Detailed Itinerary Havana Oct 24/17 This is the perfect tour for those wishing to explore Havana in depth. Enjoy a walking tour through the streets of old Havana; visit a cigar factory; walk in the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway and attend the famous Tropicana Cabaret show. Take a drive in 1950 s American vintage cars and learn about Cuban contemporary art. Visit an organic farm to learn about food production and the Green Revolution, we will also learn about the history of Cuban rum. Our day trip outside Havana will take us to a the Las Terrazas biosphere reserve (UNESCO) where we can enjoy a nature walk and the local community. Most importantly, make contact with the Cuban people who are eager to talk with visitors. Our adventure maximizes our interaction with the local people so you can learn first-hand what life in Cuba is really like. Join us as we explore the colonial history along with the comtemporary side of life and culture in Havana. Facts & Highlights 7 land days Maximum 16 travelers Start and finish in Havana All meals included Cuban medical insurance included In depth exploration of Old Havana Hemingway s Museum Attend the famous Tropicana Cabaret Vintage 1950 s American car tour Cultural interactions and musical performances Visit an organic food farm Las Terrazas biosphere reserve (UNESCO) Stay at the infamous Hotel Nacional de Cuba for 6 nights Departure Dates and Prices Jan 07 - Jan 13, 2018 Jan 21 - Jan 27, 2018 Feb 11 - Feb 17, 2018 Feb 25 - Mar 3, 2018 Mar 11 - Mar 17, 2018 Mar 25 - Mar 31, 201 Apr 8 - Apr 14, 2018 Apr 22 - Apr 28, 2018 May 20 - May 26, 2018 Jun 10 - Jun 16, 2018 Jul 8 - Jul 14, 2018 Aug 5 - Aug 11, 2018 Activity Level: 1 Comfort Level: Easy walks and drives. Accommodations Comfortable, well-located hotel with private bathroom. US/CAN 1-800-741-7956 UK 0808-234-1714 INTL. 001-416-588-5000
Day 1 Arrival Havana Upon arrival in Havana, you are transferred to Havana s Hotel Nacional where you can settle in and wander the lively and wide streets of the neighborhood. Havana is bustling with museums, plazas, art galleries and prominent buildings dating from the 18th to the 20th century. HAVANA cuba Day 2 Colonial Havana, Cuban Rum, Vintage Cars to Tropicana Cabaret This morning we start our day with a walking tour of colonial Havana. We visit the open-air plazas of San Francisco, Plaza de Armas, Plaza Vieja and Plaza de la Cathedral, followed by lunch in a local restaurant. After lunch we visit the Bacardi Rum Museum in old Havana for a guided tour. We also explore the outer parts of the city, including Callejon de Hamel, where we are invited to a cultural project with Mr. Elias Yousef for a firsthand encounter with the Afro-Cuban religion. We will discover the foundations of the more solid cultural Cuban roots and the widely spread Santeria religion. Mr Elias will escort us to genuine worship places where faith is practiced with devotion and where there will be plenty of opportunities for interaction and discussion. This evening, classic 1950 s American vintage cars will take us to the Tropicana Cabaret to enjoy a performance in one of the most historical open-air night club shows in the world. Here we get a glimpse of the Havana entertainment scene as it was in the 1950 s. It will be a late evening and our bus will be ready to take us back to the hotel after the show. 2
3
Day 3 Hemingway and Vintage Cars This morning we start our day with a visit to the vintage car repair workshop Nostalgycar, to learn about how local ingenuity keeps these old vintage American cars on the road. Our visit, however, is much broader than just the restoration of these classic 1950 s Chevys, BelAirs and Oldsmobiles. Our visit will give a tremendous insight into the present day revolution happening in Cuba in terms of private ownership, entrepreneurship, the social impact and a glimpse into what the future holds for Cuba and its citizens. From here, we walk in the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway with a visit to the American writer s former home, Finca La Vigia; an old colonial estate bought by the author in the 40s, where he lived for over 20 years. The house is exactly as Hemingway left it just prior to the Revolution. Visitors are able to walk around the house and view the interior through the windows. Enjoy lunch in Cojimar, the little town that inspired Hemingway or Papa to write The Old Man and the Sea. This is the same location where the writer kept his boat Pilar docked during his years in Cuba. We enjoy lunch at Las Terrazas de Cojimara restaurant. After lunch we visit Floridita bar where we can taste his prefered drink, the famous Daiquiri. In the evening, our dinner will be at the private restaurant Rejoneo in modern Havana. Day 4 Urban Organic Food Production and Cuban Music This morning we start our day with a visit to a farmer s market to learn about both the local diet and dual currency (including some of differences between CUC and CUP). Afterwards we continue to the organic garden Organoponico Vivero de Alamar where we will learn about the reality of Cuban urban and suburban agriculture. This Organoponico is a project that was started by a group of former agronomists who 4
Day 5 Cuban Cigars, Contemporary Fine Art Today we start with a visit to a cigar factory for a guided tour where we will learn about one of Cuba s finest exports. Afterwards, we focus on Cuban contemporary art in the hands of one specialist of the field. We will visit an artist workshop where we can watch local art in progress. We will visit 2 different communities of both well known and up and coming young artists. Taller Experimental de la Grafica is a project that has been in existence since the 1960s and includes artists from all backgrounds who create and exhibit their work in the heart of Cathedral Square in colonial Havana. Enjoy lunch in a quaint little alley that houses many local restaurants. Afterwards we will visit local workshops and community workshops in Old Havana where there will be excellent opportunities to buy art in a wide range of prices. Dinner and overnight in Havana. left office life to pursue a dream by converting a former garbage dump site into a productive 24 acre farm. Today they employ nearly 400 workers who supply fresh food to their 100 000 neighbors in the nearby community of Alamar. After lunch, we enjoy a visit to the Bellas Artes fine arts museum. This evening we will enjoy a dinner and show at the world famous Buena Vista Social Club. Day 6 Biosphere Reserve Las Terrazas Today we have a day trip outside of Havana to the Biosphere Reserve Las Terrazas where we will enjoy a nature walk and an introduction to the local community. We will have the opportunity to visit a local school and meet with a local doctor who will give us an insight into the Cuban health system. We will enjoy a farewell dinner tonight. Day 7 Depart Havana Our Cuban adventure concludes with a transfer to Havana Airport. 5
10
Questions & Answers 1. How big are the groups? Each group is limited to 16 participants. Small groups are an important ingredient in adventure travel. They allow for more interaction and more personalized service throughout the itinerary. 2. What is included in the tour price? All accommodations throughout; all meals, starting with dinner on day 1 and finishing with breakfast on departure day (i.e. the last day of the ElderTreks tour); bottled drinking water throughout the trip; all internal transportation; airport transfers on day 1 and departure day (i.e. the last day of the ElderTreks tour); all day trips and entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary; tips for hotels (porterage), restaurants and spot guides; services of a trip leader. 3. What is not included in the tour price? International flights, tips to ElderTreks tour leader/national guide, bus driver, alcoholic drinks, visas and travel insurance. 4. Are these educational tours? All of our tours are kept flexible so that we can take advantage of opportunities to meet and speak with local people. We visit museums, national parks and reserves and have talks and discussions on many aspects of Cuban history, politics, culture and nature. 5. How do we travel during the tour? We travel by comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles, by boat and by foot. 6. What are our accommodations like? We always stay in good accommodations both hotels and lodges, where rooms have a private bath or shower. We choose our accommodation based on local charm and location. The average temperature during the dry season is 75 F (23 C). with maximums of 85 F (29 C) and minimums of 65 F (18 C). It can be cooler in the mountains, especially at night. 8. When is payment due? A non-refundable deposit of $500 USD (plus insurance if you require it) is due at time of booking and will reserve your place on the tour. Payment of the full land cost is due 100 days before departure. Cancellation charges are applicable and are outlined in the Terms and Conditions section of our brochure. 9. Is medical insurance required? Comprehensive insurance coverage is not included in the cost of your trip. Please note however that included in the tour price is the mandatory Cuban Medical Insurance. Cuban Medical insurance coverage is required by the Cuban government. 10. What should I take on the tour? You will receive a suggested packing list with your final documents, approximately one month prior to your departure. 11. What meals are included? All meals during the itinerary are included starting with dinner on day 1, and finishing with breakfast on day 13. We eat a variety of local foods delivered in a wide range of settings. In many cases, we simply order a number of dishes and share, allowing you to sample new foods and decide what you enjoy best. 12. Can you arrange my flights? We would be happy to take care of your air arrangements. Elder- Treks offers personalized flight itineraries not group flights. Call us for a customized itinerary. 13. What if I would like more information? If you have any further questions about the trip, please contact our office for additional information. 7. What about the weather? All of our programs are run when the weather is optimal for travel. Our departures are scheduled throughout the dry season when the temperatures are at their lowest. 11
12