Day 1: Arrival in Havana – Trinidad (Hotel Iberostar Trinidad)

Transfer from airport to Trinidad with lunch en route.

19:00PM – Dinner at La Nueva Era (paladar).

Trinidad is known for its vibrant nightlife at its numerous jazz bars and dance clubs particularly around the cathedral steps area.  Your guide can provide suggestions for the best venues.

Day 2: Trinidad (Hotel Iberostar Trinidad)

09:30AM – Visit the Casa de Iznaga Sugar Mill.  Enjoy a specialized people-to-people tour with a guide from Aldaba, the commercial entity of the Office of the City Historian of Trinidad, who will explain about the importance of sugar in Cuban history, and how it influenced development of the Cuban economic power.

11:30AM – Visit Palenque de los Congos Reales, the House of Afro-Cuban traditions and dance. Enjoy a people-to-people exchange with these talented dancers.  Located in the historic center of Trinidad, El Palenque de los Congos Reales offers the most genuine Trinitarian dance called Ballet Folklorico, which is rooted in the oldest African traditions that arrived in the 16th century.  You will share an exchange about how even today, folkloric dance has been the most authentic way to express the feelings and ideas of Cubans.

12:30PM – Lunch at San Jose restaurant (paladar).

14:00PM – Enjoy a people-to-people exchange about the restoration of Trinidad architecture with Aldaba, the commercial entity that manages all of the activities of the Office of the City Historian.

15:30PM – Enjoy a people-to-people exchange about Cuban salsa dance at Artex where participants will take an introductory lesson in authentic salsa, the ultimate expression of Cubans. You will receive a welcome drink and a CD of Cuban music.

19:00PM – Dinner at Guitarra Mía restaurant (paladar).

Day 3: Trinidad – Cienfuegos – Havana (Hotel Iberostar Parque Central)

09:00AM – Drive to Cienfuegos

11: 00AM – Stop at El Palatino, the oldest bar in town where local Cuban musicians perform throughout the day.

11:30AM – Enjoy a people-to-people exchange as you are lead through the downtown Cienfuegos.  You will learn about and discuss the socioeconomic dichotomy of Cuba as well as the differences in architecture of Cienfuegos versus Trinidad and the other older cities of Cuba.

13:00PM – Lunch at Palacio del Valle restaurant.

15:00PM – Enjoy a people-to-people exchange with the Casa de la Cultura, which organizes cultural projects to celebrate Cuban performance and visual art such as rescate reggaeton music, traditional Cuban dance forms, circus performances, and painting workshops featuring Cuban artists from the local community.

16:30PM – Drive 3 hours to Havana.

20:00PM – Dinner at La California restaurant (paladar).

Day 4: Havana – Viñales – Havana (Hotel Iberostar Parque Central)

08:00 AM – Drive to Piñar del Rio (approximately 2 hours).

10:00AM – Enjoy a people-to-people exchange with Cuban private business owners and farmers from Benito’s Plantation where participants will discuss, among other topics, growing tobacco, mandatory sales to the government, and potential for private businessman profitability.

12:00PM – Lunch at Agroecological Paraiso Farm.

14:00PM – Enjoy a people-to-people educational exchange with a Cuban ranger and his assistant from Mil Cumbres (Thousand Peaks) in which the U.S. and Cuban participants will discuss, among other topics, environmentalism and rural conservations efforts in both the U.S. and Cuba.

15:30PM – Enjoy a people-to-people educational exchange with the Cuban owners of a botanical and herb garden (Soroa Orchid Garden and other private gardens in the area, depending on availability) in which the U.S. and Cuban participants will discuss, among other topics, gardening and parks management in the U.S. and Cuba, and the trend towards growing organic in both countries.

16:30PM – Travel to Havana (approximately 2 hours).

18:30PM – Dinner at Cafe Laurent restaurant (paladar).

20:00PM – Departure to El Morro-Cabaña Fortress for the cañonazo cannon firing ceremony at 21:00PM.

Day 5: Havana  (Hotel Iberostar Parque Central)

09:00AM – Enjoy a people-to-people exchange at a local Cuban cigar factory where participants will learn how cigars are made, and discuss the way of life for factory workers who are often employed for life by these well established companies.

10:00AM – Enjoy a people-to-people exchange about Old Havana with a specialized guide who will lead you on a walking tour of Habana Viejo while discussing architectural and socioeconomic differences. You will also visit the Hemingway Room at Ambos Mundos Hotel and take a break with a mojito in the Roof Garden with an amazing view of Havana. Later you will visit the famous Floridita Bar and enjoy a special daiquiri, Hemingway’s favorite drink.

12:00PM –  Lunch at El Templete restaurant.

14:00PM – Enjoy a people-to-people exchange about the art deco architecture of Modern Havana where you will discuss the historical significance and changes of Cuba as Havana developed and expanded until the Fidel regime took control.

19:00PM – Dinner at Mediterraneo restaurant (paladar).  This Italian restaurant features homemade pasta served al dente with delectable sauces.

21:00PM – Watch the incredible show at the famous Buena Vista Social Club at Havana Café.

Day 6: Havana (Hotel Iberostar Parque Central)

09:00AM – Enjoy a people-to-people exchange about the vintage cars of Cuba as you ride in one of these authentic beauties through Havana and along the Malecon boardwalk.  You will learn and discuss the entrepreneurism and practicality of the Cuban people to maintain this means of transport over the last 60 years.

11:00AM – Enjoy a people-to-people exchange at the famous Havana Club rum factory and museum.  After a welcome cocktail, you will have a theoretical and practical demonstration then discuss the impact of rum has had on the economy and lives of the Cuban similar to how key crops influenced and shaped American history.

12:30PM – Lunch at Star Bien restaurant (paladar).

14:00PM – Enjoy a people-to-people exchange at the Retazos Dance Company.  After a brief performance or rehearsal, dancers will share with you about the process of teaching contemporary dance in Cuba

16:00PM – Visit the Colon Cemetery filled with its baroque mausoleums in a garden setting. You will stop at the site of the Miraculous Virgin, an important icon and tradition for Cubans.

17:00PM – Enjoy a people-to-people exchange at the studio of Eduardo Guerra, a famous Cuban printmaker who has mastered “colografia” a hybrid of printmaking and etching techniques.

19:30PM – Dinner at Vista Mar restaurant (paladar) in Miramar neighborhood.

22:00PM – Enjoy a people-to-people exchange about Cuban jazz at the world famous La Zorra y El Cuervo.  You will get to discuss Cuban jazz and its importance in global music with some of the incredible musicians.

Day 7: Havana – Departure Home

Transfer to Havana Airport for your trip home.  This concludes your Cuban experience.