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Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
Activity note: This daily schedule is a representative guide. Program elements in Cuba are controlled by the Cuban government and are subject to change on short notice. Flight times are subject to change by the airlines. Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m.
Afternoon: After you check in to the hotel, take your bags to your room. We will gather in the hotel lobby at 4:45 p.m. when the Group Leader will accompany everyone to our meeting room. Orientation: 5:00 p.m. This meeting is essential for all participants. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. The program is staffed by a bilingual Cuban host who will provide educational commentary and be with us throughout, as well as a Group Leader who will deal primarily with logistics. We will also have local experts from time to time who will provide additional information and educational leadership. Our accommodations in Cuba feature clean, comfortable rooms with private baths and standard amenities. Cuban hotel standards may not equal their American or European counterparts. Improvements are ongoing, and we hope that any potential glitch in service or amenities is a minor trade-off for the authentic connections and enrichment we will experience. Most staircases in Cuba do not have railings, so if you use a walking aid, please bring it with you on the program. Periods in the schedule designated as “At leisure” offer opportunities to make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner: In the hotel restaurant, we’ll have a plated meal with beverage choices of coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening: At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead. Prepare for early morning check-out and our flight to Cuba in the morning.
Activity note: Early morning transfer to airport via hotel shuttle. Luggage will be carried to hotel for you but you must carry your own hand baggage. Getting in/out of a motorcoach; driving about 140 miles, approximately 3 hours.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: We will check out of the hotel early morning and gather in the lobby with our Group Leader for transfer to the airport via hotel shuttle. Be sure to have everything with you and ready to depart 15 minutes before the scheduled transfer. Upon arrival, we will be met by an experienced, bilingual Cuban host who will be with us for the entire program.
Lunch: At a local paladar.
Afternoon: We’ll board a motorcoach, and begin our journey to Cienfuegos. We will ride to the hotel for check-in with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner: Hotel buffet
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Walking up to 2 miles and standing up to an hour outdoors; pavement, gravel, uneven ground, sunny conditions, limited shade.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: We’ll set out with a local expert on a walking field trip in the main square. It is named for José Martí (1853-1895), a journalist and poet who was also a hero of Cuban independence. The historic center is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. From the UNESCO inscription: “The colonial town of Cienfuegos was founded in 1819 in the Spanish territory but was initially settled by immigrants of French origin. It became a trading place for sugar cane, tobacco and coffee. Situated on the Caribbean coast of southern-central Cuba at the heart of the country’s sugar cane, mango, tobacco and coffee production area, the town first developed in the neoclassical style. It later became more eclectic but retained a harmonious overall townscape.” The city offers outstanding architecture and is home to a large artistic community. We’ll ride on and visit the Vocational School at the City Conservatory. We’ll discuss their professional and daily lives with members of the group.
Lunch: At a local paladar.
Afternoon: After lunch we will attend a performance by one of the city's professional musical groups.
Dinner: At a nearby paladar.
Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 220 miles, approximately 6 hours including stops. Walking up to 2 miles and standing approximately 2 hours; pavement, some uneven areas. Most venues are not air-conditioned.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: We’ll check out of the hotel, board a motorcoach, and begin our journey to Trinidad de Cuba. Upon arrival, we’ll take a walking field trip to explore the historic city center, one of the original Spanish Settlements and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Trinidad de Cuba is a pristine example of Spanish colonial Caribbean architecture and has just celebrated its 500-year anniversary. During our field trip, we’ll meet with a local artisan who uses abandoned wood from houses to create one-of-a-kind sculptured portraits.
Lunch: At a paladar.
Afternoon: We’ll board the motorcoach and continue our ride to Camaguey where we will check-in to the hotel.
Dinner: At a paladar
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Getting on/off pedicabs (bicycle rickshaws) with shared seating; step up 1 to 1.5 feet. Most streets in Camagüey historical district inaccessible to motor coaches; walking up to 2 miles, approximately 10-15 minutes each way between hotel, paladares, some activities. Getting in/out of a motorcoach; driving about 15 miles, approximately 1 hour. At ranch, walking up to 1 mile standing up to 1 hour; unpaved ground.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: From the hotel, we’ll set out on a field trip by pedicabs — each uniquely decorated by a local artist — to explore the main squares, the church, and the city park. Traveling by pedicab provides a close-up introduction to the pulse of the city's streets and residents. To begin, we’ll meet a local leather artist who creates unique carvings that combine nature and Afro-Cuban spiritual traditions. We’ll then board a motorcoach and go to meet a family of artisan ceramicists who make the distinctive urns traditionally used in Camagüey to store water. In addition to their craft, the workshop is beautifully decorated with the family collection of ornamental plants and cacti. Sure to be a highlight of the day, we will experience traditional Cuban country life at Finca Zaragozano — the Zaragozano ranch. We will meet Ququi, the head of the Zaragozano family and his son, the local veterinarian, who will introduce us to the workings of the ranch.
Lunch: At the ranch, we’ll have a meal prepared in the open air kitchen featuring traditional roast pig and side dishes such as tostones, rice and black beans, and more — shared with ranch hands and family members. A great opportunity to practice your Spanish and share a true intercultural exchange.
Afternoon: We will continue to interact with ranch hands as we learn about Cuban agriculture, life in rural areas, family history and family life, and the sense of community the family and its workers share. We’ll then ride to the home — that also serves as a studio/workshop and gallery — of noted artists Joel Jover and Ileana Sanchez, both born in Camagüey. Ileana is an exponent of vibrantly colored works that express “alegría de vivir” while Joel’s art is more expressionistic and his color palette more subdued. Their home is filled with paintings, antiques, books, and curios such as vintage toys. We will enjoy an aperitivo with these prodigiously creative artists before returning to the hotel.
Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 190 miles (300 km), approximately 5 hours including stops. Walking up to 2 miles in Sancti Spiritus and standing outdoors; very uneven cobblestone streets; sunny conditions, limited shade
Breakfast: At the hotel.
Morning: We begin the day by visiting a Flamenco dance rehearsal, and have the opportunity discuss their professional and daily lives with members of the group. We’ll check out of the hotel, board a motorcoach, and begin our journey to Remedios. En route, we’ll stop in the city of Sancti Spíritus. One of the original seven Spanish “villas,” it was founded in 1514 in the center of the island.
Lunch: At a Sancti Spíritus paladar.
Afternoon: We’ll reboard the motorcoach and drive on to Remedios, the eighth oldest city in Cuba, founded by the Spanish to serve as a trading port on the route between Havana and Camagüey.
Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Walking up to 1 mile, standing on pavement; riding in pedicabs for approximately 1/2 hour. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 10 miles, approximately 1 hour.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: With our local Cuban expert, we’ll set out on a walking field trip to begin learning about local legends. We’ll visit the main cigar factory in Remedios to learn about this famous Cuban craft. We’ll also stroll through the main shopping street of Remedios to learn the differences between Ration, Cuban Pesos and CUC stores and consider the complexity of the two-currency system and the cost of living for local people. We’ll meet a local family and visit their home to see how everyday Cubans live. We’ll then meet a local artist who creates the design for one of the parrandas (festivities in the streets) and learn about the history of Remedios including its Christmas festival — Las Parrandas de Remedios — that is one of the most popular events of the region. It takes place on the 24th of December each year. The town, divided in two neighborhoods, spends the entire year preparing for a competition to have the most spectacular float. We’ll visit a workshop to see firsthand the ingenuity of the locals who strive all year to create the most spectacular float.
Lunch: At the hotel, we’ll have a plated meal with beverage choices of coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon: We’ll then ride to visit a community project in Caibarién for an opportunity to engage with local children. We’ll learn how the students reinvent compostable and recycle items to create pieces of art. After, we will stop in to meet a town resident who is a passionate collector of the town’s historic memorabilia. We’ll end the afternoon with a coastal drive.
Dinner: At a paladar.
Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 200 miles (320 km), approximately 5 hours including stops.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: We’ll check out of the hotel, board our motorcoach, and begin our drive to Havana.
Lunch: At a paladar en route.
Afternoon: We will continue our ride into Havana stopping at the famous Revolution Square. Next, we will visit the Holocaust Museum that sits within the beautiful Sephardic Synagogue. Here we will walk through the museum and interact with artisans who utilize the services set up by the Synagogue.
Dinner: Hotel buffet.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Walking and standing approximately 2 hours through old Havana. Cobblestone streets, uneven terrain. Walking and standing for up to 2 hours in the museum. Some steps and no elevator
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: We’ll be joined by a Cuban musicologist who will discuss the synthesis of diverse traditions that merge harmoniously together to create the distinctive identity of Cuban music. With our local Cuban expert and Group Leader, we’ll set out on a walking field trip in Old Havana, a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. From the UNESCO inscription: “Havana was founded in 1519 by the Spanish. By the 17th century, it had become one of the Caribbean's main centres for ship-building. Although it is today a sprawling metropolis of 2 million inhabitants, its old centre retains an interesting mix of Baroque and neoclassical monuments, and a homogeneous ensemble of private houses with arcades, balconies, wrought-iron gates and internal courtyards.” We’ll then board a motorcoach and head out on a field trip to the Museum Nacional de Bellas Arts — the Fine Arts Museum of Havana — where a museum curator will lead our exploration. Cuban art is renowned worldwide. We’ll delve into the stories of how various works of art relate and what they say about politics, culture, and society.
Lunch: At a paladar.
Afternoon: We’ll attend a performance by one of Cuba's preeminent dance companies, then engage in one-on-one discussions with members of the company about their lives and profession.
Dinner: On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening: At leisure.
Activity note: Walking and standing approximately 2 hours through old Havana. Cobblestone streets, uneven terrain.
Breakfast: Hotel buffet.
Morning: We’ll have a presentation on the history of U.S.- Cuba relations with an expert in the field. We’ll gain an understanding of Cuban perspectives on the tumultuous relationship between the two countries, followed by open discussion.
Lunch: On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon: Dominoes, Cuba’s national game, has its own set of rules, played enthusiastically in private and public. More than competition and skill, it is a greatly enjoyed social activity. We’ll meet members of a local dominoes league, learn the Cuban rules, then play with club members. Teams will rotate and each American will play with one Cuban, an opportunity to practice a few words in Spanish.
Dinner: At a paladar. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning. The Group Leader will announce check-out time and the time of our transfer to the airport in the morning.
Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 12.5 miles (20.2 km), approximately 1/2 hour to airport. The walk from the arrival gate in Miami International Airport to the U.S. Immigration and Customs area is approximately 10-15 minutes. Assistance can be requested at check-in.
Breakfast: Boxed breakfast.
Morning: After checking out of the hotel, we’ll transfer to the Havana airport. This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!
Class of 2015
Just do it. You will never regret or forget it.
Class of 2014
Cuba is a fascinating country with many nuances that cannot be appreciated from afar. This was very much focused on the people and their culture. I also learned a great deal about myself as my misconceptions and lack of understanding were were removed. We were well taken care without being coddled.
Class of 2019
If you get the chance to take the trip to Cuba grab it! It was highly recommended to me and I am passing that along to you. This is an amazing experience you will never forget it. It exceeded all my expectations.
Class of 2020
This one of the most enriching travel experiences I have ever had! If really want to learn and experience the culture, history and daily life of Cuba, this program is for you!
Class of 2016
Great trip.. Well organized and presented. Excellent guides and itinerary. A trip to add to your list.
Class of 2019
This program was such an eye-opening experience for me. So many of my misconceptions about Cuba, the people and the government were dispelled. If you are looking for a nice relaxing vacation in a beach resort this trip is not for you. This is an adventurous learning trip and the information I came back with will stay with me forever! I loved the country and the people. Our guides Liz and Marialena (and our driver Hil) made this a fantastic experience and I would highly recommend this trip?
Class of 2007
Just. Go. Now. You will never see the world quite the same again. Life changing.
Class of 2016
Cuba is fascinating! The quality of the art, dance and music is exceptional and is shared in the everyday lives of the whole population. Admiration for the perseverance of these people living with harsh conditions is an emotional and inspirational learning experience that can take your soul to a deeper level of understanding humanity.
Class of 2000
Cuba was an amazing experience. This was my second trip to Cuba, the first being just Havana and environs. The trip was taken to acquaint myself with the rest of Cuba and it was terrific. The experience stays with you long after you return home. The people, the music, the food....everything is remarkable.
Class of 2020
Visiting Cuba was a fascinating experience, more than I'd even hoped for. So enjoyable making new friends, meeting Cubans, learning about their country, and experiencing their love of music and dance. Fabulous trip! Great leaders too!
Class of 2013
Met my expectations and then some.
Class of 2020
This was the perfect program to open one's eyes and start to gain an understanding of Cuba today and to reinforce the idea that, globally, people are people and not products of their government politics, and we want the same things for our families. See Cuba while you can!
Class of 2020
The Best of Cuba trip is simply amazing & did not disappoint! Each day was full of activities & interesting topics & people! I would highly recommend this program!
If you want to see the REAL Cuba and to understand the country and its people, then this program satisfies wonderfully!
Class of 2020
The Cuban people are warm, welcoming, and incredibly creative and resourceful. I am grateful to Road Scholar for making this trip possible. I will continue my research on Cuba in preparation for my next trip. Also continue to work on my Spanish.
Class of 2020
We just returned from our First Road Scholar Adventure, The Best of Cuba (22143) . We loved it. It was just the right length of time, you get to see many aspects of Cuban life from small towns, country sides, to Havana. The food was good, somewhat repetitive but always tasty. The fellow Road Scholars were all interesting and knowledgeable. It made for a very rich experience. We will do another trip!!
Class of 2020
“The Best of Cuba” program delivered through the cities we visited, the people we met, and the wonderful cultural organizations we experienced. What made the trip exceptional were our talented and upbeat group leader Michelle, our knowledgeable Cuban guide Karina, and our expert coach driver Hector. Group participants were flexible and open to new experiences, and a fun group of individuals. For me, this was a life-changing event which I will long remember.
Class of 2020
This is a don't miss experience. So well planned with a mix of information, experiential content, and in-depth encounters with grass roots groups. I may just do it again!
Class of 2013
Wonderful culturally rich trip with a great leader (Michelle) and Cuban guide (Karina), as well as a fun group of participants. We learned so much about the Cuban people and their lives. Most hotels were fine to very good, although the one in Trinidad was way too "rustic" for me. The food was fine and plentiful with great coffee. If you have stomach issues, however, think twice about Cuba; 5-6 people that I am aware of in our group had varying degrees of problems despite constant hand washing, sanitizing, and food/drink vigilance. That said, it was a great trip!
Class of 2003
The Camaguay to Havanna Cuban experience was absolutely great and provided unique opportunities to interact with many individuals and groups in Cuba. Viva Cuba!
Class of 2020
Excellent way to experience Cuba. So far beyond my expectations. The program allows you to see and get to know the people and traditions of Cuba today from the small towns to the big city. It’s up front and personal.
Class of 2020
Our arts and culture tour of Cuba was outstanding for its content and logistically seamless (as much as is possible there). We learned so much about the arts, the economy, politics, and daily life in Cuba — more than we ever could have learned traveling on our own, without a personal connection to a Cuban. And we felt welcomed, certainly for our contributions to their struggling economy, but also because they are genuinely friendly people who love to share their culture with us. This was our first Road Scholar experience, and I’d highly recommend this trip.
Class of 2020
The Best of Cuba, from Camaguey to Havana was excellent. Our guides, Betty and Elias were professional and knowledgeable but also caring and kind. The pace was busy but not daunting. We saw a variety of facets of life from artists, dancers, farmers, to ordinary people it really gave us a feel for the country and its incredible people. The guides asked what we wanted to see and tried very hard to make sure we had opportunities to experience those things if they were already on the schedule. Food was great at the paladas. Hotels were clean and in convenient locations to walk around on your own. WiFi was available in Camaguey and Havana. Excellent trip.
Class of 2020
The trip was a truly learning experience. People there were poor but happy and healthy. Many nice buildings were desperately needed repaired. Consumer goods were very, very scarce due to U.S. embargo. Many family own homes were converted to hotels and restaurants and doing very good and getting rich. At the same time, most of the people till live in poverty. Our tour leader did a great job. Most but not all the local guides were great. Hotels and food were o.k. I was very disappointed with three things. 1. The time of returning to Miami was never made clear. I ended up booked a flight back home in early evening such that I had to waited for over seven hours at the Miami airport. This had never happened when I traveled with other tour companies. 2. Rotation in seating was voluntary but did not worked out as expected. 3. Many travelers were sick and several of them were coughing openly on the bus regularly without covering up themselves. I ended up sick when I got back home. Overall it was a great learning and discovering trip.
Class of 2020
Excellent opportunity to meet and converse with people in their usual work or home setting. The Cuban people were very friendly and generous. I detected no animosity whatsoever toward Americans. It is a safe country in which to travel and the culture is quite unique. Food was great. Music was outstanding. The Road Scholar staff did an excellent job. They were fun people with whom to travel and did an excellent job presenting information in an entertaining manner.
Class of 2020
The best of Cuba was an outstandingly positive experience. We gained insight into another culture and its people and had many extremely gratifying experiences on the tour. And the guides, Heidi and Istmar could not have been better. We will take more Road Scholar tours as a result!
Class of 2019
This program exceeding my expectations. Highly recommended.
Class of 2020
Extraordinary insight into many aspects of Cuban culture which might not be available from simple reading or video. The best Tour Guide and Local Content Expert I have ever experienced
Class of 2020
A trip to Cuba, must include a visit the interior region (Camaguey and Remedios). Do not go to Havana alone. It would be like visiting New York City and thinking you had seen all of New York state.
Class of 2020
Our group leader, Jim Fitch, in-country “instructor”, Elias Valor, and bus driver, Gil, were all excellent. We learned a great deal from them and they did all that was needed to make the trip comfortable and safe. The accommodations were all excellent; probably the DoubleTree in Miami, in terms of lodging and food, were the least desirable. The pace and choice of activities were very good. We understand that limitations under “travel in support of the people of Cuba” may have restricted us somewhat but we feel that meeting artists, farmers, cultural performers and some businesspeople was excellent. The visits to homes were high points and there could be more visits to typical homes such as Ernesto and Jamie in Remedios and the paladar in a home in Remedios. We would recommend this trip to others without reservation.
Class of 2020
The Cuba trip is absolutely fascinating - in some ways it's a trip back in time. It's an opportunity to meet the people of Cuba, to experience the art, the history, the music, and to learn how Cubans adjust to difficult circumstances. The guides are wonderful and very knowledgeable. On our January trip, the weather ranged from mild to cool, no problem with insects, and the accommodations were comfortable. The food is ample (although not gourmet) and the drinks, including coffee, are superb.
This trip far exceeded my expectations and I appreciate the knowledge I gained on this journey. The Cuban people are amazing and I enjoyed having the pleasure to meet and become acquainted with many of them.
Class of 2019
Our trip to Cuba was our second Road Scholar trip. It exceeded our expectations. The activities took us "behind the scenes" in every instance, from private tours of a museum, dancers at practice, active artists, a working farm, and many similar activities.
Class of 2020
This is a well organized trip and well worth it. I enjoyed every moment, learned a lot and recommend it highly. Bert Simson
Class of 2019
If you are thinking of going to Cuba this is the program you want. It's the right length and gives you a very complete overview of the country, it's people and history.
Class of 2020
This trip was spectacular because Cuba is spectacular.
Class of 2019
Excellent, informative, experiential learning as we interacted with the people of Cuba about their history, culture, everyday life, and dreams for the future.
Class of 2020
This trip to Cuba was phenomenal. You learn so much about Cuban culture and the Cuban people, and you have a ton of fun. The guides were so personable, helpful, and warm which really made the trip. A++ for this program!
Class of 2016
Broaden your scope by traveling to Cuba!
Class of 2013
A great learning experience and introduction to Cuba, the people, the music, the dance, the art, the countryside.
Class of 2019
This trip was truly a wonderful experience. Our guides, Marissa and Elias, were absolutely wonderful! They were both very knowledgeable, organized, patient, kind, and lots of fun! I will always remember dancing and laughing with Marissa and Elias in beautiful Cuba! Our bus driver, Rolando, was also wonderful and kept us safe and comfortable. I enjoyed meeting new people, listening to wonderful music, trying some different food, and learning about the skills and creativity of the Cuban people. I will always cherish the memories of our trip to Cuba. Thanks to the Road Scholar team for making this dream a reality for us!
Class of 2016
The Best of Cuba: People, Life & Culture. This was a great trip: informative, fun and an opportunity I would have never otherwise had. (It's illegal to visit Cuba as an individual.) We traveled several of the great cities of Cuba: Camaguey, Trinidad, Cienfuegos, Remedios, Havana & others. All were beautiful, photogenic, and interesting in their own ways. As always, the leaders were great! They helped us to meet all kinds of Cuban people, to see their art & culture, and to participate in many of these. Perhaps the thing I enjoyed most was my fellow travelers. As with every RoadScholar trip I have participated in (this was my 4th RoadScholar trip), I found them to be fun loving, adventurous, well informed and to have a good sense of humor!
Class of 2011
Road Scholar's Cuba program brings intellectually motivated tourists together and immerses them in the Cuban culture. You get an appreciation of how they have approached institutional problems in a unique way which has enabled them to maintain their dignity under very adverse conditions imposed on them
Class of 2008
Great trip. The trip leader did a great job!
Class of 2014
This is a don't miss trip!
Class of 2019
This was a fantastic opportunity to learn first hand about the people and places of Cuba! I would love to go again because this trip made me curious to learn and experience more! Just a wonderful blend of arts and culture, great food and beautiful countryside
Class of 2019
Our trip to Cuba was our first with Road Scholar. It far exceeded our hopes and expectations. What an excellent opportunity to discover Cuba!
Class of 2019
Great well organized trip,also at a great value
Class of 2017
I was thrilled and humbled to be a part of The Best of Cuba: People, Life and Culture: Camaguey to Havana! I felt safe in a state-run country and embraced the welcome of its people wherever we went. I also enhanced my knowledge of the rich heritage of this country so close to the US.
Class of 2019
The People-to=People tour of Cuba was excellent. We got a much clearer picture of how Cuba works, how the people live, and we had interesting conversations with 'real Cubans', as well as wonderful cultural experiences including visits to artists, dance companies and singers.
Class of 2017
Considering the hardship conditions of some areas, the trip was an educational experience. My complaint was the one night stay outside of Trinidad, in the rustic cabins. The food was awful, the rooms were, rustic, yes. But, we really didn't need to stay in such an out of the way location. Not a learning experience. Loved our guide, Jim. Loved the surprise taxi ride in Havana, the pedicabs in Remedios, the trip to Hemingway's estate in Havana, and the best meal was the farm field trip with roasted pig. Food was fresh, colorful and delish. Can't say that for most of the meals, but under the circumstances, I understand. Glad I went. Once was enough for me.
Class of 2019
I was interested in Cuba. This program ended up being just what I wanted. It let you into the lives of various Cubians who were more than willing to share with us. The lectures the last couple of days pulled everything together. Our leaders were the best!!
Class of 2008
Great look at 2/3's of Cuba!
Class of 2019
My recent trip, The Best of Cuba: People, Life and Culture: Camaquey to Havana was everything and more than what I could conceive or expect. The group leader and guides were outstanding and the people whom we met in our People to People contacts were exceptionally warm, welcoming and forthcoming. My fellow travelers were interesting and eager to experience all the trip offered. I am very glad that I have gained a much better understanding of Cuba and the desire to urge our public officials to re-open diplomatic and trade relations which were once very close. Thank you Roadscholar for this wonderful cultural and travel opportunity. Joanne Canary
Class of 2019
If you are in the market for a great learning experience about Cuba, this is an exceptional way to learn while enjoying a great adventure. The program, leaders, variety of cultural experiences and locations were excellent!
Class of 2019
I loved that this tour allowed us to see a variety of cities and areas of the country, because the smaller cities are much different than Havana. The people to people experiences introduced us to interesting people who are passionate about what they do. All the arrangements for the tour were handled flawlessly and we learned so much about life in Cuba today.
The cultural experiences and opportunity to speak with artists (music, art and visual) were really special. I enjoyed the opportunity to dust off my Spanish.
Class of 2018
Excellent guides. Excellent trip. Lots of mojitos and beer.
Class of 2019
Extremely pleased with educational content and value of my tour in Cuba
Class of 2019
This was my first Road Scholar trip and I was very impressed. This was the first of many to come!!!
Class of 2019
This trip was an eye-opening experience. I expected Cuba to be a poor country, and it was that. However, unlike other poor countries we've visited, Cuba was fabulously rich in culture, arts, and a welcoming and well educated population. It was a joy to experience Cuba.
Class of 2019
I thought our trip to Cuba was very interesting and informative. Road’s Scholar organized an effective and educational tour.
Class of 2019
Great trip and wonderful experience. Saw a lot and learned a lot of Cuba and its people. Bob
Class of 2001
This program focuses on learning about the Cuban people, their culture and economy. We loved it and learned a lot. While there was a lot of beauty, history and art to see and experience, it was more about Cuban culture and society, and it was learning about those intangibles that I will remember the most.
Class of 2019
Very informative. Well organized.
Class of 2019
This is an outstanding tour with excellent events, places accommodations and guides. Our guides made Cuba come alive for us and provided wonderful educational experiences.
Class of 2019
The Best of Cuba tour was a wonderful opportunity to get closer to the people, culture and geography of the the country! It was well organized and took us to places we never would have found on our own!
Class of 2019
The Best of Cuba was an excellent trip.
Class of 2019
Before this trip, Cuba was a somewhat mysterious country to me. I believe I was expecting to see a cold-war type of police state. Instead, we saw how much Cubans enjoy music, Internet, cell phones, and families, just like we do. Cuba is a poor country, but the people are wonderful and strive to improve their lives.
Class of 2019
Our “Best of Cuba” tour could not have been better! The Group leader, guide, and driver were an exceptional team that showed us a side of Cuba few get to experience. Gracious, knowledgeable and fun, they led us to unforgettable activities, people, and provided free time for exploration in a beautiful, safe, and exotic country. Highly recommended.
Class of 2019
This Program is beyond a wonderful introduction to the island and people of Cuba, I left my Heart there and hope to return soon
Class of 2019
Wow! What a great introduction to Cuba. I learned a lot about the country, its culture and history, and its relationship with the United States.
Class of 2019
If you like to travel with small groups and learn alot about the area and culture, then Roadscholar is for you. We highly recommend them.
Class of 2019
Great program! I learned a lot about Cuba and it's culture, economy, and politics. The program is very well structured so you don't need to worry about any logistics.
Class of 2019
This, my first Road Scholar experience, and only my second group travel experience in the past 35 years, has set the bar so very high for future travel that I wonder any can top it. Our guides, Julie and Elias, were attentive, informative, inventive, hilarious at times, and overall, amazing. It is a tribute to Road Scholar that such high caliber guides continue to be available to lead their Cuba adventures. And our driver, George, squeezed the bus down narrow streets with skilled precision. When I look back on the variety, relaxed timing and organization of the experiences to which we were introduced on this trip, I think of the word "cadence." The visits to artist studios, ballet and modern dance companies, the acapella chorus, the farm, the children's art project, the private church & museum tours, the Cuban dominoes club, the paladar meals and proprietor discussions, the introductory lectures on Cuban music and Cuban-US relations by University professors, the chance to interact with dancers, doctors, artists, musicians, proprietors of a Cuban B&B, a grocery store for locals, plus the bicitaxis and all out FUN of this trip, contributed to an awesome experience. Best of all, our group itself was cohesive, congenial, helpful to each other, and made me, as a solo traveler, feel that I was part of a group of friends, not at all solo. If you have been considering a trip to Cuba, this is the one.
Class of 2019
What a great experience!
Class of 2019
A truly educational experience in a country that is often heard about in the US, usually from a politcally standpoint. It was enlightening to hear directly from the locals in Cuba itself the other side of the story and how they really live under a somewhat different form of government. It makas one reflect on the pros and cons of both system.
Class of 2015
My group tour of Cuba was fantastic! We spent time in small towns and drove through rural countryside, ending in the beautiful city of Havana, and met many very creative and interesting locals, and left with a broader view of the cultural and political situation in this fascinating country. I was pleased to discover that the citizens are typically happy to have Americans visit and are proud of their culture. But be vigilant about hand washing or sanitizing, and do not ever trust the tap water wherever you stay or eat in Cuba. I, along with about five others in my tour group ended up with some degree of stomach trouble, not knowing how or where we acquired the bug. According to the ER doctor I saw a week after returning to the states, a good rule of thumb when traveling anywhere in the Caribbean is “boil it, peel it, cook it, wash it or forget it!” (But only “wash it” with bottled water.)
Class of 2019
One of the best trips I have taken - Cuba!
Class of 2019
Don't miss this trip to Cuba. Starting in Camaguey and ending in Havana was perfect. The guides, group leader and even the bus driver were awesome.You couldn't ask for a more well organised experience. But most importantly, the people of Cuba were open, entertaining, friendly and delightful. Don't miss meeting them. I loved them and would love to go back.
Class of 2010
Cuba is a fascinating country so geographically close to the US but yet very mysterious. This trip unlocks and solves that mystery.
Class of 2006
Love, love, love that we in the US finally can visit Cuba, and this was a fine overview of the country with many chances to interact with locals.
Class of 2018
This is a fabulous program! Road Scholar has established connections with so many wonderful people doing good work around Cuba. There's no way I could have met all these people and learned about their lives on my own.
Class of 2018
Great trip, terrific guides, wonderful educational programs. Perhaps the best part was the Cuban people themselves and the charm and resourcefulness they demonstrate.
Class of 2018
A thoroughly wonderful, educational program, filled with activities and opportunities for meeting and experiencing the passion of the Cuban people
Class of 1994
The Best of Cuba!! Indeed, the best way to connect with the variety of experiences and people in this wonderful island nation. Dance, ceramics, art, music, food, small towns and big city -- all together, a satisfying and exciting program that makes me want to go back.
Class of 2018
Road Scholar's person-to-person program in Cuba is truly what they claim. It is the best way to learn about life there by going into homes and small businesses and hearing from them in person. And there's so much art and music included.
Class of 2018
Outstanding program!!!! Better then we ever imagined.....
Class of 2018
I recently returned from a Road Scholar trip to Cuba. The trip exceeded all expectations. This trip took us beyond the "tourist" into the locals homes and lives. Accommodation and food were excellent and the group I traveled with were interesting and good people to spend time with. As a single woman traveling alone it was a perfect balance. I felt welcome and comfortable and had an experience I would not have imagined possible.
Class of 2018
Thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Cuba (The Best of Cuba: Camaguey to Havana), October, 2018. Fifteen people in our group. The group leaders were great. Accommodations and food were good. I have allergies to cigarette smoke and it wasn't an issue at all. Was nice to see the different parts of Cuba. Lots of talented people (dance, music and other artisans). Would highly recommend this trip.
Class of 2018
This trip does what it says - provides the best of Cuba! It provided me a chance to see Cuba from its countryside to the city.
Class of 2018
This is a fabulous trip which offers the opportunity for in-depth immersion into Cuban arts and culture, and into the life and work of individual Cuban people from a variety of towns, walks of life and professions. You are introduced to many Cuban locations, from small towns, to rural areas, to Havana. The program tour leaders and guides are superb.
Class of 2018
Cuba was an amazing country to visit.Our tour guides,Lillana and Maria left a lot to be desired.They treated us like we were children at a sleep away camp-yelling,obviously aggravated by the whole trip.Maria was unfriendly to the point of acting like she was 'above' us, never a smile or a kind word; oh, she was pleasant on our last night at dinner, making sure she got her tips before we left 'her' country..Lilliana was disheveled in her daily appearances and yelled at us everyday,all day and was especially rude in Havana,where she openly scolded our whole group in front of a guest speaker from the University of Havana at the Hotel Nacional.She needs to find another job, she is an embassament to your company.I deserve a restitution of all or part of my expenses for what I endured in Cuba. Thank you for your time, Andree McAdam
Class of 2018
If you like art, music, and dance, this is the program for you.
Class of 2018
A two thumbs up program! Highly recommended. Informative, enriching and memorable...especially the classic car tour of La Habana!
Class of 2018
If you have an interest in the culture and music/dance of Cuba, you won't be disappointed.
Class of 2018
The Cuba trip called, "The Best of Cuba: People, Life and Culture: Camaguey to Havana was an amazing trip. It was an expensive trip but well worth it. As one of my fellow travelers said, "you get what you pay for." The people-to-people activities were the highlight and I never could have done these on my own. Take the trip!!!
Class of 2018
Our experience with Road Scholar on our recent 10 day visit to Cuba was truly exceptional. We loved seeing substantial parts of the country and especially meeting many local people - artists, farmers, dance groups, musicians, and local families, which gave us a very good introduction to Cuba's culture and the warmth of it's people. Our local guide, Marialina, was exceptional; one of the very best we have ever had the privilege to travel with in our many trips around the world.
Class of 2018
Loved learning about CUBA and her delightful people through 'Road Scholar's' eyes! Getting behind the scenes and into local's homes was terrific! Our Cuban Guide, Maria-Lina was super! I would go back just to spend more time prowling around Havana!
Class of 2018
The Best of Cuba is an excellent program with visits to a number of cities and a wealth of interactive activies with Cubans. Highly recommended.
Class of 2018
This Cuba trip was an excellent educational experience for me and my wife. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in Latin America in general and Cuba in specific.
Class of 2018
I typically travel independently, but Road Scholar showed me that tours are great and very informative. Thanks Road Scholar for opening my eyes to how nice it is to join a tour group and more travel opportunity's .
Class of 2017
Go to Cuba now! Learn, listen, love. And dance!
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