June 14 – 21, 2015 Miami, Santa Clara, Cienfuegos, Girón/Bay of Pigs & Havana Registration Deadline Is March 20, 2015 Limited Space!
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
June 14 – 21, 2015 Miami, Santa Clara, Cienfuegos, Girón/Bay of Pigs & Havana Registration deadline is March 20, 2015 Limited space! Now is the time…before modernization comes to Cuba! They depend on us! …we will bring urgently needed items to the Jewish Community, attend private meetings with synagogue leaders, forge new friendships, experience Cuba’s colorful architecture, music and culture Join CHAI Missions, a non-profit 501(c)(3) Jewish organization, for an extraordinary experience of cultural discovery and humanitarian effort. ITINERARY (Subject to change) Erev Cuba: • Walking tour of Old Havana UNESCO site** Sunday, June 14, 2015 – Miami – overnight at Sheraton Miami • Lunch Airport Hotel • Centro Hebreo Sefaradí de Cuba, Sephardic synagogue, • Cocktail, light supper and informational welcome meet with president Mayra Levy; Senior Center; party Shoah Exhibit, pharmacy* • Dinner at leisure Day 1 - Monday, June 15- (included meals: B, D) Miami/Santa Clara/Cienfuegos Day 4 - Thursday, June 18 - (B, L, D) Havana Hotel: Jagua, Cienfuegos Hotel: NH Hotel Capri • Breakfast at Sheraton’s Rickenbacker restaurant • Guided cigar factory tour; art of making a fine • Miami to Santa Clara; 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm cigar—the real thing! • Santa Clara Synagogue; see Jerusalem mural • Jewish Cemetery in Guanabacoa, site of the first upstairs, meeting with President David Tacher* Shoah memorial in the Western Hemisphere • Che Memorial, housing the remains of executed • Hemingway’s home, Finca Vigia, in San Francisco de Marxist revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara Paula, where he wrote ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls’ and • Drive to Cienfuegos ‘The Old Man and the Sea’ • Check into our hotel • Lunch at Ajaico, a paladar • Sunset Cruise on the Bay, with nosh & drinks • El Patronato, main synagogue and pharmacy, private (weather permitting) meeting with Adela Dworin, president* • Welcome dinner • Dinner • Salsa music and dancing under the stars Day 5 - Friday, June 19 - (B, D) Havana Day 2 - Tuesday, June 16 - (B, L, D) Havana Hotel: NH Hotel Capri Hotel: NH Hotel Capri • Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes–impressive collection • Comunidad Hebrea, Cienfuegos Jewish Community: of fine arts; private tour led by museum curator meet with leader, Rebecca Rodríguez* • Jose Rodriguez Fuster’s Home/Studio, a Caribbean • Visit local art gallery run by Rebecca’s son Picasso, art spreads throughout the neighborhood • Walking tour of Cienfuegos, UNESCO site** • Almacenes San José, arts & crafts market on the pier, • Depart for Havana…stopping at: situated next to Havana’s newest microbrewery • Girón - Bay of Pigs- historic beach site & museum • Lunch at leisure • Piscina/Cueva de los peces – natural pool/caves • Shabbat services and dinner with the Jewish connected to the ocean via underground tunnel community at El Patronato synagogue • Lunch • Check into hotel Day 6 - Saturday, June 20 - (B, D) Havana Hotel: NH Hotel Capri • Welcome to Havana dinner, La Baracca restaurant, at the historic Hotel Nacional • Optional morning services or evening Havdalah • Walk the Nacional’s Hall of Fame, stroll magnificent • Optional Beach Day! Enjoy the warm Caribbean grounds, listen to music overlooking the malecón waters at nearby Playa Santa Maria (seafront esplanade) • Optional Private Art Gallery tour • Optional evening opportunities will be suggested • Farewell Dinner • Evening entertainment (i.e. music, theatre, baseball) Day 3 - Wednesday, June 17 - (B, L) Havana Hotel: NH Hotel Capri Day 7 - Sunday, June 21 - (B) Havana • Maritza Corrales, engaging, noted, Jewish historian • Interesting stops on the way to the airport, including speaks to us following breakfast at our hotel the John Lennon statue! • El Morro, a hallmark of Havana; walk out onto the • Current flight schedule TBD (Please allow 3 hours fortress for an extraordinary view after arrival time to clear Customs for your flight home * Bring donations ** UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, indicating properties included on the world heritage list This mission is solely to assist the Jews of Cuba under a general religious license issued by the US Department of the Treasury to CHAI MISSIONS MISSION PACKAGE INCLUDES: • Erev-Cuba Miami welcome informational party with drinks and light supper • Overnight in Miami (erev Cuba) • Round-trip air: Miami/Santa Clara; Havana/Miami • 7 days, 6 nights in Cuba • Most meals (allowing for individual dining, i.e. at paladares/private family run restaurants in people’s homes). Included: 7 breakfasts; 3 lunches; 6 dinners • Phenomenal Cuban guide specializing in Jewish Heritage missions • Personal host ensuring your wonderful week in Cuba is just that! • Land transportation in Cuba by private A/C motor coach • Airport transfers • Gratuity to guide and driver • Tips to wait staff at included meals • Porterage and gratuity at Miami hotel (departure day) and all hotels in Cuba • Cuban Medical insurance including repatriation if necessary. Cuban insurance does not cover treatment due to a pre-existing condition. Highly suggest each participant obtain trip insurance. • Personal meetings with leaders of the Cuban Jewish Community • Erev Shabbat meal with the Jewish Community • Presentation by eminent Cuban speaker • Entrance fees to museums and sites of interest • Bottled water on the bus • Informational packet including recommended restaurants, travel guide and activities • Cuban Tourist Visa • US airport Departure tax • HOTELS: 6 nights in Cuba; 1 night in Miami – hotels are subject to availability and may be substituted for comparable accommodations ! Sheraton Miami Airport Hotel - one night ! Hotel Jagua, Cienfuegos, boutique hotel on the Bay - one night ! NH Hotel Capri, La Habana, historic hotel in an excellent location; reopened in 2014 following a major renovation; Wi-Fi in all rooms - five nights DINING Most meals are included, allowing opportunity to sample a couple of meals on your own. An excellent array of dining options is included in this program: • Full breakfast buffet daily • Well known state-run restaurants serving local and international cuisine • Paladares- private restaurants operating in people’s homes, a true Cuban phenomena • We try to accommodate dietary requirements. Vegetarian, pasta or fish option will be offered at all meals in addition to the main course NOT Included in mission package: • Domestic Air round-trip to/from Miami • Cancellation insurance – please see below • Departure tax Cuba – approximately $30/pp • Baggage charges: o Checked item fee: " There is a $20 per checked item fee o Weight charge: " All of your luggage may be weighed including carry-on, donations and checked bags " Each traveler is allowed 44 pounds per person with no overweight charge. Additional weight over the first 44 pounds is charged at $2/lb. " Persons travelling together may combine their weight allowances " Participants may bring as much luggage as they wish, though may incur overweight charges • Each participant is requested to bring at least 10 pounds of donations (i.e. bandages, clothing, Judaica) – an updated donations list will be provided • A voluntary cash tzedakah contribution of $50-100/pp is requested, which will be distributed among communities in need IMPORTANT PASSPORT INFORMATION To participate in this mission your passport must be valid for at least SIX MONTHS to the day after our entry into Cuba on June 15, 2015 (i.e. December 15, 2015 and later). NOTE: once you have submitted a valid passport as part of the registration you cannot apply for a new passport as the number you give will be used to obtain your Cuban visa. MISSION PRICE PER PERSON FROM MIAMI: Registration deposit of $750/pp due March 20, 2015 - Balance due April 17, 2015 Limited space # reserve your spot soon! ➢ $ 3250 Double Occupancy; Single Supplement: $ 650 (If payment of both the deposit and balance is paid by check) ➢ $ 3375 Double Occupancy; Single Supplement: $ 650 (payment by Visa/MC) For further information– please contact: Randi Simenhoff or Rhonda Slater CHAI MISSIONS, Inc a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (530) 618 – CHAI (2424) $ [email protected] $ www.chaimissions.org 4924 Balboa Boulevard, #380 $Encino$CA $91316 .