LIFETravels to Cuba!
Come with us this winter as LIFETravels partners with CWT Travel and Michael Kerman of Leading Edge Seminars to give you a look at Cuba very different from the view as seen from a beach resort. This tour will give you an insider's view of Havana's cultural scene as we gain access to places and people not on the usual tourist itinerary with our own incredible guides. We will see performances and chat with the performers, artists, and leaders of Havana's arts and culture scene, while also touring Cuba's most innovative social and cultural programs. We will also travel to Pinar del Rio province to experience another side of today's Cuba.
Join us in the Caribbean in the middle of winter to celebrate wonderful aspects of Cuban life and culture and to learn about its complexities and difficulties though our visits and conversations. Best of all, you will have the opportunity to make the acquaintance of our two Cuban hosts and translators, who not only lead our programs but also join us at meals and during our informal social events to help us learn more about Cuba and what it has been like to live through history there.
Leading Edge Seminars has had over ten years’ experience in running tours in Cuba. Past participants have consistently found their multi-faceted programming and connections with local organizations and communities enable them to learn about the nuances of Cuban life without lapsing into uncritical generalizations about revolutionary paradises or failed dictatorships.
TOUR DETAILS
THURSDAY March 15 (D)
We leave Toronto at 10:00 a.m. by Westjet to Varadero. Arrive 1:30 pm. Transfer to Havana. Settle in at the Hotel Victoria in the Vedado neighbourhood. http://www.hotelvictoriacuba.com/
Dinner (included) at Hotel Victoria is followed by our welcome meeting and tour introduction.
FRIDAY March 16 (B, L)
Breakfast (7:00 -9:30 a.m.) is included every day in Havana
Today is our introduction to Havana. First, we leave for a guided walking tour of Old Havana. Declared a World Heritage Site in 1982, this is the core of the original city of Havana founded by the Spanish in 1519. The tour introduces us to the highlights of this neighbourhood, which exhibits most Western architectural styles seen in the New World. We finish at the artisan market along Havana’s piers.
Lunch in Old Havana (included). In the afternoon we take a bus tour in which we get to know Havana, visiting her many neighborhoods including Cristobal Colon Cemetery /Necropolis, the Revolution Plaza, John Lennon Park, Parque Central, Vedado and the University of Havana, and the suburbs of La Playa (The Beach). Dinner (not included). Local restaurants will be recommended.
SATURDAY March 17 (B, L)
This morning we tour an organic urban agricultural farm in Alamar, east of Havana, where we learn about Cuba’s Green Revolution which began in the early 1990’s. Lunch (included) is made from produce organically grown there. In the afternoon, we visit Finca Vigia and the Hemingway Museum: Ernest Hemingway's home in Cojimar, a small fishing village outside of Havana.
In the evening, local restaurants will be recommended for dinner (not included). 2 entertainment options are an evening at a popular local jazz club or a visit to the new “Beatles Club” The Yellow Submarine.
SUNDAY March 18 (B, D)
In the morning, we walk to the Sunday Artists Market near Old Havana, the Parque Central and the Plaza Hotel for views of the Bacardi Building. Lunch on your own (recommendations will be made)
At 2:00pm this afternoon we will visit the Palacio de Bellas Artes (Palace of Fine Arts) with a guided tour of Cuban art and history from the colonial period to the present. This evening dinner is at the El Ajibe Famous Rotisery & Black Bean Restaurant (meals family-style - all you can eat) in suburban Miramar (included)
MONDAY March 19 (B, D)
This morning we visit the School of Fine Arts to meet students and see a class or rehearsal
Lunch at El Palenque (open air restaurant in a Havana suburb) (not included:$7-$15)
The afternoon is free to explore the Vedado neighborhood, including the University of Havana and Parque Coppelia, Havana’s “ice cream park” (walking distance from our hotel)
At 5:00 p.m. we leave for Old Havana for a dinner and rooftop dance with a terrific band. Our chance to learn about Cuban dance steps and dances (participation is optional!) (Dinner, dance and drink included)
TUESDAY March 20 (B, D)
We spend the morning with Dr. Georgina Farinas and the participants in Psycho-Ballet at the historical “Casa de México” in Old Havana. We see a performance of Psycho-Ballet, developed in the 1970’s by Dr. Farinas to provide activity and support structure to “special needs” populations, and which is now used widely in Cuba and 25 other countries.
Lunch at a popular inexpensive cafeteria (not included)
In the afternoon, we have a guided tour of the Fundación Antonio Nuñez Jiménez in the former home of Antonio Nuñez Jiménez, a rebel captain under Che Guevara, Minister of Agrarian Reform under Fidel Castro & an anthropologist and author of over 70 books. The museum displays artifacts from the 17,000 km canoe trip he led from the Amazon source to the sea. We hear about the work of the Foundation, a leader in Cuban ecological programs and policy related to the environment.
This evening we enjoy sundown drinks on the lawns of the Hotel Nacional plus dinner (included) at the hotel’s outdoor barbeque restaurant. http://www.hotelnacionaldecuba.com/en/property-overview.asp
WEDNESDAY March 21 (B, D)
In the morning we learn about the history of city and community planning in Havana, as we visit La Maqueta, which houses the one of the world’s largest scale models (giving us an overview of Havana)
Lunch (not included). Restaurants will be recommended.
This afternoon we visit La Colmenita, Cuba’s National Children’s Theatre & Cuban Children’s Mental Health Organization. We meet Alberto Cremata, founder & director, and the children of the company. La Colmenita (The Little Bee Hive) is now in its 21st year, has performed in over 25 countries and has been appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador by UNESCO. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K-XYG7SgCs
Our dinner is at the Hotel Victoria (included), followed by a talk by Dr. Michele Frank, an American psychiatrist who has lived in Havana for 30 years, on the current realities of Cuba.
THURSDAY March 22 (B, L, D)
After breakfast (included), we leave for our tour of the western provinces in our own bus. En route we get to see more of rural Cuba. Our hotel is the Hotel Moka situated in the las Terrazas Community.
During the rest of the day, we explore and learn about the Las Terrazas Community. This is an eco-community established in the early 1990’s in a beautiful area with natural and historical attractions.
http://www.dtcuba.com/showreport.aspx?lng=2&c=48 Lunch and dinner are at Las Terrazas (included)
FRIDAY, March 23 (B, L, D)
Today we experience some more aspects of rural life in Cuba. After breakfast (included), we visit Pinar del Rio, the capital of the province with the same name. Then we travel to the Viñales Valley, a beautiful pastoral setting. Lunch (included) is at the Los Jazmines Hotel with one of the most beautiful views in Cuba. We also visit the town of Viñales and other attractions in the area, before returning to the Hotel Moka for dinner (included) and overnight.
SATURDAY March 24 (B, D)
After breakfast (included), we return to Havana and the Hotel Victoria. You have the rest of the last day on your own to do anything that you haven’t yet done! This would be a chance for a leisurely visit to Old Havana (bus shuttle available), for shopping, or for any other sightseeing. Lunch (not included) at your choice of restaurant. Last night dinner (included) at one of Havana’s best restaurants
SUNDAY MARCH 25 (B)
After breakfast we check out from the hotel, and transfer to Varadero airport for the return flight to Toronto, leaving at 2:30 p.m. We arrive in Toronto at 5:00 p.m.
COSTS:
Land Cost: $1950 CAD Per Person based on double occupancy
Single Supplement: $300
Included in trip costs:
- 8 Nights accommodation at Hotel Victoria, Havana
- 2 Nights accommodation at the Hotel Moka, eco-farm community
- Breakfast daily and most other meals (as listed above)
- All tour activities, including Old Havana walking tour
- Private bus for all daytime tour activities
- Airport transfers to and from Hotel Victoria
Not included:
- 5 Lunches and 2 Dinners; snacks, and sundries
- Gratuities
- Insurance ( Medical Insurance mandatory )
- Optional activities
- Airfare
Getting to Cuba:
Carlson Wagonlit Travel Source are holding a limited amount of seats with Westjet at a discounted fare of $581 including taxes and transfers from Varadero.
WESTJET #2610 15MAR TORONTO - VARADERO 1000A 130P *
WESTJET #2613 25MAR VARADERO - TORONTO 230P 555P *
For assistance in booking flights and to register for this program, please contact:
Karen Kettle
CWT Travel Source
101 Duncan Mill Road, Suite 305, Toronto, ON M3B 1Z3
karen@cwttravelsource.com
Tel: 416-449-0931 or Toll Free 1-800-265-2817 Fax: 416-449-9965
All profits from this tour will be donated to Cuban children and family agencies.
Space is limited.
Varadero Optional Extension
Four nights at the 4-star Iberostar Playa Alameda in Varadero Beach. March 25-29, 2012
Cost: $546 All-inclusive Per Person Based on Double Occupancy ( Based on availability )
Arrangements to join us at Varadero can also made through Karen Kettle at Karen@cwttravelsource.com or call 416-449-0931 or Toll Free 1-800-265-2817.
Questions or further information: please contact LIFETravels at: lifetravels@ymail.com
TERMS AND CONDITONS
A non-refundable deposit of $300 per person is due at time of booking.
Your non-refundable final balance is due 60 days prior your departure.
No price increases are permitted after payment in full.
If after the deposit has been paid there is an increase in the total cost of the travel services and the cumulative increase- except any increase resulting from an increase in retail sales tax or Federal goods and services tax of more than 7 percent – you have the right to cancel the contract and obtain a full refund or opt for comparable travel services.
Please note that entry into another country maybe refused even if the required information and travel documents are complete.
Please note that living standards and practices at the destination and the standards there with respect to the provisions of utilities – services and accommodation may differ from those found in Canada.
Carlson Wagonlit Travel Source acts as a counsellor intermediary between you and the named supplier on your invoice and as such cannot in any way be held responsible for acts-omissions of the supplier(s). By placing a deposit for payment on this booking you are accepting the terms and conditions as outlined in the suppliers brochure and any insurance policy purchased. Please read them carefully.
Flight times are subject to change by the airline.
Name on itinerary must match that of your passport.
Deposits:
To reserve your space, a non-refundable deposit of $300 per person is due at time of booking.
Final Payment:
Full and final payment is due 60 days prior to your departure. Full payment is due immediately for reservations made within 60 days prior to departure.
Cancellation Policy:
All cancellations must be received in writing. Refund in full, less $300 per person, will be made up to 60 days prior to departure. Cancellation within 60 days of departure are subject to the following charges:
61days prior to departure – Deposit
60-0 days prior to departure – 100% of tour cost
Refunds:
No refund is made for unused travel services or any portion hereof, nor is the value of the unused services exchangeable for alternative arrangements.
Documentation:
It is the responsibility of the booking agent to determine what documentation is necessary for travel to each country – and to relay this information to their clients. CWT Travel Source will assume no responsibility whatsoever for passenger(s) denied carriage by the Air Carrier, or refused entry into any country.
Notice:
Living standards and practices as well as conditions and standards differ from country to country.
CWT Travel Source Responsibility:
CWT Travel Source purchases transportation, hotel accommodation, tour and ferry passage, restaurant and other services from various different suppliers who are not affiliated with CWT Travel Source are issued and subject to all tariffs, terms and conditions under which all transportation , including airlines, coach, hotels, tour and ferry operators, restaurants and other services are contracted.
Participants agree not to hold CWT Travel Source responsible for any loss, injury or damage to any person, property or otherwise in connection with any accommodation, transportation or resulting from any Acts of God, dangers, incident at sea, fire, breakdowns in machinery or equipment, act of governments, or authorities, de hure or e facto, wars declared or not, hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, pilferage, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, defaults, delays, cancellation or any causes beyond CWT Travel Source’s control for any loss of damage resulting from improperly issued visas or other documents and that CWT Travel Source will not be responsible. The payment of a reservation on a tour or customized itinerary shall constitute consent to all provisions in the terms & conditions
All profits from this tour will be donated to Cuban children and family agencies.
Space is limited.
