Cuba Baseball Experience - Sports Travel and Tours

Cuba Baseball Experience
Havana, Cuba
There’s one common element that can bring Cuba to a fever pitch: baseball. The sport
originally landed in Cuba in the 1860s along with citizens returning from travels
abroad in the United States and with American sailors pulling into Cuban ports.
Baseball took the island nation by storm and has firmly rooted itself in Cuban culture.
The Cuban League was founded in 1878 and in 1899 professional players from the
league formed the All Cubans, which was the first Latin American team to tour the
United States.
Cuban Baseball Experience Preliminary Itinerary
November 5-12 2016
LAND PACKAGE RATES
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Price Per Person
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6800
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PRE-TRIP HOTEL NIGHT(S)
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• Day 1: Miami - Welcome Dinner Reception, Pullman Hotel Miami
POST-TRIP HOTEL NIGHT(S)
• Day 2: Miami/Havana Flight - Muraleando, Hotel Sevilla
• Day 3: Havana - Cuban Baseball History Experience, Old Havana, Baseball Game
at Estadio Latinoamericano
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Double
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Quad
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• Day 4: Havana - Cuban Baseball Historian Presentation, Cigar Factory, University
of Havana, Cuba National Series Baseball Game at Estadio Nelson Fernandez
• Day 5: Havana/Matanzas - Matanzas (City of Bridges), Pharmaceutical Museum,
Castillo de San Servino, Baseball Game at Victoria de Giron Stadium
• Day 6: Havana - Cementerio de Colon, Finca Vigia (Ernest Hemingway’s home),
Children’s Academy of Baseball, Leisure Time
• Day 7: Havana - National Institute of Sport, Physical Education and Recreation,
Q&A with panel of Cuban experts, performance by Habana Compas, San
Cristobal mansion
• Day 8: Havana/Miami
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Cuba Baseball Experience
Havana, Cuba
Cuban Baseball Experience Preliminary Itinerary
DAY 1: Miami - Welcome Dinner Reception, Pullman Hotel Miami
DAY 2: Miami/Havana - Muraleando, Hotel Sevilla
After a short flight, arrive at the José Marti International Airport in Havana and then on to lunch
at El Aljibe Restaurant. After lunch we visit the community art project of Muraleando. Artists,
musicians & dancers have turned this once neglected neighborhood into one of the city’s centers of self-expression. Hear the stories of the project from community leaders and members.
Next, arrive at the Hotel Sevilla and check in to your room and settle in. You can exchange
currency at the front desk or at the exchange office located in the lobby. Depart the hotel for
the welcome dinner at La Guarida, Havana’s most well-known paladar or privately owned
restaurant that citizens have been allowed to operate by the Cuban government as a form of
free enterprise.
DAY 3: Havana - Cuban Baseball History Experience, Old Havana, Estadio Latinoamericano
After breakfast at the hotel, this morning, we meet with a representative of the Baseball
Federation of Cuba, the governing body of the sport of baseball in Cuba for a briefing on the
Cuban baseball system and its unique structure of leagues. Next, set out to explore Old Havana,
founded in 1519, on a walking tour through the city’s historic squares. Learn about the city’s
colonial architecture and meet with some of the city’s cuentapropistas (independent business
owners). And then have lunch at La Imprenta, located in Old Havana.
Next, enjoy an afternoon at Hotel Ambos Mundos, which was home to author Ernest
Hemingway for seven years. For those who wish, visit room 511, which now serves as a small
museum to Hemingway. Afterwards, join the rest of the group at the hotel’s rooftop for a cocktail and share stories of the day. After some time at the hotel, attend a game at Estadio
Latinoamericano, located in the Cerro neighborhood of Havana. With a capacity of 55,000, it is
popularly known as “The Colossus of Cerro”. In 1999, this stadium hosted an exhibition series
between the Cuban National Team and the Baltimore Orioles. It is currently home to Havana’s
most popular team, Los Industriales.
DAY 4: Havana - Cuban Baseball Historian Presentation, Cigar Factory, University of
Havana, Estadio Nelson Fernandez
Begin the morning with breakfast at the hotel. This morning, meet with Ismael Sene, a sports
historian and expert in Cuban baseball to learn about the history of baseball in Cuba.
Afterwards, visit the “Esquina Caliente” or the Hot Corner, where baseball fanatics passionately
compare their knowledge of statistics and debate about their favorite sport. Then, visit a fábrica
de tabaco (tobacco factory) to meet with cigar experts and rollers to learn about the role that
tobacco has played in Cuban history and enjoy lunch at La Moraleja.
After lunch, visit to the University of Havana for a guided walk around the historic campus with
students and staff. Afterwards, engage on a question-and-answer session with the students
and staff and then return to the hotel for a break. Next, depart for the provincial capital of San
Jose de Las Lajas to attend a game at Estadio Nelson Fernandez to watch one of Cuba’s newest
teams, the Mayabeque Hurricanes. Each of Cuba’s National Series teams are located in the capital of each of Cuba’s provinces. In 2010, the province of Habana, was divided into Havana City
and 2 new provinces, resulting in two new teams.
*World Atlantic flight and itinerary subject to change.
November 5-12 2016
DAY 5: Matanzas, Pharmaceutical Museum, Castillo de San Servino, Victoria de Giron Stadium
Start your day with Breakfast at the hotel and then depart Havana for the city of Matanzas,
known as the City of Bridges, for the seventeen bridges that cross the three rivers that traverse
the city. Upon arrival embark on an orientation tour of the city, including a visit to the
Pharmaceutical Museum, containing medicines and original furniture from the early 1800’s, and
Ediciones Vigia, an independent publishing collective specializing in handmade books. Finally,
enjoy lunch at Hotel Velasco.
After lunch, visit Castillo de San Servino, a military fortress built by the Spanish in 1735. Learn
about its history including its use as a prision for Cuban patriots and as a slave trading port
Tonight, attend a game at Victoria de Giron Stadium, home of the Matanzas Crocodiles. After
the game, return back to Havana.
DAY 6: Havana - Cementerio de Colon, Finca Vigia, Children’s Academy of Baseball,
Leisure Time
This morning after breakfast, visit the Cementerio de Colon (Columbus Cemetery) in the Vedado
neighborhood. Learn why this cemetery, laid out between 1871 and 1886, is one of the most
distinguished in Latin America. Then, visit Finca Vigía, Ernest Hemingway’s home, and the 12acre property that contains original furniture, artwork, personal memorabilia, and other objects
collected by the author. Of special importance is the author’s 9,000 book library containing
thousands of irreplaceable letters and telegrams, more than 2,000 photographs, scrapbooks,
manuscripts, and galley proofs. Enjoy lunch at Il Divino.
After lunch, visit the Children’s Academy of Baseball, where many Cuban Major Leaguers got
their first start. Meet with a representative to learn about Cuba’s development system. Return
to the hotel. The remainder of the evening is unscheduled for personal pursuits.
DAY 7: Havana - National Institute of Sport, Physical Education and Recreation Q&A,
Habana Compas, San Cristobal mansion
Our final full day in Cuba begins with breakfast at the hotel. Meet with a representative of the
National Institute of Sport, Physical Education and Recreation (INDER) for a briefing on Cuba’s
approach to its sports education system. Next, attend a performance by Habana Compas, an
Afro-Cuban dance group that incorporates different styles of dance and music in an energetic
performance. Enjoy lunch at El Litoral, located on the famed Malecon.
After lunch, attend a question-and-answer session with a panel of Cuban experts, including a
sociologist and economist to discuss Cuba’s emphasis on sports and the economics of sports in
Cuba. This evening, gather for a reception before a farewell dinner at San Cristobal, a paladar
located in a restored 19th-century mansion.
DAY 8: Havana/Miami
After breakfast at the hotel, we depart the Hotel lobby for the airport. Return to Miami
International Airport via World Atlantic flight 426*. Connecting flights should be booked for
after 4:00 pm.
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