S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y Havana Arts AN UP-CLOSE LOOK AT HAVANA S ART AND CULTURE March 19 to 27, 2015 a program of the stanford alumni association
The island of Cuba, just 90 miles from Florida, has always had a vibrant arts community. Music, dance, graphic arts, painting, sculpture and design flourish and play an important role in Cuban life, in spite of harsh living conditions and a lack of many basic resources. Art has also been an outlet for social and political commentary during times of government suppression of freedom of expression. Stanford Travel/Study programs to Cuba are operated under the U.S. Treasury Department s People-to- People license that promotes personal interaction between Americans and Cubans. You ll meet local Cubans, learn firsthand about their lives, and see for yourself how their experiences and environment have inspired their art. Join us, along with local experts and our faculty leader, Joel Simon, on this extraordinary program! BRETT S. THOMPSON, 83, DIRECTOR, STANFORD TRAVEL/STUDY EL CAPITOLIO NACIONAL AND EL GRAN TEATRO DE LA HABANA Highlights MEET painters, sculptors, photographers, musicians and dancers who share with us what it s like to be an artist in today s Cuba. COVER: STREET ART, HAVANA STROLL with a local architect through Havana s cobblestoned tree-lined plazas, framed by 18thcentury baroque and 20thcentury art deco buildings. VISIT a small-town community project dedicated to encouraging local children s creative music, dance, theater and applied arts skills.
U NITED S TATES FLORIDA Miami Gulf of Mexico Havana A t l a n t i c O c e a n C UBA C a r i b b e a n S e a Itinerary Please note that this itinerary includes only the tourist sites we will be visiting; guest speakers and special events are also planned but will likely not be confirmed until shortly before departure. Our intent is to give travelers a well-rounded introduction to both the prerevolutionary and contemporary art of Cuba through interactions with local artists. Although we will do our best to adhere to the specific events mentioned in the following itinerary, certain changes may prove necessary. THURSDAY, MARCH 19 HOME / MIAMI, FLORIDA, U.S. Arrive in Miami independently and check in to our hotel located just minutes from the Miami airport. CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL MIAMI AIRPORT FRIDAY, MARCH 20 MIAMI / HAVANA, CUBA Transfer to the Miami Airport for our one-hour flight to Havana. Upon arrival complete immigration and customs procedures, then drive to a local restaurant for lunch. This afternoon, visit the historic Hotel Nacional de Cuba, located on the city s seafront promenade known as the Malecón. After taking a tour of Old Havana, or la Habana Vieja, check in to our centrally located hotel. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening at a local restaurant. HOTEL PARQUE CENTRAL (B,L,D) SATURDAY, MARCH 21 HAVANA Our exploration of Havana s strong artistic heritage begins at the tree-lined Plaza de Armas. Learn about the city s colonial and pre-revolutionary architecture with a walk down Calle Obispo, and marvel at the 16th-century Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, now the Museo de la Ciudad de la Habana (Havana City Museum). With a local artist as our guide, visit the Taller Experimental de Gráfica, Havana s printmaking and lithographic workshop, and meet the artists working there. After lunch, learn from architects and preservationists about restoration efforts at the Escuela Taller Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos, a school that trains young workers in various building skills. Continue to Fototeca, where work by Cuban photographers is showcased. Dinner this evening is at a local paladar (private restaurant). HOTEL PARQUE CENTRAL (B,L,D) SUNDAY, MARCH 22 HAVANA / JAIMANITAS Visit the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes where an art historian will highlight the museum s most important works of fine art. After lunch, attend a talk on the evolution of Cuban music by a local professor who is joined by a quartet of young musicians who will play for us. Next visit an
art studio and an atelier of two renowned local artists. Dinner tonight is at the home of artist José Fuster, who lives in the fishing town of Jaimanitas on the outskirts of Havana. Fuster has decorated more than 80 of the town s houses with colorful ornate murals and domes, transforming Jaimanitas into a vast work of public art. HOTEL PARQUE CENTRAL (B,L,D) MONDAY, MARCH 23 HAVANA This morning visit the United States Interests Section, or USINT Havana, which is staffed by U.S. Foreign Service personnel and functions as a de facto embassy representing U.S. interests in Cuba. Learn about the role of USINT and present-day U.S.-Cuban relations, followed by a Q&A session. Take a walking tour led by a local architect, visiting the former Centro Gallego (Galician Club), now El Gran Teatro de la Habana, an important theater; el Capitolio Nacional, the seat of government until the Revolution; and the former Centro Asturiano (Asturian Club), which now houses the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes European painting and sculpture collection. Continue to the famed Bacardi Building, erected in 1930 and one of Cuba s most impressive examples of art deco architecture. Visit a local home for the elderly, a Cuban rum factory, the studio of a painter and sculptor, and the home of an art collector and dealer for a private tour of her collection of Cuban art. This evening, enjoy dinner at a nearby paladar. HOTEL PARQUE CENTRAL (B,L,D) TUESDAY, MARCH 24 HAVANA / VIÑALES VALLEY Depart Havana this morning for a day trip to the Viñales Valley in the western part of the island, an area of scenic and rich farmland that produces vegetables, grains and high-quality tobacco for cigars. Stop in at the home of a local painter, then return to Havana to visit a delightful community center that is home to a children s amateur art program. Here we can watch local children having fun as they acquire new skills in music, dance, theater and art. HOTEL PARQUE CENTRAL (B,L) WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 HAVANA Take a short drive to see the former residence of Ernest Hemingway, La Finca Vigia. Enjoy lunch at an organic farm followed by a visit to an equine therapy facility. Meet a local photographer at Cuba s newest contemporary art space, located in an old cooking oil factory. Dinner is on our own this evening. HOTEL PARQUE CENTRAL (B,L) THURSDAY, MARCH 26 HAVANA Hear a special guest lecture about Cuban economic reform and attend a private flamenco performance and discussion with the group s director and dancers. This evening enjoy our farewell dinner. HOTEL PARQUE CENTRAL (B,D) FRIDAY, MARCH 27 HAVANA / MIAMI, FLORIDA, U.S. This morning, check out of our hotel and transfer to the airport for our afternoon charter flight back to Miami. After going through immigration and customs, connect to homeward flights. (B)
MUSEO NACIONAL DE BELLAS ARTES PLAZA DE SAN FRANCISCO Trip Information DATES: March 19 to 27, 2015 (9 days) SIZE Limited to 30 participants COST* $7,495 per person, double occupancy $8,395 per person, single occupancy *Association nonmembers add $200 per person INCLUDED International round-trip charter flight between Miami and Havana (including airport taxes) Luggage fee of $20 per person for 1st checked bag on the round-trip Miami-Havana flight 8 nights of hotel accommodations (1 night in Miami and 7 nights in Havana) 8 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners (including welcome and farewell dinners) All tours as described in the itinerary Gratuities for guides, drivers, waiters and porters for all group activities and meals Airport transfers and baggage handling for group flights Visa fees Minimal medical, accident and evacuation insurance Educational program with lecture series and pre-departure materials, including recommended reading list, a selected book, map and travel information Services of our professional tour manager to assist you throughout the program NOT INCLUDED U.S. domestic airfare Passport fees Meals and beverages other than those specified as included Independent and private transfers Excess-baggage charges Medical expenses and immunizations Personal items such as internet access, telephone and fax calls, laundry and gratuities for nongroup services Cuban departure tax of 25 CUC (approximately $30 US) Travel insurance (US-based): trip cancellation/ interruption and baggage insurance WHAT TO EXPECT In the last few years, Cuba has undergone many changes and general conditions have improved. There are better amenities for tourists, such as a greater number of taxis and private restaurants. Nevertheless we ask you to keep in mind that traveling to Cuba is still an adventure. Because of Cuba s inconsistent infrastructure, we consider this program to be a moderately strenuous program that is at times physically demanding and busy. Cuba s tourism industry is developing, and patience with local service standards will greatly improve one s enjoyment of the trip. We expect that participants will be a self-selecting group whose interest in the places we visit will far outweigh the need for creature comforts. In many ways, the challenges of this program are part of the learning experience. We welcome travelers 15 years of age and older on this program.
Terms & Conditions Deposit & Final Payment A $1,000 per-person deposit is required to hold your space on this program. Complete and return the attached reservation form or sign up online. Final payment is due 120 days prior to departure. As a condition of participation, all confirmed participants are required to sign a Release of Liability. Cancellations & Refunds Deposits and any payments are refundable, less a $500-per-person cancellation fee, until 120 days prior to departure. After that date, refunds can be made only if the program is sold out and your place(s) can be resold, in which case a $1,000-perperson cancellation fee will apply. We recommend trip-cancellation insurance; applications will be sent to you. Insurance Stanford Travel/Study provides all travelers who are U.S. or Canadian citizens with minimal medical, accident and evacuation coverage under our group-travel insurance policy. Our group policy is intended to provide minimal levels of protection while you are traveling on this program. We strongly recommend that you subscribe to optional baggage and trip-cancellation insurance. A brochure offering such insurance will be mailed with your confirmation materials. The product offered in this brochure includes special benefits if you postmark your insurance payment within a specified window: 21 days of the date listed on the confirmation letter for the Early Purchase provisions Eligibility We encourage membership in the Alumni Association as the program cost for nonmembers is $200 more than the members price. Parents and their children under 21 may travel on one membership. For more information or to purchase a membership, visit alumni.stanford. edu/goto/membership or call (650) 725-0692. Responsibility The Stanford Alumni Association, Stanford University and our operators act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transportation and exercise every care possible in doing so. However, we can assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity in connection with the service of any automobile, motorcoach, launch or any other conveyance used in carrying out this program or for the acts or defaults of any company or person engaged in conveying the passenger or in carrying out the arrangements of the program. We cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, force majeure or other causes beyond our control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger as tour rates provide arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right to make such alterations to this published itinerary as may be deemed necessary. The right is reserved to cancel any program prior to departure in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the program. No refund will be made for an unused portion of any tour unless arrangements are made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. Baggage is carried at the owner s risk entirely. The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time passengers are not onboard their plane or conveyance. Neither the Alumni Association, Stanford University nor our operators accept liability for any carrier s cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable ticket connected with the tour. Program price is based on rates in effect in July 2014 and is subject to change without notice to reflect fluctuations in exchange rates, tariffs or fuel charges. California Seller of Travel Program Registration #2048 523-50 TEL (650) 725-1093 FAX (650) 725-8675 EMAIL TRAVELSTUDY@STANFORDALUMNI.ORG COPYRIGHT 2014 STANFORD ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. PRINTED ON RECYCLED, FSC-CERTIFIED PAPER IN THE U.S.
Joel s lectures were my favorite part of the trip what a great guy. JOHN CANEER, 51, MA 53, ULTIMATE SEYCHELLES EXPEDITION, 2012 Faculty Leader JOEL SIMON, 74, BS 75, MS 77, who has led more than 50 Travel/Study programs to date, has helped scores of Stanford travelers bring out their inner travel and nature photographer. A photography instructor and photodocumentarian who studied photography under Leo Holub at Stanford and taught college-accredited courses on marine biology in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Joel fell in love with the ocean and photography when he discovered tide pools as a young boy in Southern California and soon after started taking his camera underwater. His photographs have appeared in STANFORD magazine and in various photography and travel publications; he has also authored dozens of articles on travel destinations. He is looking forward to experiencing the intoxicating rhythms and rich history of Havana and capturing with his camera the dazzling Caribbean colors that infuse everything: the people, the food, the clothes, the cars, the buildings. In addition to sharing his stores of knowledge on portrait and street photography, he ll also put into perspective the work of local artists for us. Photography instructor, Stanford Continuing Studies, since 2010 Owner, editorial/commercial photography studio, Menlo Park, CA Former snorkeling editor, Skin Diver magazine AB 74, art and biology (interdisciplinary), BS 75, and MS 77, mechanical engineering; all Stanford University **In addition to Joel Simon, we will be joined by local experts who will lecture on Cuban politics, its economy and health care. S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y Reservation Form Havana Arts SIGN UP ONLINE! MR. / MRS. / MS. MISS / DR. / PROF. NAME AGE STANFORD CLASS MR. / MRS. / MS. MISS / DR. / PROF. NAME AGE STANFORD CLASS ADDRESS CITY / STATE / ZIP PHONE CELL / WORK / HOME EMAIL ADDRESS BED PREFERENCE: Twins Double Here is my deposit of $ ($1,000 per person) for space(s). Enclosed is my check (payable to Stanford Alumni Association) OR Charge my deposit to my: Visa MasterCard American Express I/We have read the Terms and Conditions for the program and agree to them. CARD # SIGNATURE If this is a reservation for one person, please indicate: I wish to have single accommodations. OR I plan to share accommodations with: OR I d like to know about possible roommates. EXPIRATION DATE CARDHOLDER SIGNATURE DATE Mail completed form to address on mail panel or fax to (650) 725-8675 or place your deposit online at alumni.stanford.edu/trip?havana2015. Submit your reservation only once to avoid multiple charges to your account. 14368
Stanford Travel/Study Frances C. Arrillaga Alumni Center 326 Galvez Street Stanford, CA 94305-6105 (650) 725-1093 Havana Arts AN UP-CLOSE LOOK AT HAVANA S ART AND CULTURE March 19 to 27, 2015 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Stanford Alumni Association The program was outstanding overall but to be a guest in the artists studios and homes was a real privilege. LIZ GARD, 54, CUBA ART, 2014 S T A N F O R D T R A V E L / S T U D Y JOSÉ FUSTER PUBLIC ART PROJECT