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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.

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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. Read More.
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
10 expert-led field trips
1 hands-on experience
4 performances
An experienced Group Leader
7 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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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, 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.
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.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 15 miles total, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking and standing for approximately 3 hours, pedestrian streets, cobblestones, high curbs.
Breakfast:
In the hotel restaurant.
Morning:
Orientation: 8:30 a.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. 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. Meals will be in paladars: privately owned and operated family restaurants. A reminder: The regulations that govern our program and are set by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Program elements in Cuba are controlled by the Cuban government and are subject to change on short notice; therefore, the daily schedule is a representative guide. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Road Scholar programs include activities intended to strengthen civil society in Cuba. Each day's program promotes independence for the Cuban people and results in meaningful interactions with the Cuban People. Road Scholar programs are carefully crafted to comply with these regulations. All itineraries reflect this emphasis. Visits with independent social projects, religious organizations, and members of civil society are included in every program. Thank you for your understanding. 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:
In the afternoon, we will have an introductory walking tour of old Havana with our Cuban host. Afterwards, 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 and an opportunity to openly exchange ideas about events in both of our countries. You will admire the hand-made 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.
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 attend a rehearsal of a local music group – with an opportunity to interact with the musicians – and also enjoy a performance by a chamber orchestra. We’ll then reboard the motorcoach and continue our drive to Trinidad.
Dinner:
Dinner at hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 108 miles total, approximately 3 hours. 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 basket makers, embroiderers, and toymakers. We’ll also have a visit with a local artisan who uses abandoned wood from houses to create one-of-a-kind sculptured portraits.
Lunch:
At Paladar
Afternoon:
We will drive into the UNESCO World Heritage Sugar Mill Valley and visit artisans at the San Isidro de los Destiladeros archaeological site returning to Trinidad in time for dinner.
Dinner:
At hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
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), and continue to have lunch at a Paladar in Cienaga de Zapata.
Lunch:
At Paladar
Afternoon:
After lunch we will have a talk with an expert about the Flora and Fauna Conservation in Zapata Swamp. We will continue our drive to Havana and check in at the hotel later in the afternoon and have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At Paladar.
Evening:
At leisure.
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 a community leader who will discuss the diversity of the religions practiced in Cuba, including Catholicism, Judaism, and the Afro-Cuban Santeria. 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 and developments in contemporary Cuban art.
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:
This evening we will enjoy a performance by the dance company "Havana Queens".
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, approximately 45 minutes 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. Next, we will visit the social projects at La Milagrosa.
Lunch:
At a Paladar.
Afternoon:
This afternoon we will interact and have a discussion with dancers during a rehearsal of a contemporary dance company. Next, we will explore Old Havana with our Cuban Host. Late this afternoon we will regroup at the hotel to 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:
We will ride to a paladar. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 12:00 Noon. See your program’s “Transportation 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 join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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