Discover Cuba

Discover Cuba Featuring Havana, Cienfuegos, and Trinidad Departures January 13-21, 2017 � January 20-28, 2017 February 17-25, 2017 � April 7-15, 2017

Save $1,000 per couple!

See inside for details.

SmithsonianJourneys.org � Call 877-338-8687

Top Five Reasons to Travel to Cuba with Smithsonian Journeys 1

We Know Where to Take You Smithsonian Journeys was one of the first tour providers to receive a license to operate People-to-People programs from the Office of Foreign Assets Control, U.S. Department of the Treasury. We have operated successful tours in Cuba since 2012, and our travelers benefit from our experience, excellent guides, and contacts in the region.

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Attend an In-Depth Panel Discussion Enjoy an overnight stay in Miami with a reception and a special panel discussion featuring a diverse group of experts, a unique feature of Smithsonian Journeys’ Discover Cuba program.

Learn about the Cuban economy, political structure, and culture, then engage in a lively question-and-answer session with our experts.

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Bringing Your Destination to Life When you visit Cuba with Smithsonian Journeys, you’ll travel alongside an expert who has a deep understanding of the country’s culture and history. Our knowledgeable and charismatic Smithsonian Journeys Expert and dedicated tour staff will enrich your travel experience in a unique and personal way.

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Travel with New Friends You’ll be sure to forge lasting friendships with like-minded travelers who share your passion for learning and exploration. Our small groups allow for a rewarding cultural exchange.

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Discover Real Value Once you add up the extras that we include—experts, enrichment, meals, excursions, and on-tour emergency insurance—you’ll know you’re getting more than you pay for. That’s what we call real value!

Photography by Jia Han Dong

Smithsonian Journeys Experts Providing in-depth understanding and a sense of wonder

Our experts have dedicated their careers to pursuing their passion.

Their contagious enthusiasm and expertise bring depth, excitement, and meaning to your travel in Cuba.

Emilio Cueto is a retired attorney, currently doing research on various aspects of Cuban culture, particularly music and colonial prints. An avid collector of Cuban memorabilia, he has exhibited portions of his collection in Miami's Historical Museum of Southern Florida and prepared the three catalogs accompanying those exhibitions. Emilio will lead the February departure.

Franklin Knight was graduated from the University College of the West Indies-London where he earned a B.A. He also earned M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Franklin joined the faculty of the Johns Hopkins University in 1973 and in 1991 was appointed the Leonard and Helen R. Stulman Professor of History. He will lead the January 20 and April departures.

Teresa Prados-Torreira is Professor of History and Cultural Studies at Columbia College Chicago. She received her B.A. in History from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, and her M.A. and Ph.D. in American Intellectual History from the University of Missouri at Columbia. Her areas of study are the United States and Cuba, and her research interests include women’s history, cultural history, and political satire. Teresa will lead the January 13 departure.

Discover Cuba Featuring Havana, Cienfuegos, and Trinidad 9 days from $6,295

Overnight Featured Site

F LORIDA Miami

Air Motorcoach

Straits of Florida

Gulf of Mexico

Havana During this popular program, explore Old CUBA Havana and its colonial charm, the French Bay of Pigs Cienfuegos Playa Giron influenced provincial city of Cienfuegos, and Trinidad the town of Trinidad, one of the best preserved Caribbean Sea cities in the Caribbean. Learn about Cuban culture through firsthand contact with Cuban artists, musicians, teachers, environmentalists, and others who are eager to exchange their views with you on Cuba's past and present as well as their visions for the future.

Highlights Special Panel Discussion with Experts in Miami: Attend a unique, lively panel discussion with a diverse group of experts followed by a question-and-answer session.

Preservation: Explore World Heritage sites and learn about preservation efforts from Cubans who are passionate about their architectural heritage.

Art Traditions: Discover Cuba’s sophisticated art traditions during visits with artists in their studios and a tour of the National Museum of Fine Arts.

Religion: Learn about the African origins of the Cuban Santeria religion as you engage with practitioners.

Music: Hear the complex rhythms of Cuban music, from son to rumba and jazz, and learn about these uniquely Cuban music styles.

Cover photo by Gallie Levy

Photography this page

by Jia Han Dong

Itinerary Day 1 — Miami, U.S. Arrive in Miami and check into the Pullman Miami Airport Hotel. Begin your People-to-People program in Miami with a welcome reception, dinner and a lively, thought-provoking panel discussion on the most vital issues facing Cuba today. Your Smithsonian Journeys Expert joins two other Cuba experts to share insights into the Cuban economy, political structure, and culture. An active question-and-answer session concludes the panel, preparing you for the week ahead.

This valuable meeting with a range of Cuba scholars is a special feature of Smithsonian Journeys’ Cuba program.

(R,D)

Day 2 — Miami to Havana Depart Miami this morning on a group flight to Havana. After clearing customs and claiming your luggage, meet with farmers and members of the community at a local organiponico (urban garden) and enjoy lunch on the grounds. Then take an orientation coach tour of the Havana, including Revolutionary Square, site of some of Cuba’s largest political rallies, and Morro Castle, a historic fortress that guards the entrance to Havana Bay. This evening, enjoy a welcome reception, introductory talk by your Smithsonian Journeys Expert, and dinner at one of the city’s paladares, a privately owned restaurant. (L,R,D)

Day 3 — Havana Learn about the complexities of the U.S.–Cuban relationship during a morning meeting with a representative from the U.S. Embassy in Havana.*

Then embark on a walking tour of Habana Vieja (Old Havana), designated a World Heritage site, to view the city’s beautifully restored Colonial architecture and plazas. Visit a restoration training facility to meet workers responsible for the rehabilitation of the city’s crumbling buildings. After lunch, visit a local community project for children utilizing acrobatic performances as a social development tool. (B,L,D) *The U.S. Embassy visit is subject to availability

Day 4 — Havana to Cienfuegos Today, travel southeast to the provincial town of Cienfuegos. After lunch, explore the Frenchinfluenced city center (a World Heritage site). You’ll walk down the Paseo del Prado, a pedestrian-only boulevard lined with various stores, to Parque Martí, where some of the city’s most prominent architecture frames this central square. Nearby, visit an artists’ cooperative that showcases Afro-Cuban art. Meet with the director and several artists to learn of their work and how they are spreading contemporary art to small communities. This afternoon, delight in a performance by the renowned Choir of Cienfuegos. After dinner, mingle with local residents at a community block party.

(B,L,D)

Day 5 — Trinidad and Cienfuegos Stopping at the Cienfuegos Botanical Gardens, the largest of its kind in Cuba, learn about efforts to maintain the country’s rich biodiversity and extraordinary plant life. Afterwards, visit a former sugar mill town, where you’ll meet a historian and local residents to learn about the importance of Cuba’s oncethriving sugar industry. Continue to lovely Trinidad, another World Heritage site, where you’ll admire

Photograph by Jia Han Dong

its pastel-colored Colonial buildings, cobblestone streets, and beautiful plazas. Here you’ll meet with a representative of the City Historian's Office to discuss the achievements and challenges of preserving this 16th-century city. During your exploration of Trinidad, meet with shopkeepers, owners of Casas Particulares, or privately owned Bed and Breakfast enterprises, and other members of the community. (B,L)

service for aspiring entrepreneurs. Continue your exploration of the arts at the National Museum of Fine Arts. Here, as you view the museum’s Cuban collection, you’ll learn how the country’s history and diverse cultures have influenced its art. Then engage in a question and answer session with a panel of Cuban experts to explore such topics as economic reform, women’s rights, and Cuba’s future. This evening, gather for a farewell reception and dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 6 — Cienfuegos to Havana En route to Havana, stop at the Bay of Pigs and visit one of the landing sites of the 1961 invasion. You’ll also explore the Playa Giron Museum, which contains artifacts from the conflict. In Havana, stop at Finca Vigía, Ernest Hemingway’s home for 20 years. With an expert, explore the 12-acre property and house that contains original furniture, artwork, and personal memorabilia. Later in the afternoon, travel just outside Havana to the community of Guanabacoa to meet with community members about their Afro-Caribbean religion of Santeria. Plus, enjoy a musical performance dedicated to the various deities of the religion. (B,L,D)

Day 7 — Havana Explore the vibrant neighborhoods of Vedado and Miramar with a city historian to learn about their roles in the history of Havana. This afternoon, visit the University of Havana and meet with college students to discuss higher education in Cuba. (B,L)

Day 8 — Havana Begin the day with a visit to the Felix Varela Cultural Center to gain a deeper understanding of developmental programs offered to enrich the lives of Cubans, including Cuba Emprende, a training and advisory

Day 9 — Depart for the U.S. Bid farewell to Cuba and transfer to the Havana Airport today for your return group flight to Miami. (B)

(B,L,R,D denotes included breakfasts, lunches, receptions, and dinners)

Accommodations

Pullman Miami Airport

Meliรก Cohiba

Hotel La Uniรณn

Hotel Jagua

City

Nights

Hotel

Miami

1

Pullman Miami Airport

Havana

5

Hotel Parque Central or Meliรก Cohiba

Cienfuegos

2

Hotel La Uniรณn or Hotel Jagua

Hotels in Cuba are subject to change.

Tour Cost

(per person based on double occupancy)

Special offer! Book now and receive $500 off per person.

Departure Dates

Original Price

New Price*

Jan 13, Jan 20, Feb 17

$6,995

$6,495

Apr 7

$6,795

$6,295

*Price includes discount of $500 (only applies to new bookings).

Single accommodations are an additional $1,850 (limited availability).

Roundtrip Miami-Havana charter airfare is an additional $600.

For full Terms & Conditions, visit SmithsonianJourneys.org