Cuba Healthcare Trip Saturday Nov 7 Friday Nov 13, 2015 Cuba Tour Highlights: Guided tour of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Havana Historical Centre. Meet with representatives from Cuba s Ministry of Public Health. Visit to a community clinic and a family doctor and nurse s office. Exchange with healthcare professionals at a Maternity Home. Meeting with representatives from the Cuban Nurses' Association. Visit to self- sustained eco-community Las Terrazas. Meeting with renowned architect Miguel Coyula. Visit to CENESEX, an NGO fighting for LGBT rights in Cuba. Visit to a local alternative medicine clinic. Lunch hosted by Jose Fuster, renowned Cuban ceramist and painter. Dine at some of Havana best paladares (family-run restaurants). Services Included: 6 nights at Hotel Nacional (5 stars) with breakfast included. 12 Meals: 6 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 2 dinners included. Luxury air-conditioned coach transportation and professional driver. All activities, speakers, meetings and meals as described in itinerary except those noted as "optional" or "not included in cost." An expert Cuban English speaking guide and translator throughout the program, together with ongoing support from Authentic Cuba Travel' staff in Cuba and Canada. Official Asistur Cuban health insurance coverage. Services Not Included: Activities listed as "optional" or "not included in cost" in itinerary. International airfare to and from Cuba. Gratuities for Cuban tour guide, bus driver, chambermaids, restaurant staff, porters, etc. Cuban airport departure tax of 25.00 Cuban convertible pesos. Optional travel interruption and cancellation insurance. 1 P a g e A u t h e n t i c C u b a T r a v e l
CUBA TRIP DETAILED ITINERARY Day 1. Saturday Nov 7. Hello Cuba! *Dinner included Arrival at Havana International Airport. Meet your Authentic Cuba Travel tour guide and tour bus driver. Transfer to your hotel Nacional. Private group check-in. Evening: There s a new wave of private restaurants that has swept the Cuban capital offering exciting cuisine in atmospheric surroundings. This evening we ll enjoy a welcome dinner at Cafe Laurent, a family-run restaurant located in the penthouse atop a small 1950s apartment building. Day 2. Sunday Nov 8. Exploring Old Havana *Breakfast and lunch included Morning: Cuba s health system is notable for achieving developed country health outcomes despite a developing country economy. This morning we ll meet with representatives from the Cuban Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) for a briefing on the island s healthcare system. The Ministry oversees all programs and their implementation. This is a great opportunity for questions and answers. Lunch at the family-run restaurant La California. Afternoon: Visit to the Scale Model of Old Havana for a private meeting with world-renowned architect Miguel Coyula from the Group for the Comprehensive Development of Havana City. Mr. Coyula has been a leading figure in urban design, urban policy and community development for over 45 years, garnering design accolades, awards and public leadership roles. An internationally renowned architect, urban planner, and frequent lecturer abroad, 2 P a g e A u t h e n t i c C u b a T r a v e l
he is on the faculty of architecture at ISPJAE (Instituto Superior Jose Antonia Echeverria) at Havana University. The model serves as an excellent introduction to the layout of the city. It is color-coded by age with the historic buildings painted in crimson, pre-revolution buildings in yellow and the post-revolutionary buildings in ivory. You'll learn how each part of the city has developed historically, and the tough challenges each district faces today. Next we go on a guided walking tour of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old Havana. Visit to the Cathedral Square, named after the masterpiece of Cuban baroque architecture: the Cathedral of Havana built by the Jesuit order. The Cathedral's baroque facade is simultaneously intimate and imposing, and one of the two towers is visibly larger, creating a pleasing asymmetry. Visit to Square of Arms, ancient military parade ground for Spanish soldiers and surrounded by impressive buildings such as: Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, the former official residence of the governors (Captains General) of Havana, Cuba. It is home to the Museum of the City of Havana. Palacio del Segundo Cabo. The seat of the second authority of the island. Today it houses important publishing houses. Continue walking tour onto San Francisco Square, named after the Convent of San Francisco, this square was conceived in 1628, with the objective of supplying water to the ships trading with the metropolis. Visit to Plaza Vieja, the only civic square of colonial times. 3 P a g e A u t h e n t i c C u b a T r a v e l
Free time in the famous handicraft market of Old Havana, located inside the Almacenes de Depósito San José, an old warehouse on the harbour side where you can purchase all sorts of crafts and souvenirs by local artisans. Evening: Attend one of the most traditional and popular ceremonies in Cuba, The Fire of the Cannon of 9 O clock at the Fortress of San Carlos de La Cabana where Che Guevara established his headquarters after the Revolution came to power in 1959. Day 3. Monday Nov 9. Havana *Breakfast and lunch included Morning: Visit to a family doctor and nurse s office. We ll talk about localized health problems and learn about preventive care. The Cuban Family Doctor and Nurse Program was conceived as a team approach, where the two professions work in tandem, responsible for the health of a neighborhood, some 700-800 people. Lunch hosted by Jose Fuster, one of the most important Cuban ceramists and painters today. Fuster has turned an entire neighborhood in western Havana into a giant art installation that involves locals and their actual homes as part of the exhibit. He's engaged and trained many neighborhood residents as artisans, especially youth. This is art for and by the people on an epic scale! Afternoon: Visit to a Maternity Home. Since Cuba places special emphasis on maternity and infant care, expectant mothers with high-risk pregnancies or other special needs can stay at a maternity home where an on-duty nurse lives and is available 24-hours. The most common 4 P a g e A u t h e n t i c C u b a T r a v e l
reasons for going to a maternity home are the need for additional nutritional supplements, the risk of carrying a low-weight baby and carrying twins. Followed by panoramic air conditioned coach tour of the most important historical sites in the Modern Havana neighborhoods of Vedado and Miramar including the Revolution Square, University of Havana, Habana Libre Hotel, Coppelia Ice Cream Park, Plaza José Martí (in front of U.S. Interests Section), Monument to the Battleship Maine, Malecón seawall, Prado promenade, Central Park, The Great Theatre and the Capitol building. Evening: Enjoy Latin Jazz at Club La Zorra y El Cuervo, Havana s most famous Jazz club. The club features great performances by island bands and soloists! (Optional, not included). Day 4. Tuesday Nov 10. Havana *Breakfast and lunch included Morning: Meeting with representatives from the Cuban Nurses' Association / Sociedad Cubana de Enfermería (SOCUENF) to examine the role and mission of the organization. According to the World Health Organization (2004), the nurse to patient ratio for the Americas region is 414 to 100,000 patients. In Cuba, there are 795 nurses for 100,000 patients. Lunch at the family-run restaurant El Litoral. Afternoon: Visit to a local alternative medicine clinic that offers natural and traditional medicines as part of the herbal therapies and naturally curative treatments available to all in Cuba. Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is well developed within the Cuban medical system, and only health professionals are permitted to practice CAM in Cuba. Both the theory and practice of CAM are integrated into courses throughout the 6-year curriculum at the Cuban medical schools. Examples of CAM taught to Cuban physicians include acupuncture, herbal medicine, massage, heat therapy, magnetic therapy, pyramid therapy, moxibustion, mud therapy, floral/essence therapy, homeopathy, yoga, meditation exercise training, and music and art therapy. 5 P a g e A u t h e n t i c C u b a T r a v e l
Evening: Enjoy traditional Cuban music at classic Italian Renaissance-style gardens of Casa de la Amistad (House of Friendship). This is one of the most beautiful mansions in Cuba with a wonderful story to its construction in the 1920 s. (Optional not included in tour cost). Day 5. Wednesday Nov 11. Las Terrazas eco-community *Breakfast and lunch included Morning: Departure to Las Terrazas eco-community, located in UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Sierra del Rosario in the western province of Pinar del Rio. We'll tour its rural village called Rancho Curujey and enjoy a welcome cocktail while hearing about this self-sustaining community's goals of reforestation, historical preservation, environmental balance and a good life. Followed by visit to a rural community clinic where we talk about localized health problems. Next we'll meet with local artists and craft workers in their homes and studios. Later we'll walk the incredible ruins of a French Coffee Plantation built in 1801 worked by African slaves. Then we continue on to La Moka, an ecological hotel with trees growing up through the balconies and ceiling. We have lunch at an open-air restaurant specializing in traditional country cuisine! Next you'll have free time to swim in the fresh waters of the San Juan River cascades and pools, and explore the surroundings of this lush tropical paradise. Don't forget your swimming suit. Late afternoon return to Havana City. Free evening. 6 P a g e A u t h e n t i c C u b a T r a v e l
Day 6. Thursday Nov 12. Havana *Breakfast and dinner included Morning: Visit to CENESEX (Centro Nacional de Educación Sexual / National Center for Sexual Education). This organization and its founder Mariela Castro Espín campaign for equality and dignity for lesbians, gays, transsexuals and transgendered people. In particular CENESEX leads in the areas of HIV/AIDS awareness and support services, and gender and sexuality counseling. Mariela Castro, the daughter of Cuban President Raul Castro and niece of former President Fidel Castro, made a historic visit to the US in May 2013 to attend the Equality Forum in Philadelphia. At the event she was presented the International Ally for LGBT Equality Award. Lunch on your onw. Afternoon: Followed by visit to a Home for the Elderly. The population dynamics in Cuba over the last few decades reveal evident population aging. Furthermore, population projections show that by the year 2025 Cuba will be the "oldest" country in the region. At this meeting we ll learn about the main health problems in people over 60 in Cuba. Evening: Farewell dinner at one of Havana's very best paladares: La Fontana. Day 7. Friday Nov 13. Good Bye Cuba! *Breakfast included Transfer to Havana International Airport for departure. GROUND COSTS: Ground tour cost per person in a group of 18 to 22 travelers: $ 1,999 USD 7 P a g e A u t h e n t i c C u b a T r a v e l
Prices are per person based on double room occupancy. All taxes included. Single Room Supplement: $359 (optional) 8 P a g e A u t h e n t i c C u b a T r a v e l