Cuba Experience

• 18 Meals (4 dinners, 6 lunches and 8 breakfasts)
• Travel aboard a deluxe, air-conditioned, lavatory-equipped motorcoach
• Four and five-star, air-conditioned lodging throughout
• Many People To People interactions, which will immerse us in the culture and history of Cuba and its people
• Several meals at Cuban paladars. These are privately-owned and operated restaurants which have only been allowed by the Cuban government in the past few years. Dine in the homes of these proud business people — and interact with their families and employees, many times watching the meals being prepared in the kitchens of these paladars.
• You will be “sight-doing” throughout your visit. Talk to artists as they create their works of art; ride in an antique car; and open your mind to another way of life.

Day One — Home to Miami - Travel from your home town to Miami, Florida, where we meet our fellow People-To-People participants at the hotel. Our program begins at 6:00pm with an orientation session. We will hear from an expert about U.S.-Cuba relations and the impact it has had on both countries. There is also paperwork and documentation that we fill out together in anticipation of our visit to Cuba.

Day Two — Miami to Santa Clara, Cuba - Transfer from the hotel to Miami International Airport for our flight to Cuba. You will be amazed that a country so remarkably different than America is less than an hours flying time away. Upon arrival in Santa Clara, Cuba, our home for the next three nights, we have our first taste of local culture with a brief walking tour of the town prior to checking in to our hotel. Dinner is included this evening. Breakfast and dinner

Day Three — Cienfuegos - Today we journey to the town of Cienfuegos. Upon arrival, visit a cigar factory where we interact with the employees and learn about this local craft. During the walking tour, we visit the Thomas Terry Theatre and learn about shopping in Cuba. Our local guide will explain about the different types of stores and availability of products. Lunch is included at a local paladar before returning to our hotel in Santa Clara. Breakfast and lunch

Day Four — Santa Clara - During our discovery of Santa Clara, we’ll enjoy a performance by a children’s choir or a theater performance, and we have the opportunity to meet the performers and director. Lunch is included at a local paladar then it’s our turn to perform as we join in a Danzon lesson to learn this traditional dance. Before leaving Santa Clara, we make a stop at the Che Guevara Memorial and Mausoleum then return to our hotel for a free evening. Breakfast and lunch

Day Five — Travel to Havana - Departing Santa Clara, we travel to Havana with a stop in Jaguey Grande to visit a farm and enjoy lunch at a paladar in a unique rural setting. Upon arrival in Havana, a visit to the Hotel Nacional awaits as we walk around the grounds of this famous hotel where so many of Hollywood’s elite actors and actresses previously visited. Viewing the ‘wall of fame’ in the hotel’s bar will surely bring back memories of Hollywood’s golden age. After checking into our hotel, dinner is included this evening. Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day Six — Havana - This morning is spent getting a taste of local life in Havana. We begin with a visit to a local artist studio where we see his handiwork and have the chance to speak with him about his talent and occupation. We gain a better understanding of elderly care in Havana as we speak with the doctors and nuns who provide this care at a local facility. Lunch is included at a paladar before returning to the hotel. This evening, a young couple opens their home to us as we learn about life in Cuba today. Dinner is included at a local paladar before we attend the show at the world-renowned Tropicana Nightclub. Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day Seven — Old Havana - Meet with a local historian for a most enlightening walk through Old Havana as we learn about its restoration works and future plans. Before discovering Hemingway’s Cuba this afternoon, we’ll pass one of his favorite hangouts in Havana, La Floridita. After an included lunch at a paladar, depart to discover Ernest Hemingway’s contribution to Cuba with our excursion through the village of Cójimar (setting for The Old Man and the Sea) and the exploration of the grounds of his house, Finca Vigia, in the country. Upon returning to Havana, our visit to the Angeles del Futuro Community Program For Children, exposes us to this after-school program that teaches children gymnastics and acrobatics. The talent, dedication and enthusiasm of the children is inspiring to all. Tonight, experience a performance of traditional Cuban music by the Cuban Institute of Music and take advantage of our opportunity to interact with the musicians and staff. The evening is free for dinner, and those who wish can attend the Cannon Firing Ceremony at Cabaña Castle. Breakfast and lunch

Day Eight — Havana - Touring and Antique Car Ride Immerse yourself in Cuban cinema during an interactive discussion with one of Cuba’s most important movie directors. Next we depart on a panoramic tour of Havana with overviews of the city, featuring the Plaza de la Revolucion, the Capitol, the Malecon and the Vedado neighborhood. Meet and mingle with the artisans of the San José Craft Market, with time to shop for indigenous arts and crafts. Following lunch at a local paladar, visit the Muraleando Community Project involving the arts and the entire community. This evening, we’re in for a special treat as a fleet of antique cars meets us at our hotel. We have time to inspect the cars, talk shop with their owners, and find out just how they manage to keep their cars running without replacement parts available to them. Cuba has an estimated 66,000 cars in operation that are from the 1950s and 1960s! We then travel in style in these restored antique cars to our farewell dinner. Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day Nine — Havana to Miami - We take our short flight back to Miami mid-morning with time to catch connecting flights*. Connecting flights should depart Miami after 3:30pm. Memories of one of the most unique excursions you could ever take will reside with you for years to come. Breakfast

*Subject to flight schedules

Day One -  Hilton Garden Inn Airport West, Miami, Florida

Days Two through Four  -  Santa Clara, Cuba

Days Five through Eight  - Melia Cohiba, Havana, Cuba

Hotels and itinerary are subject to change based on availability and flight schedule.