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by Sea: Cienfuegos to

February 18–25, 2017 Dear MTA Traveler, Please join us next winter for a brand-new opportunity to experience Cuba as Columbus first saw her: by sea. Cruise the island’s less-developed southern shore, with its rugged mountains, pristine beaches, and well-preserved colonial architecture. Discover Santiago, Camagüey, Trinidad, and Cienfuegos, engaging with artists, entrepreneurs, musicians, and other welcoming locals along the way. For those wishing to experience the excitement of , an optional postlude is offered.

The Museum Travel Alliance (MTA) provides museums with the opportunity to offer their members and patrons high-end educational travel programming. This trip is available exclusively through MTA members and co-sponsoring non-profit institutions. Accompanying us on this voyage is Jonathan Hansen, Senior Lecturer on Social Studies at Harvard University.

Our vessel, Variety Voyager, features only 36 cabins and is the perfect conveyance for exploring this largest of Caribbean islands. With the ship as your hotel, call at lesser-visited ports, meeting from all walks of life and learning from educational talks by distinguished lecturers.

We hope you will join us for this once-in-a-lifetime voyage.

Sincerely,

Jim Friedlander Managing Director

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS TRAVELING WITH YOU Jonathan Hansen is senior lecturer seven nights aboard the intimate Variety SPEND on social studies and a faculty Voyager , a privately chartered yacht accommodating associate at the David Rockefeller just 72 guests Center for Latin American Studies. An intellectual historian, he is the CRUISE Cuba’s less-developed southern shore, author of The Lost Promise of with its rugged mountains, pristine beaches, and well- Patriotism: Debating American Identity, 1890-1920 (Chicago, 2003) preserved colonial architecture and Guantanamo: An American History (Hill and Wang, 2011), along with articles, op-eds, and book reviews on ENGAGE with artists, entrepreneurs, musicians, U.S. imperialism, nationalism, cosmopolitanism, and race and other welcoming locals and ethnicity. He is currently working on a b iography of (YOUNG CASTRO, to be published by STAY overnight in Santiago, a city steeped in Simon & Schuster), which takes him often to Cuba. history whose cultural scene rivals Havana’s Variety Voyager EXPERIENCE the French flavor of Cienfuegos and stroll the streets of lost-in-time Trinidad

DELIGHT in the soaring voices of a world- renowned choir during an exclusive performance Cuba by Sea: Cienfuegos to Santiago de Cuba

February 18–25, 2017

Cienfuegos, photo by Ignacio Artola

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18: U.S.A. / MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20: SANTA CRUZ DEL SUR / SANTIAGO DE CUBA CAMAGUEY Arrive independently in Santiago, Cuba’s second- Step ashore in the fishing village of Santa Cruz to drive largest city and its first capital. Settle in aboard Variety to nearby Camagüey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site Voyager, which remains docked overnight. Today, join known as “the city of churches.” Its labyrinthine layout, an architectural walking tour that includes the Velázquez unique in Cuba, is said to have been designed to ward off Museum, a colonial mansion that is the oldest house in pirate attacks. Chat with parishioners at the 18th-century Cuba. Your welcome dinner tonight is on board. D Church of St. John of God, and see the beautifully restored Church of Our Lady of Carmen. Meet a curator SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19: SANTIAGO for a tour of the small, excellent collection at the Ignacio Drive to the Basilica of Our Lady of Charity, a hilltop Agramonte Museum, housing works by Wilfredo Lam, pilgrimage church dedicated to the country’s patron Victor Manuel, and other well-known Cuban artists. B,L,D saint. Return to Santiago to witness the changing of the guard at the mausoleum of national hero José Martí, and Note: This day is subject to change, as we are awaiting enjoy stupendous views of the jungle-clad permission from Cuban officials to dock at Santa Cruz from the UNESCO-listed fortress of El Morro. Santiago del Sur. is the birthplace of many famous Cuban musicians, and optional evening entertainment can be arranged tonight TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21: TRINIDAD for interested travelers. B,L,D ¡Bienvenidos a Trinidad! With its cobblestone streets and candy-colored houses, this UNESCO-recognized town is one of the prettiest colonial cities in the Gulf of Mexico Americas. Stroll past its elegant plazas and palaces

Havana Atlantic Ocean on a guided architectural tour, and chat with a local entrepreneur. Lunch is at a paladar, one of the many Cienfuegos privately owned restaurants on Cuba’s culinary scene.

Trinidad Afterwards, meet local artists and artisans in their studios. We will also learn about santería, the Afro- Camagüey Cuban religion combining Yoruba and Roman Catholic

Caribbean Sea Santa Cruz del Sur beliefs, and you may wish to explore this theme further during independent time today. B,L,D Santiago de Cuba WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22: TRINIDAD SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25: CIENFUEGOS / U.S.A. Culture or nature? It’s up to you. This morning choose an After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your architectural tour of the charming colonial town of Sancti independently booked flight home. B Spíritus, founded by the conquistador Diego Velázquez in 1514, or a hike through . This nature reserve park harbors wild banana trees, dozens An optional postlude in Havana is offered from of indigenous orchid species, unique hummingbirds, and February 25 to 28. other exotic plants and animals. Wander the trails and The itinerary is subject to change at the refresh yourself in one of the park’s spectacular waterfalls. DISCLAIMER: discretion of The Museum Travel Alliance and Academic After lunch, visit the Valley of the Sugar Mills, former Arrangements Abroad. For complete details, please center of Cuba’s lucrative sugar industry. Climb Manaca carefully read the terms and conditions at www. Iznaga Tower, famous for its amazing views of the valley. museumtravelalliance.com/terms This evening enjoy a performance of local music. B,L,D

THURSDAY-FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23-24: CIENFUEGOS A NOTE ON AIR TRAVEL TO CUBA As this brochure goes to print, commercial flight schedules between the Devote two days to this alluring, UNESCO-listed city, US and Cuba had not been confirmed. Please contact our office for the founded by the French and nicknamed “The Pearl most up to date information on air travel to Cuba. of the South.” Admire the magnificent, 19th-century Tomás Terry Theater on a guided architectural walk that concludes with lunch at a paladar. Discover the internationally recognized Cienfuegos Botanical Garden, originally founded by an American sugar baron; or visit a historic cigar factory to learn about the importance of tobacco to the Cuban economy. Enjoy a private performance of the world-renowned choir Cantores de Cienfuegos. An onboard farewell dinner will celebrate your memorial stay in Cuba. B,L,D Port of , photo by Simon Bordwin

VARIETY VOYAGER HORIZONS DECK LAND/CRUISE RATES (Per Person, Double Occupancy)

301 303 305 307 Cabins Decks Rates

DINING 108 to 113 Marina Deck $6,995 ROOM Staterooms, double bed or twin beds. 304 306 308 302 101 to 107 Marina Deck $8,295 Staterooms, double bed or twin beds. 212 to 215 Riviera Deck $8,295 RIVIERA DECK Staterooms, double bed or twin beds.

201 203 205 207 209 211 213 215 201 to 211 Riviera Deck $9,995 MAIN LOUNGE Staterooms, double bed or twin beds. RECEPTION 212 214 301 to 306 & 308 Horizons Deck $10,995 BAR 202 204 206 208 210 Master Staterooms, double bed or twin beds.

307 Horizons Deck $12,995 MARINA DECK Owner’s Suite, double bed. Cabins are available for single occupancy at a supplement of 25% to 100% of the cruise rate. SPA & 101 103105 107 109 111 113 GYM RATES INCLUDE 108 110 112 n Seven nights cabin accommodations aboard Variety Voyager 102104 106 LIBRARY n Airport / pier / airport group transfers for those on suggested group flights n All meals (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner); bottled water and coffee / tea with all meals; complimentary wine/beer with lunches and dinners n Enrichment program of lectures and special events comprised of a full time schedule of people-to-people activities n Escorted sightseeing by private motor coach; entrance fees for included visits n Customary shipboard gratuities n Taxes, service, and porterage charges; gratuities to local guides and drivers NOT INCLUDED IN RATES International airfare; passport fees; Cuban visa; Cuban departure tax; limited Cuban health insurance policy (required for all foreign travelers to Cuba under age 80); personal items and expenses; airport / pier transfers for those not on suggested group flights; baggage in excess of one suitcase; trip Owner’s Suite (left), a lounge area on the deck (right) insurance; any other items not specifically mentioned as included. El Morro, Santiago de Cuba, photo by Furry Girl

THE MUSEUM TRAVEL ALLIANCE CUBA BY SEA: CIENFUEGOS TO SANTIAGO DE CUBA n FEBRUARY 18–25, 2017 RESERVATION FORM

To reserve a place, please return this form along with your deposit of $1,000 per person (of which $350 is non-refundable for administrative fees) payable to The Museum Travel Alliance, 1040 Avenue of the Americas, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10018-3721.

______Name(s) in full as on passport(s). Please print.

______

______Address

______City State Zip

______Telephone (home) (business)

______Fax E-mail

ACCOMMODATIONS Variety Voyager cabin preference (1) ______(2) ______

I wish to share a cabin with ______

OPTIONAL PRELUDE & POSTLUDE q I/We would like to join the optional prelude in AmHavana Hotel Room Preference p One bed p Two beds

MTA MUSEUM AFFILIATION______

FORM OF PAYMENT p Enclosed is my check (payable to The Museum Travel Alliance) p Credit card

______Name on credit card

______Credit card number

______3- or 4-digit security code Expiration date

I/We confirm that I/we have carefully read and agree to the Terms & Conditions of this Program (see www.museumtravelalliance.com/terms to review or call for a copy). I/We agree to full payment by check, wire transfer, or credit card 120 days prior to departure. Each participant must sign below.

______Signature (required) Date

______Signature (required) Date

On the front cover: Trinidad, photo by Aaron Geddes