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Cuba/United States (FL)

Cuban Connections: A Journey From Miami to Havana

Program No. 25161RJ
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Program
At a Glance
Duration
8 days
Program Begins
Depart for Miami
Program Concludes
Depart Havana
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
15 ( 7B, 3L, 5D )
Activity Level
From
3,849
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Miami and Havana — two cities that lie a little less than 230 miles apart, both linked and separated by a complex history and shared culture. Get a firsthand look at these inspiring cities and deepen your understanding of the relationships between these regions and the Cuban people living there. Examine differing political beliefs during lectures at the Cuban-American Scholar Guillermo Grenier of the Cuban Research Institute at Florida International University and Camilo García Lopez Trigo of the University of Havana. Embark on a field trip to the Freedom Tower and the Miami History Museum to hear the stories of Cuban immigrants and refugees, then fly to Havana to delve into Cuban history at sites like the José Martí memorial and Revolution Square. Throughout your travels, you’ll gain a better understanding of the opinions and culture of Cubans in Miami and Havana, and the role the U.S. has played in shaping them.
Best of all, you'll...
  • Explore the Camilo Cienfuegos village built by Milton Hershey in Cuba and the Barcardi buildings in both countries to learn about the role of the U.S. in Cuban history.
  • Visit outside of the Hemingway House in Cuba, where Ernest Hemingway wrote “The Old Man and the Sea.”
  • Delight in Calle Ocho and the legendary Cafe Versailles in Miami, gems of Cuban American culture.
See Related Programs
Country StudiesSmall GroupNew
All Experts
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Karina Sanchez is one of the many amazing bi-lingual Cuban leaders, who works with and has been trained by Road Scholar. She is the Cuban expert, and is responsible for relaying local knowledge, and both cultural and historical information for the places we visit throughout the program. Karina will answer questions pertaining to Cuba and the Cuban people.
Jose Luis Sande has been a Cuban travel leader for more than 16 years. He is fluent in English and Spanish, and his far-reaching knowledge about Cuba makes him especially capable of providing a world-class educational experience. Jose was a high school English teacher before training to become an exploration leader. He lives with his wife, an English teacher herself, and his two sons in Havana. Jose is also an avid cyclist and specializes in leading groups in Cuba by bicycle.
Camilo García Lopez Trigo has represented Cuba at its Embassy in Canada, the United Nations in the Netherlands, and in Washington DC. He also is involved in the National Center for Sex Education (Centro Nacional de Educación Sexual, or CENESEX. He shares his experiences representing Cuba in both friendly and adversarial nations, and his views on the current and future state of US-Cuba relations. Dr. García is a professor at the University of Havana International Relations School and an expert in US political studies.
Dariem Zamora was born in Cuba. He has lived in Miami, Florida, since 1995 and has been involved in Cuba travel since 2002. He has visited Cuba more than 50 times, leading groups all over the Island. He has a deep understanding of Cuba and is eager to discuss Cuban culture, politics, economics, and history. Every program is a new adventure for Dariem and an opportunity for him to introduce his country’s beautiful cities, landscapes, and the vibrant spirit of the Cuban people.
José Armando Díaz was born in La Habana, Cuba and moved to Miami at the age of six. He graduated from Florida International University with a marketing degree, then worked for Pan Am and Delta Air Lines. With his passion for travel, history, and culture, he attended the International Tour Management Institute to become a travel director. Jose’s ultimate goal was to lead programs in his homeland. He believes bringing people to see Cuba’s beauty and the warmth of its people creates a positive impact.
Tali Izquierdo is a Cuban psychologist, researcher, and professor. She graduated from the University of Havana in 2025, and is currently studying a postgraduate degree in cultural research. She has a C1 level in English and has been studying Korean since 2023. She works at the Cultural Research Institute Juan Marinello as a researcher, studying themes related to cultural consumption and identity. She also teaches community psychology and participation along with cultural consumption in the psychology faculty at the University of Havana.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two miles a day on paved and cobblestone streets. Getting on and off of a motorcoach. Navigating high curbs, uneven steps and stairs without railings. Travel in a tropical climate.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Books and Resources
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You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
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Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
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Call 800-454-5768
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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

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Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

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Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

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Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

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