vacation side travel presents: a tale of four cities (9 days / 8 nights)

2015

A Tale of Four Cities

Havana and Trinidad - Topes De Collante

Havana Then And Now

Havana and Sancti Spiritus

Vacation Side Travel | 110 E Cedar St | Goodlettsville | Tennessee | 37072 Phone:.855-822-8747

9 Days / 8 Nights

A TALE OF FOUR CITIESMiami - Havana - Camaguey - Cienfuegos

Located in the idyllic Caribbean just 90 miles off the Southern coast of the U.S., you are greeted by theenchanting island nation of Cuba. Our Cuba package will give you excitement and mystique begin tounfold in Camaguey, Cuba's third-largest city, where a labyrinth of winding streets and alleys spill intopublic plazas in this first of seven villages founded by the Spaniards. Discover the colonial city of Trinidad,founded in 1514, showcasing its old-world charms in this well-preserved town situated between mountainsand the sea. Experience Cienfuegos, known as Cuba's "Pearl of the South." Sitting effortlessly beside abeautiful bay, this city boasts the best example of the 19th century early Spanish Enlightenmentimplementation in urban planning. Once known as the playground of the rich and famous, Havanabeckons with its acclaimed Spanish architecture and incredible city views, while authentic cigar rollingworkshops, tobacco farms, rum factories, tobacco plantations, and Cuba's effervescent culture set thestage for exploring Cuba at every turn. This Cuba tour package will leave you breathless.

Day 1 - MIAMI

Your cherished Cuba adventure begins with an overnight stay in Miami,Florida. Arrive at Miami International Airport and transfer to your hotel.Tonight, join Central Holidays for an introduction to your Cuba people-to-people program. Meet your fellow program participants and U.S. TourDirector, review your travel documents and itinerary, and get ready for theexperience of a lifetime in the fascinating island nation of Cuba.

Day 2 - MIAMI � CAMAGUEY, CUBA

This morning, a short flight takes you to Camaguey, Cuba's third-largestcity. Upon arrival you will meet your professional, English-speaking CubanTour Director, who will take you to discover the city's historic center.Unique and beautiful, the oldest part of this city is a labyrinth of narrowwinding streets and alleys that begin and end in public squares or ''plazas''purposely designed in this manner to protect the town from pirate raids incolonial times. As one of the first seven villages founded by the Spaniards,much of the city has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hereyou will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant then engage with artists on suchtopics as their work, how it impacts their community, and how art motivatespeople. Afterwards you will head to the hotel, check in and prepare fordinner at a local ''paladar,'' a privatelyowned small restaurant servinghomemade Cuban dishes. During dinner you will participate in an exchangewith the restaurant owner and learn about Cuban food and the freeenterprise system in Cuba. After dinner, meet members of the AmericanCar Association and enjoy a ride back to your hotel in an antique Americancar. (B, L, D)

Day 3 - CAMAGUEY � KING RANCH � CAMAGUEY

First on today's schedule of exciting activities, you will meet and get to know dancers of the world-renowned Ballet of Camaguey, the prestigious Cuban ballet company that has performed across the globein more than 40 countries. You will enjoy a cultural exchange with the dancers, teachers, set designersand costume makers. Next travel along to King Ranch, originally developed as an expansion of the famousranch of the same name in Texas. Here you will experience a Cuban rodeo and have the fascinatingopportunity over lunch to engage with Cuban cowboys that have called this ranch their home forgenerations. After lunch you will visit the local village that subsists to service the ranch. Here you will


share time in one of the local homes to see how they live, cook, eat, and more. Then, head over to thelocal school to meet teachers and students and learn about rural life and education. On the way back toCamaguey you will visit Casanova pottery studio and learn about the unique earthenware pots called''tinajones'' known as the symbol of Camaguey. Used to store rainwater historically and even to this day,these red clay pots can measure up to two meters in height and are still seen outside of homes andthroughout the city. In an educational exchange you will see the traditional way these vessels are madeand interact with the artists. Tonight, savor dinner at a local paladar and enjoy a fiery Flamenco danceperformance, featuring an opportunity to dance and interact with the performers in an open-air setting. (B,L, D)

Day 4 - CAMAGUEY � TRINIDAD � CIENFUEGOS

Today you will journey south to the Cuban province of Sancti Spiritus to visit the colonial city of Trinidad.Along the way you will experience the Valley of the Sugar Mills, home to approximately 70 historic sugarmills that are representative of the importance of sugar to the Cuban economy over centuries. Founded in1514 as the third Spanish settlement in Cuba, Trinidad is acknowledged as a UNESCO World HeritageSite for its colonial architecture, dating back to the 18th century. This verdant valley embedded betweenmountains and the sea features one of Cuba's most well preserved cities often referred to as a livingmuseum. Enjoy sharing time and interacting with local residents as you stroll along the pedestrian,cobblestone streets of Trinidad, lined by pastel-colored houses with wooden shutters and wrought-irongrilles. Having songbirds in ornate birdcages outside the home is a tradition in Trinidad that is still keptalive today. Partake in an insightful guided walking tour of the colonial city and have meaningful culturalexchanges with local residents, musicians, and new business owners. After lunch you will have a sit downwith doctors and nurses at the local clinic to learn about the Cuban medical system and have aneducational exchange on topics such as the use of herbal medicine and how the facility is sustained.(B,L,D)

Day 5 - CIENFUEGOS

Today you experience Cienfuegos - known as Cuba's ''Pearl of the South'' due to its impressively beautifulbay. Founded in 1819 by French settlers, Cienfuegos is one of Cuba's newest cities. In 2005, UNESCOinscribed the Urban Historic Center of Cienfuegos on the World Heritage List, citing Cienfuegos as thebest extant example of the 19th-century early Spanish enlightenment implementation in urban planning.The French influence is seen in many traits, particularly in architecture, including the city's manymansions. During your time in this breathtaking city, you will enjoy a panoramic overview of its historiccenter. Next you will meet with a local historian to learn about the Thomas Terry Theater, built in 1889 byLeno Sanchez Marmol. The theater remains in its original state, beautifully embellished with paintedceiling frescoes. While in Cienfuegos you will experience a performance by the local choir and have theopportunity to interact with them to learn about the musical history of this group and the music culture ofCuba. Next, participate in an exchange with tobacco rollers at a local cigar factory and discover theimportance of tobacco in Cuba, both culturally and commercially. Tonight, after dinner it's time to don yourdancing shoes for Salsa dance lessons with a local dance group. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - TRINIDAD � BAY OF PIGS � HAVANA

This morning you will journey to Havana through the countryside's sugar cane regions. Our first stop willbe at Playa Giron for a guided visit and interaction with docents of the Bay Of Pigs Museum, housed in anold sugar mill and used by Fidel Castro as his center of operations during the 1961 conflict. Enjoy lunch atthe Cave of the Fish, named for the nearby ''cenote'' or sinkhole filled with multicolored sea life. You willjoin in a cultural and educational exchange with a local naturalist as well as an interaction with the familythat runs the restaurant. This afternoon you will arrive to the vibrant capital city of Cuba, Havana. (B,L)

Day 7 - HAVANA

After breakfast you will enjoy a photo stop at Revolution Square, one of the largest public squares in theworld. Continuing onwards you have an educational exchange with a local architect who will speak aboutHavana's unique architecture, the challenges of renovating the city's exquisite historic buildings, and thefuture of these restorations. Then, you will explore the charming cobblestone streets of Old Havana, aUNESCO World Heritage Site, while participating in open dialogue with the local architect on architectural


topics of interest. Next, visit the Maqueta Vieja Habana Museum that houses the scale model of the City ofHavana to see the whole city, and learn about its architecture as well as more about restoration efforts.Following lunch in Old Havana, you will tour the Museum of the Revolution that displays a vast array ofdocuments, weapons, relics and even planes from the revolution. The museum is housed in the formerpresidential palace that was the home to Cuba's leaders from the 1920s until 1959. Heading out of the cityyou will arrive at the fascinating fishing village of Jaimanitas and visit the home, studio and gallery ofworld-renowned artist, and painter Jose Fuster, known as the ''Picasso of Cuba.'' Roofs, walls, doorwaysand benches, stretching for blocks around his studio are adorned with his brightly colored sculptures andmosaics. Here you will engage with the Fuster family and meet Fuster himself, if his schedule permits, aswell as local residents of the town, to discuss the influence of the artist's work on their lives and thecommunity. At dinner this evening, take-in the incredible views of Havana from the top floor of the HabanaLibre Hotel, Havana's most symbolic hotel that was originally built as the Habana Hilton and inaugurated in1958 - offering the perfect end to your first full-day in Havana. (B,L,D)

Day 8 - HAVANA

Today we experience Havana's world-famous Colon Cemetery to see elaborately sculpted stone andmarble memorials. You will discover the cemetery's captivating history and folklore, and hear stories aboutthe many prominent people laid to rest here, including musicians, filmmakers, writers, politicians, andMajor League baseball players. You will also visit the tomb of La Milagrosa - the ''Miraculous One'' visitedby Cubans as a pilgrimage site believed by many to have healing influences. Next it's off to the district ofGuanabacoa, known for its rich religious diversity. This town boasts some of the finest colonial churcheswhere locals worship both Catholic and Santeria saints. Santeria is a fusion of religious influences fromWest African, Caribbean and Roman Catholic beliefs and was created by slaves who were brought toCuba to work on the country's sugar plantations. You will visit the intriguing Guanabacoa Museum ofSanteria Orishas and see many displays of Afro-Cuban culture.

Here you will also experience a Santeria musical performance and get to know the dancers and locals viaa personal exchange. As the day's activities continue, you will enter the realm of Ernest Hemingway with avisit to Hemingway's Farm, Finca La Vigia. The house where the Nobel Prize winner lived with his wifeMartha for 21 years is situated on this beautiful property overlooking Havana. Tour the perfectly preservedhome where many of Hemingway's personal belongings remain today, as well as his wooden yacht ''Pilar.''On this vessel, Hemmingway patrolled for Nazis and it was also featured in his novel ''Islands in theStream.'' Next you will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Havana before a tour and interaction with thefounder of a world-famous Spanish Ballet Company who will share the history of her company and danceeducation in Cuba. As the day proceeds, it's off to the Cuban Literacy Museum where you will learn abouta national effort to educate rural farmers and families. Education and the development of human capitalwas a post revolution priority for the Cuban government. After the Revolution in 1959, the country sufferedfrom an exodus of educators and intellectuals. A nationwide program, known as the Cuban LiteracyCampaign of 1961, was instituted in response. More than 250,000 literate adults and children, some asyoung as 11 years old, formed brigades of people, or brigadistas, and traveled throughout the countrysideto teacher their fellow Cubans how to read. Through interactions with the museum director and docentsyou will learn about this highly successful campaign. Further along, you visit El Morro Castle, built in 1589to protect the mouth of Havana Harbor. Perched on the headland opposite the harbor from Old Havana, itcan be viewed from miles around as it dominates the port entrance and is therefore used as a navigationallandmark. Before dinner, meet a former Cuban baseball player and join in a dialogue regarding the historyand the love of this favorite pastime in Cuba. This evening, experience a farewell dinner with tour at therenowned Hotel Nacional de Cuba, which has hosted many celebrities and world figures over the decades,including Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra, Muhammad Ali, and Steven Spielberg. (B,L,D)

Day 9 - HAVANA � MIAMI, USA

After breakfast, bid ''adios'' to Cuba and depart for the airport and your return flight to Miami withunforgettable memories of your people-to-people journey to this captivating and engaging Latin country inCaribbean. (B)

Included Features:


ROUND TRIP AIR TRANSPORTATION - Round trip airfare from MiamiFIRST-CLASS ACCOMMODATIONS - 8 nights first class hotels.CUISINE - 20 included meals consisting of 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners.TOUR PROGRAM- People to people discussions, interactions and unusual visits such as: The KingRanch and rodeo, school house visit, visit a Cuban home and family, meetings and visitations withartists, the Cuban Ballet, a Cigar Factory, Bay of Pigs Museum, meet a Cuban baseball player,Hemingway's Farm, Old Havana and more....PROFESSIONAL U.S TOUR DIRECTOR - Assistance of a professional Central Holidays U.S. TourManagerPROFESSIONAL CUBAN GUIDE - Assistance and guiding from a professional specialized bilingualCuban guideDELUXE MOTORCOACHES - Touring by private deluxe airconditioned motor coachPEOPLE TO PEOPLE INTERACTIONS - There are daily people to people discussions, andinteractions on unique Cuban events and issues.BAGGAGE HANDLING AND TRANSFERS - Baggage handling for one piece of checked luggageoutside of the airport upon arrival in CubaVISA - Cuban travel visaHEALTH INSURANCE - Cuban health insuranceWATER - Bottled water on the coach each dayGRATUITIES - Pre-paid gratuities for hotel porters, waiters for included meals, all people to peoplevisits, discussions and Interactions.LOCAL TAXES AND SERVICE CHARGES - Hotel & City taxes and service chargesDEPARTURE TAXES - U.S. air departure taxes

Notes:

Program Operated by Central Holidays under license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (Treasury Department) This is a program monitored and assessed by the U.S Treasury Department. The itinerary provides a full time schedule of activitiesthat result in meaningful exchanges through people-to-people contact. U.S. law requires all travelers joining this program adhere tothe full time schedule. All payments need to be made out to Central Holidays.

Best Price starting at $3499 (Based on per person in Double Occupancy)


9 Days / 8 Nights

HAVANA AND TRINIDAD - TOPES DECOLLANTE

Miami - Havana - Trinidad

For the ultimate adventure in Cuba that highlights history, the arts, culture, and the great outdoors, embarkon this fascinating Havanna and Trindad to Topes De Collante travel program. Old Havana beckons withits amazing colonial architecture and step-back-in-time appeal. Get to know the locals and this storiedcapital's history as well as its flavorful cuisine on your people-to-people travel experience. Share ininteractions with local artists and tour schools for Theatre, Dance and the Arts including the Beny More ArtSchool where you will see first-hand how artists and musicians are cultivated. Let the lively music envelopyour senses as you experience a live percussion and dance performance rooted in flamenco and afro-Cuban rhythms and moves and even learn some dance moves to try for yourself. Explore the valley of thesugar mills in Trinidad and venture on to Topes de Collantes, a nature reserve park in Cuba's EscambrayMountains range, offers sweeping, awe-inspiring views that simply mesmerize. Moments you'll cherishalways await you in Cuba on this people-to-people travel program that showcases the diversity of thiscaptivating country!

Day 1 - Sat Miami

Your celebration of this amazing adventure begins withyour arrival inMiami, Florida and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2 - Sun Miami � Welcome to Havana Cuba

Depart on your charter flight from Miami to Havana. Upon arrival in thecapital of Cuba, you will be transferred to your Havana Hotel and convenefor an introductory lecture and briefing by our tour leader and bilingual localguide. This afternoon, a visit to the Muraleando project in the Luyanodistrict will take you to participate in an exchange about the project. Thenenjoy lunch arranged with residents of the local community.Return to yourhotel to check-in and settle into your accommodations.This evening you willshare in a welcome dinner at Do?a Eutimia a local ''paladar'' - privately-owned small restaurant serving homemade Cuban dishes. After dinner, youwill attend the canon blast at La Cabana Fortress, an iconic Havanaexperience that was introduced centuries ago where in each evening theresounding blast would signal the closing of the city's walls. (L,D)

Day 3 - Mon Havana

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel then take part in a walking tour of Old Havanaled by an expert from Office of the City Historian. During this insightfulexperience you will have the opportunity to participate in a dialogue withlocal entrepreneurs. Next on your people-to-people cultural exchange youwill visit a graphic arts workshop where local artist Jacqueline Brito and hersister will enlighten you about their work in an open forum. Then it's on totaste authentic Cuban recipes during lunch at a restaurant in Old Havana. After lunch, have an exchangewith Humberto Rodriguez and students from the National Art School (ENA). Humberto Rodriguez hasdirected the Theater Company Olga Alonso and has worked with very famous Cuban artists includingJorge Perugorria of the movie ''Fresa y Chocolate'' and Laura de la Uz of ''La Pelicula de Ana.'' Visit theQuisicuaba community project, whose aim is to rehabilitate traditional folk culture in the community. Hereyou will have a discussion and exchange about the project's efforts. Tonight you will dine at La Moralejarestaurant and have the optional opportunity to experience a Havana night club after dinner. (B,L,D)


Day 4 - Tue Havana � Cienfuegos � Trinidad

After breakfast at your hotel and check-out, travel to Trinidad, with a stop in Cienfuegos for lunch. Visit theBenny More Art School and interact with the students and teachers or visit the Cienfuegos Choir. Todayyou will taste local cuisine at Paladar Villa Lagarto. This afternoon you will take part in a walking tour ofCienfuegos where you willtalkwith community residents and small business owners before departing forTrinidad. After checking into your hotel and settling-in, you will have dinner on site. Tonight you will havethe opportunity to enjoy an evening of dancing and personal interactionswith localsfrom Trinidad. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Wed Trinidad

Today's activities begin with breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a fascinating walking tour ofTrinidad with a local expert from the City Historian's Office. You will explore the valley of the sugar mills,interacting along the way with ''CuentasPropistas'' or small business owners as well as communityresidents. El Colonial restaurant is your next stop along the way on the day's adventures where you willenjoy lunch. This afternoon, visit Casa de Chi Chi, a well-known artists' ceramics studio, where you willlearn about his art and interact with his family members and studio workers. You will have some time torefresh yourself at the hotel before enjoying dinner at San Jose Paladar in Trinidad. After dinner, a guidedwalk through the city in the evening offers the ideal setting for people-to-people interaction with arealocals.(B,L,D)

Day 6 - Thu Trinidad - Topes De Collantes � Trinidad

Enjoy breakfast in your hotel, and then depart for breathtaking Topes de Collantes, a nature reserve parkin the Escambray Mountains range in Cuba whose namesake also refers to the country's third highestpeak. Sweeping awe-inspiring views will mesmerize you as you travel up the mountains by truck. With thelocal guide, you willget to know the work of coffee farmers and engage will local residents. See the largestfreshwater lake in Cuba and have an interchange with the families that live in the area. Next is lunch atCasa de Gallega, a family-run restaurant. After lunch, take part on one of the recommendedexperiences inthe area, such as:

Hike Caburni Falls:A distance of approximately 3 kilometers (1.9 mi), this is the most popular hikethrough coffee plantations, traditional farm houses, and cliffs to end at theCaburniRiverthat falls from a 62meters (203 ft.) rock wall into a series of ponds.

Discover Hacienda Codina:This ranch features several attractions including medicinal mud baths;medicinal and ornamental gardens; the orchid's collection with more than 40 local species includingbamboo; the altar's cave from where a secret passage ends in a natural lookout facing south of themountain system and the Valley of the sugar mills; and inspired views of Trinidad and Ancon.

Experience the Ecology Walk or Paseo Ecologico: This1 kilometer (0.62 mi) local path connects theKurhotel with hotel ''Los Helechos'' and is teeming with mariposa shrubs and arborescent ferns under thecanopy of pines and eucalyptus.

Gaze over ''El mirador'': Literally meaning The Lookout, this splendid point showcases with view down toTrinidad between the Valley and the range from 600 meters above sea level that offers spectacular vistasof the city and peninsula below.

Before sundown, you will be transferred down the mountain back to Trinidad. Dinner this evening will be atyour hotel and the evening is open for you to get to know the city.(B,L,D)

Day 7 - Fri Trinidad � Havana

Power-up with breakfast at your hotel then depart for Havana. Along the way, you will visit El Divinoorganic farm and nursery community project with more than 120 varieties of herbs grown for local 'greenmedicine' purposes. Have a sit down with the agronomist and director of the project, who is frequentlyvisited by local school groups. Next is lunch at ''El Divino'' before heading on to Cojimarwhere you will takepart in a short walk and have exchanges with local fisherman as your guide explains the special


relationship between Cojimar, Hemingway, and The Old Man and the Sea.Check-in at your hotel back inHavana. This evening Havana awaits for you to savor dinner at your choice of local restaurants. (B,L,D)

Day 8 - Sat Havana

Have breakfast at your hotel then embark on a guided tour of the Museum of the Revolution located in theformer presidential palace. Visit the Sephardic Center and the Holocaust Memorial and meet with theDirector of the Center. Next, head to Hotel Nacional's La Barraca Restaurant for lunch followed by a brieftour of the famous hotel.In the afternoon, you will take a ferry to Reglaand visit Iglesia de NuestraSenorade Regla accompanied by a specialist for an exchange about Santeria, the Afro-Cuban religion thatencompasses a fusion of religious influences from West African, Caribbean and Roman Catholic beliefsand was created by slaves who were brought to Cuba to work on the country's sugar plantations. Thisafternoon you will have a special opportunity to experience a performance by Habana Compas dancetroop, featuring a mix of percussion and dance rooted in flamenco and afro-Cuban rhythms and moves.After refreshing at the hotel, ride in a 1950s car to your group's farewell dinner at La Fontana with show.(B,L,D)

Day 9 - Sun Depart Havana � USA

Bid adios to your time experiencing and exploring the amazing culture, people and places of Cuba as youboard your flight back to the USA.(B)



7 Days / 6 Nights

HAVANA THEN AND NOWMiami - Havana

This Cuba tour package will bring you to old-time Havana. Cuba brings images of eras gone by to life onthis adventure vacation to the past. Cuba's capital city is where sophistication and style come together andput this island nation on the map as the chic place to be for jet-setters from around the world. Mystery andintrigue await your exploration in beautiful Havana. Amid Spanish-colonial architecture and classicAmerican cars, Havana showcases its prosperous past and ingenuity-driven present. The treasures ofHavana and its surroundings reveal themselves at every turn ... from the UNESCO World Heritage Site ofOld Havana and the incredible city views from atop the hotel originally inaugurated in 1958 as Hilton'sCaribbean gem ... to the area's authentic cigar-rolling workshops, tobacco farms, rum factories, tobaccoplantations, and stunning nature-scapes. Just beyond the city, explore the beauties of Vinales Valley, Pinardel Rio, Guanabacoa, Hemingway's Farm and much more! It will be a once in a lifetime Cuba vacation.

Day 1 - Arrive Miami

Your celebration of this amazing adventure begins with your arrival inMiami, Florida and transfer to your hotel. Tonight, join Central Holidays foran introduction to your Cuba people-to-people program. Meet your fellowprogram participants and U.S. Tour Director, review your travel documentsand itinerary, and get ready for the experience of a lifetime in thefascinating island nation of Cuba.

Day 2 - Miami � Welcome to Havana Cuba

This morning, you will be transferred to Miami International Airport for ashort flight to Havana, Cuba. Upon arrival at Jose Marti International Airportand after clearing customs, you will meet your professional, Cuban English-speaking Tour Director. Your peopleto- people interactions begin right awaywith a group lunch at a local ''paladar,'' a privately-owned small restaurantserving homemade Cuban dishes. Here you will have a cultural exchangewith the restaurant's owner and enjoy learning about such topics as Cubanfood and the free enterprise system in Cuba. Next, you will head to BocoyRum Factory, originally established in 1878. Take part in an informativedialogue with a local docent about the history of Cuba's renowned rumindustry and the rum making process as you tour this long-standing factoryand working museum dedicated to Cuban rum. (L)

Day 3 - Havana

After breakfast you will enjoy a photo stop at Revolution Square, one of thelargest public squares in the world. Continuing onwards you will have aneducational exchange with a local expert who will speak about Havana's unique architecture, thechallenges of renovating the city's exquisite historic buildings, and the future of these restorations. Then,you will explore the charming cobblestone streets of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, whileparticipating in an open dialogue with the local expert on architectural topics of interest. Next, visit theMaqueta Vieja Habana Museum that houses the scale model of the City of Havana to see the whole city,and learn about its architecture as well as more about restoration efforts. Following lunch in Old Havana,you will tour the Museum of the Revolution that displays a vast array of documents, weapons, relics andeven planes from the revolution. The museum is housed in the former presidential palace that was thehome to Cuba's leaders from the 1920s until 1959. Heading out of the city you will arrive at the fascinatingfishing village of Jaimanitas and visit the home, studio and gallery of world-renowned artist and painterJose Fuster, known as the ''Picasso of Cuba.'' Roofs, walls, doorways and benches, stretching for blocks


around his studio are adorned with his brightly colored sculptures and mosaics. Here you will engage withthe Fuster family and meet Fuster himself, if his schedule permits, as well as local residents of the town,to discuss the influence of the artist's work on their lives and the community. At dinner this evening, take-in the incredible views of Havana from the top floor of the Habana Libre Hotel, Havana's most symbolichotel that was originally built as the Habana Hilton and inaugurated in 1958 - offering the perfect end toyour first full-day in Havana. (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Havana

Today we experience Havana's world-famous Colon Cemetery to see elaborately sculpted stone andmarble memorials. You will discover the cemetery's captivating history and folklore, and hear stories aboutthe many prominent people laid to rest here, including musicians, filmmakers, writers, politicians, andMajor League baseball players. You will also visit the tomb of La Milagrosa - the ''Miraculous One'' visitedby Cubans as a pilgrimage site believed by many to have healing influences. Next it's off to the district ofGuanabacoa, known for its rich religious diversity. This town boasts some of the finest colonial churcheswhere locals worship both Catholic and Santeria saints. Santeria is a fusion of religious influences fromWest African, Caribbean and Roman Catholic beliefs, and was created by slaves who were brought toCuba to work on the country's sugar plantations. You will visit the intriguing Guanabacoa Museum ofSanteria Orishas and see many displays of Afro - Cuban culture. Here you will also experience a Santeriamusical performance and get to know the dancers and locals via a personal exchange. As the day'sactivities continue, you will enter the realm of Ernest Hemingway with a visit to Hemingway's Farm, FincaLa Vigia. The house where the Nobel Prize winner lived with his wife Martha for 21 years is situated onthis beautiful property overlooking Havana. Tour the perfectly preserved home where many ofHemingway's personal belongings remain today, as well as his wooden yacht ''Pilar''On this vessel,Hemmingway patrolled for Nazis and it was also featured in his novel ''Islands in the Stream'' Next you willenjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Havana before a tour and interaction with the founder of a worldfamousSpanish Ballet Company who will share the history of her company and dance education in Cuba. As theday proceeds, it's off to the Cuban Literacy Museum where you will learn about a national effort to educaterural farmers and families. Education and the development of human capital was a post revolution priorityfor the Cuban government. After the Revolution in 1959, the country suffered from an exodus of educatorsand intellectuals. A nationwide program, known as the Cuban Literacy Campaign of 1961, was instituted inresponse.

More than 250,000 literate adults and children, some as young as 11 years old, formed brigades ofpeople, or brigadistas, and traveled throughout the countryside to teacher their fellow Cubans how to read.Through interactions with the museum director and docents you will learn about this highly successfulcampaign. Further along, you visit El Morro Castle, built in 1589 to protect the mouth of Havana Harbor.Perched on the headland opposite the harbor from Old Havana, it can be viewed from miles around as itdominates the port entrance and is therefore used as a navigational landmark. Before dinner, meet aformer Cuban baseball player and join in a dialogue regarding the history and the love of this favoritepastime in Cuba. This evening, experience a dinner with tour at the renowned Hotel Nacional de Cuba,which has hosted many celebrities and world figures over the decades, including Winston Churchill, FrankSinatra, Muhammad Ali, and Steven Spielberg. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Havana � Vinales - Pinar Del Rio - Havana

Today you will venture northwest out of Havana through the Cuban countryside to the UNESCO WorldHeritage site of the Vinales Valley, located in Cuba's western most mountainous range. This region,situated in the province of Pinar Del Rio, is known for its breathtaking scenery. The area is dotted withspectacular limestone mountains (mogotes) rising to a height of up to 300 meters. Here you will gaze uponspectacular caverns and rivers and discover the region's vast tobacco fields, still cultivated today usingtraditional methods that have survived unchanged for centuries. In Pinar Del R?o you will tour theFranciso Donatien Cigar Factory to learn about the manufacturing of fine Cuban cigars and enjoy aneducational exchange with workers about the history and process of cigar-making in Cuba. As your daycontinues, you will visit a traditional tobacco plantation and farmhouse where you will get to know anauthentic tobacco farmer. During this enlightening interaction you will learn about tobacco cultivation andthe tobacco leaf drying process then experience a cigar rolling demonstration firsthand. Enjoy a visit inside


the farmer's home and have a sit-down with his family while sipping on a ''cafecito'' a sweetened shot ofCuban-style espresso coffee. This is a superb opportunity to witness up-close how Cuban families live in arural setting. After this exciting encounter, a stop at Los Jasmines viewpoint offers the ideal photo-op withits awe-inspiring views of Vinales Valley, perfect for panoramic pictures of this splendidly beautiful region.(B,L)

Day 6 - Havana - Matanzas - Havana

Today's activities begin after breakfast with an introductory exploration of the world of art in Cuba as youdelve-into the National Museum of Fine Arts in Havana. Housed in its current location since 1954, themuseum boasts an impressive collection of artwork from painters dating back to the earliest colonizers ofCuba. Here you will meet with a Cuban art expert and a local historian for a presentation on theimportance of the artistic pieces housed in this spectacular museum. Next along your journey, you willtravel through rural Cuba and arrive in Matanzas, known as ''the Venice of Cuba'' for its many bridges.Enjoy a city tour where your guide will provide insight into the city's rich history. Tour the well-preserved ElMuseo Farmaceutico, an old French Colonial pharmacy formerly known as Botica La Francesa that wasoriginally founded 1882. It was operational until 1964 when it was transformed into The MuseoFarmaceutico. Time has remained still here where many of the items that would have been found in apharmacy during that time period still line the shelves, such as: hand painted French porcelain vases,more than 500,000 original medical recipe formulas, antique bottles and jars, other seemingly ancientpharmaceutical items. During an illuminating tour you will discover the museum's interesting exhibits andcollections including, a prize-winning dispensary table (winner of a bronze medal in the Paris Exposition of1900), together with tools used for the production of medicines. Next, you will enjoy a brief architecturaltour of the famous DuPont Mansion including lunch. Further along you will experience a pottery-makingdemonstration at the Taller de Ceramica Artistica (artistic ceramics workshop) and interact with artists tolearn about this art form. A stop is made at Bacunayagua Bridge, the highest bridge in Cuba with anobservation area offering excellent views for photos. (B,L)

Day 7 - Depart Havana - USA

After breakfast, bid ''adios'' to Cuba and depart for the airport and your return flight to Miami withmemories to cherish and share of your Discover Cuba trip to this enchanting country in the Caribbean. (B)

Included Features:

ROUND TRIP AIR TRANSPORTATION - Round trip airfare from MiamiFIRST-CLASS ACCOMMODATIONS - 6 nights first class hotelsCUISINE - 12 included meals consisting of 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 2 dinnersTOUR PROGRAM - People to people discussions, interactions and unusual visits such as: JoseFuster, known as the ''Picasso of Cuba'', a Cigar Factory, Cuban farmhouse, Santeria experience,meet a Cuban baseball player, the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Cuban Literacy Museum,Hemingway's Farm, Old Havana and more...PROFESSIONAL U.S TOUR DIRECTOR - Assistance of a professional Central Holidays U.S. TourManagerPROFESSIONAL CUBAN GUIDE - Assistance and guiding from a professional specialized bilingualCuban guideDELUXE MOTORCOACHES - Touring by private deluxe air-conditioned motor coachPEOPLE TO PEOPLE INTERACTIONS - There are daily people to people discussions andinteractions on unique Cuban events and issues.BAGGAGE HANDLING AND TRANSFERS - Baggage handling for one piece of checked luggageoutside of the airport upon arrival in CubaVISA - Cuban travel visaHEALTH INSURANCE - Cuban health insuranceWATER - Bottled water on the coach each day.GRATUITIES - Pre-paid gratuities for hotel porters, waiters for included meals, all people to peoplevisits, discussions and Interactions.LOCAL TAXES AND SERVICE CHARGES - Hotel & City taxes and service chargesDEPARTURE TAXES - U.S. air departure taxes


Notes:

Program Operated by Central Holidays under license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (Treasury Department) This is a program monitored and assessed by the U.S Treasury Department. The itinerary provides a full time schedule of activitiesthat result in meaningful exchanges through people-to-people contact. U.S. law requires all travelers joining this program adhere tothe full time schedule. All payments need to be made out to Central Holidays.



9 Days / 8 Nights

HAVANA AND SANCTI SPIRITUSMiami - Havana - Sancti Spiritus

The intriguing Caribbean country of Cuba awaits you to explore its amazing history, landscapes,architecture, customs and culture in this exciting opportunity that U.S. travelers had not been permitted fordecades. The mystery and mystique begin to unfold in Havanna as you tour Old Havana's city center, tasteflavorful Cuban cuisine at ''paladar'' restaurants owned by locals, and enjoy cultural exchanges withteachers, artists, students, historians and more! Travel along to Sancti Spiritus, capital of the province withthe same name that is located in central Cuba founded in 1514. Surrounded by breathtaking mountainsand valleys, Sanct Spiritus is situated along the banks of the Yayabo River and is known for its sugarcaneand cattle cultivation and well as important tobacco leaf growing areas. In the colonial city center, you willmeander around the labyrinth of winding streets and alleys that converge in public plazas and enjoy timegetting to know the locals. Come discover the magic of this mystifying island nation at every turn on thisHavanna and Sancti Spiritus people-to-people cultural experience with time to delve into the city's capitaland off-the-beaten path cities and towns for the adventure of a lifetime.

Day 1 - Sat Miami

Your celebration of this amazing adventure begins with your arrival inMiami, Florida and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2 - Sun Miami � Welcome to Havana Cuba

Embark on your charter flight from Miami to Havana. Upon arrival in thecapital of Cuba, you will be transferred to your Havana Hotel and convenefor an introductory lecture and briefing by our tour leader and local bilingualguide for your Havana and Sancti Spiritus experience. This afternoon, avisit to the Muraleando project in the Luyano district will take you toparticipate in an exchange about the project. Then enjoy lunch arrangedwith residents of the local community. Return to your hotel to check-in andsettle into your accommodations. This evening you will share in a welcomedinner at Do?a Eutimia a local ''paladar'' - privately-owned small restaurantserving homemade Cuban dishes. After dinner, you will attend the canonblast at La Caba?a Fortress, an iconic Havana experience that wasintroduced centuries ago where in each evening the resounding blast wouldsignal the closing of the city's walls. (L,D)

Day 3 - Mon Havana

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel then take part in a walking tour of Old Havanaled by an expert from Office of the City Historian. During this insightfulexperience you will have the opportunity to participate in a dialogue withlocal entrepreneurs. Next on your people-to people cultural exchange youwill visit a graphic arts workshop where local artist Jacqueline Brito and hersister will enlighten you about their work in an open forum. Then it's on to taste authentic Cuban recipesduring lunch at a restaurant in Old Havana. After lunch, have an exchange with Humberto Rodriguez andstudents from the National Art School (ENA). Humberto Rodriguez has directed the Theater CompanyOlga Alonso and has worked with very famous Cuban artists including Jorge Perugorria of the movie''Fresa y Chocolate'' and Laura de la Uz, of ''La Pelicula de Ana.'' Visit the Quisicuaba community project,whose aim is to rehabilitate traditional folk culture in the community. Here you will have a discussion andexchange about the project's efforts. Tonight you will dine at La Moraleja restaurant and have the optionalopportunity to experience a Havana night club after dinner. (B,L,D)


Day 4 - Tue Havana - Sancti Spiritus

Have breakfast at your Havana hotel before departing for Santi Spiritus, capital of the province with thesame name that is located in central Cuba along the banks of the Yayabo River and is known for itssugarcane and cattle cultivation and well as important tabacco leaf growing areas. As you venture alongtowards Santi Spiritus, you will participate in a morning visit to FincaYoandra, an urban garden, where youwill get to know the people who work there via personal interactions and learn about their work. Headingon to Cojimar, you will take part in a short walk and have exchanges with local fisherman as your guideexplains the special relationship between Cojimar, Hemingway, and The Old Man and the Sea. Enjoylunch at Las Brisas and drive on to Sancti Spiritus. After check-in at Los Rijos and some time to settle-in,you will have dinner at the hotel. Later, you can take part in an evening cultural excursion at Casa de LaTrova, offering a perfect opportunity to interact firsthand with local residents. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Wed Sancti Spiritus with the FANJ

After breakfast at your hotel, visit the Antonio Nunez Jimenez'' Foundation (FANJ) Headquarters in SanctiSpiritus, whose work is focused on urban sustainability. Here you will have the opportunity to meet andengage with representatives and members of this organization. The morning's activities with FANJ willinclude visits to sustainable agricultural sites and interactions with workers and residents. You will alsoenjoy lunch at a local restaurant with members of the FANJ. After lunch, visit a community project andparticipate in an interchange with residents and workers. Then visit a community school for more people-to-people interactions and opportunities to dialogue with teachers and students. Return to the hotel wheredinner will be arranged this evening. After dinner, tonight you will have the opportunity to enjoy an eveningof personal interactions with locals from Sancti Spiritus. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Thu Sancti Spiritus � Trinidad - Sancti Spiritus

Today's activities begin with breakfast at your hotel before embarking on a fascinating walking tour ofTrinidad with a local expert from the City Historian's Office. You will explore the valley of the sugar mills,interacting along the way with ''CuentasPropistas'' or small business owners as well as communityresidents. El Colonial restaurant is your next stop along the way on the day's adventures where you willenjoy lunch. This afternoon, visit Casa de Chi Chi, a well-known artists' ceramics studio, where you willlearn about his art and interact with his family members and studio workers. This evening enjoy dinner atSan Jose Paladar in Trinidad. After dinner, return to Sancti Spiritus for your overnight stay.(B,L,D)

Day 7 - Fri Sancti Spiritus � Havana

Breakfast at your hotel starts the day then it's off to visit a polyclinic in Sancti Spiritus where you will learnin exchanges with doctors and nurses about their work.Next, depart for Havanastopping en route atAguada de Pasajeros for lunch. This afternoon, you will check in to your hotel in Havana. Check-in at yourhotel back in Havana. This evening Havana awaits for you to savor dinner at your choice of localrestaurants.(B,L,D)

Day 8 - Sat Havana

Have breakfast at your hotel then embark on a guided tour of the Museum of the Revolution located in theformer presidential palace. Visit the Sephardic Center and the Holocaust Memorial and meet with theDirector of the Center. Next, head to Hotel Nacional's La Barraca Restaurant for lunch followed by a brieftour of this famous hotel. In the afternoon, you will take a ferry to Regla and visit Iglesia de NuestraSenorade Regla accompanied by a specialist for an exchange about Santeria, the Afro-Cuban religion thatencompasses a fusion of religious influences from West African, Caribbean and Roman Catholic beliefsand was created by slaves who were brought to Cuba to work on the country's sugar plantations. Thisafternoon you will have a special opportunity to experience a performance by Habana Compas dancetroop, featuring a mix of percussion and dance rooted in flamenco and afro-Cuban rhythms and moves.After refreshing at the hotel, ride in a 1950s car to your group's farewell dinner at La Fontana with show.(B,L,D)

Day 9 - Sun Depart Havana � USA

Bid adios to your time experiencing and exploring the amazing culture, people and places of Cuba from


your Havana and Sancti Spiritus as you board your flight back to the USA. (B)

Notes:Optional People to People Activities to Include:(If in season, go to a baseball game and meet with Players before the game.)Best Price starting at $3335 (Based on per person in Double Occupancy)

Contact:Name: StevenEmail: [email protected] Phone: 855-822-8747Fax: 615-800-8069

NotesThis is an expanded brochure which has all the tours available with Cuba included.

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vacation side travel presents: a tale of four cities (9 days / 8 nights)

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colonial city of trinidad

incredible city views