PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Gain insight into Cuba’s culture and way of life, with looks at different cultures across the island.

• Explore diverse wildlife at Zapata Swamp, Cuba’s largest wetland.

• Interact with an artist known for depicting culture and life of native Cubans.

• Consider tourism’s impact on Cuba’s economy and conservation efforts.

• Meet with local musicians and the children of a Havana primary school.

• Visit the picturesque colonial town of Trinidad.

• Enjoy hypnotic rumba music and incredible Afro Cuban art with Havana locals at Callejó de Hamel.

• Take a walking tour of Cienfuegos and see the extensive collection of tropical and rare plants at the Cienfuegos Botanical Garden.

CUBAwith Cindy Cone

Travel across Cuba to learn about different ecosystems, cultures, and ongoing conservation and rehabilitation efforts from local experts. Explore Cuba’s diversity, from wetlands and mangroves in the Zapata peninsula to fauna of the Escambray Mountain range to the hustle and bustle of Cuba’s cultural and political center: Havana.Engage with community members and gain a more in-depth understanding of this Caribbean island’s people and their daily way of life in their past and present. Plus, get the chance to explore Trinidad, Cuba’s best preserved colonial town. Travel back through time as you walk the streets and plazas of the centuries old town.

APRIL 11-21, 2016

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suggested cultural activities. Overnight at Hotel Ambos Mundos. (BL)

APRIL 14 - ZAPATA Today you will travel to the Zapata Peninsula, also known as the Bay of Pigs, which is home to the largest wetlands in the Caribbean. Seventy percent of the area is a Biosphere Reserve and Cuba’s largest national park. Isolated and serene, the Bay of Pigs is famed for its marine species, coral reefs, and birds. Upon arrival, embark on short excursion crossing the Tesoro Lagoon to visit the Taina Village, where Cuban sculptor Rita Longa has depicted the primitive way of life, skills and habits of the Cuba native inhabitants through creation of life sized statues. After lunch at a local restaurant, receive an introduction and welcome to Zapata National Park by a local scientist who will also provide a lecture on the ecosystem of the Zapata wetland. After the lecture visit the town of Palpite to interact with the artists community here part of the Korimakao project. Continue to Playa Larga Hotel, arriving before sunset for dinner. Overnight at Hotel Playa Larga. (BLD)

APRIL 15 - ZAPATA Visit the town of Playa Girón and its museum to learn about the famous Bay of Pigs invasion. Have lunch at Caleta Buena, a beautiful inlet in the heart of the bay. After lunch, enjoy snorkeling to explore the marine biodiversity of the area. Return to the hotel for dinner. Overnight at Hotel Playa Larga. (BLD)

APRIL 16 - CIENFUEGOS Today you will travel to the city of Cienfuegos. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at a local paladar. Following lunch, you will be given a guided tour of the city. Some of the places you will see are: Castillo de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles de Jagua (fortress), Arco de Triunfo (the only Arco de Triunfo in Cuba), Cathedral de la Purisma Concepción (cathedral with stained glass work built from 1833 to 1869), Museo Provincial (a furniture and porcelain museum), Palacio de Valle (built from 1913 to 1917 in Neo-Gothic style), Parque José Martí (a park in Plaza de Armas), and the Palmira Yorubá Pantheon (a museum of religious Afro-Catholic syncretism). This evening is yours to explore the area on your own. Overnight at Casas Particulares. (BLD)

ITINERARY

APRIL 11 - HAVANAEarly this morning you will meet your Miami hostess who will escort you via the shuttle service to the Miami airport and assist you with check in. Upon arrival at the José Martí International Airport in Havana, you will be met by your guide and driver, and transferred to your hotel. It may still be too early for check-in; in that case you will give your bags to the bellman, exchange money, and enjoy lunch at the hotel. After lunch, visit Callejón de Hamel, which is known for its electrifying and hypnotic rumba music and home to hundreds of Afro-Cuban inspired murals. This will be a very exciting way to spend your first afternoon in Cuba! Dine this evening at the private restaurant La Guarida, which is the location of the Cuban Oscar nominated film “Strawberry and Chocolate.” Or enjoy a historical lecture or visit with locals. Overnight at Hotel Ambos Mundos. (LD)

APRIL 12 - HAVANAToday you will be given a guided walking tour of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the four “plazas” in Old Havana: Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de San Francisco de Asis, and Plaza de Armas. Included in your visit you will tour the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Revolution. Enjoy lunch during your tour. Learn about the restoration projects going on throughout Havana, and see the giant model of the city. After dinner at the hotel, receive an introduction to the musical rhythms of Cuba with a demonstration by a local musician. Overnight at Hotel Ambos Mundos. (BLD)

APRIL 13 - HAVANA Visit the Yoruba Cultural Association. Meet the Association’s president and Ifa priest. See the museum with an anthropologist, followed by a discussion about Yoruba culture, religion and literary traditions. This afternoon, visit a working class neighborhood and interact with a Catholic priest and a leading hip hop musician/grassroots activist. Discuss popular religious beliefs and practices, social and race relations, and popular music (hip hop, rock, reggaeton) as expression of social issues. Continue to an agricultural coop and talk to workers about food production or other

APRIL 17 - CIENFUEGOS This morning you will be taken to Jardín Botánico de Cienfuegos, founded in 1901 by Edwin F. Atkins and his wife. They arrived in Cuba in 1899 in search of the island’s most precious commodity, sugarcane. Atkins built the “Soledad” sugar mill and a research center dedicated to the investigation and enhancement of sugarcane, and soon afterwards started a tropical and rare species garden in the backyard of their estate. Today, the garden has a large collection of tropical exotic plants (2,000+ species) clustered in 670 genera and 125 botanical families. Overnight at Casas Particulares. (BLD)

APRIL 18 - TRINIDAD This morning visit Topes de Collantes, a nature reserve park in the Escambray Mountain range. It is the third highest peak in the reserve, where a small settlement and tourist center is located. After your visit, you will be transferred to the beautiful city of Trinidad, Cuba’s best preserved colonial town. Trinidad was the third settlement in Cuba and founded in 1514 by Diego Velazquez, the country’s first governor. Enjoy lunch, followed by a walking tour of Trinidad. Explore the cobblestone streets of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, preserved just as they were centuries ago. You will be able to visit the artisans and street vendors in the local market. There are also several casas de musica, including one next to the cathedral in Plaza Major. The remainder of the afternoon and evening are free to enjoy on your own. Overnight at Iberostar Grand Hotel. (BLD)

APRIL 19 - HAVANA Today you will travel back to Havana. En route, stop in Santa Clara, the beautiful provincial capital of the Villa Clara region. Visit the Che Guevara Memorial and Mausoleum which features unique historical pieces from one of the most influential revolutionary leaders. The displays chronicle the events of an era in this extraordinary man’s life. The mausoleum is the final resting place of Ernesto “Che” Guevara and his companions. Stop for lunch en route. Overnight at Hotel Ambos Mundos. (BLD)

APRIL 20 - HAVANA After breakfast, a visit has been arranged at the urban primary school Angela Landa, serving children from Old Havana. You will have the opportunity to use the Spanish you have learned

prior to your tour, and perhaps share with the children some gifts from your home town. After lunch, you will visit the Institute for Superior Arts (ISA) from which the island’s best music, dance, design, and visual arts talents emerge. This evening, enjoy the innovative musical show Opera de la Calle to celebrate your last night in Cuba. Overnight at Hotel Ambos Mundos. (BLD)

APRIL 21 - FAREWELL! Transfer to the airport for your flight home. (B)

PROGRAM PRICING

$4,325 per person (14 participants) Includes: • Accommodations, meals, entrance fees, and

activities listed in itinerary• Private vehicle transportation unless otherwise

noted in itinerary• Full time guide for duration of program• Non-alcoholic beverages with meals• Internal flights• Carbon offsetting

Not included: Gratuities, international airfare, travel/trip cancellation insurance, optional activities, items of a personal nature.

THE FINE PRINT

Cost is based on a minimum of 14 participants in double occupancy. A $200 per person deposit and enrollment form are required no later than December 13, 2015. This deposit is refundable until January 7, 2016 excluding a $100 cancellation fee. Non-refundable final payments are due no later than January 7, 2016; cancellations received after this date are non-refundable. Travel/trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. For more information call Travel Insured at 800-243-3174 or visit travelinsured.com. Holbrook Travel’s agency number is 15849.

CONTACT INFORMATIONContact Fran Whitlock at 800-451-7111 x319 or fran@holbrooktravel.com

ABOUT YOUR LEADER

Although she spent most of her career in public education, Cindy Cone has always been passionate about photography. She has spent many summers backpacking through U.S. national parks with camera in hand. Describing herself as a combination of a teacher, learner, backyard naturalist, and artist, Cindy has captured the beauty of several places from Costa Rica to Africa. Now as a professional photographer, Cindy spends a significant amount of time teaching workshops and leading tours for others.

PHOTO BY FRANCISCO PUERTAS