DETAILS
Just 90 miles away from Key West, Florida, Cuba beckons with its rich tapestry of art, music, dance, and history. This autumn, the National Trust invites you to join us in Havana for an exclusive exploration of Cuba’s cultural traditions, a rare chance to glimpse a world that few outsiders get to see. As we travel in support of the Cuban people, you’ll experience the country through the eyes of its warm and welcoming citizens, including a former ambassador who will offer invaluable insights into Cuba’s dynamic cultures.
- Pricing from
- $4,999
- Trip Type
- Group Travel Tour, International Land & Rail Voyages
- Departure Dates
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Oct 19, 2024 - Oct 25, 2024
A member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection, Paseo 206 boutique hotel is a romantic
jewel nestled among the tree-lined streets, art galleries, art deco buildings and modern skyscrapers of
Vedado, the economic and cultural heart of La Havana. Click here for more information.
In this family home dating back to 1933, the atmosphere is light, chic and romantic. The building has been
restored to its original splendor thanks to a careful renovation that has maintained the soul of the structure,
preserving the original architectural elements.
10 cozy and comfortable rooms and suites are offered. All accommodations feature free wi-fi, 24-hour
room service, Hermes bathroom amenities, Marshall speakers, and hypoallergenic king-sized bed with
luxurious Frette linen.
Click here for the full terms & conditions
TOUR MAP
ITINERARY
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day 1
DEPARTURE/ HAVANA CUBA
Upon your independent arrival in Havana, you will be greeted at the José Martí International Airport and transferred to La Reserva Vedado, a boutique hotel and our home for six nights. This evening, gather for our welcome dinner at a paladar, a privately owned restaurant in the proprietor’s home largely staffed by family members.
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day 2
HAVANA
Founded in 1519, Havana remains the Caribbean’s most impressive historical urban center. Join a local architectural historian for a lecture on the history of the city’s remarkably well-preserved buildings. Then depart on a walking tour of UNESCO-listed Old Havana and four of its expansive plazas: Plaza de Armas, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de San Francisco, and Plaza de la Catedral. Each plaza features distinctive architecture, including centuries-old cathedrals and colorful colonial houses adorned with arcades and balconies. Following lunch at a paladar, take a private tour inside the splendidly renovated, Neo-Baroque Gran Teatro de La Habana Alicia Alonso, the incredibly ornate home of the Cuban National Ballet. Then explore the homes and studios of some of Havana’s leading artists, where there may be an opportunity to purchase paintings and drawings. Dinner is at El Cocinero, followed by an evening of entertainment next door at Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC), the city’s liveliest multidisciplinary performing and visual arts space.
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day 3
HAVANA / VIÑALES / HAVANA
Take a morning drive through the countryside to the western province of Pinar del Río, known for its lush tobacco haciendas. Admire the unique topography and natural beauty of the Viñales Valley, where you’ll encounter spectacular caves, underground rivers, and the famous mogotes, the iconic hillocks of the region. Meet with farmers for a private tour of their tobacco hacienda to about the drying and rolling processes, followed by lunch at a privately owned organic farm. Before returning to Havana, visit the studio of a local painter who has charted the history of his community through his work. Tonight, enjoy dinner on your own.
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day 4
Havana
Take an inside look at the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de La Habana (National Museum of Fine Arts of Havana), Cuba’s largest museum, with a private morning tour of its Cuban art collection at the Palacio de Bellas Artes. In the company of an independent curator, trace Cuba’s history, from the 17th century to the present, through the works of its greatest artists. Highlights include the modern paintings of Raúl Martínez, known as Cuba’s answer to Andy Warhol, as well as the avant-garde canvases of 20th-century painter Amelia Peláez, and works by the revered Afro-Cuban surrealist Wilfredo Lam, who was influenced by Picasso. After lunch, walk down Calle Obispo, Havana’s main shopping street; explore a local design shop; and speak to the owners about small business practices in Cuba. In the early evening, drive to The Ludwig Foundation of Cuba, one of only a few Cuban NGOs, for a presentation on Cuban art. The Foundation’s President will host a cocktail reception and buffet dinner on the penthouse terrace, where guests will include local Cuban artists. This evening, you may opt to attend a performance at one of Havana’s famed music venues, including the legendary Tropicana.
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day 5
HAVANA / SAN FRANCISCO DE PAULA / COJÍMAR / HAVANA
Head outside of the capital to the small, hilltop village of San Francisco de Paula. Here, take an inside look at Ernest Hemingway’s residence for two decades, Finca Vigía (Lookout Farm). Initially rented for Hemingway’s partner Martha Gellhorn in 1939, Finca Vigía soon became the writer’s property after their relationship ended. Hemingway lived at the seaside villa with his last wife Mary, who lovingly tended to the home. He wrote For Whom the Bell Tolls and The Old Man and the Sea among its breezy rooms and shady porticos. With its pastel walls, dark wood furnishings, and high ceilings, Finca Vigía exudes an airy timelessness. View the rooms through open windows from the surrounding terraces; see Hemingway’s famous fishing boat Pilar; and climb the tower to his study. Our excursion concludes with a brief visit to the village of Cojímar, the setting for The Old Man and the Sea. After lunch, return to Havana and gather for a lecture on the island’s current realities by a former ambassador who was once Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs. In the early evening, attend a private after-hours tour and reception at the Museo Nacional de la Cerámica Contemporánea Cubana, housed in the 18th-century Casa Aguilera, followed by dinner at a local paladar.
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day 6
Havana
Delight in exclusive access to an informal morning rehearsal of the Rosario Cárdenas contemporary dance company. Afterwards, visit the Colón Cemetery with a local guide. With its ornate tombstones commemorating Cuban heroes, statesmen, and novelists, this cemetery is sometimes called the largest sculpture park in Cuba. Following lunch on your own, this afternoon visit a private classic car workshop, NostalgiCar, where some of the city’s finest vintage cars are repaired and refurbished. Explore the history of the renowned Hotel Nacional (1930), which was originally designed by McKim, Mead & White. Enjoy a mojito on a terrace overlooking Havana’s harbor before dinner. This evening, celebrate with a festive farewell dinner at one of Havana’s excellent paladares.
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day 7
HAVANA / RETURN
Depart the hotel this morning for the flight home.
Everything you need to know about the tour
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