ArchiTina goes to Cuba for New Year's!

Travel with ArchiTina Tours LLC:
Architecture, Preservation & Art in Cuba Today
       An 11 day/ 10 night program in Havana and Trinidad de Cuba
       December 29, 2015 - January 8, 2016


Contact me at architina@icloud.com for more information.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

·      Our program offers two 5-Star hotels, six nights at the Hotel Parque Central in Havana, located within the Old Quarter and in walking distance to all of the important historical sites as well as three nights at the Gran Hotel Iberostar in the colonial center of Trinidad de Cuba.

·        Travel in our private air conditioned coach with your English-speaking Cuban guide.

·     Our program features expert seminars and talks by renowned English- speaking Cuban experts on various subjects including: Cuba’s colonial heritage and a review of restoration efforts in Havana; a seminar on the jewels of Havana’s pre-Revolutionary modern architecture and the current restoration; a private survey of the schools of art at the Institute of Superior Art (ISA) campus with an architect involved in the current resto­ration efforts and a review of the often overlooked important murals in Havana with a special focus on the work of Domingo Ravenet at Havana University.

·      After our informative talks we will go outside the “classroom” to experience the life; archi­tecture and restoration efforts discussed during our unique seminars.

·      During our visit we will have the opportunity to deliver humanitarian supplies to assist the Cuban people.

·      Meet with local residents of Havana with the aide of an expert translator for free ex­changes of ideas and cultural values.

·        Enjoy the opportunity to have dinner and lunches at local homes and an artist studio.

·      Visit museums in Havana and Trinidad de Cuba specializing in colonial history and archi­tecture.


Program Features
Old Havana, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Restoration of Old Havana
Palacio de los Capitanes Generales
Plaza of the Cathedral
Modern Havana

Institute of Superior Arts (ISA) Model of the City of Havana Museum of Decorative ArtHemingway’s Finca Vigia
Museum of Fine Arts, Cuban Collection Murals of Domingo Ravenet
Lunch at artist’s studio and home Aljibe Restaurant in Havana
Welcome dinner at a private home


ITINERARY

DAY 1 - MIAMI                                                     (Tuesday)  December 29th
Independent flight to Miami. Your overnight will be at the Courtyard Miami Airport Hotel. Dinner at leisure. Overnight at Courtyard Hotel.

DAY 2 - MIAMI to HAVANA                      (Wednesday) December 30th
We will meet you at the hotel, transfer to the airport to check- in. All travel documents will be distributed at the airport. Arriving in Havana we will be met by our English-speaking Cuban guide and coach to transfer to the 5-Star Hotel Parque Central in Old Havana. Light lunch and a program orientation while your luggage is delivered to your room. Join your guide on an overview coach tour of Havana. Our first seminar will be a review of the restoration projects in Havana, followed by welcome cocktails at an artist studio and dinner at a private home.
Overnight at Hotel Parque Central. | Meals L D

DAY 3 - OLD HAVANA                                              (Thursday) New Year’s Eve
After breakfast, enjoy an informative seminar on the Development of Colonial Cuba, followed by a walking tour of the historic district including the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales and the important plazas. The Old Town was designated a World Heritage Site in 1982 by UNESCO. Lunch in Old Havana. Balance of the afternoon at leisure. Gala New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Plaza of the Cathedral in Old Havana - the 57th anni­versary of the 1959 Revolution.
Overnight at Hotel Parque Central. | Meals B L D

DAY 4 - TRINIDAD DE CUBA                                    (Friday)  New Year’s Day
After breakfast check-out and depart for Trinidad de Cuba. Arrive in Trini­dad, check-in at the 5-Star Gran Hotel Iberostar. Dinner independent at one of many of the fine paladars in the old town.
Overnight at Gran Hotel Iberostar. | Meals B

DAY 5 - TRINIDAD DE CUBA                                     (Saturday)  January 2nd
Full day explorations of Trinidad de Cuba including the restored sugar plantation at Manacas Iznaga, a 19th century steam-engine ride through the Valley of the Sugar Mills (based on availability), walking tour of the Old Quarter, a visit to the Museum of the City and a private visit to the 16th century church. Meet with the historian of the city to discuss the current and past restoration projects and visit private homes in the old quarter. Balance of the afternoon is free. Independent dinner. Overnight at Gran Hotel Iberostar. | Meals B

Day 6 - TRINIDAD DE CUBA                                        (Sunday)  January 3rd
After breakfast depart for Cienfuegos. Tour the Old Quarter, visit City Museum, artisan cooperative and enjoy a private performance by the Cienfuegos Chorus, followed by lunch overlooking the harbor. Return to Trinidad de Cuba. Dinner at our hotel.
Overnight at Gran Hotel Iberostar. | Meals B L D

Day 7 - TRINIDAD DE CUBA to HAVANA                  (Monday)   January 4th
After breakfast depart for Havana. Independent lunch. Return to the 5- Star Hotel Parque Central. Free afternoon and independent dinner. Overnight at Hotel Parque Central. | Meals B

DAY 8 - HAVANA                                                              (Tuesday)  January 5th
After breakfast, participate in a talk on Modern Havana followed by a visit to several examples of 1950’s architecture, including the famous Hotel Riviera and the ill-fated Havana Hilton both in the Vedado neighborhood. Independent lunch at the Hotel Nacional de Cuba. Visit the University of Havana with the restored murals by Domingo Ravenet and examples of Mario Romanisch’s mid-century architecture. Dinner in Old Havana. Overnight at Hotel Parque Central. | Meals B D

DAY 9 - HAVANA                                                               (Wednesday)  January 6th
Breakfast at our hotel followed by a seminar on the 1959 Cuban Revolu­tion before departing for Milton Hershey’s Sugar Mill outside Havana. Travel to the mill town on a train established by Mr. Hershey in the early 20th century. Explore the historic mill town. Depart by coach for Vara­dero and the DuPont Mansion of Xanadu for lunch at this once opulent private residence. Returning to our hotel we will stop at the Hemingway Estate for a peek into the life of this famous American writer. We travel to dinner this evening in vintage 1950s American cars to one of Havana’s best -known restaurants, El Aljibe, specializing in Cuban Creole cuisine. OPTIONAL: Tropicana Night Club.
Overnight, Hotel Parque Central | Meals B L D

DAY 10 - HAVANA                                                                 (Thursday) January 7th
Breakfast at our hotel. Join a talk by an expert on Modern and Contempo­rary Art in Cuba. Following the talk we will visit the Museum of Fine Arts. Before lunch we stop at the Superior Arts Institute (ISA) to explore this wonderful post-Revolution architecture. Visit the Richard Neutra House (the Swiss Ambassador’s residence), based on availability. Lunch today will be at the home and studio of José Fuster outside Havana. Following lunch we deliver much needed humanitarian supplies. Our Farewell Din­ner is at one of the finest restaurants in Old Havana.
Overnight at Hotel Parque Central.| Meals B L D

DAY 11 - HAVANA to MIAMI                                                (Friday)  January 8th
After breakfast depart for the airport and our return flight. | Meals B 

This program is licensed to travel to Cuba by the U.S. government to interact with the Cuban people. The program is limited to travelers willing to engage in this exchange program. All travelers will receive a copy of the license and a letter authorizing travel.


Join us for New Year's in Cuba!!!  

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