HAVANA JAZZ FESTIVAL TOUR Tuesday January 15- Monday 21st, 2019 International Jazz Festival of Havana is certainly among the island s biggest gatherings, bringing in acts from all across the globe. More than 20 international bands, including Michael Fleiner s Latin Jazz Septet and the Chico O Farill Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra have joined some of Cuba s most famous artists in previous festivals! DAY 1: Tuesday January 15th Welcome to Cuba! Arrival at Jose Marti International Airport in Havana City. Relax on a private airport transfer to the historic Hotel Habana Riviera with an English-speaking driver. On route, we ll enjoy a panoramic visit to the Revolution Square (Plaza de las Revolucion). Conceived by French urbanist Jean Claude Forestier in the 1920s, the gigantic square today is the base of the Cuban government and a place where large-scale political rallies are held. It is here where Popes John Paul II and Frances celebrate an open-air Mass during their visits to Cuba in January 1998, March 2012 and September 2015 respectively. The square was also visited by US President Barak Obama during his historic visit to Cuba in March 2016. Accommodation: Hotel Tryp Habana Libre The Habana Libre, rise majestically in the heart of Havana with magnificent views over the city, located in the area of La Rampa one of the most famous corners in the center of the Cuban capital. The Habana Libre was built in 1959 with elegant appointed rooms, its façade is covered by a large ceramic mural by the renowned Cuban artist Amelia Peláez, and showcases more artwork in the inside (some by Rene Portocarrero). Evening: This evening we ll enjoy a very elegant welcome dinner reception restaurant attire required!
DAY 2: Wednesday January 16th EXPLORING OLD HAVANA *Breakfast and lunch included* Morning: Guided walking tour of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old Havana. Visit to Square of Arms, ancient military parade ground for Spanish soldiers and surrounded by Impressive buildings such as: Palacio del Segundo Cabo. The seat of the second authority of the island. Castillo de la Real Fuerza. The second oldest fortress built by the Spaniards in the West Indies. 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 square of colonial times. Afternoon: Lunch at the family run restaurant paladar San Cristobal Housed on the ground floor of an early 20th century mansion, this restaurant serves their inspired interpretations of traditional Creole Cuban fare. The Obama family dined here during their historic visit to Cuba in 2016. Afternoon: Visit to the Cathedral Square, named after the masterpiece of Cuban baroque architecture: The Cathedral of Havana built by the Jesuit order. Visit to the Experimental Print Making Workshop, a cooperative workshop where young lithographers ply their art. You will have ample time to engage with Cuban artists about this art project that follows a very unique cooperative model in Cuba in which artists directly benefit from the sales of their art works. Free time in the famous handicraft market of Old Havana, located inside the Almacenes de Deposito San Jose, an old warehouse on the Harborside where you can purchase all sorts of crafts and souvenirs by local artisans. Return to hotel. Evening: Attend the Opening of the 34th International Jazz festival Jazz Plaza 2019..
DAY 3: Thursday January 17th VINALES VALLEY TOUR Breakfast and lunch included Morning: Day trip to Vinales Valley, containing the most spectacular scenery in Cuba and some of the most interesting and varied geological formations on the island valley is particularly famous for its great freestanding rock formations called mogotes. Meet with the local farmers that have been passing from generation the secrets of growing the best tobacco in the world. Visit to Mural de la Prehistoira, a huge painting on the side of a mogote. Afternoon: Lunch at Mural de la Preshistoria restaurant. Cuban country music live and best traditional Cuban dishes in the valley. Visit the Cueva el Indico, used by the Guanahatabey Amerindians as a burial site in ancient time, and as a refuse from the Spaniards for both Indians and Black slaves alike. We ll take a short boat ride on the subterranean river running through the cave. Next: you ll have some free time to explore Vinales Village at your leisure: its open-air craft market, Parquet Marti, town church, and other interesting sites of this charming colonial hamlet.. Evening: Exploration of Havana Jazz Festival 2019 related venues across the city. Enjoy the program concert and music events. Please do not forget you ALL Access Jazz Pass
DAY 4: Friday January 18th HEMINGWAY IN CUBA *Breakfast and lunch included Morning: Visit to Finca Vigia, 10 miles east of Havana, where famed author Ernest Hemingway lived from 1939 to 1960. It is here where the writer completed some of his greatest work, including The Old Man and the Sea, Across the River and into the Trees, and Islands in the Stream. The Villa has been maintained as a museum for the past 49 years. It contains original book and short story manuscripts, letters, over 3000 photographs, Hemingway, fishing tackle and gun collections, furniture, priceless art collection, and a 9000-volume library that contains rare first editions of his books and those of other famous writers. Finca Vigia has made both the Worlds Monuments Fund List of 100 Endangered sites, and the National Trust for Historic Preservations 11 most endangered places. Next: we go on a guided tour around Cojimar fishing village, where Hemingway kept is boat Pilar. The writer is remembered by the town with a small gazebo at encircles a commemorative bust, sculptured from the melted down propellers donated by local fisherman. Lunch at one of Havana s most popular restaurants: El Aljibe. This eatery serves the best Creole food in Cuba! Afternoon: Visit to Callejon de Hamel, an alley where all the buildings display murals inspired by Afro-Cuban culture and religions. We ll meet with project director and artist Salvador Gonzales Escaloa at his studio to review the influence of the African culture and religions in Cuban art, enjoy a Rumba performance! Salvador Gonzalez is a well-known Cuban muralist, painter and sculptor. He has murals in Philadelphia, New York and Norway Evening: Exploration of Havana International Jazz Festival 2019 related venues across the city. Enjoy programmed concerts and music events. Please do not forget your All Access Jazz Pass.
DAY 5: Saturday January 19th MATANZAS & VARADERO BEACH *Breakfast included Morning: Day trip to Varadero Beach. On route we visit Matanzas City, also known as the Athens of Cuba for its wealth of poets. The city is also famous for its strong African heritage. Upon arrival, we visit the Slave Route Museum (Museo de la Ruta Esclavo) at San Severini Castle. Exhibition halls retell the sad and violent history of slave trade which forcibly transported close to twenty million Africans to the Americas. The San Severino Castle, one of the Spanish Fortresses build in colonial Cuba in the 17th century, houses four exhibition halls: the house of the commander, the archelogica hall, the hall of slavery, and the hall or the Orishas or African deities. Next: we visit the Ediciones Vigia, a unique publishing house that produces handmade paper and first edition copies of books. Only 200 copies of each book are made so each is a collector s item. We ll meet with its director, publishers and artists. Continue on us ride to Varadero Beach. Upon arrival, we go on a panoramic motor coach tour of the Peninsula de Hicacos, Varadero, to witness tourism development in the area. Afternoon: Free time to enjoy the beach lunch on own Return to Havana City. Evening: Exploration of Havana Jazz Festival 2019 related venues across the city. Enjoy programmed concerts and music events. Please do not forget your ALL Access Jazz Pass
DAY 6: Sunday January 20th PARTAGAS CIGAR FACTORY *Breakfast and dinner included Morning: Visit to the Partagas Cigar Factory, founded in 1845 by Spaniard Don Jaime Partagas. Before and after the Revolution, the Cuban-produced Partagas has been one of the most revered and highest-selling brands of cigars in the world. Afternoon: Visit to the headquarters of Havana Compass Dance Company. The work of Habana Compass attracts international personalities. U.S. Singer Usher and the vocalist of the British band The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, have visited its headquarters. Exchange with students and dance instructors. Lunch: On own to explore many family run restaurants Evening: Elegant farewell dinner at the family run restaurant paladar Le Chansonnier Restaurant attire required! Le Chansonnier distinguishes itself for its contemporary, elegant and chic look with impeccable service and sumptuous cuisine. Special highlight: Participate in the Closing Ceremony of the 34th International Jazz Festival of Havana Jazz Plaza 2019. Please, do not forget your ALL Access Jazz Pass! DAY 7: Monday January 21st FAREWELL CUBA! *Breakfast included Transfer to Havana City International Airport for departure.