Havana & Beyond
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HAVANA & BEYOND HOLGUIN, SANTIAGO, & HAVANA March 10 to 17, 2018 Dear Penn Alumni and Friends, Hundreds of miles from Havana, eastern Cuba is often called the soul of the island—site of its first capital, birthplace of son music, and cradle of many revolutionary movements. Next March, discover this fascinating region on a brand-new itinerary that includes two days in the remote province of Holguín, said to be the 1492 landing point for Christopher Columbus. Enjoy special access to Cuba’s arts community, and bask in the warm hospitality of this charismatic Caribbean nation. We are delighted that Professor Gwendolyn DuBois Shaw of Penn’s History of Art Department will be joining this tour as your faculty host. This is her third trip to Cuba with Penn Alumni Travel. Begin in Holguín, nicknamed “the City of Parks,” and hear a private performance in the nearby village of Gibara, named “Cuba’s best-known secret” by London’s Guardian newspaper. In Santiago, the original capital, observe local peregrinos (pilgrims) at the basilica housing the icon of the patron saint of Cuba and visit the Moncada Barracks Museum for a look at Fidel Castro’s famous failed coup attempt of 1953. Fly from Santiago to Havana for a three-night TRAVELING WITH YOU finale in this spirited capital. Meet a local artist in his studio, admire the city’s Art Deco landmarks, and GWENDOLYN DUBOIS SHAW experience Santería as it is practiced by the residents is Associate Professor of Art of Regla, an Afro-Cuban community just across the History at Penn. She received harbor from Havana. All along the way, lectures on her Ph. D. from Stanford and Cuban history, architecture, and politics will enrich was an assistant professor at your experience, as will meetings with Cubans from all Harvard for five years before walks of life. I hope you can join us! coming to Penn in 2005. Her research and teaching focus on the art With warm regards from Penn, and material culture of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. She is especially interested in the art of the United States and Latin America. Professor Shaw directs the Penn in Emilie C. K. La Rosa Havana Summer Abroad program, has family Assistant Director, living in Cuba, and has visited the island Alumni Education & Alumni Travel nearly a dozen times in the past four years. She is a regular Penn Alumni Travel host and has traveled with Penn Alumni to a number of islands in the Caribbean, Argentina, Chile, Peru, France, Spain, Portugal, and Cuba. ■ Penn Alumni Travel HAVANA & BEYOND Holguin, Santiago, & Havana March 10 to 17, 2018 Photo by G_abie Mirador de Mayabe, Loma de la Cruz, Holguín March 10 U.S DEPARTURE / HOLGUIN, CUBA Saturday Arrive independently in Holguin. Upon arrival, drive north to Guardalavaca and check in at the Paradisus Rio de Oro Resort. Gather later for a welcome dinner at the hotel. D March 11 GUARDALAVACA, CUBA Sunday Begin your discovery of Holguín at the main square of Calixto García, built in 1720. Continue to Loma de la Cruz, or Hill of the Cross, and the scenic viewpoint of Mirador de Mayabe, offering sweeping views of the valley. En route back to Guardalavaca, stop in the village of Gibara for a late lunch followed by a private musical performance. Return to the hotel for dinner. B, L, D March 12 GUARDALAVACA / SANTIAGO Monday Drive south to Santiago, stopping en route first in Birán, birthplace of Fidel and Raúl Castro. Continue to the Basilica del Cobre, home of Cuba’s patron saint, La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, and a destination for thousands of pilgrims every year. Upon arrival in Santiago, check in at the Meliá Santiago. Gather later for a lecture by your host, Professor Gwendolyn DuBois Shaw, followed by dinner at a paladar, one of the many privately owned restaurants on Cuba’s emerging culinary scene. B, L, D March 13 SANTIAGO Tuesday Visit San Juan Hill, the historic site of the decisive battle in the Spanish-American War. Continue downtown to the main square for a visit to Museo Velázquez, the oldest house in Cuba, dating from 1522. In the afternoon, learn about the origins of the Cuban Revolution at the Moncada Barracks Museum, site of Fidel Castro’s failed 1953 coup against Batista. In the evening there will be a private performance before dinner at a paladar. Afterwards, suggestions will be offered for those interested in visiting one of Santiago’s famed music venues. B, D March 14 SANTIAGO / HAVANA Wednesday Stroll in the Santa Ifigenia Cemetery, where José Martí and Fidel Castro are buried. Continue to Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca, also known as “El Morro.” Designed in 1637 by Giovanni Battista Antonelli, the fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch at a cliffside restaurant overlooking the Caribbean, drive to the nearby airport for a short flight to Havana. Upon arrival, transfer to the Hotel Saratoga in Old Havana for check-in and a late buffet dinner. B, L, D March 15 HAVANA Thursday Following a morning lecture by Professor Shaw, take a ferry across Havana’s harbor to Regla, an Afro-Cuban community with a rich and still-active tradition of religious practice inspired by Yoruba beliefs. Visit the 17th-century church of Nuestra Señora de Regla to receive the blessing of the Virgin, a black Madonna who is associated in Santería with Yemayá, goddess of the ocean. Return to Havana by ferry for lunch and a tour of Escaleno Studio in Old Havana, where we will meet painter Roger Toledo Bueno and view his works. Later, Professor Shaw will give a brief overview of the history and significance of Cuban rum, including its role in such classic cocktails as the mojito, Cuba Libre and Canchánchara. Dinner is on your own; you may wish to visit the Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC), a converted cooking oil factory that has become the city’s preeminent cultural hub. Explore its various exhibition and performance spaces, mingling with the contemporary tastemakers who fill its halls. B, L March 16 HAVANA Friday Visit the Lizt Alfonso ballet company for a talk on the history of its dance school, followed by a a private performance (pending confirmation). Then embark on an architectural tour of Havana’s 20th-century landmarks, beginning with the Art Deco-style Bacardi Building and including the López Serrano Building, Havana’s first skyscraper, modeled after the Empire State Building. Continue to Nostalgicar, a renowned classic car workshop, followed by a stop at the iconic Hotel Nacional. Sip one of the hotel’s famous mojitos, considered the best in the city, on the terrace overlooking the Malecón. Our farewell dinner this evening is at a lively paladar. B, D March 17 HAVANA / U. S. RETURN Saturday Transfer to the airport this morning for flights home. B This itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of Penn Alumni Travel and Arrangements Abroad. For complete details, please carefully read the terms and conditions at www.arrangementsabroad.com/terms Photo by Marie (left) and nomad1to1 (right) Santa Ifigenia Cemetery (left) and Castillo de San Pedro de la Roca (right), Santiago TERMS & CONDITIONS PROGRAM RATE $5,999 per person, double occupancy acts, acts of nature or other such causes in connection with The Program SINGLE SUPPLEMENT $1,199 or anything beyond their reasonable control. The passage ticket issued by the carrier is the sole contract between the participant and the carrier. AAA Rate Includes and PAT are not responsible for transportation or other program delays and ■ Two nights at the Paradisus Rio de Oro, two nights at the changes, nor additional expenses or loss of time that may be incurred. In the Meliá Santiago, and three nights at the Hotel Saratoga. event it becomes necessary or advisable for the comfort or well-being of the participants, or for any reason whatsoever, to alter the itinerary at any time, ■ Meals as indicated in itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, without notice to the participants, such alterations will be made without R=Reception, D=Dinner). Bottled water and coffee/tea penalty to AAA or PAT. Additional expenses, if any, shall be borne by the with all meals; wine with dinners. participants. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of the ■ Internal flight from Santiago to Havana participant at all times. AAA reserves the right to accept or decline any person as a participant at any time, or to require any participant to withdraw from The ■ Group or private transfers for all participants to/from airports Program at their own expense when such an action is determined by AAA to be in Cuba (Holguin and Havana only) in the best interest of the participant’s health and safety, or the general welfare of the other participants. ■ Escorted sightseeing by private motorcoach CANCELLATION POLICY AAA must strictly adhere to its cancellation ■ Basic gratuities for local guides and drivers policy to offset costs incurred prior to the commencement of The Program, ■ Taxes, service, and porterage charges which may include but are not limited to: advance payments to land operators; communication expenses; development and the loss of time that Not Included in Rate Airfare; Cuban visa; Cuban departure tax; limited might have permitted resale of reserved space. All cancellations must be made Cuban health insurance policy (required for all foreign travelers to Cuba in writing to the offices of AAA and are subject to a $500 non-refundable under age 80); passport fees; alcoholic beverages other than as noted in administrative fee. All refunds are limited to amounts actually received by inclusions; personal items and expenses; travel insurance; any other items AAA and are the sole responsibility of AAA; PAT shall have no liability for not specifically mentioned as included.