Thomas Hecker and Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center offer

cuba
GREATEST VOYAGE IN NATURAL HISTORY
The Amazon is a living labyrinth of forests, wildlife and people, all bisected by a storied
Exploring
Countryside
, Coasts
&in Vibrant
river meandering
4,200 miles across South
America. Cloaked
mist, boasting everyHavana
shade of green, the heart of the Amazon is a wilderness that has pulled at the spirits
of adventurers for centuries. Over the 33 years that International Expeditions has
been exploring the Amazon, our guests have enjoyed unrivaled access to the rainforest’s
most pristine areas and the company of the river’s most knowledgeable guides. Leaving
behind only the diminishing wake of our riverboat, IE can transport you to the Amazon
of your imagination to discover a rainforest that pulsates with diversity of life.
Thomas Hecker and Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center
offer you this opportunity to explore Cuba.
june 4-13, 2015
Why People-to-People Travel?
IE’s people-to-people travel license affords you an immersive opportunity to connect directly with the Cuban people,
learning more about each other through direct contact and cultural exchange. Our license mandates that you participate in a daily slate of engaging activities focused on education and cultural exchange.
“Cuba was fabulous, and the genuine people-to-people experiences — the choir, the art/music school, the tobacco factory, etc. —
were wonderful. I loved observing a dramatically different social, economic, and political environment, especially at this time in
Cuba’s history.” — Fred Schauer of Charlottesville, Virginia
Let the Rhythm Move You!
Pulsating rhythms wrap you like a
blanket as the sounds of Cuba — salsa,
rumba and jazz — carry from almost
every street corner and club, day
and night. To truly be immersed in
the daily lives of Cuban people, you
must first listen. And listen to the
music — mingled with laughter —
spilling from a local club serving as
a warm invitation to join into the daily
lives of locals.
Dancers entertain
at lunch
Cuban emerald
brush aside the Cuba that you “know” from history books and current
events, and there is an unfiltered view of this vibrant island found only through
the eyes of its people. While traversing the countryside and sipping coffee in
small cafés, IE guests encounter working-class locals eager to share, learn and
ensure lives and options are transformed.
With music, art and athletic prowess, Cuba has long demonstrated to the
world that it is bastion of talent and style. From the Tropicana nightlife to
the Buena Vista Social Club, Cubans have entertained us. Cuba’s vices are
legendary — mellow cigars of renown quality, lavish cabarets, Salsa dancing
and smooth rum. This has always been a playground for inspired eccentrics.
Author and adventurer Ernest Hemingway whiled away his time in Cuba,
but it was the writings of Jose Marti that best defines Cuba’s hunger for
freedom and independence.
Despite governing policies, Cuba’s culture thrives, while nature pays no
attention to political differences.
A musician
in Havana
Cuban tody
Historic Connection:
People-to-People Travel
After World War II, President Eisenhower
wanted to bring people together,
recognizing that lasting peace could be
advanced by engaging with people of
other cultures. Groups of citizen ambassadors traveled on programs designed
to engender a mutual understanding
and appreciation. People-to-people
travel continues to enable U.S. citizens
to travel with a purposeful objective —
to gain insight and understanding for
people living in different societies.
IE guest sits in
with the band
Viñales
Day 1 – Thursday, June 4 U.S. / Santa Clara / CIENFUEGOS Board our charter flight to Cuba. After meeting our vehicle
and guide, enjoy dinner in Santa Clara before continuing to
Cienfuegos, where we spend two nights at Hotel La Union. (D)
Day 2 – Friday, June 5 CIENFUEGOS: BOTANICAL GARDENS,
PEPITO TEY & GUANAROCA LAGOON Cienfuegos is knows as
one of Cuba’s most beautiful cities not only because of its
location on the bay but also because so many of the buildings are in the French architectural style due to the city
being founded by French settlers. Enjoy a morning stroll
through Cienfuegos Botanical Garden which was originally
a research facility connected with Harvard University. During a visit to the old sugar mill town of Pepito Tey, learn
about the days when sugar was the primary industry in
Cuba and speak with residents who worked at the mill. Continue to Guanaroca Lagoon near the Bay of Cienfuegos. On
a guided hike in this protected area, our local guide shows
us the colony of approximately 200 flamingos. Of more
than 170 species of birds found here there are eight which
are endemic. Though elusive, manatees are also located
here. (B,L,D)
Day 3 – Saturday, June 6 CIENFUEGOS / TRINIDAD / TOPES
DE COLLANTES Drive to the architectural jewel of Trinidad,
where we walk through the colonial heart of the city visiting with shop owners and sampling local fare as we go. At
Casa Del Alfarero Santander, an artisan workshop, meet
local artists and learn about traditional pottery techniques.
This pottery studio has been run by the same family for de-
cades, and the Santanders share their family history while
we take a turn at the wheel. Stroll through town, with the
chance to visit a music club to mingle with the locals and
enjoy authentic Cuban music. Head to Topes de Collantes, a
national park in the mountains above Trinidad. Spend two
nights in a beautiful setting at Hotel Los Helechos. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Sunday, June 7 TOPES DE COLLANTES Enjoy a spectacular day in the Sierra de Escambray. Join a local naturalist for a nature walk, finding prolific birdlife, including
western stripe-headed tanagers, Cuban bullfinches, Cuban
trogons, West Indian woodpeckers and Cuban todys as
we share stories about our favorite sightings. Meet a local
farmer to learn about life in the mountains before and after
the revolution. At a local coffee house, relax over a cup of
coffee and chat with your guide and other Cubans. Visit a
modern art museum, seeing pieces by important artists.
Dinner tonight is in a nearby local restaurant. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Monday, June 8 TOPES DE COLLANTES / BAY OF PIGS /
ZAPATA WETLANDS We travel today to the Bay of Pigs
which borders the Zapata Peninsula, a UNESCO Biosphere
Reserve encompassing Cuba’s most important wetland
area. En route we meet Orlando Ramirez, a local naturalist, for a hike to observe the world’s smallest bird, the bee
hummingbird. Continue walking with Orlando with the
expectation of seeing more endemic bird species such as
Cuban screech owl and Cuban pygmy owl. On the Bay of
Pigs, discuss the importance of the Zapata Wetlands with
Havana
an official from the Zapata National Park. Spend tonight
at Hotel Playa Larga, located directly on the Bay of Pigs.
(B,L,D)
Day 6 - Tuesday, June 9 Bay of Pigs / Soroa There are
around 900 species of flora, 171 species of birds (18 endemics), 31 species of reptiles and many mammal species
on the Zapata peninsula. Our new Cuban friend joins us on
an early morning natural history exchange as we search for
endemic bird species. We hope to observe Cuban green
woodpeckers and Cuban parrots. Cuba’s national bird,
the Cuban trogon, is commonly found here as are Cuban
vireos and Cuban todys. Continue our day at the Korimakao
Project, where we meet one of the directors. The project houses some of Cuba’s finest musicians, dancers and
artists, who refine their skills before traveling to remote
villages to perform and teach. Observe rehearsals and have
the chance to learn about transformative power of art in
the lives of ordinary Cubans. Afterwards we drive to the
outskirts of Havana to pay homage to Ernest Hemingway at
his former home Finca Vigia, preserved as it was on the day
he left, and discuss his life with a Cuban Hemingway expert.
Continue our journey west toward the Sierra Del Rosario
Biosphere Reserve. Spend two nights at Hotel Villa Soroa.
(B,L,D)
Day 7 - Wednesday, June 10 viñales valley Drive
further west into the scenic Vinales Valley. This is the area
where the best tobacco is grown for the finest Cuban cigars.
Cuba Guests’ Experiences
“Cuba was fabulous, and the
genuine people-to-people
experiences — the choir, school,
tobacco factory — were wonderful.
I loved observing a dramatically
different social, economic and
political environment, especially
at this time in Cuba’s history.” Fred S.
Enjoy a boating excursion into one of the huge limestone
caves running through a mogote — limestone karst outcroppings. Before lunch, call on a facility where 50 very
skilled women sort and grade tobacco among other tasks in
the process of getting tobacco ready for the cigar factories.
Sample the homegrown vegetables grown at an organic
farm while meeting the family who is responsible for the
land. Walk an easy trail accompanied by a local resident to
a private botanical garden, where we hope to spot Cuban
solitaires. Browse a bodega, where locals shop with their
ration books. Time permitting, visit a family-fun tobacco
farm to chat with the famer and his family about the steps
they take to ensure their product is of the highest quality.
(B,L,D)
Cuba often seems
frozen in time
Gulf of Mexico
Havana
depart
Soroa
cuba
Viñales
Zapata
Wetlands
Santa Clara
Playa Larga
Cienfuegos
arrive
Topes de
Collantes
Trinidad
Miami
Caribbean Sea
June 4-13, 2015
Havana
Double Occupancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,198
Single Occupancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,148
Plus Charter Flights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $575
Day 8 – Thursday, June 11 Soroa /
HAVANA Enjoy an early morning walk
through the forests surrounding our
hotel in the Sierra Del Roasario Biosphere Reserve. Join a local botanist
from the University of Pinar Del Rio to
explore a lush orchid garden. Look for
great lizard cuckoos, Cuban emeralds,
Cuban orioles and Cuban grassquits. In
the nearby planned eco-community of
Las Terrazas, an UNESCO Biosphere
Reserve, have lunch in a former coffee
plantation house and chat with locals.
The self-contained community is surrounded by foliage thick with indigenous species, including hibiscus, teak
and ebony, trees that were part of a
reforestation project. Drive to Havana
with a stop at Revolution Square for
photos before checking into our hotel.
Spend two nights at the Hotel Melia
Cohiba. Dinner this evening is at Dona
Eutimia in Old Havana. Chat about the
“new” Cuban economy with the entre-
preneurs operating this small, private
restaurant. Stroll along the pedestrian
boulevard of Obispo Street to Hemingway’s favorite bar, the Floridita, where
the daiquiri was made famous. (B,L,D)
Day 9 - Friday, June 12 HAVANA Begin our day with a visit to Old
Havana, walking through the historic
streets and squares with numerous
stops and visits with local artists in
their studios. Pay a visit to the librarian
of the children’s section of the Havana
library to present children’s books in
Spanish. Interact with the locals as we
explore an art market along the harbor’s edge. Following dinner there is
an option to see a show by the Buena
Vista Social Club at the nearby Café
Taberna for those who wish. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - Saturday, June 13 HAVANA /
Pricing based on 15 travelers.
Charter airfare is subject to change and must be purchased
through International Expeditions.
what’s included
Full schedule of
engaging peopleto-people activities
Fully escorted by
IE leader, Cuban
expedition leader &
local guides
Visit to
Hemingway’s former
home, Finca Vigia
In-studio discussions with a variety
of Cuban artists
Sampling of local
fare at privately
owned paladars
Nature walks
Tour galleries &
museums
Cuban visitor visa
26 meals
Choice of local beer
or soft drink – at
group lunches &
dinners
Bottled water
on transfers &
excursions
Cuban-government
mandated medical
insurance
Tips to porters, day
guides & waiters for
included meals
Birding excursions
with local farmers &
naturalists
MIAMI Transfer to the airport for our
flight to Miami. (B)
A Note About Accommodations
IE has carefully sought out accommodations that
provide the best service and location available;
however, Cuban hotels outside of Havana may not
reflect the same standards and amenities found on
other IE journeys. Whether it comes to changes in
your accommodations or our daily schedule, travel to
Cuba requires flexibility and a sense of adventure.
Expedition Price Does Not Include:
Airfare, passport fees, items of a personal nature,
and tips to Cuban government guide, driver &
expedition leader.
Deposits & Payments: $600 deposit due at time
of application. Final payment due 90 days prior to
departure.
Cancellations: $300 from time of booking until 90
days prior to departure. 50% of trip price from 89-61
days prior to departure. 100% penalty 60-0 days
prior to departure.
cuba
culture & art of havana & the varadero peninsula
For more information on joining International Expeditions’ journey contact:
Thomas S. Hecker
Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center
(941)575-5435 Cell: (239)682-0674
[email protected]
www.checflorida.org
International Expeditions, Inc. is licensed (CT-2013-299822-1) by the United States Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign
Assets Control to engage, organize and conduct authorized people-to-people travel to Cuba that engages participants in
meaningful interactions with individuals in Cuba.