Cuba – Havana to Viñales
Trip Summary Soak in the culture of Cuba as you interact with the friendly locals, explore time-warped colonial villages, and discover the fascinating histories of Havana, Viñales and Mantanzas.
Itinerary Day 1, Monday: Miami / Havana Today we arrive in Havana after a short charter flight from Miami (it’s only an hour!) where you will be met and picked up by your Cuban guide for the week • En route to Havana, we’ll stop at Plaza de Revolucion for a group photo • A quick tour of Old Havana will give you an idea of what’s in store after we eat • Eat lunch at Ambos Mundos, the hotel where Hemingway stayed and wrote some of his most renowned novels • After, we’ll continue our tour of Old Havana with Visits to Plaza de Armas and other important sites • Check into the Melia Cohiba Hotel in the heart of the Havana neighborhood of Vedado, across from the Malecon, the famous Havana Sea Wall • You will have some down time to unpack, change money, get drinks for your rooms, etc. • After changing for our first dinner we will meet for a guided tour of historic Hotel Nacional and dinner in the garden at La Barraca • Overnight Melia Cohiba (L, D)
Day 2, Tuesday: Havana After breakfast at the hotel, we will meet the director of the senior rehabilitation center in Old Havana who will talk with us about the facility and give us the opportunity to interact with the seniors • Peeking into Plaza Vieja Primary School will give us a glimpse of education in Cuba • Next we will visit an at-risk maternity center and begin a dialogue about health care in Cuba • Before lunch at La Imprenta, visit the Quitrin Project founded by the Federation of Cuban Women and UNIFEM • This afternoon, we will continue our visit of Old Havana and view the rest of its historic squares • Later, we’ll watch a rehearsal of a professional dance troupe and will meet with the founder/director before heading back to the Melia Cohiba • Dinner tonight at El Aljibe, the best Cuban chicken restaurant in Havana • Overnight Melia Cohiba Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 3, Wednesday: Pinar del Rio / Viñales / Havana Today we will drive east for 2.5 hours through the stunning province of Pinar del Rio discussing politics, education, the medical system, and housing along the way • Continue to Finca Pinar San Luis, previously the private finca of a tobacco farmer where we will learn about tobacco growing, cigar production and the daily life of tobacco farmers • Afterwards, explore the Valley of Viñales, arguably the greenest and most beautiful region in all of Cuba and stop at Mirador Los Jardines to take in the breathtaking view • We’ll eat lunch at a Prehistoric Mural before visiting El Patio de Pelegrin, a community project in the region • Visit a local maternity clinic before returning to Havana, taking in the beautiful scenery along the way (2.5 hours) and continuing educational discussion • Tonight, try dinner on your own at a Paladar (private owned restaurant) • Overnight Melia Cohiba Hotel (B, L)
Day 4, Thursday: Havana This morning, we’ll take a guided tour of Colon Cemetery, the largest cemetery in the Caribbean • More People to People encounters await as we visit the Institute of Superior Artes and tour the grounds, visit with students and learn about the opportunities for artists on the island • You’ll have the chance to interact with many of the music and art students and professors who study and teach here • Late morning, we drive through the neighborhood of Miramar, home to beautiful mansions owned by private individuals before the revolution • After lunch at La Ferminia, we will continue to the Flores district to visit Casa-Estudio de Fuster, the studio-home of Jose Fuster, commonly called the ‘Picasso of the Caribbean’ • Señor Fuster or his son, Alex, will do a tour of the unique studio and property, including a visit with his neighbors whose homes are
1 The toughest part is going home.SM
Cuba – Havana to Viñales
adorned with Fuster’s ceramics • A visit to an agro market will provide us with the opportunity to see how Cubans shop and experience the Cuban dual currency • If time allows we will visit the Feria, a craft market where shopping is a must • Tonight we dine at La Dominica in Old Havana • Overnight Melia Cohiba Hotel (B, L, D)
Day 5, Friday: Havana / Matanzas / Havana After breakfast, this morning we will travel east to Mantanzas, known as the” Venice of Cuba” because of its nice bridges • We will make sure to stop at Cuba’s longest bridge, the Bacunayagua, overlooking the Yurumi Valley • A treat today in Mantanzas is our time spent at a handmade book bindery, Ediciones Vigia, which features amazing works of book art available for purchase • Continuing on, we’ll visit the 1879 Troillet Pharmacy, now a museum in perfect order • A member of the Troillet family will engage us in the history of this remarkable, very large museum, with plenty of time for questions and answers after • Lunch today in Mantanzas at Hotel Velazco before driving back to the Melia Cohiba (one hour) • Since today is Friday, optional Shabbat services at Patronato will be offered and dinner is on your own • Overnight Melia Cohiba (B, L)
Day 6, Saturday: Havana This morning, we visit Muraleando, a neighborhood community project featuring artwork by resident artists that have transformed the neighborhood with street art and sculpture • Moving on, we’ll stop by a living car museum to talk with the owners about how they continue to keep their cars running and in top shape • Lunch will take place on the porch of Telegrafo Hotel, overlooking Jose Marti Park • This afternoon, a stop at the Museum of Revolution will help us understand the present history of Cuba • Visit Almacenes San Jose, a former harbour warehouse restored by the Office of the City Historian to facilitate an environmental structure where crafts people can display their creative artistic productions • Late afternoon, we’ll head back to the Melia Cohiba to ready ourselves for dinner • This will be another night to try one of the many new Paladars • After dinner options include a baseball game, opera performance, ballet (if available) and many music clubs • Overnight Melia Cohiba Hotel (B, L)
Day 7, Sunday: Havana After breakfast, depart the hotel for a tour of an organic urban agricultural farm in Alamar neighborhood (east of Havana) to learn about Cuba’s Green Revolution which began in the early 1990's • We’ll listen to stories and see the passion farmers hold for the revival of urban farming • Drive through Cojimar, a small fishing village outside of Havana which inspired Ernest Hemingway's famous novel The Old Man and the Sea • Here, we’ll meet with local fisherman and musicians before continuing on to Finca Vigia, Hemingway’s former home where we will hear about the Cuban perspective on Hemingway, his associations with the isle, and the difficulties of restoring and maintaining his former home • Lunch is on your own and several choices will be offered • This afternoon, we will visit Callejon de Hamel, an interesting street with art murals and afro Cuban religious sites • Tonight, we’ll share memories at our meaningful Farewelll Dinner at Café del Oriente • Overnight Melia Cohiba Hotel (B, D)
Day 8, Monday: Havana / Miami After a stop at Revolution Square, we say our goodbyes to Cuba, departing Havana on our charter flight en route to Miami, Florida • No overnight (B)
* Travel authorized by license granted to “Other Cuban Journeys, LLC”, OFAC license #CT-2012-296454-1.
** Trip itineraries are subject to change without notice due to road, weather and other factors outside of our control, for the safety and enjoyment of our guests, as deemed necessary and appropriate by Austin- Lehman Adventures and Other Cuban Journeys, LLC.
2 The toughest part is going home.SM
Cuba – Havana to Viñales
Austin-Lehman License Status Austin-Lehman’s five 2012 Cuba departures were operated utilizing a People-to-People travel to Cuba license provided by the Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Currently, ALA awaits confirmation of our 2013 license from OFAC, and we expect to receive authorization to send more guests to Cuba in the near future. Our guide for our 2012 departures, Marla Whitesman, has officially received her 2013 People-to-People license authorized by OFAC which legally allows authorized guests to travel to Cuba under her company, Other Cuban Journeys, LLC. Until ALA’s license is reauthorized, we are excited to collaborate with Other Cuban Journeys, LLC on a May program in Cuba! Stay tuned for further opportunities for travel to Cuba upon receipt of our license!
Our Partner – Other Cuban Journeys, LLC Austin-Lehman Adventures is pleased to market a unique travel program arranged and licensed by Other Cuban Journeys, LLC, an experienced and respected organization that is authorized by the U.S. government to offer People-to-People travel to Cuba. Other Cuban Journeys, LLC is licensed (CT-2012- 296454-1) by the Department of Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) which authorizes registered guests of our programs to legally travel to Cuba, to participate and engage in a full time schedule of authorized exchange activities in Cuba, which will involve meaningful interaction between our travelers and people in Cuba.
Activities
Discovery – Immerse yourself into the culture of Cuba – its friendly people, time warped villages, and complex history, as you discover the realities of this fascinating country. Did you know that Cuba was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492 and was claimed for the Kingdom of Spain? (Columbus thought he had landed on India!) Were you aware that Cubans refer to their island as “El Cocodrilo” or “El Caiman” because it resembles the shape of a crocodile or an alligator? Explore such gems as the Revolution Square, Plaza de la Catedral, and Plaza Vieja in Havana, the capital of Cuba and the largest city in the Caribbean region. For the architecture buffs out there, Old Havana, the core of the original city of Havana, displays a city built in baroque and neoclassic style, with many of the buildings currently undergoing restoration after falling to ruin in the latter half of the twentieth century. Meet the students and a teacher of one of the many primary schools of a country whose literacy rate borders 100%! Viñales, an agricultural region of Cuba, is where you’ll find many crops like fruits, vegetables, coffee, and tobacco, grown and harvested in traditional methods. Learn all about how tobacco leaves transform into cigars through the processes of curing, fermentation, sorting, and rolling through a knowledgeable local. Come discover “The Real Cuba” with Austin-Lehman!
Meals The hallmark of an Austin-Lehman vacation is our exceptional dining. Meals are included as indicated in the daily itinerary. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner). Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities are not included in the trip price.
3 The toughest part is going home.SM
Cuba – Havana to Viñales
Arrival and Departures Your trip begins on a Monday morning when you make your own way to Miami International Airport, three hours prior to your scheduled flight time. A one hour charter flight will take you from Miami to Cuba’s José Martí International Airport in Havana. Upon clearing customs, an Other Cuban Journeys representative will pick you up to transfer you to your first day’s activities in Havana. Your trip ends the following Monday with a drop-off at José Martí International Airport for your transfer flight to Miami. From here, you will make connections according to your post trip plans.
Distinctive Accommodations Nights 1 – 7: Melia Cohiba Hotel Located in the centre of Havana, near the Malecón, this modern and well-equipped hotel has comfortable furniture and all the modern conveniences you desire. Known for its outstanding service, your local hosts and hostesses are willing to accommodate you in any way possible. Make sure to explore the shops in the lobby and stop by the cigar store well stocked with cigars that you can’t find in most places.
Trip Price
$4,998 including charter air from Miami
Trip Length
8 days/7 nights
2013 Date
May 13 – 20
Host City
Miami, Florida Airport Code: MIA
Reservations & Availability
800.575.1540
4 The toughest part is going home.SM
Cuba – Havana to Viñales
Trip Reservations
Reservations, Deposits and Balances Due To make a reservation, contact Austin-Lehman with your choice of trip and dates. A $500 per person deposit is required to confirm your reservation. Full payment is required at the time of booking if your trip departs within 90 days. Choose one of the following contact methods: Toll free: 800.575.1540 Phone: 406.655.4591 Online: austinlehman.com/reservations.htm Email: [email protected] Mail: Austin-Lehman Adventures, P.O. Box 81025, Billings, MT 59108 * You may only pay with a check on this Cuban adventure made out to “Other Cuban Journeys, LLC”. No credit cards will be accepted as a form of payment.
Included in the Trip Price
• Seven nights stay at the Melia Cohiba in Havana. • Meals as indicated in detailed itinerary: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner. • Round trip airfare from Miami to Havana. • Cuba visa.
• Medical insurance in Cuba. • All programming included in itinerary. • Entrances to venues. • Tips for hotel staff, People to People contacts, etc.
• Departure US tax. • Pre-departure and packing information. Not Included in the Trip Price • Gratuities to Other Cuban Journeys, LLC guides/driver.
• Meals not designated in itinerary. • Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities. • Departure tax from Cuba: ~$30 per person. • Overweight/baggage fees from Miami.
• Pre-and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses. • Air and land transportation to/from host cities. • All types of personal insurance. • Personal expenses.
Pre -departure Information After receiving your reservation and deposit, we’ll send you a pre-trip planner with general information about the area you’ll be visiting, a packing list, exercise guidelines, a guest information questionnaire and a liability release agreement for you to sign and return within 10 days.
5 The toughest part is going home.SM
Cuba – Havana to Viñales
Room Occupancy, Single Supplements, and Shared Room Assignments All trip prices are based on double occupancy. Single rooms are available for an additional charge, referred to as a “single supplement.” If you’re traveling alone and wish to share a room, make the request at the time of booking. Austin-Lehman will attempt to find a suitable roommate for you.
Minimum Age The minimum age on our non-family designated adult and teen adventures is sixteen years old.
Cancellations and Refunds The following cancellation policies and cancellation fees are in effect: ***As with deposits on some international and custom programs, refund schedule may vary, speak with your Adventure Consultant for details. Cancellation 91 days or more before trip departure – Full trip payment refunded less a $300 per person administration fee Cancellation 61-90 days before trip departure – Full trip payment less 25% per person is refunded Cancellation 31-60 days before trip departure – 50% of the trip payment is refunded Cancellation 0-30 days before trip departure – No refund is given
Our Guarantee Exceeding your expectations is our number one priority. In the unlikely event that you are dissatisfied with something during your trip, immediately notify your guide(s). If he or she is unable to resolve the issue, call our main office and give us the details of the problem, and a chance to correct it. We will do our best to find a resolution. If we are unable to do so during your trip, we will work with you upon your return home to arrive at a fair and equitable solution, including up to a full refund.
6 The toughest part is going home.SM