Presents Cuba, East to West, People to People Trip April 7 through April 18, 2014 (12 Days/ 11 Nights) Provided by “Cuba Cultura & Eco Travel Services, LLC” (CCETS)

[AN OFAC Licensed People to People Licensee] PRICES FOR AN OUTSTANDING EXPERIENCE DOUBLE OCCUPANCY $ 3,918.00

TRIPLE OCCUPANCY $3,838.00

SINGLE OCCUPANCY $ 4,100.00

ITINERARY TRIP OVERVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS Few Americans have had the opportunity to visit Cuba. Fewer have traveled to the island’s south-eastern region. We expect that our scheduled visits in this region will be educational, empowering, and enlightening for both the Cuban people and U.S participants. We will see the need for our Potable Water Project in “Nuevo Mundo”, Granma, Cuba and we will also see how small independent organic agricultural business as well as other permitted NGO businesses operate in Cuba. Our visit to Cuba would not be complete without experiencing the historic capital of Havana. Delegates will fly into the City of Havana and visit old and new landmarks savoring the city in all its uniqueness. To complete our Cuba experience we take a day tour to Pinar del Rio, the westernmost province of the island.

LICENSED PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE CUBA TOUR

This licensed People--People Tour has been meticulously and diligently designed for people like you. The “Bay Area Cuba Community Alliance” (BACCA) and Rotary Club of Marin Sunrise, in conjunction with "Cuba Cultura and Eco Travel Services LLC", (CCETS), a US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)’s licensee, is bringing to our delegates this special introduction and overview tour to our neighboring island-nation so long forbidden for most US citizens.

Participants are advised to make their own travel arrangements to Miami (hotel accommodation and connection flights) at least one day in advance, and prior to our departure to Cuba. We all will meet in a specific location before departure, most likely at the Departure Concourse in Miami International Airport, between Concourse F and G (in front of Dunkin' Donuts). However, we will announce the meeting location well in advance. Wilson and Blanco International Services is the Air Charter Company we’ll use for our round-trip flights. “Marimar Travel & Tours” is our licensed Travel Service Provider (TSP).

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On our 12 day "Cuba East to West P2P Program", you will have the opportunity to explore historic sites and other rural and urban locales few Americans have had the opportunity to witness. You will also be afforded a unique chance to have meaningful interaction with the Cuban people. You will meet talented artists, farmers, and residents from the emerging community project in remote “Nuevo Mundo” rural area assisted by the Fairfax, California- based Bay Area Cuba Community Alliance (BACCA) group.

You’ll be escorted by our experienced and seasoned Cuba Tour Director and “guru of operations”, Ernesto Moran. He is BACCA’s Cuban expert who is our Tour Director. Ernesto’s knowledge is a fantastic resource for delegates visiting Cuba under his Tour- Directorship. He is very charismatic, caring, and attentive, and always puts the needs of the tour delegate first and foremost.

The experienced TSP (Travel Service Provider) licensee, Maria del Carmen has arranged for many Rotary Clubs from the USA to experience Cuba. Please note that activities are subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control. However, the program will always maintain its essence!

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ITINERARY

Day 1 (Monday, April 7) – (MIAMI to MANZANILLO)

• 10:00 AM Meet Ernesto Moran and Maria Del Carmen at the Departure Concourse in Miami International Airport, between Concourse F and G (in front of Dunkin Donuts) used by Wilson & Blanco International Services.

• Check in.

• 02:00 PM Departure to Manzanillo, Granma province, Cuba. Before departure, delegates are strongly recommended to have lunch at the airport (on their own).

• Arrive at Manzanillo de Cuba Sierra Maestra International Airport, Granma province. Welcome by our Havanatur representative (Tour guide). Transfer to the city of Manzanillo for a city tour.

• In the city itself, visit the monument for Celia Sanchez and the Plaza de la Revolucion. Manzanillo is a municipality and a port city in the Eastern Granma province of Cuba located on the Gulf of Guacanayabo, near the delta of the Cauto River.

Celia Sanchez Memorial 1

• Visit to “La Demajagua’s" Historic Ruins. Known as Carlos manuel de Cespedes’ former sugar mill estate. It was the place where he freed his slaves and rang the bell (formerly used to call the slaves) to declare Cuba’s independence in 1868. Learn about the historic events at the small local museum.

La Demajagua lays about 10 kilometer (4.3 miles) to the South of the city of Manzanillo.

• Check in at one of the All-Inclusive Hotels of the “Club Amigo Marea del Portillo” complex (either at “Farallon del Caribe” or “Marea del Portillo” hotels).

• Dinner will be at our hotel. (Included)

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Day 2 – (Tuesday, April 8)

• Breakfast at the hotel (Included).

• City tour of Pilon

• 10:30AM: Visit a facility producing Cuban solar panels in Pilon. Meeting with locals and representatives of CUBASOLAR, a non-governmental organization founded in 1994 that promotes renewable energy, installs solar systems, performs research, and publishes newsletters among other endeavors. CUBASOLAR has electrified more than 1900 primary schools, as well as a large number of medical facilities and community centers throughout rural Cuba with solar photovoltaic panels.

• Visit a Basic Unit of Cooperative Production (UBPC) of the apicultural sector in the city of Pilon.

• Lunch at La Bodega restaurant, in Manzanillo,

Lunch is included.

• Visit a school and interact with staff and students.

• Visit a rural health institution. (Donations will be made).

• Return to the hotel.

• Dinner is included at our hotel.

Day 3 – Wednesday, April 9

• Breakfast at hotel. (Included).

• Visit the Colonia Nuevo Mundo community. Visit villagers and BACCA’s project.

• Lunch offered by our hosts. (Included).

• Back to the hotel.

• Meeting up to discuss and exchange experiences about this first leg of the trip and getting ready to leave next day toward Santiago de Cuba city.

• Dinner at the hotel is included.

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Day 4 – Thursday, April 10 (MANZANILLO-SANTIAGO DE CUBA)

• Breakfast (Included). Check out. Depart towards Santiago de Cuba via Bayamo.

• Visit Bayamo. City tour; includes its main historical sites, the Casa de la Trova, UNEAC, (The National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (Unión Nacional de Escritores y Artistas de Cuba, UNEAC) is a social, cultural and professional organization of writers, musicians, actors, painters, sculptors, and artist of different genres. You will have the opportunity to interact with members and learn about their professional work.

Bayamo is the capital of Cuba's southeastern province of Granma. It has a nearly five- century-old history, since it was the second village founded by Spanish Governor Diego Velazquez in the archipelago. The village's original name was “San Salvador de Bayamo”.

• Late lunch (NOT INCLUDED) at the “Bayamo Social Club” paladar.

Engage into an interesting chat and interaction with the restaurant’s owner and workers to learn about small private businesses in Cuba. Another option (“Polinesio” Restaurant), a paladar (family owned restaurant), located on the upper floor of a private house, serving Cuban and International dishes.

• Resume trip to Santiago de Cuba. Check in at the “Melia Santiago de Cuba” hotel.

Located approximately 540 miles (869 km) south-east of the Cuban capital of Havana, the city of Santiago de Cuba, founded in 1515 by Governor Diego Velazquez is the second most important city in Cuba.

The population in the province of Santiago de Cuba is highly mixed – predominantly mulatto- a blend of Spanish, French (mainly slaves who came from Haiti during the Haitian Revolution of 1791) and a huge number of Africans who were brought to the region as slaves. It was in Santiago de Cuba where Spain suffered its main defeat against U.S troops during the Cuban-Spanish-American War. Santiago de Cuba was also the birthplace of the Bolero, Conga and Son, from which Salsa derived.

• Dinner at the hotel. (Included).

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Day 5 – Friday, April 11

• Breakfast at hotel. (Included).

• City tour, which includes the historic section: Stroll around Parque “Cespedes” (Park), the heart of the city. Visit the Diego Velazquez museum. Peak into the “CASAGRANDA” hotel, where the Rotary Club used to have its celebrations in the hotel lounges.

• Visit a rum factory.

• Lunch at “El Barracon” restaurant. (Included).

• Visit to “San Juan” Hill Historic-Military Park, location of the final battle in the so-called Spanish-Cuban-American War more than a century ago.

• Visit the Vocational Arts School “José María Heredia”, a school specializing in art, music, and dance. We may be treated to a performance by its students. Time to interact with students and staff.

• Return to hotel.

• Dinner on your own (Not Included).

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Day 6 – Saturday, April 12

• • Breakfast in the hotel. (Included).

• Visit the former Moncada Garrison. Moncada was Cuba’s second most important military garrison. In January 1959, the barracks, like others all over the island, were converted into a school named “Ciudad Escolar 26 de Julio”. It houses the largest primary school of Eastern Cuba with over 1,600 students and 245 teachers.

• Visit “San Salvador de la Roca Castle”. It was a military fortress built by the Spaniards as a defensive bulwark in the eastern region of Cuba. The fortress was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.

• Boat ride to visit “Cayo Granma” for a late lunch at its restaurant. (Included).

• If time permits, go around the village and interact with the locals.

• Visit Casa del Caribe, a cultural research institution. Interact with artists and learn about Cuban popular religion and culture in the eastern region of the island. The institution is also one of the organizers of the famous “Fiesta del Fuego”, a Caribbean Festival that takes place every year in July. We may enjoy an Afro-Cuban presentation/performance and interact with members of the group.

• Back to the hotel.

• Dinner on your own (Not Included)

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Day 7 – Sunday, April 13

• Breakfast in the hotel. (Included).

• Visit the “Sierra Maestra” mountains and have the chance to interact with locals.

• La Grand Piedra

Drive 27km (17 miles) east of Santiago de Cuba to visit “La Gran Piedra” (The Big Rock), an enormous/giant 63,000-ton rock, 51 meters long and 25m-high (82-ft.) perched 1,200m (3,937 ft.) above sea level.

• Stop at the Jardín “Ave de Paraíso”, a small botanical garden located in an old coffee plantation from the 17th century. This is a unique chance to learn about how workers and farmers interact in this environment and deal with their daily life situations.

• Lunch at the restaurant of the modest and rustic little “Gran Piedra” hotel. (Included).

• Continue to “La Isabelica” Museum, located about 2km (1 1/4 miles) beyond Gran Piedra and learn about the history of this region. These Franco-Haitian plantations were recently declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

• Back to the hotel.

• Farewell dinner at “El Palenquito” paladar. (Not included - delegates pay for their dinner).

• Time for an assessment of second leg of the trip. Delegates will be briefed about departure to the city of Havana next day. Back to our hotel. Pack your things and get ready. Collect tips for our driver.

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Day 8 – Monday, April 14 (CITY OF HAVANA).

• Very early check out. (We’ll try to make arrangements for some food to go) However, delegates are strongly recommended to secure food on their own.

• Transfer to the airport to take a domestic flight to the City of Havana. (Estimated Flight Time: 1hrs 30min).

• Check in at airport.

• 09:30 AM ETD Departure from Santiago de Cuba airport.

• 11:00 AM ETA Arrival in Havana airport. During the drive to Havana, our guide will give us an orientation about Cuba’s historic capital city.

• Stop for a memorable photo opportunity at the Plaza de la Revolucion/Revolution Square, Havana’s largest square and the center of Cuban political life in Cuba.

• En route to our hotel, drive alongside the Malecon de la Habana ocean/sea-front drive through a section of Central Havana municipality, and have a glimpse at the eclectic set of building facing the Malecon. The Malecon (officially Avenida de Maceo) is a broad esplanade, roadway and seawall which stretchs for 8 km (4 miles) along the coast in Havana, from the mouth of Havana Harbor in Old Havana, along the north side of the neighborhood of Central Havana, ending in the neighborhood of Vedado.

• Drive by “La Punta” and alongside the Prado Promenade for an orientation, which covers areas such as "Inglaterra" hotel, Gran Teatro de la Habana, The Capitol of Havana an, which establishes the border between Old Havana and Central Havana municipalities.

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Day 8 – Monday, April 14 (CITY OF HAVANA) Continued.

• Late lunch at “La Barraca”, in the gardens of “The Hotel Nacional de Cuba”, located in the “Vedado” neighborhood. Have the chance to interact with employees who work for a state-run business in the Tourism industry. The Hotel Nacional de Cuba, inaugurated on December 30, 1930, is the flagship of Cuban hotels. (Lunch included).

• After lunch proceed to the desk for check in.

•. Dinner on your own (not included).

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Day 9 – Tuesday, April 15

• Breakfast at the hotel. (Included).

• Walking tour through the Central Park towards the Capitol of Havana. Get on the bus and drive towards the Castillo de la Real Fuerza/The Royal Force Fortress. Stroll the streets of the historic section of Old Havana, UNESCO-designated World Cultural Heritage in 1982. Explore four of the restored plazas, which date back to the 16th century (Plaza de Armas, Saint Francis of Assis’s, Plaza Vieja and Cathedral Square respectively). Many of the old residences, government buildings, and churches are being actively restored under the leadership of Mr. Eusebio Leal, the historian of the city. Learn how this restoration process is having a positive impact on residents of Old Havana.

• Lunch at “La Imprenta” restaurant. (Included).

• Visit the “Antonio Nunez Jimenez” Foundation for Nature & Humanity (FANJNH), a leader in Cuban ecological programs and policy related to the environment. Join FANJ officers for a talk on Cuba's environmental and sustainability policies and practices. Talks will also include ecosystem protection, organic agriculture, environmental education, biodiversity in Cuba, etc. With main offices in Miramar, Playa, and City of Havana, the FANJ is a cultural and scientific non-governmental institution (NGO) dedicated to the research and promotion of programs and projects for the protection of the environment as it relates to culture and society.

• En route to Jaimanitas, drive through the neighborhoods of Vedado, Miramar, Siboney, and Nautico, home to beautiful mansions owned by Cuban wealthy families and Foreign individuals before the Cuban Revolution.

• Visit renowned Cuban visual artist Jose Fuster’s home- studio/workshop. Fuster is commonly regarded as the ‘Picasso of the Caribbean”. Tour of the unique studio and property, including a visit to some of Fuster’s neighbors, whose homes are adorned with his ceramics.

• Drive back to the hotel.

• Dinner on your own (paladares recommended)(Not Included).

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Day 10 – Wednesday, April 16

• Breakfast at hotel. (Included).

• Day excursion to Pinar del Rio Province (westernmost province situated 140 km west of Havana). It is Cuba’s top tobacco growing region.

• Stop at the “Francisco Donatien” cigar factory, the largest in Pinar del Rio Province (a.k.a. Vueltabajo) to enjoy the process and art of rolling cigars. Appreciate the many phases of the delicate process, from selection of the raw material to its final rolling production line. The mid-19th Century building still keeps its colonial style with large windows, interior gardens and roof made with refractory tiles.

• Have a chance to interact with seasoned tabaqueros/cigar rollers who produce the rings of the Trinidad, Cohíba, Romeo y Julieta, Partagas and Hoyo de Monterrey brands. Get information about tobacco plantations/fields (vegas) and the tobacco growers (vegueros) and learn about their daily life and cigar production.

• Drive to Viñales Valley. Viñales Valley is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site located in the western-most mountain range in Cuba. The region is known for its tobacco plantations, caves and rivers.

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Day 10 – Wednesday, April 16 Continued.

• Stop at the “Los Jazmines” hotel’s look-out point to photograph the stunning panoramic view of that beautiful valley. Take the opportunity to interact with art and crafts vendors and artists. Learn about their lifestyles and such private business in the region.

• Lunch at the restaurant located inside a cave, location named “El Palenque de los Cimarrones”. Enjoy authentic typical Creole food/comida criolla, specially the carne de cerdo ahumado/smoked pork. (Included).

• Tour the town and interact with locals to learn about everyday life in this region. Visitors are encouraged to leave tips.

• Visit the "Case Tradiciones Campesinas" to learn more about tobacco cultivation, the drying process and how to roll a cigar. This will give us the opportunity to witness how Cuban families live in a rural setting.

• Return to Havana.

• Dinner on your own (Not Included)

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Day 11 – Thursday, April 17

• Breakfast in the hotel. (Included).

•Ernest Hemingway Depart toward the small, working-class town of San Francisco de Paula, 10 miles southeast of Havana to visit Finca Vigía (Lookout Farm) where the American literary giant Ernest Hemingway established his residence for twenty-one of his most important and productive years as a writer. Built in 1886, Finca Vigia was purchased by Hemingway in 1940.The house, turned into a museum, has been preserved just as it was when Hemingway lived there. You'll see his personal objects, thousands of books and photographs, as well as some trophies from his frequent safaris.

• Drive toward Habana del Este/eastern Havana. Visit the “UBPC Organoponico Vivero Alamar”, literally an organic nursery, to learn about urban agriculture/farming. Literally, a UBPC is a Basic Unit for Cooperative Production. The project is Cuba’s most stunning and successful organic farm whose mission and vision is to be a cooperative farm, focusing on agricultural production and services.

MANAGER/FOUNDER: Miguel Salcines López

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Day 11 – Thursday, April 17 -Continued

• Lunch at “El Templete" Restaurant (Included).

• Visit the “GIGANTERIA AMBULANTE” Project, founded by Roberto Salas and headquartered in Old Havana, GIGANTERIA is a street artist theatre collective licensed to work legally in the streets of the historic site. Learn about the history of this street theater-art collective and interact with its artists. Donations can be made as gestures of support.

• Visit the former “Former San Jose Warehouses” on the Port of Havana and have the chance to interact with artists and artisans. The harbor-side warehouse was built in 1885. After a restoration process, the huge edifice was turned into the Cultural Center “Antiguos Almacenes San Jose”, featuring art exhibitions, theatrical performances and recreational activities for children.

• Return to the hotel. Get ready for our farewell dinner at “El Alijibe” restaurant. (Included).

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Day 12 – Friday, April 18 (Departure Day)

• Early check out from hotel. (We strongly advise the delegates to secure food for breakfast). We’ll try to arrange food for the road. Transfer to the “Jose Marti” International airport (HAV).

• 06:30 AM Check in at the “Jose Marti” International airport (HAV).

• 10:30 AM Depart to the US via Miami International Airport.

Please note:

Activities are subject to change. While this is the itinerary we would like to follow, due to uncontrolled circumstances, it is important for you to understand that we may not always be able to follow this plan in the exact order. However, the program will always maintain its essence and fulfill its goals!

Services included:  Round trip tickets MIA-MZO-HAV-MIA

 Miami Airport Tax

 Domestic flight SCU-HAV.

 Transfers in-out (Manzanillo de Cuba International Airport (MZO)-hotel at Maria del Portillo- hotel in Santiago de Cuba, SCU Airport, Havana International Airport (HAV)-Hotel-Havana International Airport (HAV), air-conditioned transportation to places included in the itinerary.

 A BACCA Tour Director, tour guide, and driver.

 Hotel accommodation (All-inclusive) in Granma province, three (3) nights. Hotel Accommodation (All breakfasts included- one (1) dinner included) in Santiago de Cuba province, four (4) nights. Five star hotel in the City of Havana (All breakfasts included), four (4) nights. Twelve (12) days, eleven (11) nights total.

 Cuban visa.

 Health Insurance.

 MEALS (B (11), L (9), D (4).

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Services and expenses not included

 Personal expenses.

 Gratuities for Tour Director, our tour guide and driver.

 Tips for baggage carriers and room maids.

 Tips for waiters and musicians.

 Meals and drinks not included in the program.

 Airport departure (exit) tax of 30 CUCs.

 NOTICE: The time of some scheduled activities may be introduced upon confirmation of itinerary with corresponding quote.

All travelers must participate in the full time schedule of activities in the itinerary under the People to People category of traveling to Cuba to comply with OFAC rules and regulations in regards to the embargo against the country of Cuba.

Places to Eat In Habana:

http://www.cubaabsolutely.com/Havana_Guide/where_to_eat.php

http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2012/feb/15/top-10-paladares-restaurants-havana

http://havanarestaurants.com/paladar-directory.html

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