PAINT CUBA WITH KATHIE GEORGE

JANUARY 20th - 30th, 2021

Day 1WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20TH ARRIVE IN HAVANA

For your added comfort, Jeremy will be waiting outside of the terminal to connect you with your classic American convertible, which will transport you to the Hotel Nacional De Cuba in the heart of Centro Havana.

Accommodation: Hotel Nacional De Cuba

Fly to Havana and after clearing customs, please exit the terminal. Be sure to have a dollar or two handy if you need help getting your luggage to the car. You will be met and taken to the beautiful Hotel Nacional De Cuba in Vedado, an upscale area of the city poised along Havana’s beautiful Malecon, where we will spend the night.

As folks will be arriving at different times (some late into the night) dinner will be on your own tonight. For a light dinner, enjoy food at the Hotel Cafe Cine, or for authentic Cuban cuisine, dine at Baranca located on the front lawn in the hotel park.

Day 2We’ll enjoy a wonderful breakfast at 7:30am at the hotel before heading out on a driving tour of Havana.

At 9:00am, A fleet of classic American convertibles will arrive at the hotel to whisk us away on an incredible tour of old and new Havana. We’ll enjoy sites such as the Plaza De Revolution and the Iglesia Del Sagrado Corazon de Jesus before cruising down the seaside Malecon. We’ll be sure to stop and take pictures and breathe in the inspiration of colonial buildings, Spanish forts alongside the modern homage to Cuba’s Socialist Revolution. Our driving tour will end in Old Havana where we’ll enjoy a brief walking tour of the old heart of the city.

Following our walking tour, we’ll enjoy lunch at a location in Old Havana. Then it’s time for some instruction with Kathie. We’ll take time to paint on the cobblestone streets of Old Havana near the Cathedral De Havana, one of the oldest churches on the island. Following this instruction time, we’ll return to the Hotel Nacional.

Following social hour at 6pm inn the courtyard, we’ll enjoy an excellent menu of local food cooked on charcoal and served in clay pots at the Creole restaurant, La Barraca. (B,L,D)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 21ST: HAVANA

Day 3

We’ll need to get an early start today around 6:00am. We’ll board a private motor coach as we head out for the Valley of Viñales.

In less than 3 hours we’ll arrive at a beautiful valley that is a feast for the eyes. The valley supports Viñales’ quintessential tobacco landscape and has been heavily modified by agriculture. The hard limestone mottoes to the north are all that remains of a high cave system that used to cover the whole region. Unlike tourist destinations in other parts of the country, people don’t come to Viñales for the music or mojitos, they come to dip indulgently into the natural world.

After a sumptuous breakfast overlooking the Valley at 9am, we’ll enjoy a day of instruction from Kathie at a local finca, (farm). Here, we’ll paint breathtaking landscapes and the hardened faces of local guajiros, (farmers). We will enjoy a private lunch served as we paint.

We will enjoy dinner at La Barranca at the Hotel Nacional upon our return in the evening. (B,L,D)

FRIDAY, JANUARY 22ND: VIÑALES

Day 4SATURDAY, JANUARY 23RD: HAVANA

Following breakfast at 7:30, we’ll take time to enjoy more instruction with Kathie. We’ll enjoy a serene location on the front lawn of the Hotel Nacional as we take time to paint the beauty of the oceanfront Malecon. Lined by classic Spanish-Colonial buildings and modern Communist structures, the Malecon offers a beautiful location to explore your creativity.

Lunch will be served at 12:30 at the Hotel Cine Cafe. At 2:00pm, you’ll have the opportunity to learn something new. We’ll enjoy a private lesson on the history of the Cuban cigar. This will be a hands on experience with an opportunity to roll your own cigar. In addition to creating cigars, we’ll also learn how to make the perfect Cuban mojito. Our afternoon will be spent enjoying a crisp, minty mojito and, if it’s up your alley, a custom made Cuban cigar. Spend a few hours being introduced to your inner Cuban.

We’ll have an opportunity to rest after this experience as we have a late night ahead of us.

This evening, at 9:00pm, you’ll enjoy a taste of the classic Cuba, a la 1930’s. Cabaret Parisien at the Hotel Nacional offers the show, ”Cubano, Cubano”. Restored preserving its original values, you’ll enjoy a fabulous show of Cuban music, developed from the Spanish and African roots. If you’re feeling adventurous, stay late, (after midnight) and take a salsa lesson. (B,L,D)

Day 5For those who stayed up late, we’ll have a later start. Breakfast will be served between 8:00 and 9:00 at the Hotel Nacional.

At 9:30am we’ll once again join Kathie for some instruction. We will be carrying our sketchbook travel palette and pen, and camera. We will be sketching every chance we get. City scapes. People. Color! CARS!! Whatever excites you. Following our workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to dine at a location of your choosing.

This afternoon around 3:00pm, we’ll take time to explore the Museo De La Revolution in Old Havana. We’ll see first hand the Gramma, the actual boat that brought Castro and his army from Mexico to Cuba. We’ll learn about the history of the Cuban Revolution and understand more the plight of Cuba and its people.

Dinner tonight at 7:00pm will be at La Teraza in Old Havana where we’ll enjoy live music from the Buena Vista Social Club and authentic cuisine. (B,D)

SUNDAY JANUARY 24TH: HAVANA

SUNDAY, APRIL 7TH ARRIVE IN GUATEMALA CITY

For your added comfort, John and/or Anita will be waiting outside of customs to take you to your waiting private driver and vehicle, and will accompany you to your accommodations in the colonial city of Antigua.

Accommodation: Casa Santo Domingo, a former Dominican Monastery

Upon arrival at one of the most beautiful former Monasteries (turned 5 star hotel) in the Americas, the Casa Santo Domingo, you will enjoy a welcome drink on the terrace, hearing a brief history of this

former Monastery, while your luggage is being delivered to your room. The magnificently restored hotel and grounds includes an Awaken to the sounds of Macaws and sights of colorful

Day 3

After a sumptuous breakfast in the Dining Room of the Monks, this morning we walk the grounds of the Monastery / Hotel and the excavated colonial era ruins, as well as visiting the interesting museums offered here. Afterwards John will offer a personalized special tour of the Convento Capuchinas, one of the most unknown and misunderstood, but one of the best preserved of all the colonial structures in the new world. Lunch at one of our favorite restaurants in Antigua - Epicure.

LADIESAfter lunch, you have options galore. We suggest the local Market – full of color, textiles, and other hand made items. Or, this may be the afternoon for some wonderful SPA treatments and leisure time. Dinner this evening overlooking the ruins of the Cathedral at Jean Francois’ French Restaurant – Tartines.

FISHERMANDepart after lunch for Puerto San Jose and the Casa Vieja Fishing Lodge where you may settle in, take a refreshing swim in the pool, have a drink or two before dinner and visit with your Captain to get a preview on the next day’s fishing.

Day 6MONDAY, JANUARY 25TH: HAVANA & TRINIDAD

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then collect your bags. You’ll need to have them to the lobby by 8:00 in order to check out and board the bus for Trinidad.

We have a 4 hour drive through the Cuban countryside this morning. You’ll see countless farms and open roads as we find our way to the city of Cienfuegos and our ultimate destination, Trinidad. Trinidad, being a small city, has very few hotels that can accommodate groups of 15 or more people. That gives us the opportunity to enjoy staying at casa paticulares, (private homes) near the city center. We’ll break into smaller groups and check into our prospective houses. Lunch will be waiting when we arrive. We’ll traverse the cobblestone streets, hear music from almost every corner and see countless art shops. We’ll explore museums and learn about the history of Trinidad from it’s early roots to the roll it played during the revolution.

Dinner tonight will be a private meal prepared by an acclaimed Cuban chef. (B,L,D)

Once again, you’ll enjoy a private breakfast prepared by the hosts of your casa particular at 7:00am.

At 8:00am, following breakfast, we’ll enjoy a time of instruction with Kathie. We’ll set up near the bell tower of Trinidad to capture colonial architecture and the leathered faces of Cuba’s Guajiros, (farmers)

Lunch will be enjoyed together at a location in the heart of Trinidad at 12:30pm. After lunch, we’ll meet at a predetermined location to load our bus and head to Playa Ancón. A mere 15 minutes from Trinidad, Playa Ancón is a ribbon of white sand beach on Sancti Spiritus’ iridescent Caribbean shoreline. Many consider it to be the finest arc of sand on Cuba’s south shore. Our time on the beach should be an extension of your leisurely morning. You’ll be able to enjoy the sand beneath your feet and the warm, renewing waters of the Caribbean. Sip on a mojito and let your stresses float away.

Tonight, we’ll gather at the San Jose Restaurante at 7:00pm for dinner. Prepare to enjoy an incredible meal at one of our favorite Trinidad locations. (B,D)

Day 7TUESDAY, JANUARY 26TH: TRINIDAD

Day 8

At 8:00am we’ll enjoy a leisurely breakfast prepared by our hosts.

Are you ready for an adventure? This morning we’ll delve into Trinidad’s past as we board an antique train, led by a modern locomotive as it rumbles out into the Agabama Valley, better known as the Unesco-protected Valley of the Sugar Mills. You’ll be serenaded by Cuban guitarists and sip on cold mojitos as we steam past fields of sugar and maiz.

The train pulls up at the Hacienda Iznaga and its slave-watching tower which, today, offers views of the undulating hills. The interior of the Hacienda Guáimaro features the exotic faded frescoes of Italian artist Daniele Dal’Aglio, while the remains of the San Isidro de los Destiladeros mill are framed by the boughs of a huge flame tree. Explore a sugar refining factory and enjoy lunch at the Hacienda Guachinango before boarding the train for our return trip to Trinidad.

When we return, we’ll enjoy dinner together at the nearby Restaurant San Jose. Upon arrival at your casa privada, be sure to let your hosts know what time you’d like to have breakfast in the morning. (B,L,D)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27TH: TRINIDAD

Day 9THURSDAY, JANUARY 28TH: TRINIDAD

Breakfast will be served by your hosts at 7:00am Today at 9:00am we will take time to enjoy some private instruction from Kathie. Following our workshop, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy lunch at one of Trinidad’s many local establishments of your choosing.

The afternoon is reserved for your enjoyment. Stroll the many artists shops of Trinidad or peruse the halls of the Bell Tower Museum. Spend time in Central Park and listen to the many musicians who entertain the city’s travelers.

At 6:00pm, we’ll gather together at Casa Cofradia for social hour. Dinner tonight will be a meal prepared by Lia and Pachi Ruiz of Casa Cofradia. In addition to the amazing food, we’ll enjoy a private concert and partake in the classical sounds of Trinidad. This will be a perfect way to celebrate our last night in Trinidad. (B,D)

After a sumptuous breakfast you’ll need to gather your belongings and say your farewells to your hosts. We’ll hop aboard our bus and begin the journey back to Havana.

Once again we’ll be checking in to the Hotel Nacional De Cuba. Upon check in, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a bite to eat at the Cafe Cine on the hotels main floor. Following lunch, feel free to explore the hotel grounds, or grab a cab to your favorite shop in Old Havana. This is your last day in the big city...make it count.

Tonight you’re in for a treat. We’ll dine at the luxurious hotel restaurant, Comedor de Aguiar where you’ll enjoy the best of national and international cuisine and a varied wine list. This will be our opportunity to celebrate the amazing time we’ve had exploring Cuba together. (B,D)

Day 10FRIDAY, JANUARY 29TH: HAVANA

Day 11SATURDAY, JANUARY 30TH: HAVANA

All good things must come to an end. Taxi’s will transport you to Areopuerto Jose Marti 3 hours prior to your departure. Buen Viaje, (Safe Travels) y regreso muy pronto! (come back very soon) (B)

• B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner • The itinerary is carefully planned but subject to

minor changes to take advantage of new travel opportunities.

Included in your Tour:11 days, 10 nights at unique luxury and five star hotels ▪ Meals per itinerary, including tips ▪ Hotel Baggage handling and driver gratuities ▪ Deluxe motor coaches ▪ Excursions/ entrance fees per itinerary ▪ hours of instruction with Kathie George

NOT Included: ▪ Airfare to, and from Havana, Cuba ▪ Airport

baggage handling tips ▪ Any additional security or airport tax ▪ Alcohol or personal room charges ▪ Travel visa