and
Stitch - Meet the People of Havana
7 days 6 nights
May 13-19, 2017
Day 1: May 13 - Departure and Arrival to Havana
Departure to Havana -The approval for commercial flights to Havana is expected to be in place by the time of this departure. However, since it is not in place at this time, we cannot give you details. This will be updated as the situation changes. It will be a much more convenient situation if we are not required to use a charter flight.
On Arrival in Havana -Welcome VIP Service at the airport: includes expedited services for baggage delivery, immigration and customs control. Includes access to the VIP lounge with a welcome cocktail.
Meet your Tour Guide and Tour Leader
Lunch at El Templete –
Cigars – Meet the cigar roller and cigar tasting in Conde de Villanueva Hotel. This is the only hotel in Old Havana with its own cigar roller.
• Brief explanation of the tobacco´s history, its origins, varieties, and the importance of the cigar in Cuban History.
• Explanation and demonstration of how a cigar is rolled by the master roller of the house.
• Learn how to select a cigar and the proper lighting demonstration.
• Taste a Habano accompanied by an espresso and a glass of Cuban rum.
Cigars: A select one of the Cigar House.
Transfer to the Hotel
Brief Orientation Meeting in the Lobby 6:30 pm - Departure
6:45 pm - Dinner at Ivan Chef Justo
El Cañonazo Ceremony
Day 2: May 14 - Havana
Breakfast
9:00 am - Departure to our first contact with Hemingway’s life in Cuba - Visit Finca Vigía, his house, a museum in San Francisco de Paula.
Depart to Cojímar - Visit Hemmingway’s favorite bar, La Terraza. The “Temple” of the writer and his friend Gregorio Fuentes, the captain of "El Pilar" (Hemmingway’s boat).
Lunch in El Ajíaco
After lunch, visit the neighborhood, in the small town of Cojimar. This is where Hemingway spent much of his time while in Cuba and inspired his famous book, The Old Man and the Sea.
Vintage car Tour - 1h tour along the Malecon -Pick up at hotel
Dinner Paladar Mediterraneo
Buena Vista Social Club Show in Habana Café
Day 3: May 15 - Havana
Breakfast
9:00 am - Walking Tour of Old Havana Historic Center lead by Professor and Architect Anibal del Padro Ph.D. He is the Main Designer at RESTAURA Design Enterprise, (deals mainly with restoration design). Sr. del Prado is Senior Architect in restoration and preservation design for several heritage buildings within the Historic Center of Old Havana and in other sites in the city. He is part of the Havana Historian Office and an expert in the history of the City. Sr. del Prado will talk about history, architecture and the Program of the Comprehensive Rehabilitation of the Historic Center. Old Havana was declared a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1982.
1. Plaza San Francisco
2. Chocolate Museum and take some ice chocolate.
3. Plaza Vieja.
4. Plaza de Armas.
• We will walk up Obispo Street to the Floridita Bar (where the Daiquiri was invented) to experience one of the most commercial streets in La Habana. (Empedrado street – Cathedral square – Mercaderes street – O’Reilly street – Arms’ Square – Oficios street – San Francisco square - Oficios street – Teniente Rey street – Old square - Mercaderes street – Obispo street – Bar Floridita – End of the tour) • Free time
12:30 pm: Lunch at Los Mercaderes or similar
2:00 pm: Retazos Dance Company – The company will perform a dance and discuss the teaching of contemporary dance in Cuba
4:00 pm: Visit to the Rum Museum - Welcome cocktail prepared by Havana Club. Museum Tour and demonstration. A cocktail for everyone.
Return to the hotel
7:30 pm: Dinner at Habana Mía (HM7)
10:00 pm: Tropicana Show
Day 4 : May 16 - Havana
Breakfast.
- Modern Habana City Tour - Art Decó y Cementerio de Colón /
- Ice cream time at El Coppelia.
- Visit Fusterlandia and lunch (TBD).
2:00 pm Visit the San José Artist Market and mingle with the local artists to learn about their crafts. Great opportunity to buy local handicrafts and art.
3:30 pm Exchange in the Fine Arts National Museum – Docent tour of the museum to learn about the importance of Cuban Art and its appreciation around the world.
5:00 pm Free time to walk El Prado and experience common Cuban daily life
8:30 pm Dinner at Litoral Private Restaurant
11:00 pm Casa De La Musica in Havana
Day 5 : May 17 - Havana - Soroa - Viñales - Havana
Breakfast
7:30 am Depart for Pinar del Rio (approximately 2 hours).
Educational exchange with Cuban private business owners and farmers from Benito Farm Plantation in which the U.S. and Cuban participants will discuss, agriculture and growing tobacco
Lunch - Finca El Paraiso Educational exchange with a Cuban ranger and his assistant from Mil Cumbres (Thousand Peaks) in which the U.S. and Cuban participants will discuss, environmentalism and rural conservation efforts in both the U.S. and Cuba.
Soroa Orchid Garden (and other private garden in the area, depends on their availability) Educational exchange with the Cuban owners of a botanical and herb garden in which the U.S. and Cuban participants will discuss, among other topics, gardening and parks in both the U.S. and Cuba and the trend toward growing organic in both countries.
4:00 pm Travel to Havana (approximately 2 hours).
6:30 pm Arrival to Havana.
8:00 pm Dinner at Río Mar /Private Restaurant
Day 6: May 18 - Habana - Matanzas - Varadero - Habana
Breakfast
8:30 am Depart to Matanzas
-Bellamar Caves
-Stop in route at Bacunayagua Bridge/if time permits
-Visit to Pharmaceutical Museum in Matanzas
-Panoramic Tour in Matanzas City with visit San Severino Fortress.
Depart to Varadero
1:30 pm Lunch at Mansión Xanadu
3:00 pm Free time for the beach and/or shopping at Plaza America in Varadero
5:00 pm Musical dance performance -Bailable en la Comparcita
Return to Havana
8:00 pm Farewell Dinner at El Decamerón Private Restaurant or La Guarida
Day 7: May19 - Departure
Breakfast – Will depend on departure time and if breakfast is being served. If not, there are places to buy food at the airport.
Transfer to Havana Airport for flight back to US.
$4250/person based on Double Occupancy $975/person Single Supplement
Included in tour price:
• Assistance and guide service • English Speaking Guide • VIP Service on arrival • Hotel Accommodations • Meals as indicated on the itinerary • All transfer in A/C bus • 2 bottles of water 500 cl /per person /per day • Tips for Guide / Restaurants and Driver / P2P Activities • Cuban Medical Insurance as required by the Cuban government
Land Tour does not include: • Air travel • Meals and services not mentioned in the itinerary • Personal expenses • US travel insurance • Cuban Visa= $100.00 • Cuban departure tax- was $25 in 2016. That may change in 2017
For more information and to reserve your place, please contact: Sandy Lipkowitz
415 931-1945 office 415 385-9543 cell 888 211-7778 Fax
A Member of the Gifted Travel Network, Inc.
CST # 2118416-40