DISCOVER CUBA by
land & sea
A Specialty Tour from insightCuba
cuba by land & sea tour
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cuba by land & sea tour 12 DAYS
HAVANA PLAYA GIRÓN CIENFUEGOS
ISLA DE LA JUVENTUD ANTILLA SANTIAGO DE CUBA
11 NIGHTS
CUBA’S DIVERSITY ISN’T EASILY DEFINED. Whether drawn to its renowned cities or unexplored blue waters, you’ll discover its classic sights and sheltered treasures. Our Cuba by Land & Sea tour features a six-day overland adventure and six days aboard the Louis Cristal. We’ll begin in Havana. Stroll along the iconic Malecón,
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS Cruise along Cuba’s magnificent coast Visit one of Cuba’s finest National Parks
witness Old Havana’s colonial magnificence, and encounter the city’s most inspiring communities. Then, we’ll head toward Playa Girón. History enthusiasts will love the Bay of Pigs Museum. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the abundant biodiversity of Parque Nacional Cienaga de Zapata. We’ll explore Cienfuegos, “the pearl of the South,” and Santiago de Cuba, the core of Afro-Cuban culture. You’ll ride in classic cars and marvel at Caridad del Cobre, the church the pope visits whenever he’s in Cuba. Throughout, you’ll be in the care of our expert Cuban guide and insightCuba tour leader. Next, you'll cruise along Cuba’s coast to the secluded Isla de la Juventud, an untouched paradise surrounded by turquoise water. You’ll continue toward the northeastern shores of the Antilla sea to hidden gem Antilla.
Meet with students from the Korimacao Cultural Project Bask in Santiago de Cuba’s Afro-Cuban culture Visit the site of the famous Bay of Pigs
S P E CI A LTY TOU RS
Incredible Value CUB A B Y L A N D & SEA TOU R INC LU DES: One night at the Sofitel Miami Hotel, including breakfast and airport transfer Private welcome reception and pre-tour briefing Two nights superior accommodations at the Meliá Cohiba in Havana Two nights superior accommodations at the Melia Santiago in Santiago de Cuba Five nights aboard the Louis Cristal in a premium ocean side stateroom on deck four with two lower beds, sofa bed, and bathroom with shower One night standard accommodations in Playa Girón insightCuba exclusive-guided programming Expert Cuban guide, private driver, and experienced insightCuba Tour Leader All meals, snacks, and evening entertainment while aboard the Louis Cristal All meals while on land tour, except for one paladar evening dining experience on your own U.S. Department of the Treasury license and insightCuba letter of authorization Port fees Gratuities for luggage handling, restaurant service, and programmed activities throughout tour* Flight package (cost additional) including; round-trip charter air; all ground transportation, and airport transfers in from in Miami and Havana as part of the tour Fresh bottled water while touring Travel health insurance, emergency medical evacuation, and trip cancellation coverage (up to $1,000) insightCuba Travel guidebook 24 hour emergency customer service hotline Not included: Cuban airport departure tax ($25 CUC), baggage fees for additional checked bag, domestic flight to Miami, and flight package *Customary end-of-tour gratuities for the Cuban guide, driver, and tour leader are left to the guest’s discretion and should be based on the guest’s satisfaction with the level of service received.
DEPARTURE DATES Jan 6, 2015 – Jan 17, 2015
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Feb 24, 2015 – Mar 7, 2015
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Mar 3, 2015 – Mar 14, 2015
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BASE PRICE FOR DOUBLE OCCUPANCY
$5,495
Per person double-occupancy. For single-occupancy, add $1,050.
Contact insightCuba for more information or to book your trip
800 - 450-2822
insightCuba.com
Mar 17, 2015 – Mar 28, 2015
FLIGHT PACKAGE
$645
Includes: • Air from Miami to Havana & Santiago de Cuba to Miami • Priority check-in at Miami International Airport • Cuban visa • Baggage fee for first checked bag Flight Package Prices are subject to change unless accompanied by confirmed booking
HAVANA
PLAYA GIRÓN
ISLA DE LA JUVENTUD
CIENFUEGOS
ANTILLA SANTIAGO DE CUBA
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DAY 3 HAVANA
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DAY 7 HAVANA
SEA
Your ship will dock right in the heart of Old Havana with views of the old city and Havana Harbor. Ever wondered how those ’57 Chevys stay on the road? After breakfast, you’ll have the pleasure of meeting Cuban mechanics who maintain these relics and in some cases restore them to their original glory. Then, ride in a classic car to an organic farm in Alamar. Upon arrival, we’ll gather with Cuban farmers at Alamar Organopónico to learn how organic farming efforts provide food to urban areas and how Alamar is making useful food items available to private restaurants, which are surging in popularity. Lunch is at a restaurant near the farm. Next, we visit a music school in Guananbacoa, on the outskirts of Havana. Dinner tonight is onboard ship. Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8 AT SEA
SEA
Today, we’ll spend the day at sea as we skirt along the northern coast of Cuba on our way to Antilla in Holguín province and in Bahia de Nipe. Enjoy all your meals aboard ship. Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9 ANTILLA ...
We’ll begin the day with a journey to the Parque Nacional Cienaga de Zapata where you’ll witness the natural beauty and biodiversity of this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. We'll meet with a representative from the national park to learn about its ecology and the reason the area received its UNESCO designation. Lunch is at the excellent and stylish paladar Casa Enrique. Next, you’ll visit Korimacao Community Project, a respected school of the
SEA
After enjoying breakfast onboard, you’ll go ashore and visit the Parque Nacional Marino de Punta Francés (Punta Frances National Marine Park). You’ll meet with resident workers who are involved in environmental protection efforts on Isla de la Juventud (“Island of Youth”), home to exotic species of fish, gentle waterfalls and lush palm trees. After lunch, we’ll set sail back to Havana on Cuba’s shimmering turquiose waters. Dinner tonight is onboard ship. Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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DAY 4 HAVANA PLAYA LARGA PLAYA GIRÓN
DAY 6 ISLA DE LA JUVENTUD
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After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll be treated to a discussion with one of Cuba’s most notable economists to learn about the ins and outs of Cuba’s unique and changing economy. Next, you’ll begin a walking tour of Old Havana, a famous UNESCO heritage area, en route to Fototeca, which houses one of the city’s few darkrooms and is a photographer hub, to get a snapshot into the lives and work of Cuban photographers. Lunch is at the wellregarded classic-style paladar (family-owned private restaurant) La California. Next, we’ll meet with patients, residents and doctors at the polyclinic in the Vedado neighborhood to learn firsthand about Cuba’s comprehensive approach to socialized medicine and healthcare. Stop in at a special community project, where our friends will introduce you to some real Cuban hospitality, song and dance, as well as provide insight into their inspired lives on the island (A GUEST FAVORITE). Tonight, enjoy dinner on your own at a local paladar. Your tour guide can make expert recommendations. Meals | Breakfast, Lunch
LAND & SEA
Optional Early Morning Excursion – Join us at sunrise for an optional bird-watching excursion and witness first-hand the regions abundant wildlife. Shortly after breakfast, we’ll depart for Cienfuegos, known as the “pearl of the south” and also the Cuban port where we will board the MV Louis Cristal to continue our journey along Cuba’s unexplored coast. Before boarding the ship, we’ll have a special visit with our friends at a cooperative artist center. We’ll have a lunch at a local paladar. This afternoon, board your ship, where you'll enjoy dinner and other activities as we cruise along Cuba’s magnificent coast on our way to the rarely visited Isla de la Juventud. Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ...
Your trip begins at the Sofitel Miami Airport hotel, where your small group will gather for an early evening briefing and reception. Following breakfast at the hotel on your second day, you’ll board the charter flight to Havana. After you clear immigration and customs, you’ll head to Jaimanitas to meet Jose Fuster, “the Picasso of the Caribbean.” This renowned artist has turned his home and community into an living art project, transforming old facades into colorful murals. Enjoy a welcome lunch at the elegant and tranquil La Fermina. After lunch, and on our way to the Meliá Cohiba hotel, we’ll pay a visit to historic Plaza de la Revolución (Revolution Square), one of the world’s largest city plazas, where the monument to Jose Marti overlooks the city. Afterwards, your insightCuba tour leader and Cuban guide will accompany you to your hotel in the heart of Havana followed by an orientation. Get into the spirit of Cuba with a welcome dinner at the grand Café del Oriente. Meals Day 1 | Enjoy dinner on your own, at your leisure Meals Day 2 | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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DAY 5 PLAYA GIRÓN CIENGUEGOS
SAMPLE ITINERARY*
DAY 1-2 MIAMI HAVANA
arts, known for developing musicians, dancers, poets, and actors for the residents of this somewhat isolated, yet beautiful region. For anyone who appreciates an against-all-odds, underdog win, the history of Playa Girón/Bay of Pigs invasion is both fascinating and astounding—we’ll visit the Bay of Pigs Museum. Tonight we’ll dine on local fare at a paladar in Playa Girón. Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
SEA
After arriving on the tranquil north eastern shores and breakfast, you’ll disembark to the town of Antilla. On shore,
©Cuba Cruise, Street Dancing
meet with the patients, residents and doctors at the local polyclinic to learn firsthand about Cuba’s comprehensive approach to socialized medicine and healthcare. Next, we’ll visit with friendly and cheerful children at a local school. After lunch, we’ll meet with a staff at a local print shop. Return to your ship and enjoy dinner at sea. Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
group. We’ll learn about Afro-Cuban rhythms and take a drumming lesson. Nothing could be more appropriate in Santiago de Cuba! Tonight, share memories with your co-travelers at a farewell dinner at the highly rated and quintessentially Cuban paladar Salon Tropical. Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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SEA & LAND
This morning we’ll disembark and say good buy to our ship as we head to a school of the arts to witness first hand pioneering artistic inspiration. We’ll then visit San Pedro de la Roca Castle, an old Spanish fort on our way to lunch at El Morro. After lunch we’ll visit Caridad del Cobre, the historic church the Pope visits each time he is in Cuba, and discuss this important site with a local historian. Next, we’ll meet with the popular Afro-Cubaninspired Steel Pulse band. After checking in to the Meliá Santiago, we’ll dine at their restaurant, famous for serving the finest meals in Cuba. Meals | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner ...
DAY 11 SANTIAGO DE CUBA
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DAY 12 SANTIAGO DE CUBA MIAMI ¡Adios Cuba! DAY 10 SANTIAGO DE CUBA
LAND
This morning, we say goodbye to Cuba and board our flight to Miami. Meals | Breakfast
©Cuba Cruise, On Boa rd
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After breakfast we’ll meet with a local city historian who will escort us through the downtown area to see its most important sites. Of course there’s nothing better to prime one’s appetite during a visit to a farmers market where we’ll learn how Cuban’s purchase food, supplement state provided rations, and how the current dual economy presents unique challenges. After lunch, we’ll visit a casa particular, a bed-and-breakfast-like accommodation in a private home which has become representative of Cuban entrepreneurial spirit. Later this afternoon, we’ll spend some time with a popular percussion
To book a tour, visit us at insightCuba.com or call a Cuba travel specialist at 1-800-450-CUBA (2822)
* A significant portion of your in-country programming is customized for each group to maximize your cultural experience. Many of the places we visit are not tourist destinations and are thus not always available. Therefore, this program should be considered a sample only—please keep in mind that your particular tour may vary. Final itineraries are sent to guests one-to-two weeks prior to departure. All Photos ©Robin Thom except where noted.
Length: GRT: Flag:
162 m 25,611 Malta
©Cuba Cruise, Cristal Cruising
C U B A CRUI S E P RO FILE:
The Louis Cristal The onboard experience offers a wide range of typical cruise amenities and events. Culturally the influence will be decidedly Cuban in flair with Canadian-quality culinary delights and amenities. The Cruise offers an exciting, safe way to explore more of Cuba and its people from the vantage of your moving resort.
SHIP HIGHLIGHTS & DETAILS The Louis Cristal is a modern, recently refurbished, medium-sized cruise liner with a decidedly yacht like, luxurious look and feel. She features an array of amenities with all the comforts of an upscale vessel, spacious staterooms and suites, elegant lounges and restaurants, internet corner, and open promenades.
• 9 Passenger Decks
• Photo Gallery
• Fully Air-Conditioned
• 480 Staterooms (10 with Balcony)
• Duty Free & Travel Shops
• Stabilizers
• 3 Restaurants
• Swimming Pool
• Telephone
• 4 Bars/Lounges and Disco
• Whirlpool Bath
• Fax
• Monte Carlo Casino
• Fitness Center
• Satellite Telephone
• Internet Corner
• Beauty Salon
• Physician On Board
• 2 Conference Rooms
• Spa & Massage
©Cuba Cruise, Cabin
©Cuba Cruise, LaScala Restaurant
©Cuba Cruise, On Board
ŠCuba Cruise, Stern