CLASSIC CUBA A Celebration of Dance, Art, Architecture and Music With ALL CLASSICAL PORTLAND March 21- 29, 2015
JOIN ALL CLASSICAL PORTLAND hosts Ed Goldberg and Amy Clayton and a small group of like- minded travelers on a culturally rich, classical music journey to Cuba. Visit the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Prodanza school of ballet and Cuba's leading music school, the Instituto Superior de Arte. In addition, you’ll stroll through Old Havana, visit the National Botanical Garden, Hemingway’s home and enjoy meaningful exchanges with the people of Cuba. This in-depth “People to People” journey has been specially designed for the ALL CLASSICAL PORTLAND traveler who is interested in music, art, history and culture. Space is limited.
TRIP AT A GLANCE
1 Night Miami, Marriott airport 1 Nights Havana, Hotel Nacional 2 Nights Colonial Trinidad, Las Brisas Resort 4 Nights Havana, Hotel Capri
Earthbound Expeditions Inc. POB 11305, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 USA T. 206 842 9775 / F. 206 842 8280 www.EarthboundExpeditions.com IT’S INCLUDED
Travel with ALL CLASSICAL hosts Ed Goldberg and Amy Clayton Accompanied by an Earthbound program director People-to-People license provided by Earthbound Expeditions An expert bilingual Cuban guide Accommodations as listed in your itinerary Cuban government emergency medical insurance plan up to $1,000 All meals (except one breakfast in Miami and one evening meal in Havana) Bottled water daily Visits to classical music institutions Transport by private motor coach while in Cuba Roundtrip charter flight from Miami to Havana All entrances as listed in your itinerary Airport transfers while in Cuba Numerous special insider “People to People” experiences Gratuities for your driver and guides City and country maps Alumni discounts applied towards future trips with Earthbound Expeditions
TRIP FACTS 9 Days/8 Nights $4,395 PP dbl (land & charter air from Miami to Havana) $ 675 Single Supplement (waived if you are willing to share & a roommate is found) Starting in Miami on Saturday, March 21, 2015 Returning to Miami Int’l airport on Sunday, March 29, 2015 (exact charter time TBA)
NOT INCLUDED Air from your home city to/from Miami Cuba visa fee of $75 Travel Insurance up and above the included $1,000 mandatory medical insurance Cuban airport departure tax of $30
RESERVATIONS & QUESTIONS: Please telephone Earthbound’s travel office at 800.723.8454 or visit us online at www.earthboundexpeditions.com Note: A $500 deposit is required to reserve your space on this very special journey. Deposits and final payments must be made by check or money order for all journeys to Cuba.
Earthbound Expeditions Inc. POB 11305, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 USA T. 206 842 9775 / F. 206 842 8280 www.EarthboundExpeditions.com YOUR ALL CLASSICAL JOURNEY BEGINS…
March 21, 2015 Day 1- Gather in Miami at 8:00PM 8:00PM: Meet your ALL CLASSICAL host in our private reception room at the Miami Airport Marriott hotel for a welcome orientation. The Marriott hotel is just 10 minutes away from Miami International. The hotel offers a complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport. Sleep in Miami
DAY 2: Miami to Historic Havana, Cuba Early this morning transfer to the airport via shuttle to check in for our charter flight from Miami to Havana, Cuba. Charter flight times are not released until one month prior to departure. Your airline tickets and Cuban visas will be given to you when you check-in for your flight.
After clearing Cuban immigrations and customs, you are welcomed by your Cuban National guide holding an ALL CLASSICAL sign outside the terminal, who will assist with a private transfer to Old Havana (Habana Vieja). For lunch, we’ll sample some of Cuba’s traditional dishes in one of Havana’s charming old cafes. After lunch, our skilled local guide leads us on an insightful stroll through the colorful cobblestone streets of historic Havana.
In the late afternoon, check into the historic 1930’s Hotel Nacional located on the Malecón seafront. Relax in a comfy wicker couch on the terrace or enjoy a stroll on the waterfront before meeting your guide and ALL CLASSICAL host for a welcome dinner at one of Havana’s best known, privately owned Paladars. Sleep in Havana at the Historic Hotel Nacional (L, D)
DAY 3 - South to Colonial Cienfuegos and Charming Trinidad: After breakfast, depart for Cienfuegos province, also known as the “Pearl of the South”. In Cienfuegos, you will be able to see remnants of French- style architecture built by immigrants from Bordeaux. The majority of the city however, displays 19th-century early Spanish Enlightenment implementation in urban planning and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for that reason. Arrive in the historic center of Cienfuegos and enjoy a brief city tour to explore Cienfuegos’ magnificent wide boulevards and art galleries.
Enjoy lunch at the former Cienfuegos Yacht Club ocean-side restaurant (Club Naútico de Cienfuegos), then stroll through the town’s colonial center to learn about the different architectural influences in Cuba.
Earthbound Expeditions Inc. POB 11305, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 USA T. 206 842 9775 / F. 206 842 8280 www.EarthboundExpeditions.com After our stroll, enjoy a choral performance and discussion with a world-renowned a cappella group, the Choir of Cienfuegos. We re-board our coach and continue on to Trinidad. Enjoy an included dinner tonight at the hotel. Sleep in Trinidad at the Las Brisas Resort (B, L, D)
DAY 4 – Colonial Trinidad & Collantes National Park After breakfast, enjoy an outing to the mountains surrounding Trinidad. Your first stop will be at the Topes de Collantes National Park. For approximately 45 minutes you’ll travel in old Soviet open-air trucks into the lush mountains. After, enjoy a stop at an organic farm, lunch featuring grilled meats and a lecture on the incredible biodiversity of this region. There will also be opportunities to enjoy a light hike.
After our outing, we return to Trinidad, where you’ll have a walking tour of the Old Center. We’ll visit the Museum of Architecture and have a guided tour and presentation on Trinidad’s architecture and the development of the city. You’ll also meet with the Ballet Folklorico and see a music and dance performance!
In the late afternoon return to your hotel in time for dinner. Sleep in Trinidad (B, L, D)
DAY 5 – Return to Havana via the Cienfuegos Gardens We have breakfast at the hotel, then depart for the Cienfuegos Botanical Garden, founded 1899 by a land owner from New England and later maintained by Harvard University. The garden harbors a collection of some 2,000 species and is maintained by the Cuban Academy of Science. Enjoy lunch en- route and then continue on to your hotel on the sea. Sleep in central Havana at the newly renovated Hotel Capri (B, L, D)
DAY 6: Havana – The History of Dance and the National School of Music & Arts: Early birds may wish to soak up the sun with a walk along the Malecón before breakfast. Then we are off to the Havana country club today to learn about the history of music and dance in Cuba. Multiple instructors will be on hand to explain how this small island became a major powerhouse in terms of Latin music and dance. The Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, Salsa and Merengue all come from Cuba. After a thorough demonstration, you’ll be invited to learn some of the dances with the instructors. We’ll have a delicious lunch at a local restaurant before heading to the National Art Schools.
Cuba’s National Art Schools (Escuelas Nacionales de Arte, now known as the Instituto Superior de Arte) are considered by historians to be one of the most outstanding architectural achievements of the Cuban Revolution. These innovative, organic Catalan-vaulted brick and terra-cotta buildings were built on the site of a former country club in the far western Havana suburb of Cubanacán, formerly Havana’s “Beverly Hills” and primarily home to Communist Party officials.
Earthbound Expeditions Inc. POB 11305, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 USA T. 206 842 9775 / F. 206 842 8280 www.EarthboundExpeditions.com
The schools were conceived and founded by Fidel Castro and Che Guevara in 1961, and they reflect the utopian optimism and revolutionary exuberance of the early years of the Cuban Revolution. Over their years of active use, the schools served as the primary incubator for Cuba’s artists, musicians, actors, and dancers. The schools’ design fell out of favor by 1965 and the buildings were nearly completely decommissioned until preservation efforts were mounted in force in the 1990’s. Now tentatively on the list of World Heritage Sites, they are in use, though still in various stages of disrepair.
Musical Note: Apart from the National Symphony, Havana has just three professional classical ensembles. One of them, Camarata Romeu, an all-female string ensemble, is strikingly distinctive -- its members dress in stylish outfits and play from memory with arresting warmth and spirit, if not the smoothest sonic gloss. If available, we’ll be attending a concert offered by this very talented group of musicians.
Enjoy dinner this evening in another outstanding paladar (private restaurant). Sleep in Havana at the Hotel Capri
DAY 7: Visit a Ballet School and Hemingway’s Home After breakfast a dance rehearsal is planned at the Prodanza Ballet School. The Centro de Promoción de la Danza (PRO DANZA) of Cuba was founded at the end of 1988. The center is directed by Ballet mistress Laura Alonso and is a branch of the specialized teaching department of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba. The mission of PRO DANZA is to promote the Cuban school of ballet technique.
The main objective of PRO DANZA has been to establish a coherent methodology, which allows dancers with professional goals to progress gradually from their initiation at the elementary level to their professional lives. They learn the necessary tricks of the trade from the center's own scientific teaching system, which promotes the Cuban school of ballet. Enjoy a private rehearsal and time to exchange ideas on ballet and music with the director and students of the company. If fortunate, you’ll be meeting with Pro Danza Director Laura Alonso.
After lunch in the town of Cojimar, we're off to visit Finca Vigía [Lookout Farm] where North America's literary giant, Ernest Hemingway, spent twenty-one of his most important and productive years penning building blocks of English literature. Claimed by both the United States and Cuba as their son, it was Hemingway himself who declared the island his true home.
Depending upon scheduling, a music performance will be requested for you this evening. Dinner is on your own. Sleep in Havana at the Hotel Capri (B, L)
Earthbound Expeditions Inc. POB 11305, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 USA T. 206 842 9775 / F. 206 842 8280 www.EarthboundExpeditions.com
About Pro Danza Director Laura Alonso Laura Alonso, the daughter of world famous ballerina Alicia Alonso and famous teacher and coach Fernando Alonso is herself known as a teacher, coach, and expert at staging the renowned classics. During the 1990 Jackson International Ballet Competition, Laura Alonso was honored with an award as the best coach at the competition. Her student, Jose Manual Carreno, won the Grand Prix de Ville, the highest award of the competition. Ms. Alonso has served as a coach, jury member and teacher at the Jackson International Ballet Competition and as a jury member of the Concours International de Dance de Paris, France 1998, the Alicia Alonso International Ballet Competition, and other competitions around the world.
DAY 8: School Visit, Museum of Fine Art & Rumba We visit a local elementary school today where we meet Cuban students, teachers and school administrators. Participants will interact with the children in their classrooms and participate in a discussion session with some of the school’s students, teachers and administrators about, among other topics, Cuba’s education system and how it compares to that of the United States. You may bring pens or pencils as a gift to the school, although it is not mandatory.
Next we visit the Fine Arts Museum and the impressive Museum of the Revolution. Sitting outside you’ll find American Jeeps and planes used during the failed Bay of Pigs landing. Also worth noting, the yacht named “Granma” that was used to transport 82 Cuban fighters and Fidel Castro to the shores of Cuba from Mexico in 1956.
Enjoy lunch at a nearby café, then depart for the “Cabildo Quisicuaba Socio-cultural Project” operated by Dr. Enrique Alemán in collaboration with the community in the Los Sitios neighborhood of Havana. The Project aims to rehabilitate traditional folk culture there, taking into account the spiritual, cultural and material needs of this population.
We’ll also have the chance to visit a Santeria house. In these private homes we’ll learn that the Santeria religion is a system of beliefs that merges the Yoruba religion (which was brought to the New World by enslaved West Africans sent to the Caribbean to work on sugar plantations) with Roman Catholic and Native American traditions. These Africans carried with them various religious customs, including a trance for communicating with their ancestors and deities, animal sacrifice and sacred drumming and dance.
In addition, we’ll attend a neighborhood Rumba performance.
Earthbound Expeditions Inc. POB 11305, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 USA T. 206 842 9775 / F. 206 842 8280 www.EarthboundExpeditions.com
Cultural Note : In 1985, the Cuban Minister of Culture stated the obvious: "Rumba without Cuba is not rumba, and Cuba without rumba is not Cuba." Today Cuban rumba is a genre involving dance, percussion, and song. There are three main forms: yambú, guaguancó, and columbia. Rumba is an amalgamation of several transplanted African dance and drumming traditions, combined with Spanish influences.
Our gala dinner this evening will be held in Havana’s most beautiful ballroom. We’ll have a local group perform for us as we say our fond farewells to Cuba. Sleep in central Havana at the newly renovated Hotel Capri (B, L, D)
Day 9- Havana – Miami We transfer to Havana’s Jose Marti Airport where we check in for our flight to Miami. (Charter flight time TBA) . (B)
ABOUT YOUR ALL CLASSICAL HOSTS
Ed Goldberg I was born in the Bronx and grew up in New York City and Long Island. I lived in Washington, D.C. for 18 years before moving to Portland with my wife in 1991. Music has always been a big part of my life. I started collecting records a year before I had a record player. I have published five detective novels, the first of which, Served Cold, won the Shamus Award. I brought my movie review program (On The Aisle) to All Classical, in addition to my Author, Author interview program. I teach occasionally and have taught courses in jazz history and the Marx Brothers’ movies. I am a regular from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays, and I also host Saturday Matinee from 10 to 2 p.m. while the Metropolitan Opera is in hiatus.
Amy Clayton, Major Gifts Officer In 2011, I relocated to Portland from Chicago. Making the move, I left behind family, friends and Riccardo Muti. Luckily for me, I quickly found him on All Classical Portland every Saturday night from 6-8pm! I was further delighted to discover that the Music Director of the Oregon Symphony, Carlos Kalmar, is also the Principal Conductor of the Grant Park Music Festival in Chicago. Homesickness cured!
Over the years, I have worn multiple hats in non–profit and for-profit arenas. My diverse experience with museum education, PBS fundraising, media research and sales have all uniquely prepared me for my role now as All Classical Portland’s Major Gifts Officer. I’m thrilled to be part of the 89.9 family! When I’m not at the station, I enjoy exploring restaurants and wineries with my husband, Shane, and being a “soccer mom” for our son, Zachary.
Earthbound Expeditions Inc. POB 11305, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 USA T. 206 842 9775 / F. 206 842 8280 www.EarthboundExpeditions.com
WHERE YOU WILL BE STAYING
The historic **** HOTEL NACIONAL is located on the Malecón seafront. The decision to build a luxury hotel was taken in the late 1920s. The American firms McKim, Mead & White and Purdy & Henderson Co., tasked with the planning and construction, completed the palatial edifice in 14 months. Note: The same firm designed Penn Station and Washington Square in NY. The hotel exhibits an eclectic architectural style, reflecting Art Deco, Arabic references, features of Hispano-Moorish architecture, and both neo-classical and neo-colonial elements. There are even details from the centuries-old Californian style. The resulting unique example of so many schools of architecture makes this the most unusual and interesting hotel in the Caribbean region. Among its first illustrious guests were artists, actors, athletes and writers such as Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, Mickey Mantle, Johnny Weissmuller, Buster Keaton, Jorge Negrete, Agustín Lara, Rocky Marciano, Tyrone Power, Rómulo Gallegos, Errol Flynn, John Wayne, Marlene Dietrich, Gary Cooper, Marlon Brando and Ernest Hemingway. In February 1946, Sir Winston Churchill visited Cuba, staying in the hotel's Republica Suite, and was he was accorded diplomatic privileges by the Cuban government. In December 1946, it hosted an infamous mob summit run by Lucky Luciano and Meyer Lansky and attended by Santo Trafficante, Jr., Frank Costello, Albert Anastasia, Vito Genovese and many others. Francis Ford Coppola memorably dramatized the conference in his film The Godfather Part II. Note: The Cuban government rates the Nacional hotel as a 5 star. Although it is very charming, most international travelers would agree that it is more in line with a superior 3 star in North America. That said, if traveling to Havana, you have to see it and spend a night there if possible!
HOTEL BRISAS TRINIDAD DEL MAR **** Brisas del Mar is a 4-star hotel only a few kilometers from the city of Trinidad, a World Heritage Site rich in history and culture. This oceanfront property is located near the fine white-sand of Playa Ancon Beach and surrounded by the Escambray Mountains. The area has a microclimate of its own, due to the proximity of the Caribbean Sea.
Designed in a quasi-colonial fashion, the architectural elements imitate the nearby city of Trinidad's famous landmarks. The buildings surround a long, curvaceous swimming pool surrounded by spacious sundecks and palm-shaded lawns. Guests have a choice of three on-site restaurants. There are evening cabaret shows and the lively nightlife of Trinidad is only a 20-minute taxi ride away.
THE CAPRI HOTEL **** HAS JUST RE-OPENED THIS JANUARY 2014. The then ultra-modern 19-floor, 250-room, $5 million Capri hotel & casino was designed by Cuban architect Jose Canaves in 1956. The grand opening during the Thanksgiving holiday in 1957 included being greeted at the casino by actor & real-life mobster George Raft. In the few years before Fidel Castro's revolution, the hotels & its casino became rather fashionable.
The Hotel Capri was propelled into existence by the 1955 Batista Hotel Law 2074. The government loans, tax breaks & casino licenses it offered to those with over a $1 million to invest/launder in a hotel was quickly snapped up by the likes of Meyer Lansky & Charles "Lucky" Luciano. The Capri was financed by the US Mafia Syndicate including the New York mob of Santo Trafficante Jr, Nicholas Di Costanzo, Charles Turin (alias Charley "The Blade") & Santino Masselli of the Bronx (alias "Sonny the Butcher"). Santo Trafficante Jr obtained the Capri's casino license & George Raft became the celebrity public face of the Capri gambling & nightclub. The hotel management contract was granted to Miami hotelier Julius "Skip" Shepherd.
Earthbound Expeditions Inc. POB 11305, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 USA T. 206 842 9775 / F. 206 842 8280 www.EarthboundExpeditions.com The Capri's decadent corrupt American capitalist reputation & glamorous roof-top swimming pool made it the choice location for the main (very long uninterrupted) opening scene of the Cuban-Russian propaganda film, and David Bailey's favorite, "Soy Cuba". The Capri being so famously frequented by American gangsters, it even gets a mention in Mario Puzo's mafia film "The Godfather."
The Casino de Capri's 1950's "dazzling & thrilling" cabaret shows were produced & choreographed by "Carlyle". Headlining local talents included the Diva Celeste Mendoza, "The Queen of Guaguanco" and renowned American stars Tony Martin & Liberace.
On the 31st of December 1958, George Raft welcomed in the New Year with his usual debonair "champagne flair." Shortly after, Julius Shepherd claims, he was ordered by the victorious new regime to accept 200 soldiers, which he picked up the tab for for more than a year. Shepherd, Raft, Trafficante, Lansky, Luciano & Batista have now long gone.
THING YOU SHOULD KNOW… Cuba is a developing country and still lacks many modern conveniences. It’s not unusual to experience short power black-outs or to find that your hot water, internet, TV or phone in your hotel room does not work properly (or at all). Further, the Cuban government and incoming Havana agency has the right to change the itinerary without notice (and often does). We’ll be travelling under a “People to People” license, which means that our days will be filled with many educational experiences. They will begin around 8:30am and end around 5:00pm. This is not a trip for those looking for a leisurely, luxurious beach holiday. As so many visitors have already discovered, travelers who arrive in Havana with sense of humor, an open mind and are ready to be flexible will absolutely fall in love with the people and culture of Cuba.
RESERVATIONS Reservations and Deposits: Early reservations are essential to guarantee space on the date you wish to travel. A per person deposit of $500 is needed to confirm your space on most journeys (please see section entitled RESERVATIONS on your Earthbound itinerary for specifics). Deposits and final payments must be made by check or money order for all Cuba journeys. Deposits are refundable for 60 days from the date received or 90 days prior to departure, whichever comes first. A $75 dollar per person processing fee will be applied to all cancellations, regardless of when they are made. Once the deposit is processed, a deposit packet is sent with pertinent journey details.
Final Payment: You will be sent an invoice approximately 75 days prior to departure. A non-refundable final payment, payable by money order or check, is due 60 days before departure. It is the responsibility of each passenger to make a timely payment. A final packet of information will be sent approximately one month before departure. Mail payments to: Earthbound Expeditions PO Box 11305, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110, USA.
Cancellations: All cancellations must be made in writing and are effective upon receipt in our office. Deposits are fully refundable for 30 days from the processing date or 90 days prior to departure, whichever comes first. Deposits made 90 days prior to a trip departing are not refundable. A $75 per person processing fee applies to all cancellations.
No refunds are made for cancellations after the non-refundable deposit date. It is for this reason we strongly encourage the purchase of travel insurance at the same time you reserve your journey with us. Please refer to your specific journey details, especially private and hosted journeys, as policies may differ.
Earthbound Expeditions Inc. POB 11305, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 USA T. 206 842 9775 / F. 206 842 8280 www.EarthboundExpeditions.com CUBAN VISA/ RESERVATION FORM ALL CLASSICAL Classic Cuba Journey March 21-29, 2015
First Name:
Middle Name:
Last Name:
Mother’s Maiden Name:
Country of Birth:
Date of Birth:
Passport Number:
Date of Issue:
Date of Expiry:
Nationality:
Male or Female:
Address:
City:
State: Zip:
Home Phone Number:
Email Address:
Emergency Contact Name & number:
Special Requests:
* If you were born in Cuba and emigrated to the United States prior to 1974 you must obtain a special visa from the Cuban Interest Section in Washington D.C. Please contact our office for more information.
Earthbound Expeditions Inc. POB 11305, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 USA T. 206 842 9775 / F. 206 842 8280 www.EarthboundExpeditions.com