Day 1 - Havana
After your afternoon arrival in Havana, the evening will
feature an orientation and lecture on Cuban American
history by Professor Carlos Alzugaray, Director of the
Center for Cuba-USA Studies at the University of Havana.
Dinner will be served at the hotel. Overnight Hotel Nacional (D)
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Day 2 - Havana
Daily theme: History. Today you will take a site walk and
lecture in Havana Vieja to learn about historic restoration
projects. This afternoon you will visit the University of
Havana, hosted by Dr. Delio Carrera, Professor of History
and Law. This evening you will attend the Cannon Blast
Ceremony at la Cabana Fortress. Overnight Hotel Nacional (BLD)
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Day 3 - Havana
Daily theme: Education in Cuba. This morning you will
listen to an interesting lecture by Dr. Orestes Valdes,
the Ministry of Education’s Environmental Education
Coordinator. This afternoon you will head to Parque
Metropolitano, an ecological park being studied by Havana schools and universities, where you will learn about local problems such as deforestation, social and industrial waste, and the general lack of concern for the region’s flora and fauna. The afternoon will be hands-on, helping with one of Dr. Valdes projects. Overnight Hotel Nacional (BLD)
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Day 4 - Viñales
Daily theme: Life in Rural Cuba. This morning you will
depart Havana for Western Cuba, a journey that will
allow you to witness the breathtaking view of the Viñales
Valley and the mogotes, flat-topped hills dating back to the Jurassic period. This type of formation is only found in
four countries in the world. You will visit a hardworking
Cuban family which has been growing tobacco and other
crops on the land for over 100 years. You’ll learn how the
Cuban farmer works together with the Cuban government
in order to get the farming supplies he needs and transports his produce to market. Later you can explore the small town of Viñales and learn about medicinal plants at the Viñales Botanical Garden. This afternoon will be an opportunity to view some of the geological wonders and caves of this area, including a visit to the Soroa Biosphere Reserve. Overnight Hotel La Ermita (BLD)
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Day 5 - Havana
Daily theme: Life in Urban Cuba. This morning you’ll
return to Havana and visit the organic farm El Vivero de
Alamar. After the economic collapse in the early 1990s Cuba was forced to develop new methods to feed its population. Hosted by expert agronomist, Miguel Salcines, you’ll learn about the advances Cuba has made and the more than 7,000 urban allotments or organoponicos. Lunch will be at the home of ceramist and painter, José Fuster, followed by free time in the afternoon to explore Havana. Overnight Hotel Nacional (BLD)
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Day 6 - Cienfuegos
Daily theme: Rural Conservation and Military History. Today you depart the capital and drive approximately three hours to Cienfuegos, stopping at the Zapata Wetlands to meet with a ranger and visit Playa Cochinos, the famous Bay of Pigs. After lunch there will be some time to explore the local culture on your own. Overnight Hotel Jagua (BLD)
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Day 7 - Cienfuegos
Daily theme: City Conservation and Restoration. This morning you will have free time for independent study. After lunch is a visit to a community project, hosted by Arq. Iran Millan, Director of Cienfuegos Office for City Conservation and Restoration. Later this afternoon will be free for personal experiences of local culture, followed by dinner. Overnight Hotel Jagua (BLD)
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Day 8 - Trinidad
Daily theme: Colonial Cuba. This morning you will travel
for approximately one hour along a coastal road to the
beautiful city of Trinidad. Trinidad, Cuba’s best preserved
colonial town, was the third settlement in Cuba and founded in 1514 by Diego Velazquez, the country’s first governor. Today’s activities include a site lecture on Cuban colonial lifestyle and time for walking the cobblestone streets of this UNESCO Heritage site. You will also learn about pottery making and visit the Valle de Los Ingenios, the site of an old sugar cane town. During the early 19th century, French settlers fleeing a slave revolt in Haiti established the region and cultivated sugar cane. The afternoon will be dedicated to personal projects. Overnight Hotel Trinidad del Mar (BLD)
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Day 9 - Havana
This morning you will have time to wrap things up before
your departure for Havana. Upon arrival in Havana lunch
will be on your own followed by free time in the afternoon to complete your individual study projects. A special farewell dinner will be served to conclude your prorgam. Overnight Hotel Nacional (BD)
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Day 10 - Havana
After breakfast you will transfer to the airport for your flight
home. (B)
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