Cuba & Its People~Havana

Cuba awaits your discovery! Start the morning with an insightful lecture about Havana’s architecture. Then discover the effervescence of Habana Viejo. See the influences of Spanish conquistadors at the Plaza de Armas and Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, and talk with local vendors at a market. You’ll also enjoy an informative talk with women business owners at an independently owned clothing store.

The romance of Cuba is best experienced in a vintage American convertible. Climb aboard one for a trip through the historic district. Then join an expert to tour the National Museum of Fine Art. Cap off the day with talk about Cuba’s justice system, followed by dinner at your leisure.

Enjoy an enlightening talk about the role of women in Cuban life. Next, visit the Sephardic Hebrew Center and a contemporary dance studio for a behind-the-scenes look into Cuba’s infectious dance scene. Meet a few of the studio’s talented dancers and learn about their experiences. This afternoon, see “Lookout Farm,” home of author Ernest Hemingway! Later, gather at the Ludwig Foundation of Cuba, a nonprofit cultural institution dedicated to Cuban artists.

Delve into the cultural riches of Matanzas, where residents chat in sunny plazas, colonial architecture crowds the streets and Afro-Cuban culture remains profound and visible. Visit the San Severino Museum, a castle built in 1735 by slave labor. While touring this symbolic museum, learn about the history of the slave trade, and how Afro-Cuban culture is celebrated in various forms of expression. The castle is part of a UNESCO and Cuba co-founded project: “The Slave Route: Resistance, Freedom, and Patrimony.” Cap off your excursion with a lively performance by a local choir! Back in Havana, join Dr. Rosaida Ochoa for a thought-provoking discussion about race and the Cuban Revolution.

After breakfast, join Norma Guillard, Cuban social psychologist adjunct lecturer at the University of Havana, who shares stories about her work. Next, stop at an agromercado, an open street market, followed by a stroll along the eclectic Callejón de Hamel, a colorful alleyway that is a central part of Afro-Cuban culture. Later, visit Casa Fuster and the Casa de la Cultura, dedicated to preserving Cuba’s art and heritage. Another highlight of today is a gathering with some local dancers.

Weave through rich farmland, blanketed with sugarcane on your way through rural Cuba! Visit a small community and meet with farmers and others to learn about their day-to-day lives in rural Cuba. This afternoon’s activities include a lively discussion about Cuban music, followed by a Farewell Dinner at a local paladar!