UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA ACES Discover Cuba March 18 th 24 th 2017 This well rounded itinerary showcases the culture, history and beauty of Cuba. It is designed to introduce you to Cuba beyond the typical cars and cigars tour. You will have the opportunity to experience Cuba few others have seen. The customized itinerary has been expressly designed for the ACES program.
Day 1 Arrive in Havana Welcome to Cuba: Dinner at one of Havana Vieja s famous Paladares (privately owned restaurants) and meeting with Cuban owner/operators for insights on Cuba's growing private sector. Day 2 Cultural Exchange Program: Driving Tour of Historic Sites of Havana including, Hemingway House, El Morro Castle, Quinta de los Molinos urban garden and community center and the elaborate and historic memorials of the Cementerio de Colon. Office of Historian Redevelopment Projects: Guided walking tour of Old Havana and engagement with representatives of the Office of the City Historian to discuss historic redevelopment in Havana and other Cuban cities. Explore the colonial architecture, historic plazas and restoration projects. A Night of Cuban Music and Dance: Music and Dance with our Cuban friends and family in Havana. You will experience an authentic night of fun, friends and family.
Day 3 Full Day Scenic Excursion to Pinar del Rio and City of Viñales: Leave the city for a day in the beautiful bucolic western province of Pinar del Rio. Lunch at roadside Paladar along the way. Visit to tobacco farms and agricultural operations in this highly productive agricultural zone. Meet with local farmers and workers to experience and understand rural life in Cuba. Visit the majestic limestone formations and cultural centers of the City of Viñales. Dinner in Viñales and late return to Havana Day 4 University of Havana: Presentation and Discussion: The future of Cuba and its developing relationship with the U.S. from academic experts on Cuba's history, culture and institutions to better understand recent and future changes in Cuba. Presentation on Foreign Direct Investment and Cuba's growing private sector from representatives and experts on Ministry of Foreign Trade, Office of Foreign Direct Investment and Cuban economists. Presentations by Individual Academic Departments *Customized to ACES group particular interests (TBD) Dinner at local Paladar in Havana Vieja with invitees from the day's presentations and other special Cuban guests.
Day 5 Professional Exchange Program: Visit to Ministry of Agriculture (MINAG) and Cuban Academy of Sciences. Visit to Soil Institute and Institute of Tropical Agriculture (INIFAT) *Interactive presentation and discussion on topics to be selected by ACES leadership Las Terrazas Community and Nature Reserve: Visit to this UNESCO designated Biosphere Reserve and pioneering eco-village community in the Sierra del Rosario mountains. Meet with local entrepreneurs, artists, farmers, workers and students to learn more about the challenges and opportunities for tourism and agricultural cooperatives developing in rural Cuba. Dinner and visit to Buena Vista Social Club style Cuban music performances. Day 6 ACES Global Academy Forum: *Full day event to be hosted by ACES with invitees from Cuban academic, professional and governmental organizations to be determined by ACES. Program agenda and guests to be determined in consultation with TCN. Cultural Exchange Program: Dinner and visit iconic Cuban night life spots, including Hemingway's Floridita and the original Sloppy Joes, along with other landmark areas of Havana (Parque Central, Teatro Nacional, Paseo del Prado, Malecón and more)
Day 7 Arts and Culture: One last stop at the Almacenes de San Jose Market on the Port of Havana. Visit this famous open-air craft market. You will have the opportunity to browse the works and meet with local artists and vendors to bring home a touch of Cuba. Depart to Airport and return to Miami. Price of the Program: (includes hotel, ground transportation, meals, programming venues, translation/interpretive services, tour guides, and preplanned activity costs).