HAVANA JAZZ FESTIVAL - ITINERARY

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15

• Arrive José Marti Airport, Havana

• Meet guide and driver and travel into the city for a driving tour of Havana’s barrios (neighborhoods), the Revolution Plaza, the Malecón sea drive and other important landmarks.

• Orientation and Welcome Lunch in Old Havana (Included)

• A Walking Tour of the Plazas of Old Havana, (Plaza D’Armas, Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza de San Francisco and Plaza Vieja)

• Check-in at your B&B accommodations.

• Dinner (Direct payment)

• Evening: Transportation to the opening activities of the 35th Havana International Jazz Festival!

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16

• Breakfast at your B&B.

• Walk the Malécon to engage with the local population and gain a sense of the Malécon’s importance as an outdoor public space. Accompanied by a local architect, we will also explore the Malécon’s architectural past and future.

• A tour of Central Havana: Fountain of India, Capitol building, ¨Almendrones, ¨ vintage American cars, and the Prado.

• Lunch in Chinatown (direct payment)

• A walking tour of Chinatown and discussion of the history of the Chinese in Cuba.

• Dinner on your own.

• Evening: Activities of the Jazz Festival

FRIDAY, JANUARY 17

• Breakfast at your B&B.

• Day-long excursion to Matanzas, a region referred to as the “Venice of Cuba,” renowned for its culture and deep Afro-Cuban cultural traditions. Visit the Parque de La Liberdad and Ediciones Vigia, an independent book publishing cooperative and producers of handmade books. Lunch (direct

• Return to Havana.

• Evening: Activities of the Jazz Festival

SATURDAY, JANUARY 18

• Breakfast at your B&B.

• Stroll the Prado to interact with independent artists and community.

• Visit to the ArteCorte neighborhood and exploration of Cuba’s first ventures into private enterprise. Stay for Lunch

(Direct Payment)

• Visit to the studio of artist Eduardo Roca Salazar (Choco), or a rum and cigar tasting at Madrigal, a gathering spot described as “a place Hemingway would have loved.”

• Optional: Dinner reservations at San Cristobal, the five-star “celebrities paladar,” where the food is authentically Cuban-creole. (Direct Payment)

• Evening: Activities of the Jazz Festival.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 19

• Breakfast at your B&B.

• Take the ferry to Regla across the bay. Visit the well-known Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de Regla, the Church of the Black Virgin. Observe or participate in the Mass.

• Lunch (Direct Payment)

• Visit to Callejon de Hamel, an alley decorated by Afro-Cuban artist Salvador Gonzalez Escalona with themes, scenes and symbols from Afro-Cuban culture and religions. Participate in the Rhumba dancing.

• Farewell Dinner (Included)

• Closing ceremonies of the Jazz Festival.

MONDAY, JANUARY 20

• Breakfast at your B&B.

• Transfer to airport

PROGRAM COST:  $2,225 per person

(Price quoted is for double occupancy. Single occupancy is an additional $150.00 per person)

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES:

•5 nights bed & breakfast accommodations (casas particulares) with breakfast daily, 

•A  Welcome lunch and a farewell dinner

•Program of visits, meetings and excursions as outlined in the program

•Credentials for entry to all Havana Jazz Festival events

•Transportation by air-conditioned bus 

•English speaking Cuban guide throughout

•Tips and gratuities for driver and tour guide

•Honoraria for program specialists

•Global Arts program and administrative service fees

NOT INCLUDED:

•Roundtrip Airfare to Havana.

•Travel visa (obtained at airport before US departure. Approximately $50 -$80)

•Havana airport tax of $25, to be paid in Miami at time of departure

•General tips and gratuities

•Meals or beverages, other than those listed in the program as “Included" 

•Personal expenses

DEPOSIT: A TRAVEL APPLICATION and a DEPOSIT of $1,000.00 is required by December 6, 2019 to reserve space on the trip.  Final Payment must be received by January 3, 2020.