SAMPLE ITINERARIES Cuba Introduction Tour The trip Americans pick to witness authentic Cuba Eight days and seven nights in the Jewel of the Caribbean

This tour provides a broad overview of Cuba together with an intimate taste of island life. It’s geared to first-time visitors keen on learning about Cuban culture and how islanders live and view the world. We’ll examine Cuba’s renowned social services, and much more. Tour participants will glean insights into Cuba’s remarkable social and natural history, and explore island society one-on-one with locals eager to engage with their US cousins. Launched in 2005 exclusively for academics, our Introduction to Cuba Tour was opened to everyone in 2008. The program proved so popular following President Obama’s 2011 people-to-people travel initiative it ran weekly – enabling regular Americans to visit on their vacation schedules. Now that America and Cuba are friends again, our economical Introduction to Cuba Tour fills up 52 times a year. Thousands have experienced Cuba on this favored holiday excursion. For most it has dramatically impacted their outlook on Cuba, and its intricate history and connections with the United States. Services are comprehensive and costs nearly all-inclusive. Other companies charge hundred more for similar programs. We urge you to shop and compare.

Itinerary summary Day 1 – Saturday: Say hello to Cuba! 

Arrival at Havana’s José Martí International airport

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Expedited immigration and custom service

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Meet your tour leader, guide and bus driver

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Transfer to your hotel in Havana

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Check-in to hotel and private welcome cocktail with hotel staff

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Arrival dinner at hotel Day 2 – Sunday: Getting to know Old Havana, architecture and history, education

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Breakfast in hotel (included)

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Visit La Maqueta, a scale model of Old Havana

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Guided walking tour of Old Havana

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Welcome lunch at La Paella (included)

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Visit House of the Boy and Girl

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Return to hotel to freshen up

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Welcome dinner El Templete (included)

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Attend El Cañonazo, the 9 PM Cannon Firing Ceremony with Cubans Day 3 – Monday: Urban agriculture, Hemingway house, Cuban welcome party!

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Breakfast at hotel (included)

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Visit Organopónico Vivero Alamar

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Lunch at Ajiaco paladar [restaurant] (included)

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Visit Hemingway’s Finca Vigía museum

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Return to hotel to freshen up

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Dinner (not included)

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Noche de fiesta cubana! A welcome party with live music (included) Day 4 – Tuesday: Community center, vocational college, African heritage

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Breakfast at hotel (included)

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Visit Convento Belén community center

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Visit Escuela Taller Workshop School

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Lunch at Santo Ángel (included)

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Visit the Yoruba center to learn about the influence of African religions on Cuban culture

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Return to hotel to freshen up

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Dinner at Russian paladar Nazdarovie (included) Day 5 – Wednesday: History, Arts, and a look at Cuban Society Today

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Breakfast at hotel (included)

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Workshop with Dr. Marta Núñez on “Education and Cuban Society Today” (9:30am at Florida)

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Seafood lunch at the private studio of acclaimed Cuban artist José Fúster (included) (11:30am)

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Tour Bellas Artes, museum of Cuban art (2pm)

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Return to hotel to freshen up

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Dinner at Antiguo Almacén de la Madera y el Tabaco and tour of beer making facility Day 6 – Thursday: Amazing Las Terrazas, the natural splendor of rural Cuba

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Breakfast at hotel (included)

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Departure to Las Terrazas eco-community

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Visit ancient coffee plantation

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Lunch at Casa del Campesino (included)

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Meet with local artists and discuss their work

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Free time to swim at Río San Juan

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Return to Havana hotel to freshen up

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Dinner (not included) Day 7 – Friday: Cuban music and arts day

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Breakfast at hotel (included)

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Visit Colibri recording company and Abdala studio

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Lunch at El Aljibe restaurant (included)

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Visit the stupendous Museum of the Revolution

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Return to hotel to freshen up

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Farewell dinner at Conde del Castillo (included) Day 8 – Saturday: Say goodbye Cuba

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Breakfast in hotel (included)

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Transfer to Havana’s José Martí Airport

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Air departures

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Missing Cuba so much already Things happen: Our Cuban partners work super hard to make your tour unfold seamlessly. Unlike in the States, however, they lack easy access to communications, transportation and supplies. Once in a while, itinerary changes are necessary to accommodate island realities. If anything promised is missed we'll replaced it with an activity or service of equal interest and value.

Cuba Art and Culture Tour An unrivaled focus on Cuban culture and history Eight days and seven nights in the Jewel of the Caribbean

Itinerary summary DAY 1 – Saturday: Hello Cuba! 

Arrivals at Havana’s José Martí Airport

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Guide and bus driver meet participants at airport

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Transfers to hotel in Havana

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Check-in to hotel

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Welcome dinner with guide and tourmates at hotel

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Evening is free to explore the city DAY 2 – Sunday: Getting to know Old Havana and its people

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Breakfast at hotel (included)

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Tour the Scale Model of Old Havana

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Walking tour of Old Havana

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Lunch at El Templete restaurant (included)

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Visit Callejón de Hamel for a rumba performance

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Tour El Morro Castle

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Return to hotel to freshen up

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Dinner (not included, guide to suggest eateries)

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Evening is free to explore the city DAY 3 – Monday: Organic agriculture and Hemingway house

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Breakfast at hotel (included)

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Visit Convento de Belén Community Center

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Tour the UBPC Organopónico Vivero Alamar

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Delicious lunch at El Ajiaco restaurant (included)

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Visit to Hemingway’s home / museum Finca Vigía

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Return to hotel to freshen up

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Dinner (not included, guide to suggest eateries)

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Evening is free to explore the city DAY 4 – Tuesday: Cuban culture and history

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Breakfast at hotel (included)

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Tour of the fabulous Museum of Fine Arts

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Panoramic our of Modern Havana

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Visit the studio of acclaimed Cuban artist and

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muralist José Fúster

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Delicious lunch at José Fúster’s studio (included)

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Balance of afternoon is free to explore the city

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Return to hotel to freshen up

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Dinner (not included, guide to suggest eateries)

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Evening is free to explore the city DAY 5 – Wednesday: The Bay of Pigs, Cienfuegos, and Trinidad

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Breakfast at hotel

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Early departure to Cienfuegos and Trinidad

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En route visit Boca de Guamá Crocodile reserve

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Lunch at Guamá restaurant (included)

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Boat tour of Largo de Tesoro and Aldea Taína Indian village

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Onwards to Trinidad, en route we visit Cienfuegos

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Check-in to your all-inclusive resort hotel

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Dinner at hotel (included)

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Evening is free to explore the city and enjoy the amenities at your hotel DAY 6 – Thursday: Historic Trinidad de Cuba

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Breakfast at hotel

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Walking tour of Trinidad de Cuba’s historic district

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Visit a family run pottery studio

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Lunch at a local restaurant (included)

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Stop at mirador Valle de los Ingenios

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Return to hotel to freshen up

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Balance of day is yours to explore environs

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Dinner at hotel (included)

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Evening is free to explore the city and enjoy the amenities at your hotel DAY 7 – Friday: Exploring a jungle mountaintop in Soviet Army trucks

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Breakfast at hotel

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Climb Topes de Collantes in the Escambray Mountains in Soviet Army trucks

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Visit Hacienda Codina, a Spanish coffee plantation

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Lunch at Hacienda Codina (included)

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Return to Havana

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Check-in to hotel and freshen up

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Farewell dinner at your hotel (included)

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Evening is free to explore the city DAY 8 – Saturday: Say goodbye to Cuba – for now

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Breakfast in hotel (included)

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Transfer to Havana’s José Martí Airport

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Air departures



Missing Cuba so much already Things happen: Our Cuban partners work super hard to make your tour unfold seamlessly. Unlike in the States, however, they lack easy access to communications, transportation and supplies. Once in a while, itinerary changes are necessary to accommodate island realities. If anything promised is missed we'll replaced it with an activity or service of equal interest and value.

Western Cuba Nature Tour Exclusive natural and social history tour Eight days and seven nights in the Jewel of the Caribbean

An island expedition focused on people-to-people education, nature and cultural exchanges. The program is geared to naturalists, and lovers of the arts, history and architecture. The tour has a very diverse itinerary and features comfortable accommodations and tasty Cuban cuisine. Program inspiration, concept and design is modeled on similar international trips organized by Environmental Adventure Company – voted “one of North America’s best wildlife tour companies” by the National Wildlife Federation. Tour services and content matches the high standards of Environmental Adventure Company, and enjoys its endorsement. Only 90 miles from Florida, the island of Cuba is the largest in the Caribbean. It hosts a smorgasbord of natural and cultural riches. For the naturalist, there are over 370 bird species (28 endemic), and a plethora of flora, mammals, reptiles, and marine life. The program includes visits to several UNESCO world heritage sites, tobacco farms, museums, and Ernest Hemingway’s home. You’re surrounded by music and art, and have ample occasions to engage in the realities of island life with everyday Cubans. We hope you’ll join us on this spectacular Cuba visit.

Itinerary summary Day 1 – Saturday: Say hello to Cuba 

Arrival at Havana's José Martí International Airport



Expedited immigration and custom service



Meet your tour leader, guide and bus driver



Transfer to your hotel in Havana



Check-in to hotel and private welcome cocktail with hotel staff



Arrival dinner at hotel Day 2 – Sunday: Getting to know Old Havana and the arts



Breakfast in hotel (included)



Tour of the Museum of Modern Art (10am)

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Lunch at El Santo Ángel restaurant (12:30pm)

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Walking tour of Old Havana (1:30pm)

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Workshop with Dr. Marta Núñez (3pm at Florida)

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Return to hotel to freshen up

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Havana welcome dinner at Conde del Castillo (included)

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ESPECIAL: Attend El Cañonazo, the 9 PM Cannon Firing Ceremony (included) Day 3 – Monday: Amazing Las Terrazas, the natural splendor of Cuba



Breakfast at hotel



Morning departure to Las Terrazas eco-community



Visit ancient coffee plantation



Opportunity for birding and plant identification



Lunch at Casa del Campesino on the banks of the Río San Juan



Meet with local artists and discuss their work



Return to Havana hotel to freshen up

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Dinner at La Barraca Grill followed by a dance show at Cabaret Parisién at the famed Hotel Nacional de Cuba where you’ll meet the performers Day 4 – Tuesday: Urban agriculture, Hemingway house

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Breakfast at hotel

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Visit Vivero Organopónico Alamar, an urban collective farm

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Lunch at Ajiaco paladar [restaurant] serving organic meals

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Visit Hemingway’s Finca Vigía museum and glimpse his life in Havana

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Return to your hotel and freshen up

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Dinner (not included) Day 5 – Wednesday: Natural Cuba, birdwatching and historic cities

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Breakfast at hotel (included)

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Early departure to Cienfuegos and Trinidad

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Boat tour of Laguna del Tesoro for birding and plant identification

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Visit Boca de Guamá Crocodile reserve

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Lunch at La Boca restaurant at Guamá (included)

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Tour the beautiful historic city of Cienfuegos

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Check-in to your all-inclusive resort hotel

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Group welcome dinner to Trinidad Day 6 – Thursday: Colonial Cuba

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Breakfast at hotel

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Walking tour of Trinidad’s historic district, an opportunity to meet and talk with locals

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Visit a centuries-old family run pottery studio where we'll spend time with its artisans

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Visit the Valle de los Ingenios lookout

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Return to hotel for lunch

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Afternoon exploration of costal environs with Trinidadians

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Dinner at hotel Day 7 – Friday: Mountain adventure and birdwatching

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Breakfast at hotel

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Climb Topes de Collantes in the Escambray Mountains in Soviet Army trucks



Visit Hacienda Codina, a Spanish coffee plantation



Opportunity for birding and plant identification with Cubans



Lunch at Hacienda Codina



Return to your Havana hotel and freshen up



Farewell dinner at Restaurante El Templete Day 8 – Saturday: Say goodbye to Cuba



Breakfast in hotel



Transfer to Havana’s José Martí International airport



Air departures



Missing Cuba so much already Things happen: Our Cuban partners work super hard to make your tour unfold seamlessly. Unlike in the States, however, they lack easy access to communications, transportation and supplies. Once in a while, itinerary changes are necessary to accommodate island realities. If anything promised is missed we'll replaced it with an activity or service of equal interest and value.

Visions of Cuba Photo Tour A photographic discovery journey Eight days and seven nights in the Jewel of the Caribbean

Experiences and educational exchanges shared with local Cuban people in their homes and at work allow insightful portraits of not just the people themselves but their way of life from urban Havana to antique Trinidad to rural farms and ranches. Delving beneath the tourist veil and blending full measures of art, history, music, culture and local ambiance this photographic tour places us where we can best capture the ambient spirit and vibrancy of the real Cuba and its people. Cultural exchanges are a highlight, providing an extraordinary photographic opportunity. This photographic discovery tour is designed for photographic enthusiasts of all levels from amateur to professional. Our hand selected professional photography leaders, Efrain Padro from the US, and Julio Larramendi from Cuba are there as mentors to inspire and help you achieve your photographic goals. They will provide full time support to help you to achieve your best work by offering shooting suggestions, technical and aesthetic assistance, suggestions, tips, techniques and tricks of the trade and feedback. As both are native Spanish speakers, they will also help with language and translation exchanges as needed. This tour does not provide structured photographic education or formal reviews of images. There will be, of course, ongoing exchanges with the tour leaders as well as the Cuban photographers joining us along the way. Learn about all aspects of travel photography in general and photographing in Cuba in particular. Shooting along side these seasoned pros, Cuban and American, you will pick up valuable creative tips on lighting, composition, working with people and more. Whether your goal is to build your fine art or travel photography portfolio, capture prize winning images, or just create astounding photographs for your personal library, this trip provides unparalleled opportunity, professional support and inspiration to help you experience the real Cuba and create your best work.

Day 1 – Saturday: Say hello to Cuba 

Arrival at Havana's José Martí International Airport



Expedited immigration and custom service



Meet your tour leader, guide and bus driver



Transfer to your hotel in Old Havana



Check-in to hotel and private welcome cocktail with hotel staff



Meet with Cuban photographer Julio Larramendi for a brief orientation

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Stroll along the Malecon for photographing authentic Cuban lifestile

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Welcome lunch at La Barraca restaurant

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return to hotel to freshen up

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Dinner at a local paladar [private owned restaurant]



Attend El Cañonazo, the 9 PM Cannon Firing Ceremony with Cubans Day 2 – Sunday: Getting to know Old Havana



Early rise to capture the waking city in the morning light

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Breakfast in hotel

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Photo Walk of Old Havana with a Cuban expert

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Visit to Taller de Grafica, a printmaking and lithography cooperative

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Lunch at a local paladar [private owned restaurant]

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Visit to Bellas Artes Museum

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Visit to Larramendi’s Photo Gallery

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Return to hotel to freshen up

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Dinner at Conde de Villanueva Day 3 – Monday: Havana – Ciénaga de Zapata – Cienfuegos

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Morning departure to Cienaga de Zapata National Park

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Breakfast in route

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Opportunity for birding and plant identification at Las Salinas nature trail

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Lunch at El Legendario paladar

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Continue to Cienfuegos

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Walking photo tour to Cienfuegos with our Cuban expert

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Check in to Hotel La Unión

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Dinner at Palacio de Valle restaurant

Day 4 – Tuesday: Cienfuegos – Trinidad 

Breakfast at hotel

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TIme for photographing morning Cienfuegos

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Departure to Trinidad

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En route, visit the Provincial Art Gallery Maroya

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Lunch at Casa Villalba paladar in Trinidad

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After lunch meeting with historian and author Doctora Alicia Garcia Santana

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Balance of the afternoon is free to explore the city

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Check in to hotel Brisas Trinidad del Mar

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Dinner in a local paladar Day 5 – Wednesday: Trinidad

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Breakfast at hotel

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Photo walking tour of Trinidad's historic center

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Visit a centuries-old family run pottery studio where we'll spend time with its artisans

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Tour the Sugar Mill Valley

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Lunch at Plaza Mayor restaurant

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Afternoon is free to explore the city with our Cuban expert



Dinner at hotel Day 6 – Thursday: Exploring a jungle mountaintop in Soviet Army trucks



Breakfast at hotel



Climb Topes de Collantes in the Escambray Mountains in Soviet Army trucks



Visit Hacienda Codina, a Spanish coffee plantation



Lunch at Hacienda Codina



Return to your Havana hotel and freshen up



Afternoon exploration of costal environs with Trinidadians



Dinner at Doña Eutimia Paladar Day 7 – Friday: Havana

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Breakfast at hotel

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Visit to Fototeca de Cuba, a gallery and museum dedicated to photography

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Visit to Partagás cigar factory

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Visit the iconic Callejón de Hammel [Hammel Alley]

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Panoramic tour of modern Havana

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Lunch at famous artist José Fúster's gallery and studio

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Visit the house and gallery of artist Eduardo Guerra

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Afternoon visit to The Ludwing Foundation of Cuba

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Farewell dinner at a local paladar Day 8 – Saturday: Say goodbye to Cuba



Breakfast in hotel



Transfer to Havana’s José Martí International airport (or begin optional extension to viñales)



Air departures



Missing Cuba so much already Things happen: Our Cuban partners work super hard to make your tour unfold seamlessly. Unlike in the States, however, they lack easy access to communications, transportation and supplies. Once in a while, itinerary changes are necessary to accommodate island realities. If anything promised is missed we'll replaced it with an activity or service of equal interest and value.