Food is Culture, a Taste of Cuba

Small Group Travel.

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The perfect destination for your “Bucket List”.

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I can't imagine a better way to immerse yourself in the life of a people, to explore hidden corners and appreciate nuances while enjoying the benefits and enormous satisfaction of traveling in a small group, meeting local citizens and understanding their culture through their cuisine.

Cuisine is not just food; it is history, the mixtures of cultures and religions.  In short, the human experience. These are experiences you cannot have unless you are willing to participate and understand.

In Havana we visit private homes and artist studios for authentic Cuban dishes.  Understand the culture by immersing ourselves with the local population.  We travel outside Havana to the western provenance of Pinar del Río  to visit the rural population and the tobacco farms, a natural reserves and a rural home for a  traditional country meal, a unique experience. This program is designed to offer a type of hands-on PBS Special exploration of Cuba's people, society and popular culture.  As a result of our over 20 years experience traveling to Cuba we can offer a "behind-the-scene" access to explore the real Cuba.  For generations Cuba has been forgotten due to the politics of the Cold War.  Yet, it is often remarked that the Cuban people are the most pro-American of any nation. 

 The small group travel experience encourages camaraderie and personalized attention. We travel with our experienced English speaking Cuban guide assisted by local experts in each location. We will have the advantage to bring this story to light in the comfort of a group of like-minded travelers. 

 

What to Expect: Our small group encourages camaraderie and personalized attention. We travel with our experienced English speaking Cuban guide all our visits are coordinated by trained local experts living in each  location we visit to give us an authentic hands-on knowledge.   On this six day program you will have an opportunity to meet ordinary Cuban citizens to visit studios and dinner in private homes.  Our programs offer engaging walking tours, a hallmark of our itinerary to examine the personalities of diverse neighborhoods. Guests should be physically fit, able to walk moderate distances, exit and enter the coach quickly and navigate stairs and uneven the cobble stone streets of Old Havana.   The program is designed to give you an in-depth experience of life in Cuba today through its cuisine and culture.    

Registration is limited.  

 

We are commitment to the health and comfort of our travelers with enhanced sanitation which includes coach disinfection several times daily, requiring the rules for preventing the spread of disease such as wearing a mask throughout the program, respecting social distancing guidelines and remaining contact-less as can be possible.

Itinerary at a Glance

• DAY 1.  

Arrive Havana.  Enjoy an orientation before our welcome at artist's home in suburb of Havana. 

• DAY 2. 

Explore Old Havana  on a walking tour through the neighborhoods of the district.  Lunch in Old Havana followed by a visit to the Hemingway Estate outside the city and the center of Afro-Cuban culture in  Regla.  Return to Havana via the local ferry to cross the harbor.  Enjoy a Salsa  dance lesson.  Dinner over looking Havana harbor. Evening free.

• DAY 3. 

Full day excursion to the western province of Pinar del Río.   Travel to a tobacco farm, orchid farm and a small community in the Sierras Del Rosarío mountains visiting the local school with an authentic lunch at a farmer's house.  Return to Havana.  Evening free for Salsa or local Jazz Clubs.

• DAY 4. 

This morning look at food in Havana city.  Join a talk about life in Cuba today.  Visit at local farmer's market and a site of urban farming, 50% of Havana's food source is grown within the city in neighborhood lots. Travel outside Havana to an organic farm for  a typical Cuban lunch.   Following lunch enjoy a  private jazz performance at the home of local musicians.  Free  afternoon for a visit to the craft markets. markets.  Dinner at a  private restaurant.   Free evening.

• DAY 5. 

Morning walking tours of the neighborhoods  in Havana to get a real feel for the comings and going of everyday life.  Lunch is typical Cuban cuisine, served family-style  at the  studio  and home of the artist and ceramists José  Fuster , his compound is known as Fusterlandia, located in a fishing village..  Free afternoon for independent activities.   Farewell dinner at one of Havana's best restaurants.

• DAY 6. 

Morning check-out.  Depart for airport and return flights.​

Includes

• Group transfers to/from hotel in Havana.

• Overnight accommodations in Havana, including daily breakfast, at the 5-Star Hotel Parque Central.  Centrally located in the center of the Historic Old Quarter.

• Daily meals include 5 breakfast, 4 lunches and 3 dinners.

• All activities, entrance fees, services and hotel porterage, plus gratuities for all guides and driver.

• Throughout your journey you will be in the care of one of our experienced professionals who manages all logistics to allow you to relax and enjoy the experience. 

• An enriching travel experience with our expert led educational talks, plus two private performances.

• Letter authorizing your participation in a U.S. government  approved program. 

• Ongoing support from our U.S. and Cuban staff before, during and after travel. ​

 

Excludes

• Flights to/from Havana.

• Airport transfers not included, unless with the Group.

• Meals not indicated unless listed on the itinerary. 

• Optional activities and personal expenses.

• Travel insurance. 

• Any liability due to necessary changes to itinerary.

• Securing the necessary Cuban Travel Cards.  The airline is obligated to supply the Tourist Card and  Cuban Medical Insurance.  We are available for guidance. ​