CUBA – Knox College Road Trip December 5 - 12, 2016 (8 days/7 nights) Havana – Cienfuegos – Trinidad - Havana Departure: Miami Havana Hotels: Hotel Habana Libre (5 nights) Trinidad Hotel: Hotel Rancho Luna (2 nights) Itinerary and times Subject to Change; Often for the better DAY 1 – 05 DECEMBER Monday Flight from Miami Airport –Charter Flight AA 9448 VIP Group Check-in (see notes at end of itinerary) Estimated check in: 4:30 AM EST Estimated Departure: 7:30 AM Estimated Havana Arrival: 8:30 AM The city of Havana (La Habana) was first settled on 25 November 1519 on the sheltered, natural Havana Bay and became Cuba’s capital city in 1553. It was a strategic port city and thereby wealthy jumping off spot for New World gold and silver being transported to Spain. Visit to the Plaza de la Revolucion – This large square is surrounded by many of the major state offices with the impressive Jose Marti Memorial museum tower the highest point in the city. This city square is the center of the city for political rallies and special events baincluding the open air masses held during Papal visits. Bus tour of central Havana including; El Capitolio, inspired by the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. and is being restored to once again house the nation’s governing assembly, the newly restored Grand Theater of Havana, housing the Cuban National Ballet, the Bacardi Building, an art deco landmark, and the newly restored Sloppy Joe’s Bar. Group Lunch at La Barraca Restaurant in the Hotel Nacional de Cuba The Hotel Nacional de Cuba in Vedado the stands on a hill just a few meters from the Florida Straits of the Atlantic Ocean, and its garden offers a great view of the Havana Harbor, the El Malecon seawall and the city. The Malecon is the nearly 5 mile seawall with 6 traffic lanes and a broad oceanfront walkway running west from Castillo de San Salvador de la Punta to the River Almendares. The Malecon is a very popular gathering spot for all Habaneros, especially on hot summer nights. During storms, the traffic is often closed as the winds from the north drive large waves crashing over the sea wall. 1 CUBA – Knox College Road Trip December 5 - 12, 2016 (8 days/7 nights) Havana – Cienfuegos – Trinidad - Havana Vedado once referred to the “forbidden” area outside the historic city’s walls that banned construction and retained its forest preserve as a buffer against attack. This residential neighborhood area is currently the commercial heart of modern Havana. Check in - Hotel Habana Libre with daily Breakfasts This large impressive Vedado hotel on the famous La Rampa opened as the Habana Hilton in 1958 and served as Fidel Castro’s first headquarters in Havana. Currently operated by the Spanish Sol Melia Hotel Group, it is one block from the Malecon and across the street from Havana’s famous Coppelia ice cream parlor. Noted for the large, beautiful mural adorning its entrance, it features many restaurants, bars, outdoor pool and the best rooftop view of the city. Hotel Havana Libre 2 CUBA – Knox College Road Trip December 5 - 12, 2016 (8 days/7 nights) Havana – Cienfuegos – Trinidad - Havana Group Dinner –at the La Moneda de Cuba paladar (prívate restaurant) Transfer across Havana Bay Castillo de Los Tres Reyes del Morro was built between 1589 and 1630 at the entrance to Havana harbor on the peninsula point opposite the city buildings of Havana. Down along the water is the Battery of the 12 Apostles with each canon named after an apostle. Transfer to San Carlos de la Cabana fortress Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana was built between 1763 and 1774 on the la Cabana hillside down from El Castillo del Morro after the English conquest of the city from that hill area. Steep walls, a deep moat and a majestic drawbridge make this long hillside fortress (it once housed 120 canon) a dominant feature on the harbor and a great spot for viewing old Havana at night. It also housed political prisoners and became Che Guevara’s headquarters after taking possession of the city in 1959. 9:00 PM - Canonazo Ceremony Every night the picturesque Canonazo Ceremony takes place with an historical ceremony recalling the firing of a canon shot to announce the closing of the city gates and the raising of a chain in the harbor to protect against pirate attacks. A drummer marches soldiers dressed in 18th century Spanish Colonial uniforms to the ramparts at 8:45 AM to prepare the large canon for the loud explosion at 9:00 PM. Transfer to Hotel Habana Libre for overnight DAY 2 – 06 DECEMBER Tuesday 8:30 AM - Transfer by bus down the width of the island through the Cuban countryside to seaport city of Cienfuegos 3 CUBA – Knox College Road Trip December 5 - 12, 2016 (8 days/7 nights) Havana – Cienfuegos – Trinidad - Havana Cienfuegos, founded in 1819 on a beautiful bay, is known as the “Pearl of the South” and the capital of the Cienfuegos Province. Sugar was the key to its wealth and during boom times, world famous performers sang and acted at the Teatro Tomas Terry built in 1886- 89. Singer Benny More was born here and the area is known for its musical and dance tradition and legacy (birthplace of the Cha-Cha-Cha). Lunch in the Palacio del Valle on the Cienfuegos waterfront This Gothic, Venetian and Moorish styled mansion has also served as a casino and now a popular restaurant. Visit the Plaza Jose Marti, Teatro Terry, Castillo Jagjua, Cementerio Tomas Acea, and Casa de Artex in Cienfuegos Check in for two nights at the Hotel Rancho Luna on a beach across the beautiful bay from Cienfuegos. This tropical hotel features refreshing breezes, good views, landscaped grounds, a friendly outdoor pool and nightly entertainment. 4 CUBA – Knox College Road Trip December 5 - 12, 2016 (8 days/7 nights) Havana – Cienfuegos – Trinidad - Havana Dinner at Hotel Rancho Luna Free Evening DAY 3 – 07 DECEMBER Wednesday 8:30 AM - Transfer within the Escambray Mountains on Cuba’s southern coast to the historic, colonial city of Trinidad Visit to the Valle de los Ingenios, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Manaca Ianaga Estate, one of the many sugar plantations when Cuba was the major provider of sugar to the world in the 18th and 19th centuries. The area features a railway line through the valley, bringing trains to Cuba before to its colonial overseer Spain Trinidad Founded in 1514 by Diego Velasquez, Trinidad was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. This center of the sugar trade is famous for its original cobblestone streets and pastel colored, colonial era buildings. The city was isolated and largely unchanged over the years. The town center has been lovingly and historically restored and its Casa de la Trova where live music is performed regularly and the Casa de la Cultura with its studio and exhibition spaces are famous throughout Cuba. 5 CUBA – Knox College Road Trip December 5 - 12, 2016 (8 days/7 nights) Havana – Cienfuegos – Trinidad - Havana Visit Casa del la Alfarero and meet artists working various stages of pottery production of utilitarian and decorative pieces. The Santander family has produced award-winning ceramics over several generations. Group Lunch at Restaurante Nueva Era Walking tour of historic Trinidad with sites including the Parque Central Cespedes, the Plaza Mayor, the Iglesia Parroquial Mayor, Museo Romantico and the Palenque de los Congos Reales. Meet local artists in their studios. A specialty of the area is handmade lace and crochet. Stop at the Casa de la Trova to meet with local musicians Transfer to Hotel Rancho Luna for dinner and free night DAY 4 – 08 December Thursday 8:30 AM – Transfer to Havana Tour Finca la Yoandra, a two acre organic garden west of Havana and an example of Cuba’s push to grow more local food. Lunch at the attached Italian restaurant, Il Divino. Visit Studio Fuster in Jaimanitas to discuss with artists and neighbors how the studio has transformed their entire neighborhood into a work of art and a model of individual private enterprise. 6 CUBA – Knox College Road Trip December 5 - 12, 2016 (8 days/7 nights) Havana – Cienfuegos – Trinidad - Havana Visit the school Centro Pro Danza directed by Laura Alonso (daughter of world famous ballerina Alicia Alonso) Visit Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA) At ISA, the schools of Visual Arts, Music, Theatrical Arts, Dance, and Audiovisual Communication, are home to professors whom are all active musicians, dancers, or artists. Study at the Institute is comparable to conservatory work in the United States. ISA was built in 1961 on the site of the pre-Revolutionary Country Club of Havana, which was so exclusive that dictator Fulgencio Batista was denied a membership. Considered Cuba's best example of post-Revolutionary architecture, its red brick halls and pavilions are covered with Catalan vaults and cupola skylights. Recently reopened, each faculty member provides a combination of theory and practice designed for students serious about pursuing artistic achievement through concentrated study. From the 800 students in 39 specialties have come some of Cuba's finest artists and musicians studied here, many of the little trios performing all around Havana have ISA students in their ranks. Transfer to Hotel Havana Libre for check in and overnight 7:45 PM – Transfer to private restaurant VIP Havana for dinner 7 CUBA – Knox College Road Trip December 5 - 12, 2016 (8 days/7 nights) Havana – Cienfuegos – Trinidad - Havana Day 5 – 09 December Friday 8:15 AM - Tour the Corona Cigar Factory where you will meet and see how skilled workers prepare and select the tobacco, and then roll and sort the many cigar brands produced here.