FACES OF CUBA Jewish & more Embark on a journey back in time. Join the Jewish Community Board of Akron on in-depth exploration of music, art, history and culture. Visit the 3 synagogues and be part of an adventure only 90 miles away! Purposeful Travel for Passionate People Cuba in the midst of change Experience it during the most fascinating time in the past 50 years See the transition while immersing yourself in the Cuban culture Enjoy classic cars, cigars, Cuban cuisine and all that Cuba has to offer While preforming the Mitzvah of Tikkun Olam Stimulate your senses while exploring this enchanting island
Itinerary Day 1, Thursday: Havana (L, D) April 7, 2016 Today we arrive in Havana after a direct charter flight from Miami (it s only a one and a half hour flight!) We will be met at airport by our Cuban guide and driver who will accompany us throughout our journey We will hit the ground running and begin our Cuba adventure with a visit to the Museum of Revolution to begin understanding the rift of US and Cuba through history Lunch La California - charming Paladar in Centro Habana. Paladars are newly opened private restaurants allowed under new Cuban economic reforms. These restaurants have elevated Cuba's reputation of food and culinary creativeness. Visit to a Cigar factory. We will discover why Cuban cigars are considered the best in the world. You will learn about the fine art of cigar making through numbers steps involved. And we are in luck! With new relaxation of rules, Americans are allowed to bring back $100 worth of cigars or rum! Check into our hotel Unpack, change money, and rest up to be ready for our first night in Havana! Stop at Hotel Nacional for a drink and the stunning view of the Malecon (Havana's sea wall) and the Bay of Havana. Enjoy Sunset from the gardens Welcome Dinner at Litoral (paladar located across from the Malecon). For those who still have energy, the Jazz Café or the Fox and the Crow are two famed Jazz venues that you are sure to enjoy! Day 2, Friday: Havana (B, L, D) April 8, 2016 Enjoy your first Cuban buffet breakfast Visit the Orthodox Synagogue in Old Havana, Adath Israel and get a brief history of how Jews have survived in Cuba through decades of lack of Jewish life. This synagogue houses the only Mikvah in Cuba. Deliver donations Visit to Jewish Butcher which was the only business not nationalized after the revolution! Visit hotel Raquel - built as a Jewish theme hotel in the heart of Old Havana Next, we will explore the restored plazas of Old Havana, which date back to the 16th century. You will witness the greatest wealth of Spanish colonial architecture in the western hemisphere. Many of the old residences, government buildings and churches are actively being renovated under the leadership of Eusebio Leal, official historian of the city; we will learn how this renaissance is having a financial impact on Old Havana. The history of old Havana will unfold as we discover the plazas and people of Old Havana.
Lunch at Sloppy Joes one of Hemingway s former hangouts and known to be the longest bar in the Caribbean. Visit to Bellas Artes Museum. Get an overview of Cuba's rich art history when we will witness the national collection. We will have an art specialist join our group to enlighten you in their extensive collection of works from colonial through contemporary periods Back to Hotel to gather donations and get ready for Shabbat Services at Patronato Before Shabbat, visit to the heart of Jewish life in Cuba, the PATRONATO - meet with Adela Dworin (president of the entire Jewish community in the island) and JDC leaders who will explain how this JCC in Cuba operates and how it organizes many programs for youth and elders. Deliver donations Visit the private Jewish Pharmacy and meet with Rosa Behar, the founder of the pharmacy Enjoy Shabbat Services led by lay leaders (there is no rabbi or cantor in Cuba) After services we will join the Cuban Jewish community for Kiddush and Shabbat Dinner. For those who want to see experience Cuban nightlife, we recommend the Fabric de Arte Cubano, one of Cuba's newest music and art venues combined (optional) Day 3, Saturday: Havana (B, L) April 9, 2016 After breakfast at hotel we will travel to the Jewish cemetery in Guanabacoa. This cemetery is currently used by members of the community but it also has many of the graves of the very affluent and active Jewish community before the Revolution. This cemetery is home to the oldest Holocaust memorial in the Western Hemisphere Next we visit Hemingway's villa, Finca Vigia. This home is now a museum that has all of his personal items kept intact, including his boat Pillar. On Saturdays the local kids still play baseball here on the field that he named for his son Gregory. If you bring baseballs this is a wonderful place to leave them! We will stop at the Morro Fortress for the best views of the city! This is a must! Lunch at El Aljibe - Best baked chicken in all of Cuba, famous for its sauce and the restaurant that Anthony Bordian claims to have the best black beans and rice. Let you sense of whimsy come alive in Jaiminitas at Casa-Estudio de Fuster. This is the studio-home of Jose Fuster, commonly called the Picasso of the Caribbean". Meet with the artist's representative while exploring this unique property, including a visit with his neighbors whose homes are adorned with Fuster s ceramics. His art is found in many important collections all over the
world. You can purchase his creations (and any Cuban art as they are covered under the 1 st amendment rules). If you like famous Spanish artist Gaudi, you will LOVE Fuster! Back to Hotel to ready for evening Havdalah services can be an option Dinner tonight is on your own Did you know that Cuba had a Chinatown? Our guide can provide suggestions For late night enthusiasts, you will have the option of the show at Tropicana Cabaret (not included). Tropicana is Cuba's oldest and most famous Cabaret located in Havana. Known as the "Paradise under the Stars", it opened in 1931 and has been pleasing crowds ever since. Surrounded by lush vegetation, you will enjoy a glittering spectacle featuring over 200 singers, dancers, musicians and vocalists. Day 4, Sunday: Havana (B, D) April 10, 2016 After breakfast at the hotel we will visit Centro Sefaradi the 3 rd Synagogue in Havana. Meet with Mayra Levy, president of the Sephardi Congregation. Deliver donations Centro houses the newly inaugurated Holocaust Exhibit where we will have the chance to know about the relationship between Cuba and the Shoah. Continuing on we peruse an agri-market to learn about the dual currency system in Cuba. Learn about the ration card and how Cubans make ends meet. Visit to Callejon de Hamel and afro-cuban inspired alleyway adorned with murals and sculptures. Artist Salvador Gonazlas may be on hand to welcome us to his community. On Sundays, this street comes alive with a neighborhood rumba if we are lucky we will catch a glimpse! We will drive by Capitolio, which held all the seats of government prior to the revolution. Look at the astonishing resemblance to our own Capitol building in Washington. Cuba's Capitolio is actually taller than ours! Don't miss the classic cars parked in front of this historic building this is a great stop to use your photo skills! Lunch on the go (not included) we will give you time to garb a lite bite before we continue on to walk down the Prado- a beautiful boulevard in Old Havana Visit Almacenes San Jose, a former harbor warehouse restored by the Office of the City Historian to facilitate an environmental structure where crafts people can display their creative artistic productions. We will have time to shop at this craft market and see more private enterprises that Cuba is allowing its citizens to take part in.
Return to hotel before we depart for farewell dinner at one of Cuba's most elegant restaurants. Day 5, Monday: Havana/Miami (B) Breakfast included at hotel. Say our goodbyes to Cuba and leave a little of our hearts with our new friends Connection flight to your home destination (please make this as late as possible) ** Trip itineraries are subject to change due to factors outside of our control but if any changes need to take place, we substitute with something just as interesting! Trip licensed by Other Cuban Journeys, LLC. License No. CT-2014-306910-1 Pricing: (based on 20 travelers) $3850 per person for double accommodations $450 additional for single accommodations Your trip includes: Ø 5 days in Cuba, 4 nights Ø Round Trip Air from Miami Havana Ø Five star hotel accommodations in Cuba Ø Meals of 4 breakfasts, 3 lunch and 3 dinners Ø Drink at Hotel Nacional Ø Land transportation in Cuba by a driver with many years of service
Ø Services of an experienced Cuban, English speaking professional guide who has much knowledge of the Cuban community, politics, education, medical system, arts, economics, etc. Ø Entrance fees to the important cultural and historic sites Ø Medical insurance while in Cuba this does not cover preexisting conditions (we highly suggest that you purchase trip insurance) Ø US and Cuban airport departure tax Ø Cuban visa fee (if Cuban born, additional fees apply) Ø Gratuities to wait staff at included meals and bellboys in Cuba Not included: Ø Trip cancellation insurance highly recommended. Cancellation for any reason prior to trip can cause you to lose all money paid. Ø $150 Tzedakah per person to leave with Jewish communities we will visit Ø Tips for guide and driver suggested amounts are 10 per pax per day for guide and 5 per day per pax for driver Ø Domestic airfare to Miami and night stay in Miami prior to travel Ø Excess baggage charges