HAVANA, CUBA
FEBRUARY 21st to 27th
It is a special pleasure to present this trip jointly offered by Preservation Greensboro and UNCG's Weatherspoon Art Museum. In addition to a primary focus on Havana, our 6 days and 7 nights will include a day trip to the village of Vinales and the Vinales Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Preservationist Benjamin Briggs will be on hand to guide us through Cuba's past whether it be the mid-century modern of Havana's Miramar mansions, a 16th century fort in Habana Vieja or the cave dwellings of the Taino, the island's original inhabitants. Museum director and contemporary art expert Nancy Doll will provide vital insight into contemporary Cuban culture with a variety of unique and in-depth experiences. Wide-ranging, expert knowledge combined with a wealth of professional contacts ensure that this will be a singularly memorable trip to a country poised for great change. I hope you will consider joining us for this great adventure.
Places can only be held through deposits of $250 per person. Full balance of payment will be due on November 21st. In the event that the trip fails to meet its minimum number of participants, deposits will be refundable less a 15 percent processing fee. Deposits are otherwise nonrefundable.
Much about travel in and around Cuba remains unique to Cuba. Please be aware that the itinerary below may be subject to change. Travel conditions generally reflect the current conditions in the country and can include great contrasts in service and amenities. Every effort will be made to ensure comfort and seamless logistics. To this end Studio Traveler is developing this trip in coordination with Contrast Travel, a Florida-based company facilitating Cuban travel for US citizens for over 25 years.
To make a deposit via Paypal please press the 'DEPOSIT' button below. To make a deposit by check please include 'Havana' in the 'For' line and mail to 'STUDIO TRAVELER, 112 Fisher Park Circle, Greensboro, NC, 27401' .
$4250
Per Person Double Occupancy
$400 single supplement
7 days, 6 nights
Includes charter flight to and from Miami/ Havana, 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners, all trip-related fees such as admissions, guides, transportation for all scheduled activities.
Does not include meals not specified in the itinerary and flights to and from Miami from destinations within the US
ACCOMMODATIONS
MONTEHABANA
Sunday, February 21st
Charter Flight from Miami to Havana
Walking Tour of Old Havana
We begin our introduction to the Vieja Habana with a leisurely walking tour in the 16th century heart of this jewel of the Caribbean, structured around four plazas: Plaza De La Catedral, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de San Francisco and perhaps the most beautiful and certainly the oldest, Plaza De Armas.
Studio Visit and Dinner in an Artist’s Home
Two aspects of modern Havana converge in this hospitable treat, a studio visit with a contemporary artist who will also serve as our host for this welcome dinner
Monday, February 22nd
Breakfast at the Hotel
Tour of The Restoration Workshop School
We tour Melchor Gaspar de Jovellanos for a firsthand look at the work of the next generation of historic restorers and preservationists engaged in hands-on restoration of Cuba's colonial heritage
Walking Tour of The Prado
Also known as the Paseo de Marti, this 19th century grand boulevard has a uniquely Cuban mix of faded elegance and smart new buildings. Stops include a tour of the interior of the Gran Teatro de la Habana
Tour of National Museum of Fine Arts
Housed in a fine Modernist building and boasting an exceptional collection, the National Museum makes for an excellent introduction to contemporary Cuban art
Tour of Wilfredo Lam Institute
Founded in 1983 as a tribute to Wilfredo Lam, Cuba’s leading Modernist painter, the Institute is the lead organizer and exhibition space for the Havana Biennial
Dinner :: El Litoral
Much is changing in Cuba including fine dining. El Litoral is just one of the excellent new paladares—private restaurants--that we will frequent during our stay
Tuesday, February 23rd
Breakfast at the Hotel
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Regla,
We the make the short trip across Havana Harbor to this small early 19th century church, shared equally by Catholics and practitioners of Afro-Cuban Santería. If time permits, we will also visit the fine collection of Santeria ceremonial paraphernalia at the adjacent municipal museum
Gallery Visits
In keeping with Havana’s lively contemporary art scene, there are a number of fine contemporary art galleries including Galería Habana, Galería Villa Manuela and the new and eclectic Fábrica de Arte Cubano
Dinner :: Cocina de Lilliam
A paladar in a beautiful residence in the elegant Playa section of Miramar, Cocina de Lilliam gets some of the island’s top culinary marks
Wednesday, February 24th
Breakfast at the Hotel
Finca La Vigia
Perhaps better known simply as ‘Hemingway’s House’, the house and grounds are just to the south of Havana. Both have been lovingly maintained by the Cuban government since the writer’s death in 1962
Jaimanitas and the Public Art of Jose Fuster
Ceramic artist Jose Fuster has spent the last decade creating a wonderland, decorating more than 80 of his neighbors’ houses with elaborate mosaics; each creation is inspired by the personality of the individual homeowner
Dinner :: El Atelier
Rustic, elegant, rooftop—these are just a few of the words—along with delicious—used to describe the fun eclectic paladar
Thursday, February 25th
Breakfast at the Hotel
Day Trip to Vinales ad The Vinales Valley
The Viñales Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for the outstanding karst landscape and traditional agriculture as well as vernacular architecture, crafts and music.
Optional Visit to the Madrigal Bar
If we are back in time and with energy left for one more adventure, we head out to this popular spot in Vedado, part culture club part tapas bar, all fun
Friday, February 26th
Breakfast at the Hotel
Studio Visits
We are in good hands! Nancy Doll will lead us in a morning of visiting some of Cuba’s most interesting artists
Open afternoon
Dinner :: Havana-Mia 7 (HM7)
We may be glimpsing the future here at our farewell dinner at HM7, a stunning paladar with an open kitchen, sleek décor and superb international cuisine.
Saturday, February 27th
Return Charter Flight to Miami
STUDIO TRAVELER recommends travel insurance for this and every trip. CLICK HERE to go to 'INSURE MY TRIP', a site that offers a wide variety of options from multiple insurance providers .