Holiday Trip 2 Havana & Trinidad December 2017
About Us Cuba Educational Travel (CET) is a leader in cultural travel to Cuba. CET unlocks the best of Cuba by providing access to the country s top artists, academics, tastemakers, and cultural figures. CET s tailormade programs enable clients to experience Cuba s vibrant culture and gain a deeper understanding of the island, while ensuring full compliance with all U.S. regulations. CET has been on the frontlines of cultural collaboration, helping to bring Cubans to the U.S. and Americans to Cuba. From yoga retreats to concerts to dance performances, CET has wide-ranging experiences and contacts. Recent highlights include organizing the Diplo/Major Lazer concert in Havana, which drew a crowd of over 500,000 people, and bringing Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba, the country s top dance group, to perform at the Latin Grammys. www.cubaeducationaltravel.com Our Value Proposition By leveraging this expertise and curated travel capabilities, Cuba Educational Travel offers a product that is unrivaled. Our strong presence on the island and in important cultural circles gives us unparalleled access and knowledge. This combined with the beauty and intrigue of Cuba and its people make for truly unforgettable experiences.
Friday, Dec 29 TBD Afternoon Arrival to Havana. Check-in at the Hotel Capri, which was one of the first hotel casinos built by the Mafia in Cuba. Owned by mobster Santo Trafficante, and run by George Raft, the hotel was at a time one of the largest casinos in Havana. Located blocks from the University of Havana, Coppelia ice cream, and the Havana seawall, the recent remodeling provides first class amenities, while leaving the history and original charm of The Capri. 7 pm Welcome dinner at Paladar San Cristobal. Located in the heart of Central Havana, this paladar has a reputation of excellence in both atmosphere and local cuisine. Enjoy great food while the local takes you back to the 1940s and 50s. Saturday, Dec 30 9 am Coffee and discussion with a family of artists, at AltaMira art loft. A few years ago, Edel Bordón and his family embarked on a journey to establish an art collective in their apartment building. Spearheaded by his wife Yamilé Pardo, the family created the AltaMira art space, which features an exhibition and workspace off of the main lobby and collaborations with neighbors. 10:30 am Walking tour of the Old City. Wander through the Plaza Vieja, the oldest plaza in Havana, dating from the 16th century. See the Plaza de San Francisco, a cobbled plaza surrounded by buildings dating from the 18th century, dominated by the baroque Iglesia and Convento de San Francisco dating from 1719. Visit Plaza de la Catedral and the Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Habana. Visit the Plaza de Armas, a scenic tree-lined plaza formerly at the center of influence in Cuba. It is surrounded by many of the most historic structures in Havana as well as important monuments. 12:30 pm Lunch at Doña Eutimia paladar. Famous for its ropa vieja and frozen mojitos, this cozy paladar made Newsweek Magazine s top 100 restaurants in the world in 2012. The restaurant s location in the beautiful cathedral square is unbeatable. 3 pm Socio-economic discussion with urban planner Miguel Coyula, whose presentation will touch on housing, infrastructure, investment and restoration programs. It s bound to leave you with a better understanding of why Havana looks the way it does today and possibilities moving forward. 8 pm Dinner Reservation at Tierra, Havana s newest international dinning spot. Located inside a container in the Fábrica de Arte Cubano, the restaurant mirrors the eclectic crowd, serving dishes from around the world. Calle 26, between Calle 11 and 13, Vedado (not included to be paid on the ground) Suggestion Following dinner, enjoy live music, art and dancing at La Fábrica de Arte Cubano. Rock star X Alfonso has turned this into meeting spot for a young, eclectic crowd of Cubans and foreigners.
Sunday, Dec 31 9 am Visit the Christopher Colon Cemetery, one of the oldest and most prestigious cemeteries in Latin America. 11 am Visit with La Reyna y Real, a female hip hop/jazz duo. The group s music focuses on breaking down stereotypes in Cuban society, including machismo, healthy relationships, gender relations and race. They will share info about their interesting musical journey and insight into the challenges and opportunities young Cubans face. 1 pm Enjoy a traditional Cuban meal overlooking the Straits of Florida at the Hotel Nacional. Tasty Cuban food served family style with a great view of the Havana sea wall and the old Spanish fortress. The setting brings many back to the 1950s, when the mafia held its annual meetings at this historic hotel. 2:30 pm Afternoon discussion with Carlos Alzugaray, former Cuban diplomat and expert on U.S.- Cuba relations, to learn about the bilateral relationship and Cuban foreign policy. At the Hotel Nacional. Evening Enjoy New Year s Eve celebrations Monday, Jan 1 10 am Check-out of hotel. 10:30 am Visit to the home and studio of plastic artist Fuster, who has converted his neighborhood into an art project featuring murals, plastic art and other designs. 12 pm Lunch at El Aljibe, a government-run restaurant famous for its black beans, baked chicken and large family style portions. 1:30 pm Depart for Trinidad, with stops along the way. Trinidad is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its cobble stoned streets, pastel colored homes and small-town feel. 4:30 pm Visit Cienfuegos, referred to as the Pearl of the South, is one of Cuba s only cities to display French and Spanish architecture. Housed on one of the country s largest Bays, the city offers beautiful ocean front landscapes, and is deeply rich in culture. Walking tour of the historic center by the City Historian s Office. 5 pm Music and discussion with the local chapter of UNEAC, the National Union of Artists and Writers of Cuba, featuring an opportunity to meet local artists. 6 pm Continue onto Trinidad. 7:30 pm Arrive in Trinidad. Check-in at bed and breakfasts, known as casas particulares, or private homes. Since the 1990s, Cuban families have been permitted to rent rooms out of their family homes to foreigners. Featuring comfortable accommodations and ample privacy, it s a great way to interact with everyday Cubans.
Tuesday, Jan 2 9:30 am Walking tour of Trinidad s historic center with a local architect, historian and restoration specialist for an overview of the city s history, architecture and economy. 11 am Enjoy a performance by a local folkloric dance group. 12 pm Lunch at Los Conspiradores paladar, located at the foot of the main plaza and the lively Casa de la Música. Afternoon Explore on your own and take part in activities that support the Cuban people, such as visiting art galleries, eating at private restaurants, speaking with artisans, or hiring private cars and bicycle taxis. CET representatives will offer guidance on ensuring legal compliance with OFAC regulations. Wednesday, Jan 3 10 am Depart Trinidad for Havana. 1:30 pm Lunch Reservation at Havana s 21 restaurant, in Vedado neighborhood. (not included to be paid on the ground) 3 pm Check-in at Hotel Capri. 6 pm Private performance and lecture on Cuban music at Bar Asturias by Professor Alberto Faya. Prof. Faya has been working as a musician, professor and researcher within the Cuban musical world for over 20 years. He will be joined by a quartet of some of the finest young jazz musicians in Cuba, who will take us on a lively musical journey through the country s history. Thursday, Jan 4 10 am Enjoy a performance by Habana Compás Dance, which encompasses the rich rhythm and flow of the island, performing traditional and modern dances born from their Spanish, Cuban and African-Cuban heritage. 11:30 am Visit to La Finca Vigía. Formerly the home of Ernest Hemingway, today it still houses his expansive collection of books. It was here where he wrote two of his most celebrated novels: For Whom the Bell Tolls and The Old Man and the Sea. The beautiful grounds and bizarre tales from Hemingway s many years in Cuba are captivating. Afternoon Explore on your own and take part in activities that support the Cuban people, such as visiting art galleries, eating at private restaurants, speaking with artisans, or hiring private cars and bicycle taxis. CET representatives will offer guidance on ensuring legal compliance with OFAC regulations. 8 pm Farewell dinner at Paladar Atelier. This restaurant is equally known for its atmosphere and exquisite cuisine. The lighting and textures of the house, which was home to a prerevolutionary senator, coupled with walls adorned in modern art, create a cozy but modern setting.
Friday, Jan 5 TBD Check-out of hotel and depart for airport.