Colors of Cuba II

Day 1 - Miami Arrival Day
Travelers will be arriving independently to Miami and gathering at the pre-night Miami airport hotel. In the evening, join the group in attending a welcome briefing to get you prepared for your Colors of Cuba tour program. Your Tour Director will answer any questions you may have and invite you to a welcome cocktail reception to get better acquainted with your traveling companions.

Day 2 - Havana Arrival
Your short flight to Cuba will last just under an hour and upon arrival, you'll meet your Cuban Tour Guide and local expert, who will accompany you throughout your journey. You'll then be transferred to Old Havana, where you'll enjoy a panoramic overview of the city. Make a stop at the remarkable "Plaza de la Revolucion", the city's most important square and center for political talks and cultural happenings. Here you'll also see the statue of Cuba's national hero, Jose Marti, as well as the symbols of the country's revolutionary heroes, including Camilo Cienfuegos and Che Guevara. Learn about the different neighborhoods in Havana including the vibrant Vedado district, where the University of Havana is located. Enjoy a stop at a local "paladar", or private restaurant, for your introduction to Cuban cuisine! After lunch, stroll over to the Fine Arts Museum and enjoy the 20th century art, Cuban sculptures, and photography. Then head toward your hotel along the Old Havana seaside Promenade, known as the Malécon, and the Prado, an elegant, tree-lined boulevard with architectural gems on each side. You'll arrive at the Capitol building for another great photo stop. You're sure to find many American Antique Cars in great condition, but look closely as many don't always have all of the original parts! Check in, relax, and prepare for welcome dinner at El Litoral which overlooks the Malécon. INCLUDED MEALS: Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 - Havana
After breakfast, enjoy a walk through Old Havana to learn firsthand from an architect about the recent restorations and historical importance of its glorious buildings, many dating to Colonial times. Visit the four major squares of Havana: Plaza Vieja, Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza de Armas, and Plaza San Francisco. Next, you're off to meet with local dancers for an interactive salsa lesson. Enjoy a light lunch in the Santo Angel neighborhood within Old Havana before interacting with the residents to learn about their community and a project known as Arte Corte, an emerging area that has its own beauty school and community center for the elderly, as well as many new business and art galleries. The locals will share their stories of how their lives have changed in just a few years with new opportunities and changes in local regulations. Next, you'll head over to the San Jose Craft Market to meet local artists and artisans. In the afternoon, you'll return to the hotel. Later in the evening, you may choose to venture out on your own to try one of the local restaurants, or join us for an optional evening out for dinner and a show, including the Buenavista Social Club Group. INCLUDED MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 - Pinar del Rio - Havana
Breakfast is served at the hotel, and then you're off to Pinar del Rio Province for a unique day trip. This scenic drive takes you along some of Cuba's most beautiful countryside, including lush green landscapes and unusual limestone formations with steep hills (locally called mogotes). Your first stop will be in the heart of the Viñales Valley, where information on tobacco production will be shared and the art of cigar rolling will be demonstrated. Then it's off to lunch at an organic garden overlooking the beautiful Valle del Silencio, or Valley of Silence. Your feast will feature an array of organic produce grown locally, as well as the typical roasted meats cooked and served throughout these rural areas. Meet a hard working family and learn more about rural life in Cuba, while taking in the stunning views. After lunch, make a quick stop in the town center of Viñales, with its colorful homes and friendly people, before heading back to Havana. Enjoy another evening free to explore some of the local eating places and hangouts, for yet more interaction with the locals, or sign up for an optional evening to experience Havana's famous Cannon Firing Ceremony. INCLUDED MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 5 - Havana
After a leisurely breakfast, depart to Hemingway's home, Finca Vigia (the lookout house), located in the town of San Francisco de Paula. Walk the grounds and check out the famous writer's home, where time has stood still since his departure in 1960. You'll even get to see the desk where he wrote two of his most celebrated novels. Then, visit a local artist in his home studio and learn about the life of an artist in Cuba today. Head over to a local restaurant in the Vedado neighborhood to discuss the morning's activities with your traveling companions, Cuban guide, and Tour Director. Next, you'll visit the Angeles del Futuro Children's project that teaches young kids acrobatics and prepare them for the Cuban circus. Interact with the children and get to know a little more about the neighborhoods they come from, as well as their strict daily rehearsals and occasional performances. Their talents are truly remarkable! Return to the hotel for some down time before dinner. You will then be transported by an Old American Car to your Havana farewell dinner! Interact with your drivers to learn about the interesting ways they've been able to maintain these vehicles throughout the years. Then, enjoy the festive Havana farewell dinner at one of Havana's most elegant restaurants. INCLUDED MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 - Havana - Cienfuegos - Trinidad
On this morning, you'll pack your bags and enjoy breakfast before departing for Trinidad! Stop at Playa Giron, also known as the "Bay of Pigs", and learn about this important conflict we share in history. Make another stop in the elegant city of Cienfuegos, with its French influence and scenic location, along a large bay. Here you will walk through the main "Bulevar" and learn about shopping practices in Cuba, the difference between ration stores and regular markets, as well as daily challenges people face every day. Visit the Thomas Terry Theater, a late 19th century eclectic jewel, where important legends such as Sarah Bernhard and Enrico Caruso once performed. Then, it's off to lunch at a local favorite before continuing the journey toward Trinidad. You'll arrive Trinidad in the late afternoon, check into your hotel, and enjoy a free evening. You may want to head to the Casa de la Musica, where live music is performed every night and the locals gather to dance and socialize. Consider dinner at 1518, a local paladar which features fine china and silver cutlery from all over the world. INCLUDED MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7 - Trinidad
After breakfast, your adventure begins with a visit to a ceramic workshop that has been in the same family for several generations. Next, you'll head to one of the area's most beautiful natural wonders in the Escambray mountain region. You'll visit with a Cuban naturalist and staff of Parque El Cubano, and experience nature at its best with a scenic nature walk through the park. Have lunch at an outdoor "ranchon" and enjoy delicious local specialties. Return to Trinidad for a historic walk through its charming center, with pastel colored buildings and cobble stone streets. Visit various art galleries and artisan shops, and interact with the artists and local shop keepers. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon and prepare for your Cuba farewell dinner. INCLUDED MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 - Departure Day
After breakfast at the hotel, you'll take a transfer you to the Santa Clara Airport where you'll board your flight back to Miami. Your brief introduction to Cuba and your Colors of Cuba II tour program ends here, but you'll be taking home many memories and wonderful experiences of this colorful place! Buen Viaje! INCLUDED MEALS: Breakfast