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Cuba: a People-to-People Experience

Cuba: a People-to-People Experience
. Please Note --> This is a Past Event!! .

Date: 10/7/2015 TO 10/18/2015
Time:



Phone:
(831) 427-5000


Event Description:

Join the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce, Pacific Harbor Travel, and Vaya Sojourns for
CUBA: a People- to-People Experience



This once-in-a-lifetime experience features visits to Varadero, Trinidad,  Sancti Spiritus, Santa Clara, Las Terrazas, and Havana, Cuba. You, your friends, and your family can travel to Cuba to visit this country and experience it through the eyes of locals.

You can view the itinerary below and call Linda at Pacific Harbor Travel at (831) 427-5000 for more information.

Informational Meeting
Tuesday, July 7th
5:30pm - 7:00pm
Museum of Modern Art (MAH)
705 Front Street
Santa Cruz

Confirmed itinerary:

Day 1: Wednesday, October 07 - San Francisco to Miami (1 night)
This morning we will leave from the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History traveling via our chartered motor coach to the San Francisco Airport. From here, we will board our American Airlines non-stop flight to Miami. We’ll have a transfer from the airport to the Sheraton Miami Airport Hotel where we will stay the night.

Day 2: Thursday, October 08 - Miami to Havana (5 nights)
Today we leave for the beautiful island of Cuba. Our ABC charter flight operated by American Airlines takes one hour. We arrive in time to transfer to Old Havana and have lunch at Paladar Ivan Justo, located within walking distance of our hotel. This paladar gets great reviews! After lunch we will embark on a guided walking tour of Old Havana including the Plaza de Armas, the Used Booksellers Market and the Plaza de la Catedral. We tour the former residence of the Governors of Havana, the Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, and a Cuban Baroque mansion and museum which showcases colonial-era art and artifacts.

We’ll check into our hotel, Hotel Parque Central, between 4:00pm and 4:30pm with enough time to freshen up before our welcome dinner this evening which will be conveniently located in the hotel.

Lunch and dinner provided.

Day 3: Friday, October 09 – Havana, Culture and Education
Breakfast is at the hotel this morning. After breakfast, we have a full day of activities planned. We will be visiting the Plaza de la Revolucion, the Cemetery of Christopher Columbus, and the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry. This institute was established by the Cuban government in 1959 as a means of informing and educating the people. It is dedicated to the improvement and production of Cuban films and artistic expression and it is highly significant and important to Cuban culture.

Lunch will be at one of the ever popular paladars, Paladar Decameron.

This afternoon we will have the wonderful experience of visiting a local primary school (ages 5-12). You should plan to bring school supplies, or perhaps some children’s clothing that can be left as gifts to the school. It is so rewarding to have this time to interact with the teachers and young people of the Cuban community.

We arrive back at our hotel, the Parque Central, in time to meet with a Cuban expert who will lead an open discussion on the current day tendencies of the Cuban economy and the recent changes announced by the Cuban government in terms of free enterprise. This is an open discussion so come with any questions you may have.

Dinner this evening will be at the Paladar Casa Miglis, located in Centro Habana. We’ll be entertained with live music so wear your dancing shoes and be prepared for some Salsa!

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Day 3: Saturday, October 10 – Havana, Hemingway and Agriculture
We will have breakfast at the hotel this morning and then leave for a cigar rolling demonstration. We have the opportunity to taste the extraordinary marriage of the Cuban cigar, coffee and rum. (You are now allowed to bring back to the U.S. a total of $100.00 worth of alcohol and tobacco products.)

There is a great historical and cultural significance between Cuba and the United States. There is no better way to explore part of this wonderful history than by vising the mansion, and now national museum, of Ernest Hemingway, Finca Vigia. The mansion, where Hemingway lived from 1930 to 1960, preserves his 9,000 book library, personal effects such as guns and animal trophies, and his fishing boat, Pilar.

From this historical experience, we visit the communal District of Alamar on the outskirts of Havana. Alamar began, and in large part still is, as a social housing project during the 70’s and 80’s. Now hundreds of thousands of Cubans live in apartment blocks no higher than four stories in Soviet style pre-fab concrete buildings. We will stop in various areas of Alamar especially to see the “organoponico;” plots of land between buildings that are cultivated by local Cubans to grow vegetables, fruits and herbs. These cultivated products are sold inexpensively to the locals. This is suburban Havana at its best in terms of viewing up-front and personal how many modern day Cubans live on a daily basis. Few visitors to Cuba have the opportunity to visit this area and mingle with its inhabitants.

From here we visit Cojimar, the setting for The Old Man and the Sea. We will have time to stroll through this local fishing village before having lunch at Paladar El Ajiaco in Cojimar.

After lunch we return to Havana. We’ll have the opportunity to see the view point over the city from Morro Castle.

Dinner is on our own tonight. Take this opportunity to get out and explore the local cuisine and night life. There are an abundant amount of restaurants and clubs within walking distance of our hotel.

Breakfast and lunch provided.
Day 4: Sunday, October 11 – Havana to Las Terrazas
After breakfast at the hotel, we are off to Las Terrazas in Pinar del Rio Province, a “must see” in Cuba and known worldwide for its magnificent scenic beauty. We visit the local community with an opportunity to meet with Maria, the oldest member of this community and the sole proprietor of the town’s only coffee shop, Café Maria – “best coffee in the country.” From here we stop at the home and private studio of Lester Campa; subject to him being in residence at the time.

Lunch today is an authentic country meal prepared and served outdoors at a local farmhouse near Las Terrazas.

On our way back to Havana, we have the distinct pleasure of visiting “Fusterlandia,” the home and surrounding neighborhood of “The Picasso of the Caribbean,” Jose Fuster.

We’ll have dinner this evening at the highly recommended Paladar Prado 115 serving gourmet Spanish food surrounded by contemporary Cuban art.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Day 5: Monday, October 12 – Havana, Art and Culture
Breakfast is again at the hotel and then we are off to a dance lesson! We’ll be visiting the dance club, Centro Por Danza de Cuba. The center was founded in 1988 to promote the Cuban school of ballet technique, but offers so much more to the enhancement of the Cuban dance culture. After our time at the school, we’ll be off to visit the Galleria La Lavanderia, a project of young Cuban artists.

Lunch today will be at El Aljibe restaurant located in the very pretty Miramar district. El Aljibe serves the best chicken in Havana; it’s all in the secret family preparation of the special marinade!

There is a small but devoted group of artists that volunteer their time and skills to help establish a center for arts, music, dance and theater. This group is located in the vibrant barrio of Muraleando and we will be visiting here after lunch. From there we are off to the Artisans Market located on the Malecon.

Tonight we have a special treat. We are going to take a ride in the old, American classic cars that Havana is so well known for. They will take us one way to the lovely Paladar Atelier; a very popular paladar among the locals.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Day 6: Tuesday, October 13 – Havana-Cienfuegos-Sancti Spiritus (2 nights)
Right after breakfast, we’ll board our bus to begin our four hour journey to Cinefuegos. We’ll have time to explore the lovely main plaza of this French Colonial jewel and its historic Teatro Terry along with the Punta Gorda Peninsula.

We’ll have lunch at Paladar Villa Lagarto which overlooks the Bay of Cienfuegos.

After lunch, we will have a cultural experience with the community of Cienfuegos. Our experience will depend on what’s happening that day. It may be the Choir or the Orchestra of Cienfuegos or perhaps a community cultural project. After our day in Cienfuegos, we have a one hour drive to Sancti Spiritus, a typical Cuban small town near Trinidad and one of the original seven cities founded in Cuba by the Spanish five centuries ago. We’ll check into the Hotel Plaza or the Hotel del Rijo for two nights.

We’ll have dinner at a paladar (still to be determined which paladar) in Santci Spiritus.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Wednesday, October 14 – Sancti Spiritus-Trinidad
We’ll have breakfast at our hotel then on the road to Trinidad. Here we’ll visit the Casa del Alfarero, a pottery house that was founded and has been managed by the Santander family for generations. We’ll then stop at the Templo de Yemaya where a Santeria Pracitioner, along with some of the religion’s devotees, will explain the basic principles of Santeria.

We’ll have our lunch today at a local restaurant in Trinidad after which we will visit the Architecture Museum of Trinidad. From here we will have the remainder of the afternoon at leisure to wander the cobblestone streets of Trinidad and visit its open air market. Or perhaps you may spend some time at a great local dance club called the Casa de la Trova where you can sit in on an open salsa and rumba review.

Dinner this evening will be either in Trinidad or back in Sancti Spiritus; this is still to be determined.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Day 8: Thursday, October 15 – Sancti Spiritus-Santa Clara-Varadero (3 nights)
Breakfast is at the hotel this morning. After breakfast we board our bus for a one hour or so drive to Santa Clara where we will enjoy a special visit to the Santa Clara Music and Performing Arts School with dance, theater and music performances by the students. Should this school not be available or in session, an equally enjoyable and interesting visit to another community project will be substituted. If time permits, we will also make a stop at the Che Guevarra Museum and Mausoleum.

We will have buffet lunch in the Los Canyes Hotel in Santa Clara.

Now we are off for a three hour drive to Varadero arriving late this afternoon. We should be checking into our hotel, the Iberostar Varadero Hotel, between 4:00pm and 4:30pm. The Iberostar is an all-inclusive resort located on stunning Varadero beach.

As we are staying at an all-inclusive resort so dinner will be at the resort.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided.

Day 9 and 10: Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17 – Varadero
These two days are for your relaxation or exploration. The town of Varadero is easy to get around and offers many leisure and cultural activities. Or just have a day at the beach. Whatever you do, enjoy!

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at the resort and at your convenience.



Day 11: Sunday, October 18 – Varadero-Havana-Miami-San Francisco
This morning have your breakfast and then board our bus for Jose Marti International Airport in Havana where we will check in for our flight back to Miami. In Miami we will go through passport control and customs and then connect to our non-stop flight to San Francisco via American Airlines. We will be met by our chartered coach in San Francisco and finish up at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History.

Package price for this exciting trip is only It will come to $4,875.00 per person based on double occupancy. The single supplement is $985.00.

Package price of $4875.00 per person based on double occupancy includes:
- Roundtrip chartered coach from Santa Cruz to San Francisco and return at scheduled times.
- Roundtrip air San Francisco-Miami-Havana-Miami-San Francisco.
- Double/twin room accommodations at hotels mentioned in itinerary or equivalent.
- Meals per day as mentioned in itinerary.
- One drink of your choice (water, soda, beer, wine) with each included meal. NOTE: unlimited drinks and all meals are included at the resort in Varadero.
- A private, English speaking national guide throughout the tour.
- All transportation as noted in the itinerary by PRIVATE modern air-conditioned vehicles.
- All entrance fees to included tour sites.
- 2 bottles of water per day per person while onboard vehicles (except transfer days).
- Cuban travel insurance covering medical repatriation expenses only (required by the Cuban government).
- Authorization documentation allowing each passenger to clear US immigration/passport control upon returning to the United States provided by Vaya Sojouns, Inc. (USA Office of Foreign Assets Control: licensed Cuba Travel Service Provider).

Other fees:
- Cuba visa fee – estimated cost is $80.00 per person to be paid prior to departure.
- Cuba departure tax of $25.00 per person to be paid prior to departure.
- More than one drink at meals mentioned in itinerary; additional drinks at your expense.
- Gratuities to local guide, bus driver, restaurant waiters, hotel maid service and hotel porters. Estimated tipping budget is $120.00 to $140.00 per person.
- Expenditures of a personal nature (laundry, telephone, internet fees, etc.).
- Anything else not mentioned in the “Included” above.

Important Reservation Information
Travel Protection Plan
Although our quotation does not include the cost of a Travel Protection Plan, we strongly recommend clients purchase this protection. If passengers would like to purchase the Travel Insured International Travel Protection Plan, there will be an additional cost of $288.00 per person payable with the deposit. If you are traveling as a single, the cost will be $350.00.

Passports and Visas
It is the responsibility of each tour participant to obtain a valid passport. You must have at least 6 months validity on your passport from the date of entry into Cuba. If you are holding a passport issued by a country other than the United States, it is your responsibility to check with the consulate of country visited for entry requirements. A visa for entry into Cuba is required for U.S. passport holders. This visa is issued by the charter airline and at this time the estimated cost is $80.00. This cost is not included in the price of the trip; it will be collected at time of final payment.

Payment Schedule
At the time of booking, a $500.00 non-refundable deposit plus the Travel Protection Plan (if selected) is required for each participant. Final payment is due to Pacific Harbor Travel by August 10, 2015. Credit cards cannot be accepted for deposit, insurance, or final payment; a check must be made out to Pacific Harbor Travel.
Cancellation Penalties
For cancellations received prior to August 10, 2015, the penalty is $500.00 per person plus the cost of the travel protection plan (if it was selected). Cancellations received August 10, 2015 and later, the full amount paid is non-refundable. We strongly recommend purchasing the Travel Protection Plan.
Change Fees
Pacific Harbor Travel reserves the right to charge a $100.00 per person change fee should any component of the tour be voluntarily changed inside of 90 days prior to group departure. Voluntary changes are not permitted within 14 days prior to group departure. Once airline tickets have been issued, the tour participant is responsible for any airline imposed amendment fees for voluntary changes. Dependent on the airline, these fees can be $200.00 per person and higher, and tickets may, at times, be fully non-refundable.


Licensed OFAC Travel Service Provider: 
Vaya Sojourns, Inc.
Approved Dept. of Justice California Seller of Travel #2098652-40

For more information, call Linda at Pacific Harbor Travel at (831) 427-5000.




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