March 4 through March 12, 2017 PLEASE BE ADVISED: THIS IS AN EXTREMELY RARE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE COUNTRY OF CUBA. THIS TOUR IS VERY LIMITED IN THE NUMBER THAT CAN ATTEND AND IT WILL BE PROVIDED ON A “FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED” BASIS. ACT NOW TO CONFIRM YOUR RESERVATION FOR THIS HISTORIC EVENT BY SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION AND $250 NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT. (See deposit details at the end of this brochure).
CUBA
C olorful and Captivating!
A Rare Opportunity to experience the people, places and rich history of Cuba
Dear Friends: The unspoiled beauty and rich heritage of Cuba awaits you on this once-in-alifetime tour of one of our closest and most magical neighbors to the south, Cuba. Join us as we participate in an educational “people to people” event with the wonderful people of this great country. In my many years in the travel industry, I rarely recall ever needing to post a disclaimer like the one above, but we have had so many people ask us about traveling to Cuba and we know that demand for this tour is going to be exceptional. We don’t want to disappoint anyone, but there will certainly be far more applicants than we will be able to take and that is why we want you to act now! Executive Travel has had the opportunity to send one previous group to Cuba. I must say that it is a great privilege to lead this educational “people to people” tour to this magical land. The people, the history and ability to see it all during this historic adventure is very special. I truly hope you will join us. Sincerely, Steve Glenn, CEO and President Executive Travel
Call Executive Travel’s Group Department today at 402-435-8888. Space is limited.
This is an exceptional opportunity to visit the magical country of Cuba. This special “people to people” program allows you to share meaningful interactions with Cubans while enjoying the rich history and culture of this amazing country.
Itinerary
This tour of Cuba will enable you to interact with “Old Styler” car owners, farm workers, local business owners and community members to learn about life through captivating educational activities and conversations. Highlights include a visit to a print shop that still employs traditional printing and binding methods; an interactive dance lesson; a ride in an “Old Styler” car; lunch at organic farms where you can engage with the staff and farm owners about “farm to table” processes and Cuba’s free enterprise system. Your tour will include a visit with local children; a visit to the studio of artist, Jose Fuster, known as the “Picasso of the Caribbean”; and a meeting with young children learning acrobatics and circus skills.
Arrive in Miami and transfer to your hotel. Tonight, meet your Cosmos Group Leader for a 6 pm welcome meeting. This is a good time to meet your fellow program participants and get last minute questions answered.
You’ll also enjoy a guided walk in Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a guided nature walk in Las Terrazas Biosphere Reserve, where you’ll learn about the area’s unique flora and fauna. Hemingway fans will be delighted to visit his beloved home, where he lived in Cuba for 30 years, and to see his fishing boat, El Pilar. You’ll also visit Cuba’s lush tobacco region, where you’ll even have a chance to try rolling your own cigar! All of this and more await you on this value-minded Cuba tour. You’ll come away with a deep understanding of Cuba and its people on this once-in-a-lifetime vacation experience!
March 4th, 2017 Arrive in Miami
March 5th, 2017 Miami–Havana, Cuba–Varadero A short flight brings you to Havana, where you’ll meet your Cuban National Tour Director. Travel through Cuba’s countryside, stopping at BACUNAYAGUA BRIDGE, the tallest bridge in Cuba. Enjoy incredible views and time for pictures at this spectacular lookout point. Arrive at your beautiful waterside resort for a 2-night stay. L | D
March 6th, 2017 Varadero. Excursion to Matanzas This morning, visit Matanzas, known as the “Athens of Cuba” for the many renowned artists and intellectuals it has produced. Visit TRIOLET PHARMACY, which dates back to 1879 and is preserved in its entirety. Then, interact with workers at EDICIONES VIGIA, a print and binding shop, and learn about the traditional craft that is still done by hand. Before returning to your hotel, stop at CASA DUPONT, built in 1926 by American millionaire Irénée du Pont. See the lavish grounds, and admire the detailed architecture of this former mansion, nicknamed “Xanadu” by its owner. Enjoy an interactive DANCE LESSON before dinner tonight. B|L|D
March 7th, 2017 Varadero–Havana
Group Voyagers, Inc.* is an organization licensed by the United States Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), CFR 515.565(b) and authorized to provide those who register as participants in our programs to visit Cuba legally for educational people-to-people interactions. Our unique itinerary for 2017: “Cuba Discovery” provides a full-time schedule of people-topeople educational exchange activities designed to result in meaningful interactions between our travelers and individuals in Cuba. United States law requires that all participants in our programs adhere to the fulltime schedule of people-to-people activities.
This morning, travel to Havana, the bustling capital of Cuba and your home for the next two nights. Start your time in Havana with a visit to FINCA VIGIA, Ernest Hemingway’s beloved home. Hemingway lived in Cuba for 30 years and is well respected by the Cuban people. Also see his fishing boat, El Pilar, used to patrol for German U-boats during WWII. Next, visit a local ORGANIC FARM, where you’ll join a discussion with the workers. Enjoy lunch at the farm’s paladar (a special, privately owned restaurant). Over dessert, discuss with the owner and staff their farmtotable process and the free enterprise system in Cuba. Then, visit a DAYCARE CENTER to interact with the children and the nuns who run the program. The children may even delight you with a song or two. Tonight, enjoy dinner at El Aljibe Restaurant, famous for its open-air ambiance and special slowroasted chicken. B|L|D
*Group Voyagers, Inc. is the company that markets and sells the Globus family of brands.
Call Executive Travel’s Group Department today at 402-435-8888. Space is limited.
March 10th, 2017 Viñales. Excursion to Pinar Del Río This morning, we travel to Pinar del Río and visit a local COMMUNITY ART PROJECT to discuss their program that helps children with Down syndrome. Return to Viñales and meet a local farmer and his family at a TOBACCO FARM. Learn about the process of growing, drying, and rolling tobacco. You can even try rolling a cigar yourself! Take some time to get acquainted with the owner and his family over coffee. Lunch will be served at a local ORGANIC FARM, where you will have the opportunity to chat with the staff and owners. Afterward, visit a TOBACCO STRIPPING HOUSE to learn more about the importance of tobacco, both culturally and commercially for Cuba. B | L
March 11th, 2017 Viñales–Havana
March 8th, 2017 Havana Start the day with a panoramic tour around Havana that includes REVOLUTION SQUARE, the University of Havana, the Capitol Building, and Prado. Next, join your Cuban Tour Director for a guided walk in OLD HAVANA, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discuss the different types of architecture found throughout the city, the progress of restoration projects, and how they receive their supplies and funding. Afterward, visit the SANTO ANGEL NEIGHBORHOOD to interact with local community members. You’ll learn how their project was founded to better the neighborhood by offering services such as a beauty school, cafeteria for the elderly, and art galleries. We’ll end the day with a stop at the SAN JOSÉ MARKET to meet local artists and see the wares sold at this area market. B | L
March 9th, 2017 Havana–Las Terrazas–Viñales Today we travel to the western end of the island to the province of Pinar del Río. With some of the country’s most beautiful scenery, you’ll see lush emeraldgreen tobacco fields and dramatic limestone formations, called mogotes, which are the height of skyscrapers and tower over the Viñales Valley floor. Visit LAS TERRAZAS’ BIOSPHERE RESERVE, where you’ll enjoy a guided NATURE WALK to learn about and discuss some of the unique flora and fauna found in this region of Cuba. Visit a local SCHOOL and interact with the children who call this part of the world home. Upon arrival in Viñales, your Tour Director will take you on a walk through the handsome square and along the wide main street lined with turnofthecentury cottages with redtiled roofs. Spend the next two nights at a Casa Particular (a privately owned bed & breakfast). Here is a unique opportunity to interact with a local family and immerse yourself in the Cuban culture. B|L|D
Return to bustling Havana and visit artist JOSÉ FUSTER’S STUDIO, cleverly nicknamed the “Picasso of the Caribbean.” Here, you’ll discover a surreal world—like nothing you have seen before. Interact with members of the neighborhood to discuss the project’s impact on the surrounding area. This afternoon’s highlight includes a workshop at the ANGELES DEL FUTURO Community Project, where you’ll meet young children learning acrobatics and circus skills. You’ll be amazed at their talents and impressed with the skills they have mastered at such a young age—definitely a trip highlight! Before dinner this evening, meet members of the local Old Styler Car Club. Hear why Havana’s streets are filled with vintage American automobiles, and converse about how these cars are obtained and what it takes to keep them running. Ride in an OLD STYLER CAR to your farewell dinner, the perfect ending to your time in Cuba. B | L | D
March 12th, 2017 Havana–Miami, USA After breakfast, depart for the airport and your return flight to Miami. Please schedule connecting flights after 6 pm. B
B for Breakfast, L for Lunch, D for Dinner
Call Executive Travel’s Group Department today at 402-435-8888. Space is limited.
Pricing (Miami to Miami tour only): Per person in shared double room: $3,995* Per person in single room:
$4,695*
*Payment by cash or check.
Base Travel Protection for the land and intra air is included- ask Executive Travel about the details. A non-refundable deposit of $250 per person is required at the time of reservation. Full payment is due November 25, 2016 and non-refundable. We are happy to assist with airfare to and from Miami, Florida (estimate $600 per person including taxes and fees).
Vacation Highlights: SCENIC HIGHLIGHTS: Bacunayagua Bridge, Varadero, Las Terrazas Biosphere Reserve, Viñales Valley GUIDES: Services of a professional Cosmos Group Leader and Englishspeaking Cuban Tour Director NOTES: The “Cuba Discovery” program requires walking on cobblestone streets and uneven pathways, climbing stairs, and participating in a fulltime schedule of people-to-people activities. Due to special requirements to visit Cuba, participants will be required to complete visa application ($281 visa fee is included in vacation price) and travel reservation forms, and sign an affidavit confirming that they are traveling under a people-to-people license and are aware of the travel rules. Participants are also required to send a copy of their passport photo page. These items must be sent to Executive Travel within 7 days of making a reservation.
Hotel Accommodations: MIAMI Courtyard Miami Airport VARADERO Memories Varadero Beach Resort HAVANA Memories Miramar Havana Hotel VIÑALES Casa Particular
In Cuba, activities that have been scheduled far in advance can sometimes become unavailable for a number of different reasons. The purpose of the trip is to have meaningful interactions with the locals and if the planned people-to-people educational exchange isn’t available, rest assured that another will be substituted that will be just as enriching.
Not Included:
To register contact:
• Air (Executive Travel can assist – air is estimated at $600 per person including taxes and fees) • Gratuities • Meals other than mentioned • Any soft or alcoholic drinks with meals • Entrance fees to monuments and/or museums other than mentioned • Personal expenses
Tour sponsored by the Nebraskan Press Association
1212 O Street • Lincoln, NE 68508 Phone 402-435-8888 (ask for Group Department) Fax 402-435-2735 groupdepartment@executivetravel.com www.executivetravel.com
Forwarding registration and deposit signifies that you agree to the terms and conditions of this tour which can be found at http://www.executivetravel.com/group_tours/terms_and_conditions.html