cuba s fourth largest city. Upon arrival, we will meet our guides and driver. In addition to our local guide, our program will be accompanied by Carlos Peña, a researcher and naturalist specializing in ornithology with the Investigations and Environmental Services Center in Holguín. Enjoy lunch at a private restaurant, or paladar, in Holguín s main plaza, then enjoy a brief visit to the Carlos Finlay Museum of Natural History followed by a stop at a brewery to see why Holguín is Cuba s main beer brewing city. In the late afternoon, we will transfer to our hotel, Mirador de Mayabe, located on a hillside a short drive from Holguín s center, offering sweeping views of the city and Cristal Mountain Range in the distance. Dinner will be at the hotel, followed by a program orientation. Overnight at Hotel Mirador de Mayabe. (LD) FEBRUARY 10 santiago After breakfast, head to Santiago, the second largest city of Cuba. Santiago was the first capital of the country and remained so until 1553. Founded in 1514, it was governed for a time by Hernán Cortés, who later conquered Mexico. The prosperity of the city lay in the nearby copper mines, the well-protected harbor, and the massive trade and exploitation of slaves from West Africa. Additionally, Santiago is considered the birthplace of the Revolution. Six years after the failed attack on the Moncada Barracks in 1953, Fidel Castro and his army returned to Santiago to accept the resignation of Fulgencio Batista s general and begin the victory parade toward Havana. Once in Santiago, enjoy lunch at a local paladar and then visit the colonial part of the city. Starting in the main plaza (Parque Cespedes), stop by the Diego Velazquez Museum, the cathedral, the Emilio Bacardi Moreau Building, and the Museo de la Lucha Clandestina. This evening before dinner, we will hear a talk by historian Dr. Olga Portuondo Zuñíga, on Santiago s colonial history. Dinner will be at our hotel or at a nearby paladar. Overnight at Hotel Casa Grande. (BLD)
EL MORRO FORTRESS FEBRUARY 11 Santiago After breakfast, we will visit the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery. Created in 1868 to accommodate the victims of the War of Independence and a simultaneous yellow-fever outbreak, the Santa Ifigenia is the final resting place for many great historical figures, particularly José Martí, Emilio Bacardi, and Fidel Castro. Then we take a short drive to El Morro fortress, a well-preserved 17th century Spanish fort, providing chilling insight into the Spanish colonial era and the Spanish- American War. We will have lunch at a restaurant near the fortress, overlooking the sea. After lunch, return to the hotel for a brief rest before visiting the studio of artist Alberto Lescay, one of Santiago s most renowned artists, and the sculptor of The Bronze Titan in Santiago s Revolution Square. This evening enjoy dinner at a local paladar and enjoy music in Santiago s Casa de la Trova. Places where Cuban musicians come to play and share their music informally, trova houses are part of Cuba s deep musical tradition. There is no substitute for the natural voices and instruments just feet away from the tables where Cubans and tourists alike gather to enjoy the music. Overnight at Hotel Casa Grande (BLD) FEBRUARY 12 Santiago Begin today with a visit to the Museum of Natural History of Santiago and headquarters of BIOECO, a branch of the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment. We will have a chance to meet with the director and learn about the conservation and research initiatives underway. Next, visit Jardín de los Helechos, home to an internationally important collection of tropical ferns, clamshell orchid bromeliads, and orchids. The collection of over 3,000 ferns and more than 300 orchids is the most complete in the Americas, and the life work of director Manuel Caluff, who is acknowledged around the world for his contributions to the world of ferns and gardens, including having discovered several endemic species. Jardín de los Helechos also operates as a research station, conducting research on the preservation and propagation of ferns. After lunch in the garden, return to the city square to visit the Rum Museum and learn about the process for making rum from sugar cane. This evening dinner will be on your own so that you can explore Santiago s many options. Your guide will assist you with recommendations and transportation. Overnight at Hotel Casa Grande. (BLD) LA BASILICA DE la CARIDAD DEL COBRE FEBRUARY 13 Gibara After an early breakfast, we leave Santiago and journey north to the coastal fishing town of Gibara. En route, we will visit the Basilica of Caridad del Cobre. About 10 miles outside of Santiago, this beautiful
basilica is ensconced among palm-laden hills and within view of an enormous copper mine. La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, or Cachita as she is sometimes affectionately called, is Cuba s patron saint, and a significant presence in Cuban cultural, religious, and social life. Arrive in Gibara in time for lunch, at one of its seaside restaurants. In the afternoon, there will be time to take a stroll and visit the Museum of Natural History. Later, our own specialist Carlos Peña will give a talk on the Cuban conservation efforts of birds and other species. Our lodging this evening, Hotel Ordoño, is the tallest building in Gibara; built in the 1920s, it has been well restored. Overnight at Hotel Ordoño. (BLD) the Cuban way of life in this region. There will be one more opportunity to take a dip in the ocean or walk along the beach before our farewell dinner. This evening we will have our final lecture, on tourism and its impact on the Cuban economy. Overnight at Hotel Meliá Paradissus. (BLD) FEBRUARY 16 Depart Today we bid farewell to Cuba and transfer to the Frank País International Airport in Holguín for our international departure flights. (B) PRICING $6,295 per person Price is based on double occupancy. Single occupancy offered at additional cost of $800. Your price includes: HOTEL ORDOño FEBRUARY 14 Guardalavaca This morning we will drive approximately 1.5 hours east to Guardalavaca, a wellknown beach resort area for European travelers. With almost two miles of beach, its calm turquoise waters boast coral reefs offshore, making it an ideal site for snorkeling and diving. Upon arrival, we will enjoy lunch at our hotel and have time for snorkeling. This evening enjoy a lecture on marine conservation in Cuba by a researcher from the Carlos Finlay Natural History Museum in Holguín. Overnight at Hotel Meliá Paradissus. (BLD) FEBRUARY 15 Guardalavaca After breakfast, enjoy a snorkeling excursion to the reefs by boat. In the afternoon, we will visit the local fishing village of Boca de Sama, where we will meet with farmers and sample some of their produce. We will also visit a school or clinic to talk with locals and learn about International airfare from Miami 8 nights accommodations in Deluxe and Superior First Class hotels 22 meals (7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners) Sightseeing and activities as described, including entrance fees Lectures by Ambassador Vicki Huddleston (based on a minimum group size) Holbrook Travel tour guide Private vehicle transportation throughout program Luggage handling, one bag per person Bottled water on the bus Carbon offset Departure tax and Cuban visa Gratuities for local guides and drivers Price does not include: domestic connections to Miami, trip cancellation insurance, gratuities for maids, gratuities for Holbrook Travel Director ($10 - $15 per person per day), drinks purchased on own (alcoholic beverages not included except at farewell dinner), and items of a personal nature. Holbrook Travel can assist with making your flight arrangements upon request. Trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended (offered through the World Affairs Council).
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS Please read this information carefully, as payment of a deposit represents your acceptance of the following Terms and Conditions. Not Included in Your Tour Price domestic airfare from your departure city; costs of passports; personal expenses such as beverages, laundry, room service, and meals not specified; communications charges; gratuities to your Holbrook Travel Tour Guide which are at your discretion (suggested gratuities $10-$15 per guest, per day); and trip cancellation insurance. Additional baggage fees levied directly by the airline(s) may apply and are subject to change at any time. You should confirm directly with your airline(s) prior to departure. International Air Transportation Holbrook Travel offers group airfare and ticketing. Group transfers between the airport and hotel are included in your program cost. A note about online airfare: Occasionally, you may be able to find airfares online that are listed at a lower cost. In general, individual fares lack the flexibility of group airfare and often require immediate purchase. You will receive your preliminary air schedule approximately 2½ months prior to departure. Please note that seat assignments on your international flight are usually done at airport check-in. Holbrook Travel is unable to guarantee any seat assignments. Due to the nature of tour operator tickets, other restrictions apply, including but not limited to, frequent flyer mileage accrual, stopovers, alternate travel dates, upgrades, and airline taxes and departure fees. If you prefer to make your own travel arrangements, booking the tour Land Only is available. We recommend that if you choose to make your own airline reservations, you do not purchase non-refundable tickets or those with high penalties for changes. If you choose to make your own air arrangements, World Affairs Council of Philadelphia and Holbrook Travel, Inc. shall not have any liability for any loss resulting from cancellation of this tour or changes in this tour. Cancellations, Changes and Refunds If you must cancel your tour, the effective date of cancellation will be upon our receipt of your notification. All cancellations need to be submitted in writing to World Affairs Council of Philadelphia. Refunds for cancellations are subject to the following per person charges: Cancel 95 days or more before departure: $200 charge; Cancel 95-0 days before departure: no refund. Please note that we will not refund the cost of any unused portion of your tour package. We will not charge a fee for any changes made to your reservation outside of 95 days before departure. From 94 to 30 days before departure, if you make any changes to your reservation, a $100 per person administrative fee will apply, in addition to any fees or penalties imposed by airlines, hotels, or other third parties. Changes are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. If your reservation changes from double occupancy to single occupancy for any reason, you will be charged the single supplement. No changes to your reservation can be made within 30 days of departure. If due to unforeseen circumstances Holbrook Travel cancels your tour, you will receive a complete refund of all payments you have made to us. Health and Medical Issues We welcome all travelers, but request that you be in good health to participate on a Holbrook Travel tour. All of our tours involve a reasonable amount of walking (typically two to three miles per day). You must be able to get on and off motorcoaches on your own. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance; in such cases you must be accompanied by a companion who will assist you. Please note that our itineraries cannot accommodate wheelchairs. We reserve the right to remove anyone whose physical condition or behavior, in our opinion, compromises the operation of the tour or detracts from the enjoyment or safety of the other tour members. In that event, World Affairs Council of Philadelphia and Holbrook Travel assume no financial responsibility for any unused portion of the tour. For the convenience of the majority of our travelers, Holbrook Travel has a no smoking policy on all tour buses. We will arrange sufficient rest stops so those who wish to smoke may do so. Required Information Upon reservation, you must provide your full name as it appears on your passport, date of birth, and gender (for details, please visit tsa.gov). In the event an airline ticket is issued with incorrect information you have provided, or if you use a different passport than originally cited, you will be responsible for charges associated with the ticket s reissue. A passport valid for at least six months after the completion of your tour is required for U.S. citizens on this tour. Responsibility The liability of World Affairs Council of Philadelphia as sponsor, and Holbrook Travel Inc., as tour operator, is strictly limited. World Affairs Council of Philadelphia and Holbrook Travel, Inc. purchase transportation, hotel accommodations, restaurant and other services from independent suppliers not under our control. We serve only as agents for these suppliers in securing tour arrangements, and therefore will not accept responsibility for wrongful, negligent, or arbitrary acts or omissions of these independent contractors, their employees, agents, servants or representatives. World Affairs Council of Philadelphia and Holbrook Travel, Inc. are not liable for injury, damage, loss, accident, or delay that may be caused by events not within our control, including without limitation, acts of terrorism, war, strikes, the defect of any vehicle, or the negligence or default of any third party. All coupons, receipts, and tickets issued are subject to the terms and conditions specified by the air carriers, cruise line, and other independent suppliers. We will make every effort to operate our tours as planned, but we reserve the right to make itinerary changes as necessary. If unforeseen circumstances require us to change a hotel, we will select alternative accommodations of the same or better quality and may change due to factors such as government regulations, water levels, or weather conditions. The services of any IATA and ATC carrier may be used in connection with these tours. The participant understands that if he/she books special low cost airfares with penalties, and cancels the reservation, he/she is responsible for any penalties incurred from the airline.