VAYA SOJOURNS®
310.787.7784
VAYA SOJOURNS
Revolution to Evolution
8 days – 7 nights
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Day 1: USA – Havana
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Fly from USA to Havana, Cuba.
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Clear Cuban Immigrations and Customs and meet private Cuban English speaking guide outside the Arrivals Terminal.
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Private transfer directly to Old Havana.
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Visit Revolution Plaza (Plaza de la Revolución) – great photo op!
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Lunch at local Paladar (private enterprise restaurant) in Old Havana.
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Guided walking tour of Old Havana (Habana Vieja) including the Plaza de Armas, the Used Booksellers Market, Plaza de la Catedral, a stroll down Obispo Street (Havana’s version of Rodeo Drive) ending at El Floridita Bar where, according to local legend, Ernest Hemingway “discovered” the Daiquiri.
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Late afternoon check-in at accommodation.
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Welcome dinner at a local Paladar.
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Optional after dinner suggestion (not included): Club La Taberna in Old Havana featuring music from the Buena Vista Social Club.
Included Meals: Lunch & Dinner (L,D)
Day 2: Habana Vieja - Hemingway - Muraleando - Artisans Market
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Guided walking tour of Old Havana (Habana Vieja) including the Plaza de Armas, the Used Booksellers Market, Plaza de la Catedral, a stroll down Obispo Street (Havana’s version of Rodeo Drive) ending at El Floridita Bar where, according to local legend, Ernest Hemingway “discovered” the Daiquiri.
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½ hour drive to Finca Vigia, Ernest Hemingway’s Cuban home; currently a national museum.
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Drive through the communal District of Alamar (on the outskirts of Havana) with its community gardens called Organoponicos and Soviet-style pre-fabricated concrete apartments.
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Panoramic drive through the local fishing village of Cojimar, the setting for “The Old Man and the Sea”.
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Lunch at the open-air, Paladar El Ajiaco, in Cojimar.
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Visit the vibrant barrio known as Muraleando, founded in 2001 by several Cuban artists. Muraleando is an ongoing cultural and social community art project. During the so called “Special Period” in Cuba, following the withdrawal of Soviet support, the project arose mainly in response to the community’s concern over rising crime rates and a neighborhood physically deteriorating. A small but devoted group of artists came together to volunteer their time and skills to help establish a center for arts, music, dance and theatre here; that it might help engage the young and old alike, in constructive activities, neighborhood beautification, and community enrichment.
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Optional Visit: Artisans Market located on the Malecon.
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Remainder of day free.
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Dinner on own account.
Included Meals: Breakfast & Lunch (B,L)
Day 3: Bellas Artes - Cristobal Colon - Miramar - “Fusterlandia” - Clave del Sol
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Docent guided visit to Cuba’s Fine Arts Museum (Museo de Belles Artes) concentrating on the Cuban fine arts section.
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Brief tour at the Cemetery of Christopher Columbus (Cemetario de Cristobal Colon)
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Lunch at Paladar Rio Mar overlooking the river in Miramar.
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Visit the private home and art gallery of famed artist Beatriz Sala Santacana and view her highly unique ceramics, sculptures and oils.
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Proceed to “Fusterlandia”, the home and surrounding neighborhood of “The Picasso of the Caribbean”, Jose Fuster.
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Visit Clave de Sol – a wonderful community project teaching music, especially stringed instruments, to local children ages primary school through high school.
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Remainder of day free.
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Dinner on own account.
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Optional after dinner suggestion (not included): La Fabrica del Arte – the “in” place in Havana. La Fabrica showcases works of art by some of Cuba’s most talented young artists while live salsa and rumba dance music can be enjoyed throughout the club.
Included Meals: Breakfast & Lunch (B,L)
Day 4: Havana – Cienfuegos – Trinidad
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Check out of accommodation.
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Four hour drive to Cienfuegos. Stop and explore Parque Marti, the town’s main square and the Punta Gordo Peninsula.
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Lunch at Paladar Villa Lagarto overlooking the Bay of Cienfuegos.
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Free time to wander the town’s main plaza with its iconic church, antique theatre, and numerous art stores and shops.
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Continue to Trinidad, arriving late afternoon. Check into accommodation.
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Time permitting, free time to wander the cobblestone streets of this UNESCO World Heritage city.
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Dinner at Paladar Casa Museo.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (B,L,D)
Day 5: Trinidad – Pottery - Santeria - Architecture - Casa Cantero - Casa de la Musica
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Visit the Casa del Alfarero, a pottery house that was founded and has been managed by the Santander family for generations.
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Continue to Templo de Yemaya for a personal visit with a member of the church, to learn about the basic principles of the unique Afro Cuban religion called Santeria.
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Lunch at a local Paladar.
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Return to the main plaza for a visit to the Architecture Museum and Casa Cantero.
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Dinner at Paladar Vista Gourmet.
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After dinner, be brought to a Casa de la Musica to hear locals perform Cuban music – the perfect opportunity to salsa and rumba with the locals!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (B,L,D)
Day 6: Trinidad - Santa Clara - Havana
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Check out of accommodation.
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1 ½ hour drive to Santa Clara.
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Brief stop and photo op outside the Che Guevarra Museum and Mausoleum.
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Lunch in Santa Clara.
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Continue to Havana (4 hours), arriving late afternoon. Check into accommodation.
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Remainder of day free.
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Dinner on own account.
Included Meals: Breakfast & Lunch (B,L)
Day 7: Las Terrazas - San Juan River - Classic Cars - Farewell Dinner
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1 ½ hour drive to Las Terrazas in ARTEMISA Province, a “must see” in Cuba and known worldwide for its magnificent scenic beauty.
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Visit Café Maria – “best coffee in the country”.
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Visit to the home and private studio of artist Lester Campa (subject to him being in residence).
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Visit the Buena Vista Coffee Plantation to discover breathtaking views and learn about coffee farming and slavery in Cuba.
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Country-style Cuban lunch prepared and served outdoors at a local farmhouse near Las Terrazas.
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Stop at the nearby San Juan River for a swim in the crystal clear waters with local Cubans.
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Return to Havana. Remainder of afternoon free.
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Evening panoramic tour of the Malecon and Vedado in a vintage American convertible car.
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Farewell dinner at one of Havana’s famed Paladars.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (B,L,D)
Day 8: Havana – USA
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Check out of accommodation.
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Private transfer to Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport.
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Check-in for return flight to USA.