View Cuba Discovery February 2016 Brochure

Cuba Discovery
History - Culture - Passion
February 6 - 20, 2016
15 Days • 31 Meals
Escorted by Anne Graham
Exciting scenes of Cuba...discover it with us!
While Cuba is well known for its beaches and allinclusive holidays, the island has so much more to offer an
interested traveller. In October 1492, Christopher
Columbus landed in Cuba and described the scenery as
"the loveliest land ever beheld by human eyes". From its
very first days of settlement, European and African
influences, mixed with aboriginal ingredients, gave rise to
features that differentiated Cuba from other Spanish
colonies in the New World. Because of these influences,
the country’s architecture encompasses a full range of
styles - from baroque to art deco, neoclassical, art nouveau
and modern, all blending into a visually striking whole. But
there will always be something that reminds us of where
we are: the sounds of a passionate Cuban song in a bar in
Old Havana; the friendly smiles on the faces of the people;
the distinctive sounds of rumba, samba, mambo and soul
music; the gentle Caribbean breezes.
Join us as we discover the authentic Cuba; its history,
culture, sites, people and much more. We will explore
some of Cuba’s most important cities and rural villages,
and travel off the beaten path and enjoy leisure time at
Cuba’s best beach resort.
You can continue your Cuban adventure with a cruise
circumventing the entire island. Call for more details.
Space is limited – book early! This group will be
limited to just 24 members.
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INCLUSIVE FEATURES
Return airfare from Canada to Cuba with Westjet
Accommodation in first class and best available hotels
as indicated or similar
Porterage at hotels for one piece of luggage
31 meals (shown as B - 14 breakfasts, L - 6 lunches,
D - 11 dinners)
Transportation by air-conditioned motor coach
All sightseeing and entrance fees as described
All gratuities and taxes for included services
Services of our Canadian tour escort plus a
Professional English-speaking guide in Cuba
Airport transfers in Canada or equivalent value
Cuba Tourist Visa for Canadian passport holders
TOUR ESCORTS
We are pleased to have Anne Graham escort our next
journey to the island nation of Cuba. Anne is a retired
teacher from Lanark County, and is active both locally
and provincially in RWTO and RTO. She is the recipient
of the Ontario Square and
Round Dance Federation
Award of Merit. Anne has
traveled extensively and
has lead tours and cruises
to Israel, Britain, Alaska,
Greece, Spain, the Orient
and Ireland, to name a
few.
Anne
and
her
husband Bob are looking
forward to sharing this
journey with all those who
join them!
Castillo de la Real Fuerza, Old Havana - R A Nicholson
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TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Havana city tour including Havana Club Rum Museum
Visit to Zapata Swamp Crocodile farm
Visit to the Bay of Pigs Museum
Visit to a government cigar factory
Visit the derailed train museum in Santa Clara, a
national monument
City tour of Cienfuegos, known as ‘the Pearl of the
South’
Visit to the Valley of the Sugar Mills
Eco-walk in the mountains of the Escambray range
3 nights at the Iberostar Varadero Hotel
Havana - Credit J Kempa
February 6, Saturday
Depart Canada / Havana
Tour members from across Canada fly via Toronto to
Varadero. On arrival, we will be met by our national guide
and transferred to our Havana hotel near the heart of Old
Havana and very close to the Capitolio, the stately capital
building of Cuba. We shall stay in one of Havana’s best
hotels. Iberostar Parque Central (4 nights)
D
February 7, Sunday
Havana
Our day begins with a guided walk through Old Havana
followed by a visit to the Havana Club Rum Museum.
Following a break for lunch on our own, we explore the city
by coach: Revolution Square, Miramar, and Metropolitan
Park. We will make a stop at the Hotel Nacional, famous
for all the distinguished guests that have passed through its
doors. Cuba is seeing a rebirth in art and nowhere is this
more evident than in the lively art deco neighbourhood of
Callejon de Hammel. This evening we will enjoy our
Welcome Dinner at the delightful Café del Oriente, known
for its fine food and Art Nouveau setting.
BD
February 8, Monday
Havana
This morning we visit the Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos
Workshop School. Established in 1992 to create young
specialists that will go on to rescue and restore this cities
monuments and buildings. See artisans at work in a
government cigar factory, followed by some free time for
lunch. Follow in the footsteps of Ernest Hemingway as we
explore his Havana, stopping perhaps for a Mojito in one of
the bars he frequented - perhaps Sloppy Joe’s or La
Bodeguita del Medio. This evening we have a special treat
- dinner at La Imprenta followed by a ride through Old
Havana in classic cars to the world famous Tropicana
where we will attend a lively performance.
BD
February 9, Tuesday
Havana
Today is a day at leisure so you can explore the city.
Perhaps to visit the Museum of the Revolution to help you
understand how Cuba reached its current point in world
history; or perhaps the museum of ceramic or decorative
or fine art or music or just walk through the plaza’s and
take it easy listening to a local band while enjoying a
mojito.
B
February 10, Wednesday
Orchids / Vinales Valley
Travel west through the typical countryside to Las
Terrazas, a small community and nature reserve in Pinar
del Rio province. Under the previous regime this region
was completely deforested to make charcoal. In the early
1960’s, Fidel Castro, with the help of the locals, planted
over 6 million trees and built the small town in which the
former charcoal workers now live. The region came full
cycle in 1984 when Las Terrazas was designated a
biosphere reserve by UNESCO. While here we will visit a
small rural neighbourhood health clinic, meeting with local
residents and a family doctor (with the opportunity to
donate much needed supplies). Following a special lunch
surrounded by nature in Casa del Campesino within the
biosphere reserve, we will visit the Orquideario in Soroa, a
garden with some three hundred species of orchids,
including many that are unique to Cuba. From here we
make our way to the beautiful Vinales Valley and our rustic
resort which offers wonderful views.
Hotel Los Jazmines (2 nights)
BL
February 11, Thursday
Vinales Valley
On our guided morning walk we will have a closer look at
the province’s karst formations as well as its celebrated
flora and fauna, particularly its picturesque birds and
renowned cork palms. This valley is reputed to be a
favourite of Castro. We will enjoy lunch in the shadow of
the Mural de La Prehistoria, followed by a visit to La Cueva
del Indio where we glide by boat through the limestone
caves full of wonderful shapes to view pictograms carved
into the rock.
BL
February 12, Friday
Zapata Swamp / Bay of Pigs
This morning we visit the Zapata Swamp, at more than one
million acres it is one of the most extensive remnants of
coastal Caribbean biodiversity left in the region. The region
encompasses blue-water beaches, forests, rivers, lakes,
flooded caverns, ponds, and swamp prairies. Its most
noted wildlife resident is the Cuban crocodile. We take a
boat ride on Treasure Lake before some free time for
lunch. The highlight of the day will be a visit to the museum
of Playa Giron (Bay of Pigs) to learn of the 1961 CIA
backed failed invasion of Cuba by exiled Cuban forces.
Brisas Trinidad Hotel (5 nights)
BD
Trinidad, Cuba - R A Nicolson
February 13, Saturday
Trinidad
We partake in the city tour with a visit to the Romantic
museum in the old part of town. Note how the old town is
so well preserved; it is also the main area for Santeria, a
religion that combines some of the elements of Catholicism
and voodoo. The rich history of pottery in Trinidad dates
from the 19th Century when the family of Don Santander
started a workshop. Today we shall see the artisans of La
Casa del Alfarero at work. This evening we pay a visit to
the downtown area to witness the lively local lifestyle. BD
February 14, Sunday
Cienfuegos
We make our way to the French founded city of
Cienfuegos, also known as the Pearl of the South. This
city’s appeal lies partly in its European flavour - the wide
Parisian-style boulevard and elegant colonnades. Our
morning visit will take us to the Tomas Terry Theatre built
at the end of the 19th Century. Following some free time to
explore the excellent local craft market (the locals
specialize in linens), we will drive along the seawall to
Punta Gorda to the Restaurant Palacio de Valle, an ornate
palace built for a wealthy sugar merchant in 1917. The
Botanical Gardens, covering 97 hectares, is one of the
oldest institutions of its kind on the island, founded in 1901
by Edwin F. Atkins and his wife. They arrived in Cuba in
1899 in search of the island's most precious commodity
(sugarcane) and left this park as their legacy.
BD
February 15, Monday
Topes De Collantes
We make our way to Topes de Collantes, which is a nature
reserve set high in the Sierra Escambray, Cuba’s second
highest mountain range. Meeting our local guide, we
transfer by former Russian army trucks up to Hacienda
Codina, an old coffee plantation. Here we will be taken on
an eco-walk through the forest to see a wide variety of local
vegetation followed by a delightful lunch back at the
hacienda. Later we return to our hotel with free time and
dinner.
BLD
February 16, Tuesday
Trinidad
Today we visit the Valles de los Ingenios (Valley of the
Sugar Mills), three interconnected valleys that were the
centre of sugar production from the late 18th Century. We
return to the hotel for lunch with the rest of the day at
leisure.
BLD
February 17, Wednesday
Trinidad / Santa Clara / Varadero
On our way to Varadero, we visit the important city of
Santa Clara. Important for two reasons, firstly it was the
site of the last battle of the Cuban Revolution in 1958 (here
we visit the derailed train museum which is a national
monument) and secondly it is the resting place of Cuban
national hero Che Guevara (we visit his memorial and
museum). We have free time for lunch and then continue to
Varadero where we stay at our all-inclusive hotel.
Iberostar Varadero (3 nights)
BD
February 18, Thursday
Varadero
The day is at leisure for us to rest and relax. Or we can
take advantage of the many free amenities of our resort,
not to mention the beautiful sand and sea. Close by the
resort is the Varahicacos Ecological Reserve where we can
take optional tours or spend time at the visitors centre to
learn about the flora and fauna of the island.
BLD
February 19, Friday
Varadero
Our last full day in Cuba – arrange (extra cost) a classic
car, coco taxi or horse drawn carriage to Varadero town for
a chance to explore the shops or join an optional excursion
available through the hotel excursions office.
BLD
February 20, Saturday
Varadero / Toronto
All too soon our discovery of Cuba comes to a close as we
transfer to the airport for our Westjet flight to Toronto with
connections to our homes across Canada.
B
REV04SEP15
CT RATING 3 - Moderately Challenging: Members
must be ready to accept the reality of Cuba – a country
that is government controlled and which still faces
embargoes from the US. Visitors must be aware that local
conditions vary considerably throughout the country.
Hotels in major centres are comfortable while many rural
hotels, roads and other services are simple and relatively
basic. This tour is best suited for people who are
physically fit and active and who enjoy walking and hiking.
Cuban Countryside - Credit Ruth Anne Nicholson
Tour Cost in Canadian Dollars (per person)
Land Only (Join Havana / Leave Varadero) .............. $3,680
Toronto ...................................................................... $4,195
Ottawa / Montreal ...................................................... $4,275
Halifax / Winnipeg ...................................................... $4,375
St. John’s ................................................................... $4,425
Regina / Saskatoon ................................................... $4,525
Calgary / Edmonton / Vancouver ............................... $4,475
Victoria ...................................................................... $4,525
Single Supplement........................................................ $780
Airfares from other gateways are available on request.
Airfares and air carriers are subject to change and will be
confirmed prior to final payment. Refer to inclusive features
for details.
Tour price is based on sharing a twin-bedded room at
hotels. Prices are based on a minimum 20 members and
on rates, taxes and fees effective April 2015 and are
subject to change due to factors beyond our control.
The above prices DO NOT INCLUDE the cost of
comprehensive insurance which is available on an optional
basis and is highly recommended. As of June 2015 the
Cuban Government requires tourists to have travel
insurance before entering the country. Insurance premiums
vary with the cost and length of the trip as well as the
traveller’s age. For passengers up to and including 74
years on departure date, premiums will range from $250 to
$285pp. Cost supplements for members aged 75 - 85 will
range from $185 to $352pp. This insurance is effective
from the date of purchase and carries limitations on preexisting medical conditions. Please discuss your insurance
coverage prior to booking. Check our website for the
most current information. Refer to the enrollment form for
general information and conditions.
Final payment will be due November 3, 2015
Deposit is $500 per person
To reserve your spot on this tour, complete the enclosed
enrollment form, indicating the tour you wish to join and
your home city, and forward it with your deposit to:
CRAIG CANADIAN GROUP TRAVEL LTD
1092 Mount Pleasant Road Toronto ON M4P 2M6
Tel: 416-484-0926 or 1-800-387-8890 / Fax: 416-484-8143
[email protected] / www.craigtravel.com