Renewed relations with Cuba means more Americans are interested in exploring Cuba, and booking a tour to Cuba is the best way to ensure a great experience on the island nation.
Due to US travel restrictions, most Americans book tours to Cuba because the tour operator takes care of air travel, accommodation and rules compliance. Now intrepid travelers can book a Cuba tour with Smithsonian Journey, part of the Smithsonian Institution, that promises to deliver on the same sense of wonder and curiosity that attracts people to its famous museums.
Smithsonian Journey benefits the work of the Smithsonian’s nineteen museums, national zoo, and nine research centers, helping to preserve national treasures and shape the future through science, research, and exhibitions.
“Discover Cuba: Its People and Culture” is a people-to-people cultural exchange tour to Cuba where travelers learn about the history, culture, and contemporary issues facing the island nation while it transitions to a open society.
Highlights Include:
- Preservation: Explore UNESCO World Heritage sites and learn about preservation efforts from Cubans who are passionate about their architectural heritage;
- Art Traditions: Discover Cuba’s sophisticated art traditions during visits with artists in their studios;
- Religion: Learn about the African origins of Cuba’s Santeria religion as you engage with practitioners at a local museum;
- Music: Hear the complex rhythms of Cuban music, from son to rumba and jazz, and learn about these uniquely Cuban music styles.
The upcoming tour date is November 4-12, 2016.
The itinerary starts with a stay in Miami and a welcome reception. The tour in Cuba begins in Havana with a visit to Finca Vigía, Ernest Hemingway’s home for more than 20 years and the site where he wrote The Old Man and the Sea, for which he won the Nobel Prize for Literature.
There will be a historical overview of the architectural history and layout of Old Havana (Habana Vieja) along with a walking tour. Travelers will also meet with a representative from the US Embassy. The Havana initerary will conclude with a visit to the National Arts School and the National Museum of Fine Arts.
Next, travelers will visit Cienfuegos, capital of Cienfuegos Province, on the southern coast of Cuba. The tour will include the French-influenced city and a walk down the Paseo del Prado.
En route to Trinidad, a World Heritage site, travelers will stop at the Cienfuegos Botanical Gardens, the largest of its kind in Cuba, and learn about their efforts to maintain their rich biodiversity and extraordinary plant life.
On the return to Havana, travelers will stop at the Bay of Pigs and visit the nearby Playa Giron Museum and will have the opportunity to learn more about the Caribbean religion, Santeria.
During the last day in Havana, travelers will visit Felix Varela Cultural Center to discuss the Cuba Emprende Project. The project involves opportunities for Cuban citizens to receive training to become future entrepreneurs.
The cost of the trip ranges from $5,895 for a period of nine to ten days. Round-trip charter airfare between Miami and Havana is additional and must be purchased with your tour. There are also several other tour dates between November 2016 and April 2017.
For more details or questions visit http://www.smithsonianjourneys.org/tours/cuba/itinerary/
