Museum Travel Alliance, Cuba by Sea, Feb 2017

Cuba by Sea:

Cienfuegos to Santiago de Cuba February 18–25, 2017

Dear MTA Traveler, Please join us next winter for a brand-new opportunity to experience Cuba as Columbus first saw her: by sea. Cruise the island’s less-developed southern shore, with its rugged mountains, pristine beaches, and well-preserved colonial architecture. Discover Santiago, Camagüey, Trinidad, and Cienfuegos, engaging with artists, entrepreneurs, musicians, and other welcoming locals along the way. For those wishing to experience the excitement of Havana, an optional postlude is offered.

The Museum Travel Alliance (MTA) provides museums with the opportunity to offer their members and patrons high-end educational travel programming. This trip is available exclusively through MTA members and co-sponsoring non-profit institutions. Accompanying us on this voyage is Jonathan Hansen, Senior Lecturer on Social Studies at Harvard University.

Our vessel, Variety Voyager, features only 36 cabins and is the perfect conveyance for exploring this largest of Caribbean islands. With the ship as your hotel, call at lesser-visited ports, meeting Cubans from all walks of life and learning from educational talks by distinguished lecturers.

We hope you will join us for this once-in-a-lifetime voyage.

Sincerely,

Jim Friedlander Managing Director

CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS SPEND seven nights aboard the intimate Variety

Voyager, a privately chartered yacht accommodating just 72 guests

CRUISE Cuba’s less-developed southern shore,

with its rugged mountains, pristine beaches, and wellpreserved colonial architecture

ENGAGE with artists, entrepreneurs, musicians, and other welcoming locals STAY overnight in Santiago, a city steeped in history whose cultural scene rivals Havana’s

EXPERIENCE the French flavor of Cienfuegos and stroll the streets of lost-in-time Trinidad

DELIGHT in the soaring voices of a world-

renowned choir during an exclusive performance

TRAVELING WITH YOU Jonathan Hansen is senior lecturer on social studies and a faculty associate at the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies.

An intellectual historian, he is the author of The Lost Promise of Patriotism: Debating American Identity, 1890-1920 (Chicago, 2003) and Guantanamo: An American History (Hill and Wang, 2011), along with articles, op-eds, and book reviews on U.S. imperialism, nationalism, cosmopolitanism, and race and ethnicity. He is currently working on a b iography of Fidel Castro (YOUNG CASTRO, to be published by Simon & Schuster), which takes him often to Cuba.

Variety Voyager

Cuba by Sea:

Cienfuegos to Santiago de Cuba February 18–25, 2017

Cienfuegos, photo by Ignacio Artola

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18: U.S.A. /

SANTIAGO DE CUBA Arrive independently in Santiago, Cuba’s secondlargest city and its first capital. Settle in aboard Variety Voyager, which remains docked overnight. Today, join an architectural walking tour that includes the Velázquez Museum, a colonial mansion that is the oldest house in Cuba. Your welcome dinner tonight is on board.

D

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19: SANTIAGO

Drive to the Basilica of Our Lady of Charity, a hilltop pilgrimage church dedicated to the country’s patron saint. Return to Santiago to witness the changing of the guard at the mausoleum of national hero José Martí, and enjoy stupendous views of the jungle-clad Sierra Maestra from the UNESCO-listed fortress of El Morro. Santiago is the birthplace of many famous Cuban musicians, and optional evening entertainment can be arranged tonight for interested travelers.

B,L,D

Atlantic Ocean

Havana

Cienfuegos Trinidad Camagüey

Caribbean Sea

Santa Cruz del Sur Santiago de Cuba

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20 : SANTA CRUZ DEL SUR / CAMAGUEY Step ashore in the fishing village of Santa Cruz to drive to nearby Camagüey, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known as “the city of churches.” Its labyrinthine layout, unique in Cuba, is said to have been designed to ward off pirate attacks. Chat with parishioners at the 18th-century Church of St. John of God, and see the beautifully restored Church of Our Lady of Carmen. Meet a curator for a tour of the small, excellent collection at the Ignacio Agramonte Museum, housing works by Wilfredo Lam, Victor Manuel, and other well-known Cuban artists. B,L,D Note: This day is subject to change, as we are awaiting permission from Cuban officials to dock at Santa Cruz del Sur.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21: TRINIDAD

¡Bienvenidos a Trinidad! With its cobblestone streets and candy-colored houses, this UNESCO-recognized town is one of the prettiest colonial cities in the Americas. Stroll past its elegant plazas and palaces on a guided architectural tour, and chat with a local entrepreneur. Lunch is at a paladar, one of the many privately owned restaurants on Cuba’s culinary scene.

Afterwards, meet local artists and artisans in their studios. We will also learn about santería, the AfroCuban religion combining Yoruba and Roman Catholic beliefs, and you may wish to explore this theme further during independent time today.

B,L,D

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22: TRINIDAD Culture or nature? It’s up to you. This morning choose an architectural tour of the charming colonial town of Sancti Spíritus, founded by the conquistador Diego Velázquez in 1514, or a hike through Topes de Collantes. This nature reserve park harbors wild banana trees, dozens of indigenous orchid species, unique hummingbirds, and other exotic plants and animals. Wander the trails and refresh yourself in one of the park’s spectacular waterfalls.

After lunch, visit the Valley of the Sugar Mills, former center of Cuba’s lucrative sugar industry. Climb Manaca Iznaga Tower, famous for its amazing views of the valley.

This evening enjoy a performance of local music. B,L,D

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25: CIENFUEGOS / U.S.A. After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your independently booked flight home.

An optional postlude in Havana is offered from February 25 to 28.

DISCLAIMER: The itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of The Museum Travel Alliance and Academic Arrangements Abroad. For complete details, please carefully read the terms and conditions at www. museumtravelalliance.com/terms

THURSDAY-FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23-24: CIENFUEGOS Devote two days to this alluring, UNESCO-listed city, founded by the French and nicknamed “The Pearl of the South.” Admire the magnificent, 19th-century Tomás Terry Theater on a guided architectural walk that concludes with lunch at a paladar. Discover the internationally recognized Cienfuegos Botanical Garden, originally founded by an American sugar baron; or visit a historic cigar factory to learn about the importance of tobacco to the Cuban economy. Enjoy a private performance of the world-renowned choir Cantores de Cienfuegos. An onboard farewell dinner will celebrate your memorial stay in Cuba.

B,L,D

A NOTE ON AIR TRAVEL TO CUBA As this brochure goes to print, commercial flight schedules between the US and Cuba had not been confirmed. Please contact our office for the most up to date information on air travel to Cuba.

Port of Casilda, photo by Simon Bordwin

VARIETY VOYAGER

HORIZONS DECK

DINING ROOM

302 304 306 308

RIVIERA DECK 201 203 205 207 209 211 213 215 MAIN LOUNGE RECEPTION BAR

202 204 206 208 210 212 214

LIBRARY

101 103 105

102

104

107 109 111

106

108 to 113 Staterooms, double bed or twin beds.

Marina Deck

Decks

Rates

101 to 107 Staterooms, double bed or twin beds.

Marina Deck

$8,295

212 to 215 Staterooms, double bed or twin beds.

Riviera Deck

$8,295

201 to 211 Staterooms, double bed or twin beds.

Riviera Deck

$9,995

301 to 306 & 308 Horizons Deck Master Staterooms, double bed or twin beds.

$6,995

$10,995

307 Horizons Deck $12,995 Owner’s Suite, double bed.

Cabins are available for single occupancy at a supplement of 25% to 100% of the cruise rate.

MARINA DECK SPA & GYM

LAND/CRUISE RATES

(Per Person, Double Occupancy)

Cabins

301 303 305 307

B

113

108 110 112

RATES INCLUDE

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Seven nights cabin accommodations aboard Variety Voyager

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Airport / pier / airport group transfers for those on suggested group flights

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All meals (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner); bottled water and coffee /

tea with all meals; complimentary wine/beer with lunches and dinners

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Enrichment program of lectures and special events comprised of a full time

schedule of people-to-people activities

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Owner’s Suite (left), a lounge area on the deck (right)

Escorted sightseeing by private motor coach; entrance fees for included visits

n

Customary shipboard gratuities

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Taxes, service, and porterage charges; gratuities to local guides and drivers

NOT INCLUDED IN RATES International airfare; passport fees; Cuban visa; Cuban departure tax; limited Cuban health insurance policy (required for all foreign travelers to Cuba under age 80); personal items and expenses; airport / pier transfers for those not on suggested group flights; baggage in excess of one suitcase; trip insurance; any other items not specifically mentioned as included.

El Morro, Santiago de Cuba, photo by Furry Girl

THE MUSEUM TRAVEL ALLIANCE

CUBA BY SEA: CIENFUEGOS TO SANTIAGO DE CUBA RESERVATION FORM

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FEBRUARY 18–25, 2017

To reserve a place, please return this form along with your deposit of $1,000 per person (of which $350 is non-refundable for administrative fees) payable to The Museum Travel Alliance, 1040 Avenue of the Americas, 23rd Floor, New York, NY 10018-3721. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name(s) in full as on passport(s). Please print.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Address

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

City

State

Zip

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Telephone (home)

Fax

(business)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

ACCOMMODATIONS Variety Voyager cabin preference (1) I wish to share a cabin with

E-mail

__________________________________________________________________

(2)

________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OPTIONAL PRELUDE & POSTLUDE q I/We would like to join the optional prelude in AmHavana Hotel Room Preference

p One bed

p Two beds

MTA MUSEUM AFFILIATION _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ FORM OF PAYMENT p Enclosed is my check (payable to The Museum Travel Alliance)

p Credit card

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name on credit card

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Credit card number

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3- or 4-digit security code

Expiration date

I/We confirm that I/we have carefully read and agree to the Terms & Conditions of this Program (see www.museumtravelalliance.com/terms to review or call for a copy). I/We agree to full payment by check, wire transfer, or credit card 120 days prior to departure. Each participant must sign below. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature (required)

Date

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Signature (required)

On the front cover: Trinidad, photo by Aaron Geddes

Date