Complete itinerary for the trip to Cuba.
Friday |
December 13 |
5:00 am |
Check in to Miami International Airport, Concourse G, Wilson International. |
8:00 am |
Depart for Santiago on 5K-1301, arriving Santiago at approximately 9:30 am. Meet driver and guide and transfer to Hotel Meliá Santiago or Hotel Las Américas. |
Afternoon |
Meet with historian at Casa del Caribe for a briefing on the city’s history, including its African history and roots in the diaspora. |
Evening | Welcome dinner (included) |
Saturday | December 14 |
Morning | Breakfast at the hotel. Tour the historic sites of the city. |
Mid day | Lunch in one of the many eateries around the square. (not included) Continue with tour of the city’s historic monuments and sites, those affected by Hurricane Sandy with a focus on how restoration projects are carried out. |
Evening | Visit to the Morro Castle. The group will have dinner on its own (direct payment) in a nearby restaurant of their choosing. |
December 15 |
|
Sunday | |
Morning |
Breakfast at the hotel. |
Mid day | Break for lunch (not included) |
Afternoon | Visit to artists’ studios and homes. Suggestion: Dinner at a local paladar, a home based restaurant (direct payment) |
Monday | December 16 |
Morning | Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to El Cobre, the church of the Virgin of Charity, patron saint of Cuba, and then travel the route of the slave to the Monument of the Cimarrón (Runaway Slave). |
Mid day |
Lunch (included). |
Evening | Visit to a popular club where you can meet local people and listen to music (direct payment) |
Tuesday | December 17 |
Morning | Breakfast Visit the Moncada Garrison, now a school, for the morning “matutino” ceremony with which all Cuban school children start the day. Have a short meeting with the school director and senior administrative staff to drop off items for the children at the school. |
Mid day | Visit the Cuban Women’s Federation Women and Family House where you will meet with Women from the FMC (Federation) and women from all walks of life and ages about the realities of the life of women in Cuba and the hopes and actions they are taking to promote the future of their sons and daughters. |
Afternoon | Lunch (not included)The remainder of the day’s activities to be planned with the group’s leader. |
Wednesday | December 18 |
Day |
Breakfast at the hotel. |
Evening | On your own. See restaurant list, the hotel concierge or your guide for suggestions. |
Thursday | December 19 |
Morning | Breakfast at the hotel. Meeting with local Ministry of Health officials about Cuba’s involvement in international health missions, and if possible, with doctors and nurses involved in Cuba’s international service work. Visit a policlinic or family doctor office. |
Mid day | Lunch on your own. |
Afternoon | Visit the Cabildo Carabalí Isuama (1852) and Cabildo Carabalí Olugoo (1877). Meet with local leaders of the cabildos. |
5:30 pm | Following an early dinner on your own, transfer to the airport for the flight to Havana. |
8:30 pm | Depart on CU987 for Havana, arriving at 11:00 pm. Transfer to Hotel Nacional or to the Hotel Presidente. |
Friday | December 20 |
Morning |
Breakfast at the hotel.
|
Mid day | Break for lunch. |
Afternoon | Thos who wish will pick up and pay for credential for the Jazz Festival. |
Evening | Opening activities of the Jazz Festival (optional). |
Saturday | December 21 |
Morning |
Breakfast at the hotel. |
Mid day |
Lunch at the Yoruba Association followed by a screening with Gloria Rolando on her recently |
Evening |
Optional: Visit the Opera de la Calle, the eclectic group of opera and popular singers and show performers at El Cabildo in the Playa section of Havana (direct payment). |
Sunday | December 22 |
Morning | BreakfastParticipate in activities of the Jazz Festival. |
Day | |
Evening | Farewell dinner |
Monday | December 23 Breakfast at the hotel. Check out and transfer to the airport. Check in for flight. |
The program above is coordinated for Global Arts/Media by Common Ground Education & Travel Services 359 Main Street #2A, Easthampton, MA 01027cuba@commongroundtravel.com , telephone 413-203-1125 Note: Activities above have been requested from Havanatur Celimar, your tour operator in Cuba. The Tour Operator reserves the right to change accommodations and schedule as local conditions dictate. We ask you to remain flexible as your hosts in Cuba do their best to ensure your comfort and that the goals of your visit are realized. Please keep in mind that you are traveling to an embargoed country that shares its scarce resources with its citizens as well as with its visitors. |