LITERARY CUBA WHAT NOW? WHAT NEXT? April 2 13, 2016 OVERVIEW Whether you are a Canadian who has enjoyed a Cuban beach holiday or an American who has looked with longing at that alluring but, until very recently, off-limits island only 90 miles off the coast of Florida, we promise you a behind-the-scenes immersion into a neighbouring culture that both confounds and intrigues us. We will explore what it was like to grow up in Cuba as the last generation of citizens raised with Fidel Castro in charge of their country and how ordinary Cubans perceive themselves and their future. On a positive note, violent crime is low, literacy high, and healthcare universal. However, the one-party state has imposed limitations on many freedoms, including expression and travel. And the fall of the Soviet Union brought an end to the subsidies that kept the Cuban economy afloat until the nineties, causing the country severe economic hardships with which it is still grappling. As we get to know Cuba we ll build relationships with Cubans from all walks of life in the places they live, work, worship, and play. We ll soak up the environment of colonial, art deco, and contemporary architecture and savour the country s hugely popular and influential music. We will meet local artists. And we ll discuss Cuban poetry and literature with some of the island s most articulate writers. We ll experience Cuba in three distinct locations. Havana, of course, the big and beautiful capital. Trinidad, a perfectly preserved Spanish colonial town located on the Caribbean coast near the Escambray Mountains. And the small city of Cienfuegos, declared by UNESCO to be the best extant example of the 19 th -century early Spanish Enlightenment implementation in urban planning. Our accommodation is selected to enhance each location from a grand Old Havana hotel to a charming lodge in Trinidad. This Classical Pursuits trip is filled with intimate experiences: meeting with artists, writers, and the people who are moving the country to a new place. TOUR LEADER Ann Kirkland is the founder of Toronto s famed summer camp for enquiring adults Toronto Pursuits. She also leads literary adventures around the world breathing life into literature and art and taking readers beyond the surface to understand both the people and the culture. PRESENTED BY:
A WORD ABOUT CLASSICAL PURSUITS What is a Classical Pursuits Literary Adventure? Ann Kirkland founded Classical Pursuits in 1999 to provide thoughtful vacations for inquiring adults, with the world s best literature, art and music as our guides. By exploring and celebrating the particular visions of writers and artists in the location in which their works were created, we paradoxically discover the timeless truths that make these works great. Classical Pursuits Literary Adventures are a collaborative effort. Classical Pursuits develops the themes and selects the leaders. Worldwide Quest is in charge of production, expertly looking after all the logistical arrangements. Most important, with a Classical Pursuits Literary Adventure you will not lose the spontaneity, flexibility, and sense of personal discovery you seek in your own private travels only the logistical hassles. WHAT MAKES OUR ADVENTURES SPECIAL IS A BALANCE OF: in-depth discussion of important literature; guided walks to immerse ourselves in the cultural and natural history of a place; informal talks with local people to provide background and context to our inquiry; generous unscheduled time; exceedingly convivial company; and of course, lingering conversation over great meals! What s involved? The only prerequisites are to read before you arrive and to come with an open mind.
SIGNATURE MOMENTS Lunch with local artists at the Unión de Escritores y Artistas de Cuba Meet Esturio Segura, one of Cuba s most provocative contemporary artists in his private studio Get to know photographer Roberto Salas Dine in the country s best new private restaurants Enjoy Old Havana s grandest hotel and the best private inn accommodation LITERARY CUBA WHAT NOW? WHAT NEXT? April 2 13, 2016 DAILY ITINERARY Saturday, Apr. 2: Arrive Havana Any Cuban journey must start in Havana. Her faded beauty is legendary this is hands down the most winsome city in the Caribbean, and one of the top five scrumptious Latin American honeys too. It s also rising up from its ruins: a chunk of the tourist money that has hit the Cuban coffers over the last two decades has been showered on sprucing up Habana Vieja, the old colonial centre. Once fortified against the threat of pirates and colonial rivals, the seductive city has risen from the ashes with the painstaking restoration work of city architect Eusebio Leal, who had to bring some restoration artisans out of retirement to realize his dream and pass their wisdom on to the next generation. We ll be met on arrival and transfer to our hotel in Old Havana. We re dining this evening in one of the city s new private restaurants. Meals: Dinner Read more > Atlantic Ocean Havana CUBA Cienfuegos Trinidad Caribbean Sea
Sunday, Apr. 3: Havana We start the day with a literary discussion, held at our hotel. We then set off to explore the fishing community of Cojimar where Ernest Hemingway celebrated his Pulitzer Prize in 1953 with his fisherman friends including Gregorio Fuentes, captain of his yacht Pilar and the main character in his book, The Old Man and the Sea. The Hemingway Museum is located here and we ll stop in for look. We ll have lunch at Hemingway s favourite restaurant with a fabulous view of the Cojimar Bay. Later this afternoon in Havana, we ll visit the Unión de Escritores y Artistas de Cuba to view c urrent art exhibitions (exhibition TBA) and meet the artists. Monday, Apr. 4: Havana Our focus today is on Havana s up and coming art scene. We ll 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. We ll also visit two Cuban artists studios to meet members of this thriving artistic community. We re lunching today in the studio of Esterio Segura, one of Cuba s most provocative contemporary artists. Esterio will share the story of his development as an artist working in a wide variety of media and show us come of his latest works. This evening we ll attend a performance of Cuban son. Tuesday, Apr. 5: Havana This morning we ll hold our second literary discussion. Then we re off to visit the photographer Roberto Salas in his home in Havana. Roberto Salas was born in New York City in 1940, the son of the accomplished Cuban-born photographer Osvaldo Salas. In 1959 Roberto and his father began serving as photographers for the Cuban government newspaper, Revolucion. Roberto has lived in Cuba now for over 50 years and worked as a freelance photographer, documenting the nation s stories. Roberto will show us photographs from his collection and share his own stories. This afternoon we ll meet Pedro Luis Gutiérrez, a Cuban painter, sculptor, poet, and novelist. Called a master of Cuban dirty realism, Gutiérrez tells the stories of the Cuban underclass in a direct, visceral style. His books describe contemporary Cuba from his semi-autobiographical perspective as a disillusioned journalist. We re having dinner this evening in one of Cuba s family-owned restaurants. Wednesday, Apr. 6: Havana The Cuban National Ballet, founded by Alicia Alonso, is one of the world s great ballet companies. This morning we ll watch the company rehearse in the opulent Havana Gran Teatro. Over lunch today, we ll be joined by young Cuban writers and actors for a lively discussion on the state of the arts in Cuba today. The afternoon is free to continue exploring Havana independently. Thursday, Apr. 7: Drive to Cienfuegos This morning we re travelling by coach to Ciefuegos, a threehour drive. We ll stop for lunch in at Playa Girón at the home of a couple who have opened a small private inn to find out more about how private enterprise is working in Cuba. Nearby we ll walk on the beach or enjoy a swim in the ocean, freshening up at the inn after our swim. At the eastern perimeter of Playa Girón is the Bay of Pigs Bahía de Cochinos a crucial place in the national consciousness as the site of the failed 1961 USAbacked invasion of Cuba. We continue on to Cienfuegos and, after checking into our hotel, we ll enjoy a cocktail reception with local artists at Cienfuegos Unión de Escritores y Artistas de Cuba. Overnight: Casa Verde, Cienfuegos Friday, Apr. 8: Drive to Trinidad This morning we ll have a literary discussion at the hotel. We ll then visit Cienfuegos, a pleasant colonial gem (with pockets that look distinctly like 1950s Floridian suburbia). We ll stroll in the José Marti Park and visit the grand Tomas Terry Theatre which welcomed Enrico Caruso and Anna Pavlova and explore the local markets around the Boulevard. We ll lunch with local authors and artists at a restaurant facing the Bay of Cienfuegos and then continue on our way to Trinidad (about two hours). We re staying at the lovely Finca Kenia for four nights., Dinner Cuban beach
Saturday, Apr. 9: 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 well-preserved architecture, but also for its deep-rooted traditions. The old town is a time capsule of the late 18 th to late 19 th centuries when fabulously rich Spanish families raised gorgeous mansions around Trinidad s main square off the back of their sugar mills in the valley. We ll 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. During our day we ll meet with community members to discuss the Caribbean independence struggles that impacted the sugar industry. We re dining tonight in a private restaurant in Trinidad with music from a great local band! Wednesday, Apr. 13: Depart Havana The day is at leisure before transfer to the airport for homewardbound flights. Meals: Breakfast Note: The itinerary and accommodation described here are subject to change due to logistical arrangements, artists schedules and to take advantage of local events. Bell Tower in Havana Sunday, Apr. 10: Trinidad Today we set off to visit the Topes de Collantes National Park situated between Playa Giron and Trinidad. It s a place of extraordinary beauty and of great scientific value for Cuban botany, zoology and ecology. This protected area of 200km 2 has a great number of endemic species of flora and fauna. We ll hike on one of the Park s paths and enjoy refreshing swin under one of the big waterfalls. Monday, Apr. 11: Trinidad This morning we ll hold our final literary discussion in the garden of our finca. The afternoon is at leisure to continue exploring Trinidad on your own. The artisan market is a must as is a wander around the cobbled streets around the Plaza Mayor. This evening we ll attend a performance of Afro Caribbean music and dance. Tuesday, Apr. 12: Drive to Havana We set off this morning for the four-hour drive back to Havana. We ll stop en-route at the Monumento Ernesto Che Guevara in Santa Clara; the huge sculpture of the revolutionary hero overlooks a vast plaza where massive demonstrations are often held. We arrive in Havana this afternoon with time to relax or continue exploring Havana independently. This evening we ll enjoy cocktails hosted by Hal Klepak; Hal s father was the Canadian ambassador before, during and after the revolution and Hal moved back to Cuba in the 1980s. He s written fascinating books about Churchill and Raul Castro and will help us place our trip in context. Overnight: Hotel Santa Isabel, Havana Cuban cigars
Tobacco crops TOUR DETAILS Tour Cost (per person): US$4395 Taxes and Gratuities (per person): US$240 Tour Cost for Guaranteed Single Accommodation: US$5290 If you are travelling on your own and would like to share accommodation, we would be happy to try to match you with a suitable roommate. If we are unable to do so, the single cost applies. Group Size: 16 18 participants READINGS Explosion in the Cathedral by Alejo Carpentier, 2001 Cuban Revelations by Marc Frank, 2013 What s Included: Accommodation in double occupancy, based on hotels listed or similar Meals as indicated in the itinerary All activities as indicated in the itinerary All entrance fees Readings Gratuities for local guides, drivers, hotel and group meals (as indicated above) Taxes (as indicated above) Fully escorted by Ann Kirkland Not Included: Roundtrip airfare from your home Items of a personal nature Meals other than those mentioned above Beverages with meals Travel insurance Cuba Departure Tax (CUC25) 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 deposit of US$1000 is required on September 15, 2015. Final payment is due December 4, 2015.
WHAT TO EXPECT ADDITIONAL INFO Level of Activity: Moderate This trip will be comfortable for anyone who is comfortable with everyday walking and stair-climbing. We will be doing a fair amount of walking in town centres. Accommodation The Hotel Saratoga is perfectly located in an attractive corner of Old Havana. The hotel s façade has been restored to its original colonial grandeur; its interior beautifully combines classic architecture with comfort and convenience. Guestrooms have en-suite facilities and are air-conditioned. This is Old Havana s grandest hotel. The Victorian-Modern Casa Verde Hotel faces the sea at Jagua Bay in a residential area of Cienfuegos. The building is part of a project aimed at restoring old buildings of architectural significance. Finca Kenia is one of the oldest houses in Trinidad, converted to a charming, rustic lodge. The inn is located on the edge of the soulful city of Trinidad, a ten minute walk from the historic centre. Each room is air-conditioned with en-suite facilities. The large garden overlooks the ruins of a colonial fort and makes an ideal setting for our literary discussions. 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 welltrained professionals who take pride in their job and vehicles. Weather We expect clear sunny skies with average daytime temperatures between 25 and 30 C and overnight lows of about 19 C. 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 deposits are non-refundable, however you may transfer your deposit to another trip 90 days or more prior to your scheduled departure date. 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. HOW TO BOOK Please contact Amanda at the Worldwide Quest Office for more information and to secure your booking. 1-800-387-1483 416-633-5666 Amanda@worldwidequest.com 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. Note: If you are travelling with a USA passport, please contact us for specific visa information. TICO #2667946