Discover the People & Heritage of Cuba | May 5 - 12, 2014

discover the people & heritage

of cuba May 5 - 12, 2014

DACOR invites you to discover the people and

cultural heritage of Cuba through a specially designed eight-day People-to-People program. Explore Havana through the lens of art, architecture, history, economics and current affairs. Engage with local Cubans through in-depth cultural exchanges and guided visits of the sites that make Cuba a truly unique destination.

TO REGISTER

202.785.9000 or 800.556.7896

discover the people & heritage

of cuba May 5 - 12, 2014

H

IGHLIGHTS

• Join the U.S. Chief of Mission for a meeting over coffee at his private residence. (Pending his schedule.)

• Visit the U.S. Interests Section for a tour of the facilities.

• Attend a discussion on U.S.-Cuban relations by a University of Havana Professor.

• Meet the director and staff of the School of International Cinema and Television, founded by author Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

• Meet the head gardeners of the state-owned research garden Vivero Alamar.

TO REGISTER

202.785.9000 or 800.556.7896

I

TINERARY

Day 1: Monday, May 5 This morning, depart Miami on a morning charter flight to Havana. Upon arrival, explore Havana with a bus tour through the various neighborhoods. For lunch, meet El Aljibe restaurant manager to learn about the success of his business while enjoying an authentic Cuban meal. Then, join the U.S. Chief of Mission at his residence for a private meeting over coffee before checking into the Hotel Nacional.

After a briefing by your leader, enjoy a welcome dinner at CafĂŠ del Oriente, located in Old Havana.

(L, R, D) Day 2: Tuesday, May 6 Gather for a meeting with Miguel Coyula, an urban planner and architect, who will examine Havana past, present and future. Continue the dialogue on a walking tour through Old Havana facilitated by your bi-lingual guide. After lunch, meet with a representative from the City Historian’s office to learn about the various projects taking place around the city. Stop at the US Interests Section for a tour of the facilities and to learn about the history of the Mariel Boatlift. (B, L, D) Day 3: Wednesday, May 7 Begin the day at the Union of Cuban Jurists for an engaging panel discussion with judges and attorneys. Learn about the impact of recent economic reforms on the Cuban system. After lunch, visit the Napoleon Museum for a guided tour of the museums extensive French Revolution collection. For dinner, visit Muraleando, a community art project. Get to know the locals at a neighborhood party and learn how Muraleando has changed this once downtrodden neighborhood through art. (B, L, D)

TO REGISTER

202.785.9000 or 800.556.7896

Day 4: Thursday, May 8 Today, visit the University of Havana to attend a discussion on U.S./Cuban relations by Professor Raul Rodriguez. Later, tour the University’s beautiful campus with students and learn about its rich history. After lunch, drive to Jaimanitas to enter the fantastical world of José Fuster, the “Picasso of the Caribbean.” Learn about how Fuster’s projects and artwork transformed his neighborhood. On the way back, stop at an art gallery representing several Cuban artists from around the island. (B, L, D) Day 5: Friday, May 9 Head southwest of Havana this morning to Finca Vigía, Ernest Hemingway’s home, where a curator will introduce you to the role this great American author played in Cuban history. After lunch, discover the unique artsy town of San Antonio de los Banos, south of Havana. Visit the School of International Cinema and Television, founded by author Gabriel Garcia Marquez, to meet with students and professors for a tour of the facilities and panel discussion. Afterwards explore the Humor Museum, where cartoons, satirical scribbling and caricatures reveal another Cuban cultural facet.

This evening, pending the performance schedule, experience the Cuban ballet at the National Theater. (B, L) Day 6: Saturday, May 10 This morning, attend a special meeting at the Ludwig Foundation of Cuba, a private foundation from Aachen, Germany, which supports both art and theater projects. Converse with local Cuban as well as international artists, who have come to Cuba to absorb styles and share ideas. After lunch, meet with congregation members of a local Synagogue to discuss the history of Judaism in Cuba and the subject of religious freedom. (B, L) Day 7: Sunday, May 11 This morning, drive to Vivero Alamar, a state-owned research garden. Meet with manager Miguel Angelo Salcines and other staff to learn about the growth of urban gardening in Havana. Next, visit the Museum of Fine Arts, accompanied by Cuban art historians, for a tour of the Colonial and contemporary collections. After lunch, sit down with the director of the Literacy Museum to hear about the nation’s impressive push for literacy after the Revolution. Tonight, gather to celebrate your Cuban journey during a festive farewell dinner. (B, L, D) Day 8: Monday, May 12 Check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for your return charter flight to Miami. (B)

TO REGISTER

202.785.9000 or 800.556.7896

A

ccommodations

Hotel Nacional, Havana The Hotel Nacional is a National Monument that overlooks the Malecón in Central Havana. Located on a bluff overlooking the sea, the hotel offers excellent views of Havana Harbor and surrounding areas. Guest room amenities include air conditioning, a television, telephone, safe, and en-suite bathroom with a hair dryer.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING TRAVEL TO CUBA This trip is permitted by a special People-to-People license from the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control. This itinerary was designed to provide an immersive experience with a full-time schedule of meaningful interaction with Cubans. Travel restrictions in Cuba, such as the requirement that all members of the group participate in every activity and limits on how much one may spend and what may be purchased, will be provided in your pre-departure materials.

While we do our best to adhere to the itinerary listed here, traveling in Cuba requires flexibility, and changes to hotels and activities may occur.

TO REGISTER

202.785.9000 or 800.556.7896

C

ALL TODAY

TO REGISTER

202.785.9000 or 800.556.7896

TO REGISTER

202.785.9000 or 800.556.7896

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PROGRAM COST Land Cost, Double Occupancy $4,295

For a Single Room, add $400

Prices are listed in U.S. dollars and are based on a person sharing a room with another.

Round-trip Charter Airfare Miami-Havana is included in the tour cost

TO RESERVE TODAY: The quickest way to make a reservation is to call Academic Travel Abroad at 202-785-9000 or 1-800-556-7896. For the deposit of $500 per person, we accept VISA, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards. (The balance of payment must be paid by check.)

Early reservation is recommended to ensure your space on this program. You may also email us at travel@academic-travel.com.

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WHAT IS INCLUDED

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

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Comprehensive educational program by professional on-site guides All accommodations and meals as outlined in the itinerary All ground transportation within the itinerary unless otherwise indicated All sightseeing as specified in the itinerary Entrance fees Gratuities to porters, drivers, and guides Transfers to and from airports for those arriving or departing according to the designated itinerary Baggage handling for one checked piece and one carry on piece per person Comprehensive pre-departure information about the destination and what to expect on the trip, including a suggested reading list

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Roundtrip charter airfare to and from Havana U.S. domestic airfare from your home to Miami and from Miami to your home Airport transfers and baggage handling for travelers arriving well before or after the planned group transfer or departing the trip before or after the planned group transfer Travel and trip cancellation insurance Passport, visa, Havana airport departure tax (25 CUCs) and excess baggage fees Meals not specified in the itinerary; food and beverages not part of the included meals Personal items such as telephone, fax and internet charges, laundry, room service, alcoholic or other beverages not specified as included Gratuities for non-group services Expenses resulting from delays due to bad weather, road conditions, sickness, government action, and flight delays Expenses incurred in making individual travel arrangements in conjunction with the trip

TERMS AND CONDITIONS SINGLE ROOMS A limited number of single rooms are available at extra cost on a first-come, first-served basis, but availability cannot be guaranteed. Please understand that, in some hotels, single rooms are very small. The premium you pay is for privacy, not spaciousness.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE $500 deposit upon application. Balance due upon receipt of invoice, 90 days before departure. Acceptable forms of payment for the deposit are personal check, wire transfer, Visa, MasterCard, or American Express. Final payment must be made by check or wire transfer. If final payment is not received by 60 days prior to departure, your space is subject to cancellation. If you are making a reservation within 90 days of the trip’s departure, full payment will be required upon confirmation.

CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS All cancellations must be submitted in writing (email or fax) to Academic Travel Abroad, Inc. (ATA). Per person cancellation fees are based on the date of the cancellation notice reaching ATA. More than 120 days prior to departure; refund of deposit less an administration fee of 50% of deposit. Cancellation between 119-91 days before departure: 100% of deposit is forfeited. Cancellation between 90-61 days, 50% of the tour price if forfeited. Cancellation within 60 days of departure: no refund. Cancellation on day of departure or after tour departs: no refund. No refund for unused portions of tour, including, but not limited to, missed meals, hotel nights and sightseeing. Cancellation of program by DACOR and ATA: full refund. Reservations are not transferable without the explicit approval of DACOR and ATA. NOTE: Neither DACOR nor ATA accepts liability for any airline or train cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable airline or train ticket to the tour departure city or return.

INSURANCE We strongly recommend the purchase of trip cancellation insurance, which is available for coverage of expenses in conjunction with cancellation due to illness or accident. Baggage insurance is also recommended. In the event that you must cancel your participation in a travel program, trip cancellation insurance may be the only source of reimbursement. We will send you a brochure from Travel Insurance Services, or you may obtain coverage through a company of your choice. All ATA trips include Emergency Evacuation Insurance as part of the trip price.

A NOTE ABOUT THE ITINERARY AND COSTS While every effort will be made to carry out the program as planned, the nature of travel is unpredictable and we must be prepared for changes.

The itinerary as described is subject to modification by ATA. Rest assured that, should any changes be needed, we commit to deliver an experience as outstanding as the one originally planned. While we do our best to maintain the listed price, because our prices are set over a year in advance and are based on a minimum level of participation, we reserve the right to change costs due to under-enrollment or extraordinary circumstances beyond our control.

HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS To enjoy your travels to the fullest, you should be in good physical and mental health. Any physical condition requiring special attention, diets, or treatment must be reported in writing when the reservation is made. We reserve the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a participant should such a person’s health, mental condition, physical infirmity, or attitude jeopardize the operation of the travel program or the enjoyment of other participants. All health information is protected and treated as confidential.

RESPONSIBILITY DACOR’s travel programs are managed by Academic Travel Abroad, Inc. (ATA), a professional travel company, hired as an independent contractor. ATA and DACOR act only as agents for the passenger with respect to all transportation, hotels, and all matters of reservations and trip operation. We and our agents accept no responsibility for loss, damage, injury, accident, delay or irregularity, expense or liability caused by the defect of any vehicle or negligence or default of any independent contractors, their employees, agents, or representatives. Nor do we accept responsibility for losses or delays arising from sickness, pilferage, acts of terrorism, weather conditions or acts of God. All such losses or expenses shall be borne by the program participant. We reserve the right to cancel any trip prior to departure in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on our part. We likewise reserve the right to decline to accept or retain any trip participant at any time without being under any obligation to assign any reason therefore. In the event of the exercise of this right, we shall be under no liability to such person(s) except to refund such amount as our absolute discretion deems reasonable to attribute to the uncompleted portion of the trip. Baggage is carried at the owner’s risk entirely. It is understood that air, ship or train tickets when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and carrier concerned. The airlines and all other transportation companies involved in this trip are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time the passengers are not on board their plane or conveyances. All services are subject to the laws of the country in which they are rendered. The participant agrees on behalf of herself/himself, her/his dependents, heirs, executors, administrators and assigns to abide by the above conditions and to release and hold harmless, DACOR and Academic Travel Abroad, Inc., and any of their representatives from any and all liability for any delays, damage, loss, injury or death occurring in relation to this tour.

CALIFORNIA SELLER OF TRAVEL PROGRAM CST #2059002-40 ATA is a participant in the California Seller of Travel program. California law requires that certain sellers of travel have a trust account or bond.

ATA has a trust account. ATA is not a participant in the California Travel Consumer Restitution Corporation.

discover the people & heritage

of cuba May 5 - 12, 2014 TO RESERVE TODAY

The quickest way to make a reservation is to call Academic Travel Abroad at 202-785-9000 or 1-800-556-7896. For the deposit of $500 per person, we accept VISA, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards. (The balance of payment must be paid by check.) Early reservation is recommended to ensure your space on this program. You may also email us at travel@academic-travel.com.