9-Nights Exploring Cuba's Culture, History, And Colonial Cities - Small Group Discovery from $4,910

Exploring Cuba's Culture, History, And Colonial Cities

Day 1 ARRIVE IN HAVANA, CUBA Your Small Group Discovery Tour begins! Arrive in Havana, Cuba’s capital city, and transfer to your hotel. Tonight, meet your Globus Tour Director and Cuban National Guide for a 6pm welcome meeting and dinner. This is a good time to meet fellow program participants, get your questions answered, and prepare for your time in fascinating Cuba. (D)

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Day 2 HAVANAHighlights of Old Havana Your day begins with a walk through the streets of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discuss with your Cuban National Guide Havana’s unique architecture, the challenges of renovating the city’s exquisite historic buildings, and the future of these restorations. You’ll have the chance to interact with local private artisans. Next, visit Beyond Roots, a private project dedicated to the Afro-Cuban Culture in Cuba. Discuss the history of the project, the Santeria religion brought to Cuba by enslaved West Africans, and how this project gives back to the local community. After lunch at a local paladar (a special, privately owned restaurant), visit a local community project to interact with the children and volunteers who run the program. Before returning to our hotel, visit a private project focused on repurposing materials to make handbags. Speak to the dynamic owner about her personal story and how she started her own business. You’ll also enjoy a cigar-rolling and rum-tasting experience. This evening, enjoy dinner and a colorful and energetic show highlighting the music and dance of Cuba. (B,L,D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Witness the tradition of Cuban cigar rolling in Havana to discover the artistry handed down for generations. From local tobacco harvesting to creating the finished product, your small group will learn about the proud craftsmanship of Cuban cigars, regarded as the world’s finest and synonymous with the islands culture. Then delve into another Cuban specialty with a special rum-tasting experience.

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Day 3 HAVANACars, Catchers, and Choreography We start our day with a photo stop at Revolution Square before meeting members of the Antique Car Club “a Lo Cubana,” from the popular TV series, Cuba Chrome. Discuss what it takes for these local entrepreneurs to keep these classic American cars running, what it takes to become a member of the car club, and some of the special car club events they hold each year. Then, enjoy a few photos stops before lunch at a local paladar where you will meet a former Cuban baseball player for a discussion about the history and the love of this favorite pastime in Cuba and the United States. Next, attend a workshop at Havana Compass Dance Company. Before returning to the hotel, stop at the Angeles del Futuro (Angels of the Future) project. Enjoy a performance by these future circus performers and later interact with the children and teachers. Discuss how the children come to the program, the challenges the program faces, and how the program has changed lives. This evening is at leisure. Your Globus Tour Director will have suggestions for dining and additional exploration. (B,L)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Join your small group to attend an enthralling workshop at Havana Compass Dance Company. Watch a rehearsal and take some time to speak to the dancers and teachers about their training, daily lives, and future careers.

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Day 4 HAVANA–SANTA CLARA–CAMAGUEY History and Heritage This morning, travel to Santa Clara, Cuba’s fifth largest city. Visit the Che Guevara Memorial and Museum followed by a visit to a local retirement community project. Spend time with the members of the project and discover their passion for singing, dancing, and music. Continue to the historic city of Camaguey, one of the first seven villages founded by the Spaniards, much of the city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dinner tonight is at a local paladar. (B,L,D)


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Day 5 CAMAGUEYArchitecture, Art, and Arabesques Today, watch the dancers of the world-renowned Camaguey Ballet Company, which has performed in over 40 countries. After the performance, learn how the costumes are made. Then, see the city’s beautifully restored plazas and learn why Camaguey is nicknamed the “City of Squares.” Our first stop is at the studio of artist Martha Jimenez. Later, enjoy a musical performance by the Camaguey chamber orchestra. Afterward, there’s time to meet the musicians and learn about their training and daily lives. This evening is at leisure. Your Globus Tour Director will have suggestions for dining and exploring more of this colonial city. (B,L)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Enjoy an intimate visit to the art studio of Martha Jimenez with your small group. See everything from pots to paintings, produced by the charismatic artist in Camaguey’s City of Squares.


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Day 6 CAMAGUEY–TRINIDAD Rare Leather and Ranchland This morning, visit the studio of artist Pepe Gutierrez. Then, journey to a local working ranch where you’ll meet three generations of the same family that have been living on the farm since 1930. Hear about their daily chores before sitting down to an abundant country lunch. Continue to Trinidad, the crown jewel of Cuba’s colonial cities, founded in 1514 and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. No other city in Cuba is preserved as well or so charmingly. (B,L,D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE For over 40 years, Pepe Gutierrez has formed leather into unique pieces of art. Visit the artist’s studio with your small group with time to discuss his work and inspiration, while learning more about his projects.

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Day 7 TRINIDADPastels, Pottery, and Panoramas Start your day with a visit to artist Yudit Vidal Faife’s private art gallery. Then stroll through the streets of Trinidad, a cobblestone showcase of colonial architecture and pastel-colored houses decorated with wooden shutters and wrought-iron grilles. Visit some of the city’s famous landmarks while stopping to meet local self-employed residents and shop owners. After lunch at a local paladar, engage with the famous Santander family, well-known independent artisans. Visit their workshop and gallery and discuss their history in Cuba and learn how they have been making handmade pottery for over 100 years. Then, enjoy a scenic drive to Mirador Lookout for views of the Valle de los Ingenios. This evening is at leisure in Trinidad. Your Globus Tour Director will have suggestions to make the most of your evening. (B,L)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Join your small group to visit the private gallery of Cuban-born Yudit Vidal Faife. Discuss the artist’s process, the inspiration for her work, and her life as an artist.

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Day 8 TRINIDAD–CIENFUEGOS–BAY OF PIGS–HAVANA Pearl of the South Travel to Cienfuegos for a walk around the historic main square. Settled by French immigrants more than 150 years ago, Cienfuegos is often referred to as the “Pearl of the South” because of its impressive beauty and colorful history. Enjoy a performance by the Cienfuegos Orchestra (made of local independent musicians) and afterward join in a discussion with the artists about their training, performance schedule, and daily lives. Continue to Playa Larga, site of the Bay of Pigs Invasion. Discuss with your Cuban National Guide the history of this event and the role it played in the Cold War. Over lunch at a local paladar, meet a Naturalist from the local Ciénaga de Zapata National Biosphere Reserve and join in a discussion about the concerns we all have for our environment. Return to Havana where your Globus Tour Director will have suggestions for dining this evening. (B,L)

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Day 9 HAVANAHemingway and Humidors in Havana This morning, visit the Jose Fuster’s Community Art Project. Here you’ll discover a surreal world - like nothing you have seen before. Interact with members of the neighborhood to discuss the project’s impact on the surrounding area. Later, we turn our attention to the enduring legacy of Nobel Prize-winning novelist Ernest Hemingway, who lived in Cuba for more than 30 years, where he wrote several books, participated in fishing contests, and enjoyed the laid-back ambiance and warmth of the Cuban people. Engage with the staff at Finca Vigia, his beloved home (supported by independent foundations) and discuss the processes of preserving this historic location. Continue to an organic farm, featuring lunch and mojito tasting. Next, visit Humidores Habana, a workshop recognized for turning wood into some of Cuba’s most elaborate humidors. Learn about the project, interact with the workers, and see how the humidores are made. Tonight, meet private owners of classic American cars for a special treat as you jump into a classic 1950s American car and cruise the streets of Havana. End at a festive farewell dinner. It’s the perfect ending to your time in Cuba! (B,L,D)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
SMALL GROUP EXCLUSIVE Your small group visits an organic farm to learn about local sustainable farming practices. Enjoy lunch and an interactive mojito-making demonstration and tasting.

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Day 10 HAVANA Your program ends after breakfast with guests departing on individual schedules. Airport transfers are provided. (B)

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