Dear Alumni and Friends,Is there another country that captures the imagination like Cuba? With its potent mix of revolutionary politics, warm andwelcoming people, fabulous music, lush tropical landscapes, and vibrant art, it is a place like no other.

Recent federal policy changes have made personal travel to Cuba more challenging. Wells College and Ithaca College have partnered to offer a carefully planned People to People program for our alumnae and alumni. You will meet with Cubans from all walks of life—political figures, academics, artists, and farmers. Hear about their daily lives, their hopes for the future, and their thoughts about relations between our two countries. Explore Cuba’s rich history and culture as we visit Havana, considered the finest example of a Spanish colonial city in the Americas. A full day excursion west allows the opportunity to discover the importance of the tobacco region of Viñales, while admiring the valley’s distinctive landscape, with its steep-sided limestone mountains, called mogotes, rising dramatically from fertile flat-floored valleys.

From the waves crashing against the Malecon, to the Afro-Caribbean beat, to the iconic ‘50s cars, Cuba is a feast for the senses, as well as a challenge to the intellect. Join us as we explore this time-capsule nation before it changes forever.

Warmest regards,

Carrie Brown Jennifer JanesExecutive Director, Alumni Relations Director of Alumnae and Alumni EngagementIthaca College Wells College

Exploring Cuba’s Cultural HeritageMarch 9-14, 2018

Led by Craig S. Evans, Ed.D., Ithaca College ‘84Wells College Vice President for Advancement

March 9, Friday: Havana L,D

Independent flights in Havana with a mid-morning arrival.

Upon arrival, be met by your wonderful English speaking Cu-ban guide then visit the Plaza de la Revolution, the most poli-cally important square in Cuba.

Enjoy lunch on the beautiful grounds of the historic Nacional Hotel. Its remaining splendor and history serves as a tangible reminder to Cuba’s past times.

After lunch, visit the Presidential Palace, now the Revolutionary Museum, which illustrates the history of the Cuban political de-velopment. Walk to the Granma Memorial which preserves the vessel that brought Fidel Castro, Che Guevara and other revo-lutionaries to Cuba.

Check-in to the newly-renovated Riviera Hotel which still ex-udes a genuine 1950’s atmosphere with many of the original furnishings and statues.

Enjoy a cocktail reception and welcome dinner on the lovely terrace of the nearby Café Laurent restaurant.

March 10, Saturday: Havana B,L,D

This morning, enjoy a specially designed walking tour of Old Havana, the finest example of a Spanish colonial city in the Americas. Enjoy the city’s many squares, its cathedral, and a scale-model of Old Havana before ending the morning at the Plaza Vieja, a stunningly beautiful old square surrounded by colonial mansions.

Enjoy lunch at La Moneda Cubana followed by a city orienta-tion tour by bus which will be led by Ayleen Robaina. She is an architectural historial who is passionate about her city and will provide great insight into the challenges and successes of the ongoing city restoration effort.

This afternoon, view the documentary La Maestra and meet with Norma Guillard who was featured in the film as one of the young literacy workers who traveled across the island to teach.

Enjoy dinner and the music of a wonderful jazz trio at CafeOriente this evening followed by an optional evening stroll.

March 11, Sunday: Havana B,L,D

This morning, enjoy a discussion on “U.S./Cuban Relations” with Professor Raul Rodriguez from the University of Havana.

After the discussion, watch a rehearsal of the extraordinary dance group, Danza Contemporanea de Cuba, who melds tech-niques of classicall ballet and American modern dance with the rippling spines and head rolls of traditional Afro-Cuban dance.

Itinerary

Continue on to enjoy lunch at the home and studio of artist Jose Fuster who has turned his entire neighborhood into a piece of mosaic art.

This afternoon, enjoy a curated visit of Finca Vigia, Ernest Hemingway’s home for over 20 years, lovingly preserved just as he left it.

Dinner this evening is at L’Atelier.

March 12, Monday: Havana B,L

Depart for a full day excursion to the west part of Cuba, with it’s jungle covered summits dropping down limestone cliffs to verdant valleys.

Upon arrival, walk along the Coco Solo Palmarito trail through mistily dreamlike landscape rich in plant and birdlife.

Enjoy an amazing lunch at a private farm with spectular views overlooking the valley.

After lunch, visit a tobacco farm to learn more about this indus-try so important to Cuba.

En route back to Havana, visit an Orchid farm at Soroa, which is maintained by the University of Pinar del Rio and contains over 800 species of plants, including 200 endemic to Cuba.

Enjoy dinner at leisure this evening.

March 13, Tuesday: Havana B,L,D

Participate in a morning round table dicussion with a mac-ro-economist and professor at the University of Havana on “The Challenges for Cuba in Social, Political, and Economic Fields.”

After the discussion, visit the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes: Arte Cubano (Cuban Collection). This tour will be accompa-nied by a contemporary art curator, allowing a greater under-standing of the history and social context of the artworks on view.

Enjoy a delicious Cuban lunch at El Ajibe.

After lunch, visit NostalgiCar, a classic car mechanic shop and meet with the owner who will talk about his business.

Ride in one of the shop’s classic cars to Patronato, Havana’s larg-est synagogue.

Enjoy a fabulous farewell dinner at La Guarida, made famous as the setting for the main aparment in the film Fresa y Chocolate.

March 14, Wednesday: Return B

Take a return flight from Havana to Miami.

Dr. Craig Evans is the Vice President for Advancement at Wells College in Aurora, New York. A 1984 graduate of Ithaca College, Craig has served Ithaca College on two different occasions. From 2004-2007, he was the Director of Individual Giving, and from 2012-2016, he was the Senior Director of Major and Planned Giving. Craig assumed his current position at Wells College in February 2016. Prior to his time in higher education, Craig served as a teacher, principal, and district office administrator in a career that included work in Ithaca, NY and in Orlando, FL. He holds degrees from Ithaca College and the Florida State University in music education and music performance, and a doctor of education from the University of Central Florida.

Program Costs and Inclusions

Trip Price: $3,340 per person, double occupancySingle room supplement: $880 (Limited Availability)

Trip price includes accommodations as listed in the itinerary based on double occupancy, all meals listed (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner), one drink with lunch and one with dinner, bottled wa-ter kept on the bus with 1-2 bottles of water per day per person, sightseeing and excursions as listed, transportation in a deluxe, air-conditioned motorcoach, the services of a Distant Horizons tour manager and a local English-speaking Cuban guide, a Cuban visa, and gratuities.

Trip price does not include Airfare to/from Cuba, luggage charges, additional drinks at meals, items of a purely personal nature, any items not listed, and trip cancellation insurance, lost baggage and medical insurance (above a mandatory amount re-quired by the Cuban government and automatically included in the purchase of your airline ticket).

Upon confirmation, Distant Horizons will provide information on optional travel insurance which is highly recommended.

Please note that participants must be in good physical condi-tion and be able to walk for long distances over uneven cobble-stones and up and down stairs without problems.

For additional information or a more detailed itinerary,

contact Melissa Costa at MelissaC@Distant-Horizons.com

or (800) 333-1240

Distant Horizons, Ithaca College and Wells College’s tour operator, is a California Seller of Travel (CST #2046776-40) and a participant in the California Travel Restitution Fund. Information regarding the rights of California residents to make a claim may be found at tcrcinfo.org. California law requires certain sellers of travel to have a trust account or bond. This business has a trust account.

Tour Leader Accommodations Riviera Hotel

Built by Meyer Lansky, and recently renovated. The hotel was inaugurated by Ginger Rogers in December of 1957 when she played the legendary Copa Room of this seafront property. Prominent Cuban sculptors were commissioned back in the day and their timeless marble and bronze statues still decorate the lobby. The lobby bar, poolside cafeteria, and the elegant L’Aiglon restaurant still exude a genuine 1950’s atmosphere with many of the original furnishings still in place.

Craig S. Evans, Ed.D.Vice President for AdvancementWells College

T E R M S A N D C ON DI T I ON SReservations and Payments: Reservations for this tour require a deposit of $600 per person and an application form signed by the participant which will be mailed to you in a confirmation packet upon receipt of registration. Final payment is due by January 9, 2018 and must be paid by check, payable to Distant Horizons.

Tour cost is based on rates of currency exchange at time of printing (June 2017) and is subject to change with or without previous notice. If there is a price increase prior to the day of departure in the basic costs, such increases may be passed on to the participant. If bookings fall below the minimum required, passengers will be advised of additional costs for that departure date. The minimum group size of this departure is 20 paying participants, should the number of participants fall below this number, a small group surcharge and/or revised staffing will apply. Please wait for written confirmation from Distant Horizons before purchasing any airfare.

Cancellations: Distant Horizons, Ithaca College, and Wells College reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure for any reason, including insufficient number of participants, and to decline to accept or retain any person as a participant at any time. Should this happen, refunds will be made without obligation, although we cannot be held responsible for any additional costs already incurred by participants.

If a participant cancels, the following refunds will be available upon written notice of cancellation to Distant Horizons:Notice more than 60 days prior to departure: a refund less a $300 cancellation charge.Notice on or between 60 days and 30 days prior to departure: a refund less 50% of trip price.No refund shall be issued if cancellation is received less than 30 days prior to departure date.No refunds shall be issued after the tour has commenced. No refunds shall be issued for occasional missed meals, sightseeing tours or any un-used services.

Responsibility: Distant Horizons, Ithaca College (IC), and Wells College (WC) act only in the capacity of agent for the hotels, airlines, bus companies, railroads, ship lines or owners or contractors providing accommodations, transportation or other services. As a result, all coupons, receipts or tickets are issued subject to the terms and conditions specified by the supplier. By acceptance of tour membership, the participant agrees that neither Distant Horizons, IC, nor WC nor any of their subsidiaries shall become liable or responsible for personal injury, damage to persons or property, loss, delay or irregularity caused by persons not controlled by it, such as (without limitation) airlines, bus and shipping companies, suppliers of accommodations or other services, or resulting from any acts of God, defects in vehicles, strikes, wars, whether declared or otherwise, civil disturbances, medical or customs regulations, acts of terrorism, epidemics or government restrictions. Distant Horizons, IC, and WC cannot be held responsible for unfavorable weather or closure of access routes due to bad weather conditions. Distant Horizons, IC, and WC cannot be held responsible if the tour lecturer or leader cancels, and passengers will be advised of a comparable replacement should time permit. Distant Horizons, IC, and WC are not responsible for any additional expenses or liability sustained or incurred by the participant as a result of the above mentioned causes.

Tour participant acknowledges receipt of a copy of these terms and conditions and signifies acceptance of, and consents to, all of the terms and conditions set forth herein, on behalf of any participants they may act for and for themselves when registering for, or making payments on, this tour.

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R E SE RV E YO U R T R I P TO C U BA TODAY !

Exploring Cuba’s Cultural HeritageMarch 9-14, 2018

Full Legal Name (exactly as it appears on passport)

Traveler 1:________________________________________ Birthdate__________

Traveler 2:________________________________________ Birthdate__________

Street Address _______________________________________________________

City ____________________________________State _______ZIP _____________

Home: ( _______ ) ____________________________________________________

Office: ( ________)___________________________________________________

E-mail: _____________________________________________________________

I/We have read the terms and conditions and authorize you to make my/our reservations as follows:

❏ I will share accommodations with:_____________________________

❏ I prefer single accommodations (limited availability, single supplement applies).

❏ I request assistance in securing a roommate but will accept a single, if one is not available at this time, and pay the single supplement. Should a roommate be found, I understand the supplement will no longer apply.

Reservations are subject to availability and processed on a first come, first served basis. Reservations to be paid in full 60 days prior to de-parture. Reservations received after this date must be accompanied by payment in full. Final payment may be made by personal check, payable to Distant Horizons.

To make a reservation please mail this form with a $600 deposit* check (per person) payable to “Distant Horizons” to: Distant Horizons, 350 Elm Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802. *Your deposit is refundable up to 60 days prior to departure less a $300 administration fee.

Please check the appropriate box:

❏ I am an alumna/alumnus of Ithaca College❏ I am an alumna/alumnus of Wells College