CUBA VOYAGE CLASSIC CULTURE & REMOTE COASTS OF WESTERN CUBA WITH A VISIT TO DEPOSITO DEL AUTOMOVIL & NOSTALGICAR Book by September 30th! The AACA Museum offers you the opportunity to explore Cuba! March 2-11, 2017
WHY CUBA IS SO COMPELLING We know Cuba from its past, from its legacy on American culture, and from a pantheon of notorious, tragic, heroic, and historic people and events. Christopher Columbus made landfall in Cuba on his first voyage to the New World. Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders took San Juan Hill in the War for Cuban Independence. Che Guevera and Fidel Castro brought their Marxist brand of rule to the island, setting the course that disrupted relationships with the U.S. International forces under John F. Kennedy s watch, stormed in with an attack at the Bay of Pigs, leading to the Cuban Missile Crisis. Later, the Mariel Boatlift brought thousands of refugees to Miami, sparking an unprecedented urban rebirth. Equally fascinating and perhaps more uplifting are Cuba s inviting people and exciting, sensuous culture. With music, art and athletic prowess, Cuba has long demonstrated to the world that it is bastion of talent and style. From the Tropicana nightlife to the Buena Vista Social Club, Cubans have significant influence. Cuba s vices are legendary mellow cigars, lavish cabarets, Salsa dancing, and smooth rum. This has always been a playground for inspired eccentrics. Author and adventurer, Ernest Hemingway whiled away his time in Cuba, but it was the writings of Jose Marti that best defines Cuba s hunger for freedom and independence. Cuba s culture thrives, while nature pays no attention to political differences. TRAVEL WITH EXPERTS International Expeditions has earned an outstanding reputation with our partners in Cuba. Over the years, International Expeditions has come to know and truly understand Cuba, mastering the complex logistics of traveling here. Yet, this country is on the brink of historic transformation. Flexibility is at times called for, but it s the little surprises that often make the journey rewarding. The best part of our Cuba voyages are the families, artists and musicians you ll encounter ordinary Cubans eager to share more about what makes our lives similar and different. International Expeditions has offered authorized people-to-people travel for U.S. citizens for years. During your time in Cuba, you will participate in a daily slate of engaging activities focused on education and cultural exchange. Not only does this allow you to travel to Cuba legally, but you can experience Cuba in the most authentic way possible through the eyes of its people.
We really enjoyed being able to talk directly to so many of the Cuban people that is one of our favorite things to do when we travel. The trip was very, very interesting but, most of all, our guide made the trip memorable. He was so knowledgeable and informative. We thoroughly enjoyed Cuba. The people were so friendly. Our hotels, meals and activities were wonderful. Chris Julson of Madison, Wisconsin
10 DAYS FROM $5,699 ACTIVITIES Combine exhilarating travel on sparkling Caribbean waters with fascinating overland journeys to explore Trinidad, Maria la Gorda, Bay of Pigs, Isle of Youth, Viñales Valley, Cienfuegos and, of course, Havana. Marvel at the expanse of shoreline claimed by this diverse island mountains sloping down to tropical jungles, rich wetlands and fruited plains...sunny inlets and ports long used for exporting Cuba s abundance of fruit, sugar, coffee and coveted tobacco. Along the way, enjoy discussions with musicians, conservationists and those you meet while on our daily excursions. DAILY ITINERARY Day 1 ARRIVE MIAMI Our program begins in Miami with welcome drinks and an informative briefing. Spend tonight at the Miami Airport Marriott. Day 2 EXPEDITION HIGHLIGHTS Explore the historic Bay of Pigs. Visit Guanahacabibes, Cuba s largest nature reserve and home to the bee hummingbird. Six nights aboard fully air-conditioned yacht, Panorama. Spend a full day on rarely visited Juventud Island the Isle of Youth MIAMI / SANTA CLARA / BAY OF PIGS / CIENFUEGOS Board your charter flight to Santa Clara. Meet your driver and guide, and depart for the Bay of Pigs Playa Giron. Stop for lunch in a local paladar, a privately owned restaurant, before continuing to the Playa Giron Museum. Here you can survey a brief history of the Bay of Pigs invasion, and see military equipment from the period. Continue to Cienfuegos. Overnight at Hotel Jagua or similar. (L,D) Day 3 TRINIDAD / CASILDA / EMBARK Experience Trinidad like a local, visiting with shop owners and sampling local fare as we walk through the colonial heart of the city and calling on artists in their studios. Stop at either the Museum Romantico or the Architecture Museum. En route to the port town of Casilda, where we board the Panorama, take advantage of a stop at a local look-out to photograph stunning vistas. After embarking, the Panorama sets off for Cienfuegos. (B,L,D) Day 4 CIENFUEGOS Begin our day at the farmer s market, where locals come to purchase produce for their daily meals. Enjoy a walking tour of Cienfuegos city center, where wide avenues lead to the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the transformative power of art in the lives of ordinary Cubans while visiting a graphic arts workshop. After lunch, try out your dance skills or learn new ones during a Salsa lesson. Enjoy a performance by the Cienfuegos Choir or an orchestra. (B,L,D) Day 5 JUVENTUD ISLAND: BAY OF SINGUANEA Spend a day exploring Cuba s second largest island, Juventud the Isle of Youth. This island has a distinct history colored by the presence of Aboriginal Indians, Christopher Columbus, who landed here in 1494, and even pirates, but it is most famous for its role in Cuba s revolution. Stroll the streets around Nueva Gerona s Parque Central, mingling with students and street vendors. At the now-abandoned Presidio Modelo, learn about former prisoners Fidel and Raul Castro, who were imprisoned here for 19 months. This is where Fidel penned much of his text History Will Absolve Me. (B,L,D) Day 6 MARIA LA GORDA Explore Maria La Gorda, on the Bahía de Corrientes, beginning in La Bajada. Call on a local school, mingling with students and learning about the country s education system. Guest may even share songs with the children. Meet with a local
Gulf of Mexico Havana enjoying a close up look at how vintage American cars from the 1950s are Guanahacabibes National Park María la Gorda Viñales Juventud Island Bay of Pigs Santa Clara Cienfuegos Trinidad repaired and restored.ready for more fun? We ve arranged an optional excursion to the famed Tropicana (at your own expense). (B,L,D) DAY 10 HAVANA / MIAMI Disembark Havana Miami JOURNEY BY SHIP JOURNEY BY LAND Caribbean Sea after breakfast and transfer to the Jose Marti Airport for our charter flight to Miami, where you connect with flights home. (B) naturalist at Guanahacabibes National Park, the largest of Cuba s six nature reserves. This UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve is home to butterflies and birdlife such as endemic bee hummingbird and yellow-headed warbler. Enjoy a nature hike, or return to the beach for lunch. The rest of the afternoon is free to snorkel or enjoy the surroundings. While the Panorama continues to Havana, tonight we stay in the Guanahacabibes Reserve at Hotel Maria la Gorda. (B,L,D) DAY 7 MARIA LA GORDA / VIÑALES / HAVANA Wind our way into the Viñales Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dotted with limestone mogotes and fertile tobacco fields. Mingle with locals on the wide avenues in the charming town of Viñales for a taste of daily life in the countryside. Sample the homegrown vegetables grown at an organic farm while meeting the family who is responsible for the land. Stop at a tobacco farm to learn about the processes and history of Cuban cigars. Continue on to Havana, where we re-board the Panorama, which is docked near Old Havana. (B,L,D) DAY 8 HAVANA Stroll through the atmospheric squares of Old Havana, calling on artists in their studios as we pass. These parks and plazas are popular with locals who frequent the stalls selling books along the edges of the park while musicians fill the air with sound. See Hotel Ambos Mundos, where Ernest Hemingway kept a room for years. The hotel served as a refuge for writing such works as For Whom the Bell Tolls and as a base for frequenting his favorite bars. You have a moment to see the room where Hemingway worked if you wish before sampling a mojito at the rooftop bar. Head to Condes de Villanueva to see the art of cigar rolling. Enjoy sampling Cuba s famed rum varieties at the Rum Museum. Tonight, head to Café Taberna, home to the Buena Vista Social Club revue. (B,L,D) DAY 9 HAVANA Learn about art and dance in the lives of Cubans elite and ordinary citizens. At Habana Compass Dance, a private school of dance, we attend rehearsals and meet the director. Pay homage to Ernest Hemingway while discussing his work with Cuban Hemingway specialists at his former home, Finca Vigia. Travelers can only peer through the open windows of this museum, but the inside is arranged almost as if the home was waiting for him to return. Hemingway s fishing boat, El Pilar, is still on the grounds. Stop to chat with the owner, Jolanda, and farmers at a sustainable garden which supplies one of Cuba s best private restaurants Il Divino where we have lunch. The surrounding garden and restaurant serves meals to seniors and functions as an after-school center for the employees children. Walk to Deposito del Automovil for a special visit with Eduardo Mesejo. Antique cars are on display at this repository, which was created by the Office of the Historian of the City to safely house these pieces of history. Take classic cars to NostalgiCar, DEPARTS: MARCH 2, 2017 PRICE PER PERSON CATEGORY C (LOWER DECK) Double Occupancy........$5,699 Single Occupancy......... $7,199 CATEGORY B (LOWER DECK) Double Occupancy........$6,399 Single Occupancy......... $7,899 CATEGORY A (MAIN DECK) Double Occupancy........$6,899 CATEGORY A (UPPER DECK) Double Occupancy........ $7,099 ON ALL DEPARTURES Charter Air, Visa & Departure Tax.... $750 Port Tax............... $410 Charter airfare is subject to change and must be purchased through IE. 2017 pricing based on estimates. Please call or visit website for current departures and pricing. $600 per person deposit due to confirm booking. Final payment due 90 days prior to departure. Cancellations: $300 per person cancellation fee from time of booking till 90 days prior. 100% of trip price 89-0 days prior to departure. Pricing on a per person basis for Cuba based on double occupancy includes: Expedition Leader to accompany the group upon arrival in Cuba. Professional local bilingual guides. All meals, excursions & accommodations as stated in the itinerary. Overnight in Miami with welcome drinks & reception. Beverage included onboard with meals wine, water, soda (no liquor or cocktails). Bottled water on transfers & excursions in Cuba. Cuban government mandated medical insurance. Tips to porters, day guides & waiters for included meals. Items not included in the price: Charter air from Miami to Cuba ($750) priced separately, subject to change. Port Tax ($410) subject to change. U.S. & Foreign departure taxes. Passports, bar tab & other personal items. Gratuities to the Expedition Leaders, Cuban guide & boat crew.
OUR EXPEDITION YACHT Panorama Panorama International Expeditions has made sure that you experience the highest standard of comfort for our extraordinary Cuba Voyage. Accommodating only 48 passengers in 24 cabins, the Panorama three-masted motorsailer is sleek and spacious. Onboard Our Ship While most of our time in Cuba is spent mingling with the locals during excursions, while onboard Panorama, emphasis is placed on time outdoors. An aft Sun Deck equipped with loungers, chairs and a bar is available. After briefings on history, culture and nature, enjoy the lounge, which features a small library and comfy sofas. When not taking meals in privately owned paladars on shore, you ll enjoy a sumptuous selection of both international and Cuban cuisine aboard the Panorama. Dinner onboard Sun Deck onboard Panorama Friendly, professional staff
Category A cabin Category B cabin Panorama Features & Specifications All cabins are air-conditioned and feature TV, telephone, hairdryers, mini-fridge, central music and public address system, and safe boxes. Bedding is two twin beds or one Queen bed based on cabin selection. The fully equipped bathrooms are finished with marble. CATEGORY A (UPPER DECK) Cabins are located on the Upper Deck with large windows enabling breathtaking views. Approx. 130 sq. ft. Lounge UPPER DECK A1 A2 CATEGORY A (MAIN DECK) Cabins are located on the Main Deck with large windows enabling breathtaking views. Approx. 123 sq. ft. CATEGORY B (LOWER DECK) Cabins are located on the Lower Deck and have portholes. Approx. 123 sq. ft. CATEGORY C (LOWER DECK) Cabins are located on the Lower Deck and have portholes. Approx. 119 sq. ft. MAIN DECK 5 3 1 6 4 2 Public Areas Indoor Dining Area & Bar, Separate Indoor Lounge, Reception, Sun Deck with loungers and chairs. 25 LOWER DECK 23 21 19 17 15 11 9 Type: Motor Sailer Staff & Crew: 16-18 Flag: Greece Cruising Speed: 11 knots Cabins: 24 Electricity: 220 volts Length: 177 feet Breadth: 40 feet Draft: 16 feet 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 EL
TO MAKE A RESERVATION Toni Rothman AACA Museum 161 Museum Drive Hershey, PA 17033 tonirothman@icloud.com