Cuba
Cuba Today: Havana, Cienfuegos & Trinidad
Program No. 22461RJ
Discover the unique social and cultural changes taking place in Cuba today as you enjoy a musical performance, converse with locals and embark on a walking adventure of historic Havana.
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
8 days
7 nights
What's Included
18 meals (
7B, 5L, 6D
)
3 expert-led lectures
11 expert-led field trips
2 hands-on experiences
6 performances
An experienced Group Leader
7 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Arrive Havana, Check-in, Chorale Concert, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Havana
Meals:
D
Stay:
Marques De La Torre
Activity Note
This daily schedule is a representative guide. Program elements in Cuba are subject to change on short notice, as are flight times. Hotel check-in from 4:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
After checking in at the hotel, take some time to freshen up before we attend a performance by a women’s a capella chorale. This is an opportunity to hear beautiful voices and to discuss what life is like for women today in Cuba.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Orientation, Cuban Constitution and Private Sector
Location:
Havana
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Marques De La Torre
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 15 miles, approximately 1 hour total riding time. Walking and standing for approximately 3 hours, pedestrian streets, cobblestones, high curbs.
Breakfast:
In the hotel restaurant.
Morning:
Orientation: 8:00 a.m. 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. In addition to our knowledgeable Group Leader, we will learn from local experts and artists during field trips and lectures. Next, we’ll have a presentation on the new Cuban Constitution. We’ll gain an understanding of the political changes currently taking place in Cuba. We’ll then board our private motorcoach and set out on a field trip to Art Brut, a community project that helps self-taught Cuban artists.
Lunch:
At a paladar (privately-owned restaurant).
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll set out with our Group Leader on a walking field trip into two of Old Havana’s four plazas: Plaza San Francisco and Plaza Vieja. Across from the old port, the main feature in Plaza de San Francisco today is what was the Basilica Menor de San Francisco de Asis, built from 1580-1591. The bell tower, nearly 140 feet high, was the tallest in Havana. The edifice now serves as a multipurpose concert hall. Plaza Vieja, laid out in 1559 when it was the “new” square, is now surrounded by elegant, historic buildings. Along the way, we’ll visit the studios of two contemporary painters to see how their works reveal a look at life in Cuba today and we'll see a few of the places that Hemingway made famous. In the late afternoon we will learn about dominoes with members of a private domino club. Dominoes is, in many ways, Cuba’s national game. It 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 with an opportunity to openly exchange ideas about events in both of our countries. We will admire the handmade domino sets and perhaps even decide to bring one home.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like in Havana. The Group Leader will be glad to offer suggestions.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
3
Visit Cienfuegos, Music and Dance Performances, Trinidad
Location:
Trinidad
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel La Ronda
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 124 miles, approximately 2.5 hours riding time. Walking up to 2.5 miles; uneven cobblestone streets in Cienfuegos, few places to sit. Driving about 108 miles, approximately 2 hours riding time along coastal road to Trinidad.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel, board our motorcoach, and begin the journey to Cienfuegos on the southern part of the island. The drive through the countryside will be a fascinating experience as we observe the forms of transportation available to Cubans, including an abundance of horse-drawn carriages.
Lunch:
At a paladar in Cienfuegos.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will explore the historic center of Cienfuegos and attend performances by a chamber orchestra an – with an opportunity to interact with the musicians. We will also visit the Danzare Community Project. We’ll then reboard the motorcoach and continue our drive to Trinidad.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
4
Trinidad Overview, Artisan Workshops, Ceramics Workshop
Location:
Trinidad
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hotel La Ronda
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 108 miles, approximately 3 hours total riding time. Strenuous walking up to 2.5 miles and standing outdoors; very uneven cobblestone streets; sunny conditions, limited shade. The historic center of Trinidad is not accessible to motorcoaches and can only be reached on foot.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Trinidad is one of the original Spanish Settlements and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in 1514, this time capsule of a city is a mix of historic landmarks and majestic natural beauty. We’ll set out walking with our Cuban host to Plaza Mayor where we will see historically and architecturally significant landmarks of this colonial town. We will visit the workshops of several local artisans including wooden fan makers, embroiderers, and toymakers. We will also visit the Lianis Crochet Project.
Lunch:
At a paladar.
Afternoon:
After lunch we will visit a Ceramics Workshop where we will learn about the process of creating their beautiful work.
Dinner:
At a Paladar.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
5
Transfer to Havana, Museum Giron, Bay of Pigs
Location:
Havana
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Marques De La Torre
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 253 miles, approximately 4-5 hours riding time including stops. Walking up to 2 miles, uneven ground.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll board our motorcoach for the return trip to Havana. En route we will stop at Museum Giron (Bay of Pigs).
Lunch:
At a paladar.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will continue our drive to Havana and check in at the hotel later in the afternoon with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At Paladar.
Evening:
At leisure.
Day
6
Women in Cuba, Sephardic Synagogue, Dance Performance
Location:
Havana
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Marques De La Torre
Activity Note
Walking about 2 miles, standing indoors and out up to 2 hours; pedestrian streets, cobblestones, high curbs; sunny conditions, limited shade. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 20 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll be joined by an expert in gender studies and sociology for a presentation on Empowering Cuban Women, including their role in the micro, small and medium private enterprises. Afterwards, we’ll visit the Sephardic Synagogue and Holocaust Exhibit and meet with members of the synagogue. Next, we will visit independent artist stalls at the Mercado de Artesania and learn about Cuba’s rich artistic heritage. We will also make a visit to an upcycle clothing company to learn more about their business.
Lunch:
Lunch is on your own today. Your Group Leader will have some wonderful suggestions.
Afternoon:
After lunch we’ll enjoy a ride in a private classic car from the 1950s.
Dinner:
At a paladar.
Evening:
During dinner enjoy a presentation of dance by Havana Queens.
Day
7
Jazz in Cuba, Old Havana, Social Projects, Dance Company
Location:
Havana
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Marques De La Torre
Activity Note
Walking up to 1/2 mile and standing indoors and out; pavement, cobblestones, stairs without railings, uneven curbs and sidewalk surfaces. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 10 miles, under 1 hour riding time.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning we'll have an upbeat lecture about the history of Jazz music in Cuba. The genre Jazz was once prohibited and restricted on the island. Next, we will visit the social projects at La Milagrosa. In the late morning we attend a rehearsal of a private contemporary dance company and will interact and have a discussion with dancers.
Lunch:
At a paladar.
Afternoon:
After lunch we will explore Old Havana with our Cuban host with visits to artist studios.
Dinner:
Dinner this evening is at a Private Jazz Club where we will enjoy a performance while we dine.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
8
Program Concludes, In Transit From Program
Location:
Havana
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel or boxed breakfast depending on flight times. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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Please Note:
This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.