Cuban Colonial Cities: Havana, Trinidad and Cienfuegos

An Off the Beaten Path Journey to Cuba,  the Pearl of the Antilles

Traveling off the beaten paths is an engaging way of going to places that are undiscovered, with a sense of exploration. It is finding stories of people as told by 'hidden gems', exploring them, and engaging with local Cubanos. This way you will discover the unconventional routes and stories that offer a more authentic or secluded experience.

Explore the arts, history and architectural value of the colonial cities of Havana, Cienfuegos and Trinidad. In Havana we will learn about Cuban arts and the colonial and post colonial  architectural styles, including the restoration efforts that makes Havana the most impressive historical city center in the Caribbean and one of the most notable in the American continent as a whole. 

After our experience in Havana we will travel to Cienfuegos and Trinidad. The colonial town of Cienfuegos was founded in 1819 in the Spanish territory but was initially settled by immigrants of French origin. It became a trading place for sugar cane, tobacco and coffee. 

Founded in the early 16th century, Trinidad, in honor of the Holy Trinity, was a bridgehead for the conquest of the American continent. 

DATES AND COST UPON REQUEST 

• Four nights accommodations at Hostal Casavana 
• Two nights accommodations at Iberostar Trinidad Hotel 
• Meals: All breakfasts 
• Full-time ground transportation in AC bus 
• Airport-Hostal Casavana-Airport transportation, if traveling with Journey Leader from Tampa, FL or in a group traveling from any other city
• Health Insurance in Cuba (included with airfare)
• Certification of License to Travel to Cuba 
• Pre-departure readings and face-to-face orientation 
• Travel Guide to plan trip and buy air tickets and visa 
• Culturally sensitive - bilingual Cuban Journey Leader
• Admission to all venues in the itinerary

Venues in Havana

         Jose Marti Memorial Museum

          Cuban Art Factory

          In Old Havana 

• Ceramic Museum
• Retazos Dance Company
• Museum of the City of Havana
• Victor Manuel Gallery
• Experimental Graphic Workshop
• Cuban Association of Artisans Gallery Carmen Montilla Gallery

Venues in Cienfuegos

• Government Palace (City Hall)
• San Lorenzo School
• Bishop Palace 

Venues in Trinidad

• Plaza Mayor
• Church of the Holy Trinity
• Museum of Colonial Architecture
• Valley of the Sugar Mills

• Round trip airfare to Jose Martí Airport in Havana, Cuba
  • Air tickets will be individually booked as soon as the group is complete with a minimum of 10 participants; health       insurance while in Cuba is included in the airfare. 
• Cuban tourist visa
  • Travelers will be able to buy the Cuban visa online before departure.
• Airport transportation to and from Hostal Casavana if you travel on your own
• Meals: 5  lunches and 6 dinners 
• Optional afternoon and evening venues 
• Travel Insurance (recommended)

Old Convertible Car Tour  (AFTERNOON OPTION)

$30 per hour for 3 passengers 

Cabaret Parisien at Hotel Nacional (EVENING OPTION)

$20—  9:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m. (every day, except Wednesday)

Our Journeys require moderate physical activity combined with short travel time in bus (max 2.5 hours). Activities may include city-walking tours (sometimes on uneven surfaces), stopping along the way, standing in museums for a few hours and some stairs (some restaurants will require the use of stairs). 

DAY 1  Welcome to Havana! 

Once in Havana, we will be on our way to Casavana, our B&B, for check-in. You will have free time to relax before we gather for a demonstration on how to prepare a Mojito and dinner.

DAY 2   Colonial Havana 

Our day will start with breakfast (all breakfasts are included). 

Our first stop in our visit to Old Havana, founded in 1519, UNESCO declared Old Havana Universal Patrimony of Humanity, will be at San Francisco Plaza to visit Carmen Montilla Gallery, the Ceramic Museum and Retazos Dance Company. The absolute vanguard, Retazos "Remnants" orients his choreography toward a singular scenic projection, represent a forceful chronicle of the Latin-American spirituality in an unpredictable reflexive dance.  

Then we will visit Plaza de Armas (Arms Plaza) to visit the Museum of the City of Havana former Captain General Palace. The Museo de la Ciudad (City Museum of Havana) is located in the former Capitanes Generales Palace, in Plaza de Armas Square of Old Havana. It was built in 1770 in the same spot where Havana's original church was located. This palace is one of the best examples of Cuban Baroque architecture. 

Between 1791 and 1898, it was the official residence of the Spanish Captain Generals; between 1899 and 1902, US military governors settled there; and during the first decades of the 20th century, it became the presidential palace. From 1968 until now, the Capitanes Generales Palace has housed the City Museum, one of the most interesting and complete museums in Havana and Cuba.

Lastly, we will visit Cathedral Plaza for lunch and to Victor Manuel Gallery and the Experimental Graphic Workshop. Founded in 1962 by mural artist Orlando Suarez with the support of Che Guevara, who was the minister of industry at the time, this studio/workshop is still thriving today. This is one of the most important graphic arts establishments, preserving the old printmaking techniques and churning out some of the most significant works of graphic art in Havana. 

DAY 3   Colonial Cienfuegos 

After checkout at Casavana we will travel to the City of Cienfuegos. 

TRAVEL - Approximately 2.5 hours riding time to Cienfuegos.  

The colonial town of Cienfuegos was founded in 1819 in the Spanish territory but was initially settled by immigrants of French origin. It became a trading place for sugar cane, tobacco and coffee. Situated on the Caribbean coast of southern-central Cuba at the heart of the country’s sugar cane, mango, tobacco and coffee production area, the town first developed in the neoclassical style. It later became more eclectic but retained a harmonious overall townscape. To explore Cienfuegos architecture we will visit the Government Palace (City Hall), San Lorenzo School, the Bishopric and the Ferrer Palace, the former lyceum. Cienfuegos is the first, and an outstanding example of an architectural ensemble representing the new ideas of modernity, hygiene and order in urban planning as developed in Latin America from the 19th century.

After lunch in Cienfuegos we will travel to the City of Trinidad.

TRAVEL- Approximately 2 hours riding time along coastal road to Trinidad.

After check – in at hotel Iberostar Grand Trinidad we will have time to relax before dinner.

The Iberostar Grand Trinidad hotel boasts an unrivaled cultural heritage in the heart of one of Cuba's most exciting cities. Renovated by Iberostar, this iconic building is home to Trinidad's first 5-star hotel with a 5-fork restaurant. The design respects and enhances the natural elegance of the space, combining it with modern services and spacious rooms. Personalized service and comfortable areas such as the smoking room, where you can enjoy a variety of Cuban cigars, complete a refined offering.
 

DAY 4  Colonial Trinidad

Founded in the early 16th century in honor of the Holy Trinity, the city of Trinidad was a bridgehead for the conquest of the American continent. Its 18th– and 19th-century buildings, such as the Palacio Brunet and the Palacio Cantero, were built in its days of prosperity from the sugar trade. 

After a tour of the main architectural sites in Trinidad, and lunch, we will visit el Valle de los Ingenios, (The Valley of Sugar Mills). This 104 square mile area includes three valleys: San Luis, Santa Rosa and Meyer, in an area where the extraordinary development of the Cuban sugar industry began in the 18th century. In that valley still remain the ruins of the numerous sugar refineries that once gave such splendor to the area but which today constitute little more than archaeological artifacts of that industry.

DAY 5   Trinidad – Havana 

After breakfast we will travel back to Havana for lunch and check-in at Casavana. Evening at leisure to visit nightclubs after dinner. 

DAY 6   Post Colonial Havana 

Our second day in Havana begins with a visit to Revolution Square former Civic Center. In the square we will visit the José Martí Memorial Museum. 

After lunch we will visit Parque Central and the Cuban Association of Artisans Gallery. This shop is located in the pedestrian and busy Obispo Street, in the heart of Old Havana. Here you can find all kinds of gifts and souvenirs handcrafted from figurines made of wood, bronze or cardboard stone to leather handbags or some piece of costume jewelry.

In the evening we will have a farewell dinner and visit the Cuban Art Factory, an artistic project driven by the need to rescue, support and promote the work of artists from all branches of art: theater, music, dance, theater, visual arts, photography, fashion, graphic design and architecture. 

DAY 7   Hasta Luego Cuba¡

As your journey through Cuba comes to an end, you reflect on the rich culture, history, and warmth of the Cuban people.. You leave with memories of vibrant music, classic cars, and the unmistakable spirit of Cuba—a spirit that stays with you long after you've returned home.

REGISTRATION

Please Contact Us and provide your contact information. As soon as we hear from you, we will email a registration packet with required forms and instructions.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

1ST PAYMENT 

90 days before departure - 50% of the Inclusion Package

2ND PAYMENT

60 days before departure - remaining 50% of the Inclusions Package 

PAYMENT OPTIONS
 

Check - payable to Marcos Carvajal

PAYMENT PLAN

This plan allows the payment of the cost of the Package of Inclusions in 4 monthly installments before the departure date, paying the total cost 45 days before the departure date. Contact Us to request the Monthly Payment Plan.

CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS

Please see Liability Statement in Reservation Package
 

1. All cancellations must be submitted via email in writing and dated 
2. If we decide to cancel a program due to insufficient number of participants, all funds received will be 100% refunded. 
3. Refunds for airline tickets are based on individual airline policies. 
4. Cuban tourist visa costs are non-refundable.

IMPORTANT DATES                                    REFUND 

Less Than 45 Days Prior to departure.         0 % of total

60 to 45 Days Prior To Departure Date.       50 % of total

90 to 60 Days Prior To Departure Date.      100% of total

Certification of License to Travel to Cuba

Our Journeys to Cuba are designed to comply with the ‘People-to-People’ general license category as specified by US Treasury Department regulations. These regulations are part of the US Cuban embargo. As part of your travel documents, we will provide  a Certification of License to Travel to Cuba.
 

The U.S. government has the right to request receipts and records from your Journey to Cuba for up to 5 years after your return. It is your responsibility to safe all documentation related to your Journey to Cuba.  

Passport

• A passport is required for this trip. It must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date.

• Your passport must have 2 blank passport page(s) for entry/exit visas in this country.

Visa

• A travel tourist visa is required.

• The cost of this visa is not included in the cost of your trip.

• You are responsible for securing your Cuban tourist visa. The visa is easily purchased online.

• A Cuban-born participant must contact us before making a reservation.