PHOTOS BY JAUME ESCOFET CUBA YORK SCHOOL Connecting with People and Culture in Central Cuba October 6 - 14, 2017

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Examine how Cuba’s cultural heritage has been shaped by • Visit Havana’s iconic landmarks, including the Plaza de Armas, Plaza de San Francisco, Revolution Square and Plaza Vieja. indigenous, European, and • Visit the Soroa Waterfall and Sierra del Rosario, home of African influences. During Las Terrazas, a self-sustained community named after the this journey to Havana reforestation project initiated in 1968. • Explore the cave made famous for being where Che Guevara and central Cuba, learn headquartered during the Cuban Missile Crisis. about conservation efforts as • Visit the town of Viñales and learn more about the economics of a you explore, wetlands and small community. mangroves to the limestone • Explore diverse wildlife at Zapata Swamp, Cuba’s largest wetland. • Go snorkeling in the Bay of Pigs, famed for its marine species and cave where Ernesto “Che” coral reefs. Guevara headquartered during the Cuban Missile WHAT’S INCLUDED? Crisis. Engage with • Accommodations community members and gain • Activities a in-depth understanding of • Expert local guide this Caribbean island’s history, • Private transportation people, and their daily way of • Meals • Beverages with meals life. holbrooktravel.com | 800-451-7111 | [email protected] ITINERARY OCTOBER 10 - ZAPATA Today you will travel to the Zapata Peninsula, also known as BLD = BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER the Bay of Pigs, which is home to the largest wetlands in the Caribbean. 70% of the area is a Biosphere Reserve and Cuba’s OCTOBER 6 - HAVANA largest national park. Isolated and serene, the Bay of Pigs is famed for its marine species, coral reefs and the birds. Upon arrival Upon arrival in Havana, transfer to your hotel. In the evening you will have free time to enjoy the beach. Later in the day, visit you will receive a welcome orientation. Overnight at Ambos Mundos Hotel or similar. (D) the town of Palpite to interact with the artists community here part of the Korimakao project. Continue to Playa Larga hotel, OCTOBER 7 - HAVANA arriving before sunset for dinner. Overnight at Hotel Playa Larga Today you take a day trip to explore old Havana. Havana is or similar. (BLD) a living time capsule, from its Spanish colonial history to the OCTOBER 11 - ZAPATA enduring legacy of the Revolution, characterized by 1950s This morning receive an introduction and welcome to Zapata American cars and colonial architecture. Havana can be divided National Park followed by a visit to Cueva de los Peces for into 4 main areas: the old quarter, which as the name suggests snorkeling. Los Peces is a natural aquarium in a 201 foot deep is the historic heart of the city and declared a UNESCO World cenote (sink hole). It is filled with tropical fish that swim in from Heritage Site in 1982; central Havana, containing the famous the bay via a subterranean passage. You will have time to snorkel Paseo del Prado, Capitol building and many outstanding and the remainder of the day is free to explore the Zapata area museums; Vedado, the modern political and cultural center with your guide. Overnight at Hotel Playa Larga or similar. (BLD) including Revolution Square; and Miramar to the west, Havana’s most elegant quarter, whose main tree lined avenue Quinta OCTOBER 12 - ZAPATA Avenida is flanked by splendid villas. This afternoon, visit the After breakfast, participate in community work with the model of Old Havana and have lunch at a local restaurant in Zapata National Park. The work will be focused on ecological Plaza Vieja before continuing the exploration of the city treasures. conservation and protection. After finishing up the community This evening, dinner will be at the hotel.Overnight at Ambos project, visit the town of Playa Girón’s and its museum to learn Mundos Hotel or similar. (BLD) about the famous events of the Bay of Pigs invasion. Have lunch OCTOBER 8 - VIÑALES at Caleta Buena, a beautiful inlet in the heart of the bay. After lunch, enjoy snorkeling to explore the marine biodiversity of the Today, head West to the province of Pinar del Rio. This province area. Overnight at Hotel Playa Larga or similar. (BLD) is a rural heartland of Cuba and is home to the best tobacco growing farms in the world. In this region, the isolated limestone OCTOBER 13 - HAVANA mounds known as “mogotes” seem to appear without any reason You will have some time to snorkel or hike this morning. in contrast with its surroundings. Enroute, stop at Soroa and After lunch, return to Havana. Upon arrival your guide will be hike to the 115 foot waterfall. Trees surround the falls, and there’s available to explore areas of interest in the city. In the evening, a small natural pool that’s a fine place to swim at the bottom. enjoy a special farewell dinner. Overnight at Ambos Mundos Hotel While there you will also visit Mirador de Venus, a lookout that or similar. (BLD) has spectacular views of the valley. Next you will visit La Terrazas for lunch. Las Terrazas is an ecotourism center set in the Sierra del OCTOBER 14 - DEPARTURE Rosario UNESCO biosphere reserve. It dates back to 1968 when Transfer to the airport for your flight home.(B) the Cuban government launched a huge reforestation project on terraced hills ringing the area. The project, which included the creation of a village where today 1,000 locals live in a largely PROGRAM COST self-contained community, is an internationally recognized $3,365 success. The buildings in the village, set above a lake, were Price includes accommodations, meals as mentioned in the designed to blend in with their natural surroundings. After lunch, itinerary, entrance fees, activities, and full-time guides. you will explore the area and visit the studios of local artists as well as some the hiking trails. Overnight at Los Jazmines or similar. Does not include gratuities, or international airfare, which is (BLD) $769 from San Francisco (which includes visa, departure tax, and mandatory Cuban health insurance). OCTOBER 9 - VIÑALES This morning, hike in the National Park for close up exploration AIR COST of the jaw dropping famous magotes, 250 million year old loaf Estimated $769 shaped limestone mountains that rise as high as 300 meters. In Based on round trip flights from San Francisco. Airfare includes the afternoon, visit Cueva de los Portales, a limestone cave set Cuban visa, mandatory Cuban insurance and departure tax. adjacent to hills covered in lush vegetation. The cave is interesting both geologically and historically, famous for being where Che Guevara headquartered during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. THE FINE PRINT Overnight at Los Jazmines or similar. (BLD) Cost is based on double occupancy; for a single room throughout the trip add $620. A $200 per person deposit and enrollment form is FOR MORE INFORMATION: required to reserve your space on the trip. This deposit is refundable until July 03, 2017 excluding a $100 cancellation fee, at which Contact Kim Kiest at [email protected] or time final payments are due; cancellations received later are not Cammy Torgenrud at [email protected] refundable. Visit holbrook.travel/yorkschoolcu