Legendary Cuba

Upon arrival at José Martí International Airport, you’ll be met and escorted to the inviting and comfortable Meliá Cohiba Hotel in the heart of the city. An informative tour orientation and welcome dinner set the stage for your Cuban adventure.  Meals D

Our day starts with a local expert and an informal lecture on some of the most pressing issues currently facing the island and its residents. Next up is a guided tour of the city’s historic core. Havana was founded in 1519 and within a hundred years it had emerged as one of the Caribbean’s wealthiest ports and an important ship-building center. Although it’s now a vibrant capital with more than two million residents, its historic districts still retain a wonderful mix of Baroque and Neoclassical architecture. With our expert guide, you’ll explore its cobble stone streets, landmark buildings, and impressive town plazas.

After lunch, we’ll visit the Museum of Fine Arts, and then mingle with residents at a farmers market for an intimate experience of daily life in the city. This evening, we’ll dine in a restaurant handpicked for its welcoming ambience and fine Cuban cuisine.  Meals B+L+D

This morning we’ll enjoy an inspiring People-t0-People activity with some of the artists and residents now involved with Muraleando, a unique community project that started in 2001 when two local artists began teaching painting and sculpture to neighborhood children. Encompassing both traditional wall paintings with modern found-object sculptures, the artwork depicts fanciful celebrations of island life. At the Rum Museum, we’ll learn about the history of Cuba’s rum-making traditions and see wonderful exhibits on the distilling and aging process.

After lunch, we’ll take a ferry across Havana Bay to spend some time in the charming city district of Casablanca. We’ll end our day’s guided activities at Finca Vigia.  Built in 1886, Ernest Hemingway purchased this handsome hilltop residence in 1940 and lived here for nearly 20 years. It was here at Finca Vigia that Hemingway wrote two of his most famous works – For Whom the Bell Tolls and The Old Man and the Sea.  This evening, you’ll dine on your own at one of the city’s paladares, privately owned restaurants that can now be found across the island. Of course, our expert guide is well versed in Havana’s dining scene and will be happy to make recommendations.  Meals B+L

Depart Havana this morning, traveling westward into the verdant countryside to spend some time at Patio del Pelegrin, a thriving community project that encompasses an organic farm, art space and coffee shop. We’ll enjoy a congenial lunch prepared by the community residents before visiting the home and studio of a local artist whose works are displayed in Cuba and abroad. After checking in to your hotel, you’ll meet the talented members of a regional opera and theater troupe that has performed to audience acclaim around the world. Tonight’s dinner is at Café Ortuzar, a welcoming local paladar. Meals B+L+D

The lovely province of Pinar del Río is home to many of the island’s famed tobacco fields, and this morning in an authentic tobacco-drying house a local farmer will show you how to roll cigars. For lunch, you’ll sit down to a wonderful farm-to-table meal featuring produce from the nearby farms. This afternoon, you’ll explore the dramatic landscapes of the Viñales Valley. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its enduring agricultural traditions, this is a captivating region of pastoral farms encircled by mountains and interspersed with towering rocky outcrops. At the end of the day, after also exploring the tranquil town of Viñales, you’ll be treated to Coco Loco, a refreshing concoction of honey, rum and coconut water. Dinner this evening is on your own. Again, our in-the-know local Cuban Guide is happy to offer restaurant suggestions.  Meals B+L

Check out after breakfast this morning and visit a local cigar factory here in Pinar del Río, Cuba’s famed Tobacco Country! It’s fascinating to see how skillfully and quickly the workers can hand craft these high-quality cigars with techniques that have changed little over the decades. We’ll stop for lunch at Las Terrazas; this self-sustaining, eco-community is also a nature reserve designed to protect the region’s flora and fauna. After a performance from a regional dance company, we’ll continue our drive back to Havana. On arrival, check in again to the terrific Meliá Cohiba Hotel in the heart of town. This evening we’ll dine together at one of Havana’s fine paladares. Meals B+L+D

After breakfast, we’ll take you to the airport for your homeward flight. Meals B

Limited to never more than 24 guests, our Small Group People-to-People Cuba Journeys are individually programmed and in compliance with U.S. Government regulations. Many of the places we visit and the cultural experiences we provide are not in standard touristic venues and are not always available. Thus, your final itinerary prior to departure will detail each day’s full program.