Open to alumni UBC and friends A CUBA EXPERIENCE BEHIND THE SCENES FEBRUARY 9 20, 2020 Dear Alumni and Friends, With all the world mad to travel to Cuba and having to content themselves with crowded resorts, join Wendy Holm in 2020 for an intriguing and intimate journey through this fascinating island nation. Gain special insight into the scope and nature of the radical changes Cuba has undergone since 1991. In meetings with local experts that Wendy has worked with over the years, you ll gain an appreciation of how Cuba s critical advantages have enabled the country to face the particularly complex challenge of food production. And you ll examine and consider how the new direction of the Cuban government has opened the door to new forms of private enterprise and the creation of worker cooperatives in many sectors of Cuba s economy. Presentations by Wendy s many contacts add to your understanding of today s Cuba, beyond the beaches. On this tour, you ll spend time in the beautiful colonial towns of Cienfuegos and Trinidad before heading to Havana were you ll be mesmerised by the eclectic architecture and cutting edge contemporary art. Enjoy the creative cuisine in private paladars and thrill to Havana s musical nightlife. Join Wendy to explore firsthand the culture, food, and communities of this most amazing little country on the cusp of change. TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS BY:
Sugar cane farming WHY TRAVEL WITH THE ALUMNI UBC TRAVEL CLUB? Dine in private paladars Explore the mountain villages of Topes de Collantes Presentation by a top architect on Havana s revitalization Learn about Cuban food security projects Presentation by a Canadian lawyer on Cuba s Special Period Dinner with Mavis Avarez, founding member of Cuba s farmer organization Atlantic Ocean Havana Varadero CUBA Cienfuegos Trinidad Caribbean Sea STUDY LEADER Wendy Holm (M.Sc., UBC, 74; M.M.C.C.U., Saint Mary s University, 2014) is an award-winning Canadian Agrologist, columnist, author and speaker. She led UBC s Global Seminar Series International Studies in Sustainable Agriculture Cuba from 2005-2017 and, since 1999, has taken just under 1,000 Canadian farmers, chefs and culinary students to Cuba to understand better what is happening in this tiny island nation. Editor/contributing author of the 1988 book Water and Free Trade, Wendy is a UBC Distinguished Alumni (2008), Queen s Medalist (1993, 2002), and Agrologist of the Year (2000). Wendy was excellent she has so much knowledge to share about Cuba and in particular, the agricultural practices and farm-to-market information. There is no way we would have been able to glean this much (and type) of information travelling on our own. 2017 alumni UBC traveller
DETAILED ITINERARY Sunday, Feb. 9: Arrive Varadero Upon arrival in Varadero, you will be met and transferred to our hotel on the beach; a relaxing start to our Cuba experience. Overnight: Melia Hotel, Varadero Meals: Dinner Monday, Feb. 10: Varadero Join Wendy for a briefing and seminar on contemporary Cuba. The day is yours to relax before dinner together this evening. Overnight: Melia Hotel, Varadero Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Tuesday, Feb. 11: Cienfuegos Head off south across the island to the Bay of Pigs, a crucial place in the national consciousness as the site of the failed 1961 USA-backed invasion of Cuba. In the town of Australia, the administration building at the former sugar mill was Fidel Castro s headquarters during the 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion. The towns of Playa Larga and Playa Giron were the main landing sites, and a museum in the latter is dedicated to the battles that took place. Continue after lunch to Cienfuegos, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a fine example of the architecture of 18th century Cuba. Overnight: Hotel Jagua, Cienfuegos Wednesday, Feb. 12: Cienfuegos Explore Cienfuegos, a pleasant colonial gem (with pockets that look distinctly like 1950s Floridian suburbia). Stroll in the José Marti Park, visit the grand Tomas Terry Theatre which welcomed Enrico Caruso and Anna Pavlova and the local markets around the Boulevard. Visit the fabulous Botanical Garden, a centre for tropical plan research founded by Harvard University in the 1920s. Overnight: Hotel Jagua, Cienfuegos Cienfuegos Thursday, Feb. 13: Drive to Trinidad On the way to Trinidad board former Russian Army trucks and travel to Topes de Collantes in the Escambray Mountain Range, home to small mountain villages, slopes covered in Caribbean pines, ancient tree-ferns, bamboo, and eucalyptus. Enjoy a nature walk and a traditional roast pig lunch before proceeding to Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight: Casa Particolar, Trinidad Friday, Feb. 14: Trinidad Trinidad is far and away the most handsome town in Cuba, with multi-coloured pastel hued terraces and rust-red roofs. It s also an authentic Cuban town, not only for its wellpreserved architecture, but also for its deep-rooted traditions. The old town is a time capsule of the late 18th to late 19th centuries when fabulously rich Spanish families raised gorgeous mansions around Trinidad s main square off the back of their sugar mills in the valley. Explore the outstanding historical core of the city and the Valley de Los Ingenios with cane sugar mills, plantation houses and facilities related to this vulnerable industry. Meet with community members to discuss the Caribbean independence struggles that impacted the sugar industry. Dine tonight in a private restaurant in Trinidad with music from a great local band. Overnight: Casa Particolar, Trinidad Saturday, Feb. 15: Drive to Havana Drive across the Topes mountain range to Santa Clara. Stop at the Monumento Ernesto Che Guevara; the huge sculpture of the revolutionary hero overlooks a vast plaza where massive demonstrations are often held. In Havana, get to know the city on a guided walking tour of Habana Vieja, the old colonial centre, now being spruced up with painstaking restoration work. Enjoy a classic music and dance cabaret show this evening.
Sunday, Feb. 16: Havana Cruise the broad boulevards of the city in a classic American convertible from the 1950s. Enjoy a lunchtime presentation on Cuba s Special Period by Canadian lawyer and paladar owner Gregory Biniowsky. The afternoon is free to continue exploring on your own. Join Wendy for cocktails at the Paladar le Chansonnier for a presentation by Miguel Coyula, one of Havana s top architects who will trace the roots of its colonial architecture and public spaces. Monday, Feb. 17: Havana Finca Marta just outside Havana is a world-famous success story; here Fernando Funes Monzote is winning an epic battle on the side of agroecology. Funes advocates smart, resource-efficient artisanal farming as an alternative to both the state-run agricultural model of the 1960 s and the agribusiness model practiced abroad. This eight-acre farm supplies organic produce to many of Havana s top-rated restaurants. We ll be hosted by Fernando for a tour and a farm lunch. This evening over cocktails enjoy a presentation by Fernando Funes (recipient on behalf of ACOA of the Right Livelihood Award for Urban Agriculture from the Swedish Parliament in 1999) who will explain how Cuba learned to grow food in the cities. Tuesday, Feb. 18: Havana Start the day at a bustling farmers market and a lush organic cooperative farm in the heart of the city and learn how a priority on food security put them there. Visit the Museo de Bellas Artes, a world-class cultural centre; Cuban painting and sculpture is housed in the modernist building and showcases the development of painting on the island from the colonial to the contemporary. Beans for sale Wednesday, Feb. 19: Havana Explore the historic fort at the mouth of Old Havana followed by lunch at co-op restaurant overlooking the bay. Explore the local craft market in heart of the old city and visit cutting edge artist studios. Enjoy a presentation by Mavis Avarez, a revolutionary woman, author, and founding member of Cuba s farmer organization ANAP before our farewell dinner. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Thursday, Feb. 20: Depart Varadero Transfer to Varadero for homeward-bound flights. Meals: Breakfast Note: The itinerary and accommodation described in this tour brochure are subject to change due to logistical arrangements and to take advantage of local events.
Trinidad TOUR DETAILS Tour Cost (per person): US$4795 Including all taxes and gratuities. Single Supplement: US$895 We would be happy to try to match you with a suitable roommate. If we are unable to, the single supplement will apply. Group Size: 15 18 participants What s Included: Airport transfers for passengers arriving and departing as per the group itinerary Accommodation based on double occupancy in hotels listed or similar Breakfast daily Meals as indicated in the itinerary Transportation by private air conditioned coach Bottled water on the coach All activities and entrance fees Services of specialized English speaking guides Presentations and seminars Gratuities for escort, local guides, drivers, hotel and group meals Taxes Fully escorted by Wendy Holm Not Included: Roundtrip airfare from your home to join the tour Meals other than those mentioned above Beverages with meals Fuel surcharges, if applicable Excess baggage charges Items of a personal nature Travel insurance Additional arrangements required due to any emergency or other situation Any item not mentioned in included features above Payment Details: A non-refundable deposit of US$500 per person is required to reserve a space on this tour. A second payment of US$1000 per person is due six months prior to departure. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. HOW TO BOOK Please contact Worldwide Quest. 1-800-387-1483 Updated March 5, 2019
WHAT TO EXPECT Joining Instructions This tour begins with our briefing and welcome dinner at 5PM February 9th. Please ensure that you arrive in Varadero by 3PM to join the group. All travellers arriving on the start date of the tour will be met on arrival and transferred to the group hotel. This transfer is included in the cost of the tour. When you book the designated pre-trip accommodation with Worldwide Quest, your transfer from the airport to our group hotel on arrival is included. If you are making your own pre-trip arrangements, this transfer can be provided at additional cost. The tour concludes with a single complimentary transfer from the Havana to the Varadero airport on February 20 Please contact us to verify timing of this transfer prior to making any flight arrangements. Level of Activity: Moderate A good level of fitness is important for this trip. You must be comfortable walking on uneven terrain and irregular paving and climbing stairs. You should be comfortable walking for up to three hours at a stretch, unassisted. We will be doing a fair amount of walking in town centres. Accommodation We are staying in a mix of four-star level traditional hotels and charming mix of casa particular and historic hotel rooms. All rooms have private facilities. In Havana we are staying at the five-star historic Hotel Nacional in the centre of the city with spectacular views over the Harbour, the seawall and the city. The art-deco style hotel is a National Monument and a symbol of the Cuban identity. Melia Hotel, Varadero Hotel Jagua, Cienfuegos Hotel Nacional, Havana Transportation The road system in Cuba is always a bit of a surprise for our participants as it has paved main roads that are usually in good condition. We will be using a medium-sized air-conditioned coach for transportation throughout the tour. Cuban drivers are well-trained professionals who take pride in their job and vehicles. Weather We expect clear sunny skies with average daytime temperatures between 25 C and 30 C and overnight lows of about 19 C degrees. Travel Documents: You will require a passport for this trip. Please ensure it is valid for at least 6 months beyond your scheduled return home. Travel advice Before booking, please refer to the Canadian government website to obtain travel advice for the destination(s) you are visiting: www.travel.gc.ca SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT TRAVEL IN CUBA There is so much change happening right now in Cuba and the Cuban infrastructure is working hard to keep up. This means that our daily itinerary may change from what is printed. Your spirit of adventure and flexibility will be rewarded by magnificent experiences. We always request the best rooms in each hotel, but it is possible that different room assignments are provided on arrival. Very occasionally we may be directed to an alternative hotel to the one advertised. As the hotels on this trip are in older, traditional buildings, not all rooms are the same.
ADDITIONAL INFO Terms and Conditions For additional information about our terms and conditions, please refer to your booking form, the current brochure or our website. All participants booking with Worldwide Quest are covered by the terms of the Ontario Travel Industry Act (Worldwide Quest International, Ontario - License # 2667946). Cancellation Policy All payments are non-refundable, however you may transfer your initial deposit for any land tour to another tour 90 days or more prior to your scheduled departure date. Initial deposits for cruises are non-refundable and non-transferable. Your second payment and your final payment are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you cancel within 90 days prior to trip departure, all associated trip costs are non-refundable. The tour price is quoted as a package. No partial refunds or credits will be given for services not used. In the event of a cancellation, you must notify Worldwide Quest immediately and in writing. Travel Insurance We urge you to ensure that you have adequate cancellation and medical insurance in place, should an unexpected event cause you to cancel or interrupt your trip or should the tour not be operable per our terms and conditions. We will offer you Manulife insurance coverage. Medical insurance including emergency medical evacuation coverage is mandatory on all our tours. TRAVEL WITH ALUMNI UBC It s your travel experience. Indulge your curiosity as we take you to unique places you ve always dreamed about. UBC experts and knowledgeable local hosts provide context. That allows you to develop a deep connection to the people you meet and the cultures, cuisines and landscapes you re exploring. Best value in educational travel Meaningful local experiences Thoughtful itineraries See our complete list of tours at: WorldwideQuest.com/alumniUBC TICO#: 2667946 The University of British Columbia Alumni Association will not be responsible for the financing, the arranging, or the conducting of these tours. They assume no liability or responsibility for damages or financial loss to person howsoever arising from the negligence, omission or otherwise of travel services arranged through Worldwide Quest International. Refer to the General Terms and Conditions established by Worldwide Quest International with respect to participating in this tour.