Cuban Landscapes and Legacies
A People-to People History and Nature Tour of Cuba
January 6-14, 2017
An exclusive tour of Cuba, exploring its history and natural habitats, as well as current conservation efforts to preserve the flora and fauna of this culturally and biologically diverse island. The tour will begin in the Havana area, including the architectural splendor of Old Havana and the nearby sites of Habana del Este. It will continue to the fertile lands of the Viñales Valley, and then to the virtually unexplored Güanahacabibes Peninsula, where you will be marveled by the rich wildlife, unspoiled coastline, and the history of the area. The tour will be led by Adriana Méndez Rodenas, professor of Latin American & Caribbean Literature at the University of Iowa, and Astrid Martínez-Jones, director and founder of Latin Art Space. We will be joined by leading Cuban specialists in the field of maritime ecology, colonial history and architecture, and pre-Hispanic archeology.
Program Highlights
Program Includes
Pricing: $4,250 per person, double occupancy; single supplement $600 Based on a group of 8 guests. Deposit of $1000 per person due at time of registration.
Not included: Travel to Havana, Cuban visa, personal items, evening meals not noted in the program, evening transport, telephone, internet service, personal items, tips to guides, driver, and hotel staff, additional beverages not included in the meal plans. Notes: Prices are subject to change and dependent on availability. This is a representative program; activities, venues, speakers are subject to change.
A People-to People History and Nature Tour of Cuba
January 6-14, 2017
An exclusive tour of Cuba, exploring its history and natural habitats, as well as current conservation efforts to preserve the flora and fauna of this culturally and biologically diverse island. The tour will begin in the Havana area, including the architectural splendor of Old Havana and the nearby sites of Habana del Este. It will continue to the fertile lands of the Viñales Valley, and then to the virtually unexplored Güanahacabibes Peninsula, where you will be marveled by the rich wildlife, unspoiled coastline, and the history of the area. The tour will be led by Adriana Méndez Rodenas, professor of Latin American & Caribbean Literature at the University of Iowa, and Astrid Martínez-Jones, director and founder of Latin Art Space. We will be joined by leading Cuban specialists in the field of maritime ecology, colonial history and architecture, and pre-Hispanic archeology.
Program Highlights
- Enjoy a guided walking tour of famed Old Havana -UNESCO World Heritage Site- with an architect from the City Historian's Office. Experience Old Havana's beautiful plazas and discover why it was Spain's leading port for maritime commerce.
- Explore the valleys, towns, and beaches of Habana del Este with an ecologist and learn about collaborative conservation efforts in the area.
- Meet one of Cuba's most acclaimed Afro-Cuban artists - Choco - in his Old Havana studio/gallery.
- Engage in intriguing conversation with a pre-Hispanic archeologist who will discuss Taíno culture, Cuba's indigenous population that inhabited the island just prior to the Spaniards' arrival.
- Visit an organic farm and learn about efforts to sustain organic agriculture and its implications for Cuba's economy.
- Discover the Viñales Valley where the majority of Cuba's tobacco is grown. Explore farms, caves, rivers, and imposing limestone structures called mogotes, with a local guide on horseback or foot.
- Spend 3 days at the spectacular bio-sphere reserve in the Güanahacabibes Peninsula - off the beaten path of most tourists. Guided nature tours will take you through the reserve's jungle where you can appreciate its wildlife and unspoiled beaches. A lecture on the history of the peninsula's human adaptation and resource management will provide you with an overview of the area's history prior to your visit.
- Experience Cuban jazz and popular music, and explore the trendy Havana night scene.
- Enjoy delicious meals at paladares, privately-owned restaurants in beautiful, renovated homes.
Program Includes
- Accommodations, 4 nights in fully-staffed private residence in Havana; 1 night at Hotel Los Jazmines in Viñales; 3 nights at the María La Gorda Hotel on the Güanahacabibes Peninsula.
- All breakfasts, all lunches, and welcome dinner
- All scheduled activities and venues on the program; speakers, conferences, and local guides
- Personal introductions to archeologists, historians, architects, artists, and other cultural figures
- Transportation in a deluxe air-conditioned vehicle during tour activities
- Cuba orientation session, travel packet including a suggested reading list and Van Dam Havana map
- Compliance with US Office of Foreign Assets Control regulations for travel to Cuba
Pricing: $4,250 per person, double occupancy; single supplement $600 Based on a group of 8 guests. Deposit of $1000 per person due at time of registration.
Not included: Travel to Havana, Cuban visa, personal items, evening meals not noted in the program, evening transport, telephone, internet service, personal items, tips to guides, driver, and hotel staff, additional beverages not included in the meal plans. Notes: Prices are subject to change and dependent on availability. This is a representative program; activities, venues, speakers are subject to change.
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