Our whirlwind 4-Day/4-night visit highlights the history, architecture, arts, culture and cuisine of Havana, Cuba. Travel will be led by Talk Cinema Host Tearlach Hutcheson and Sarah Miller, General Manager, The American Friends of the Ludwig Foundation. Each day they will be joined by our English speaking Cuban guides. Talk Cinema is pleased to offer you the opportunity to take part in the International Havana Art Biennial 2012.
We stay at the historic Hotel Nacional on the seaside Malecon, the hotel of choice to decades of ministers of state, mobsters and movie stars, and where of course the never ending stream of music and mojitos all begin. We travel to Cuba directly from Miami by way of a license issued by Department of Treasury that permits visits for humanitarian/cultural exchange purposes.
Preliminary Itinerary:
DAY ONE: WEDNESDAY May 16, 2012
Early morning check-in at Miami International Airport
Late morning arrival in Havana
After clearing customs, we'll have lunch together at a restaurant in Old Havana.
Brief visit to Revolution Square en route to Hotel Nacional for 6th floor check in, executive floor accommodations.
In the late afternoon we'll meet for a welcome and brief orientation. Enjoy a stroll around the grounds of the hotel, get oriented (it's a big place!)
Dinner together as a group at El Aljibe.
DAY TWO: THURSDAY May 17, 2012 - Old Havana
Following buffet breakfast in the main dining room, we will go with our guide to Old Havana, walking between the four main plazas that comprise Cuba’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. From Plaza de Armas, the site of the oldest Spanish fortress in the Americas, the 1519 locale of the first mass in Cuba, and the massive Baroque seat of government, known as Palacio de los Capitanes Generales... to the Plaza de San Francisco de Assis and Plaza Vieja. Winding streets span five centuries of historic architecture and end at Plaza de la Catedral. Along the way we'll have a chance to view some of the contemporary installations that are part of the Havana Biennial.
Lunch and afternoon on your own to delve into the Biennial, with time to explore the Paseo del Prado, one of Havana's most beautiful streets, dating from the late 1700s. Many of the historical buildings have been carefully restored. A popular place for the people of Havana to stroll at all times of the day and a good spot for people watching. Also, check out our list of must-dos while in Havana. If you want to take in a baseball game or dance performance, be sure to check with the concierge at the hotel before departing on the morning tour for schedule and ticket information.
Dinner together at Café Laurent.
DAY THREE: FRIDAY May 18, 2012
After breakfast we're headed for Ernest Hemingway’s House, known as Finca Vigia, the "lookout house". Finca Vigia is ten miles east of Havana in the town of San Francisco de Paula. Built in 1886 by a Spanish Architect Miguel Pascual y Baguer, Finca Vigia was purchased by Hemingway in 1940. It was here that Hemingway wrote For Whom the Bell Tolls and The Old Man and the Sea.
We'll return for a free afternoon to enjoy the Art Bienale (and see our recommendation list).
At sunset, enjoy cocktails together with our friends at the Ludwig Foundation.
Dinner and evening on your own to enjoy a paladar and Havana's nightlife.
DAY FOUR: SATURDAY May 19, 2012
This morning we’ll head south towards the Zapata Peninsula and the Bay of Pigs. En route we will visit the crocodile farm at Boca de Guama.
Dinner and evening on your own to enjoy the final night in heavenly Havana.
DAY FIVE: SUNDAY May 20, 2012 – DEPARTURE DAY
Checkout and depart hotel after breakfast. Return to Miami around lunch time.
Not To Be Missed While in Havana:
1. Catch a baseball game
2. Visit the Rum Museum and The Museum of the Revolution
3. Take a cigar factory tour (we recommend the Corona or Partagas factory)
4. Enjoy a daiquiri at La Floridita, photo op at the Hemingway statue, drop in at La Bodeguita del Medio, another Hemingway hangout
5. Take a trip to Playas del Estes
6. Explore the Colon Cemetery for the historical grave sites of Cuba and the Patronato Synagogue and Jewish Community Center
7. Attend a performance of Danza Contemporanea (Cuba’s modern dance troupe)
8. Dine at a paladar – our favorite is the La Guardita
9. Late night music scene at Café De La Musica
10. View the Cuban skyline from the Hotel Saguaro rooftop
11. Soak in the vibes at two of our favorite Cuban bars: Lluvia de Oro or Bar Monserrate
12. Take an architectural tour of the Havana suburb of Miramar for beautiful old homes
13. Catch the world famous Cuba ballet at the Gran Theatre
The registration fee includes:
• Round-trip coach air transportation from Miami International Airport to Aeroporto Jose Marti in Havana.
• Cuban visa fees
• Health insurance while in Cuba
• 4 nights' executive level accommodations at the Hotel Nacional
• Daily breakfast buffet
• Airport/hotel transfers on arrival & departure days in Havana
• Treasury Department license and visa for travel to Cuba from U.S.
• Tours with local English speaking guides
• Some lunches and dinners as will be detailed in the itinerary
Registration fees do not include:
• Travel / Trip Cancellation insurance
• Air transportation to and from the US airport from which you are departing and returning, or hotel accommodations should your trip require an overnight stay
• Meals not included in the itinerary
• Excess baggage costs. Baggage limit is 44 pounds per passenger at no cost, $2.00 per additional pound will be charged at airport.
• Cuban departure tax (approx $30 US per person)
Price:
Per person single occupancy: $2,950
Per person double occupancy: $2,750
To reserve your place, please call Susan Jacobson at 800-551-9221 or via email at susan@talkcinema.com. Be sure to indicate the number of persons in your party and the best phone and email address to reach you.
Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance/trip interruption insurance is HIGHLY recommended, and is available through ACCESS AMERICA, a subsidiary of American Express, http://www.accessamerica.com.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Once your place is guaranteed with the tour operator, the trip is non-refundable.
This trip is limited to 22 travelers.
To register by Mail:
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE REGISTRATION FORM. Registration fees are payable to Talk Cinema by check, please add 5% handling fee for payments with MC or Visa. Print and complete the registration form and mail to:
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE ITINERARY.
TALK CINEMA
P.O. Box 686
Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520
Register by Phone:
1-800-551-9221
