Overview
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These changes do include a “grandfathering” provision, which provides that previously authorized people-to-people travel will continue to be authorized if the traveler has already completed at least one travel-related transaction (such as purchasing a flight, reserving accommodation) prior to June 5, 2019. This means that guests who are currently booked are still able to travel legally under the people-to-people educational travel category. So, if you are booked on a Globus people-to-people travel program, you are still able to travel, but Globus can no longer take any new bookings.
A once-in-a-lifetime experience awaits on this Cuba travel program! Join Globus and be among the first American travelers in five decades to visit Cuba and its most fascinating cities. This special people-to-people program allows Americans and Cubans to share meaningful interactions while enjoying the rich history and culture of this amazing country. Every day of your travel program is filled with compelling educational activities and conversations, where both Cubans and Americans can openly share their ideas and opinions. Participate in discussions about Cuba’s history, agriculture, music, religion, and art. You can embrace Cuban culture when you interact with local artists and exchange views on the importance of art to a community; engage with musicians who will introduce you to Cuba’s popular music; discuss private enterprise in Cuba with local owners and staff; and meet Cuban baseball players to discuss this favorite pastime in both Cuba and the U.S. All people-to-people interactions weave seamlessly into the daily visits around the country, serving to enrich and enlighten. On this Cuba tour program, you’ll also have a chance to explore some of Cuba’s colonial cities with their cobblestone streets and historic architecture. In fact, the city centers of Trinidad and Havana have all been named UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Fascinating, informative, and insightful discoveries await you on this rare opportunity to visit the “Pearl of the Antilles.” It’s an experience like no other!
Updated June 27, 2018 - Group Voyagers, Inc.* is an organization licensed by the United States Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), CFR 515.565(b) and authorized to provide those who register as participants in our programs to visit Cuba legally for educational people-to-people interactions. Our itineraries provided a full-time schedule of people-to-people educational exchange activities designed to result in meaningful interactions between our travelers and individuals in Cuba. United States law requires that all participants in our programs adhere to the full-time schedule of people-to-people activities.
*Group Voyagers, Inc. is the company that markets and sells the Globus family of brands.
2021 Tour itinerary
Total meals included:
- 7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
ARRIVE IN HAVANA, CUBA
Day1
Arrive in Havana, Cuba’s capital city, and transfer to your hotel. Tonight, meet your Globus Group Leader and Cuban National Tour Director for a 7pm welcome dinner. This is a good time to meet fellow program participants, get your questions answered, and prepare for your time in fascinating Cuba.
Meals included:
- Dinner
HAVANA
Day2
Your day begins with a walk through the streets of OLD HAVANA, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discuss with your Cuban Tour Director Havana’s unique architecture, the challenges of renovating the city’s exquisite historic buildings, and the future of these restorations. Next, our attention turns to Nobel Prize-winning novelist Ernest Hemingway, who lived in Cuba for more than 30 years and left behind an enduring legacy. It is here that he wrote several books, participated in fishing contests, and enjoyed the laid-back ambiance and warmth of the Cuban people. Engage with staff at FINCIA VIGIA, his beloved home, and see his fishing boat, El Pilar. Enjoy lunch at a local paladar (a special, privately owned restaurant) where you will be treated to a special interactive cooking DEMONSTRATION. Before returning to the hotel, tour the illustrious HOTEL NACIONAL DE CUBA, a symbol of history, culture, and Cuban identity. The hotel has hosted celebrities and world figures over the decades, including Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra, Muhammed Ali, and Steven Spielberg. This evening is free to explore Havana on your own. Your Cuban Tour Director will have suggestions for dining and additional activities.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
HAVANA – CIENFUEGOS
Day3
Today, travel through the countryside passing sugar cane and banana plantations. Arrive in Cienfuegos often referred to as the “Pearl of the South” because of its impressive beauty and colorful history. Take a walking tour around the main Square and learn more about the immigrants from France and Louisiana that settled here more than 150 years ago. After time for lunch, join in a discussion with artists at a GRAPHIC ARTS STUDIO and learn more about their lives. Next, enjoy a performance and interaction with the Cienfuegos ORCHESTRA. Dinner tonight is at a local paladar.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
CIENFUEGOS. EXCURSION TO TRINIDAD. S
Day4
tart the day engaging with tobacco rollers at a CIGAR FACTORY, and learn about the importance of tobacco, both culturally and commercially, for Cuba. Then, travel to Trinidad, the crown jewel of Cuba’s colonial cities, founded in 1514 and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, enjoy lunch at a paladar and discuss the private enterprise in Cuba with the owners and staff. This afternoon, stroll the streets of Trinidad, a cobblestone showcase of colonial architecture and pastel-colored houses decorated with wooden shutters and wrought-iron grilles. Caged songbirds outside the home are a Trinidad tradition. Spend time at TEMPLO YEMAYA to discuss Santeria. African slaves who worked at the sugar plantations first brought the religion to Cuba and it has connections to Roman Catholicism and Native Indian traditions. Return to Cienfuegos.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
CIENFUEGOS – BAY OF PIGS – VARADERO
Day5
Today’s travels bring us to PLAYA GIRON for a visit to the BAY OF PIGS MUSEUM. Nearby is the old sugar mill used by Fidel Castro as the center of operations during the 1961 invasion. Over lunch, join in a DISCUSSION with a local Naturalist as well as the family that runs the restaurant. Continue to the white sand beaches of Varadero. Before dinner tonight, enjoy an interactive DANCE LESSON.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
VARADERO – MATANZAS – HAVANA
Day6
This morning, visit Matanzas, known as the “Athens of Cuba” for the many renowned artist and intellectuals it has produced. Visit TRIOLET PHARMACY, which dates back to 1879 and is preserved in its entirety. Then, interact with workers at EDICIONES VIGIA, a print and binding shop, and learn about the traditional craft that is still done by hand. Return to Havana where this evening is free to explore the city on your own. You may wish to see the exciting show at the famous Tropicana Nightclub, visit some of Hemingway’s old haunts, or explore the charming cobblestone streets of Old Havana.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
HAVANA
Day7
This morning, enjoy a workshop at HAVANA COMPASS DANCE COMPANY. Watch one of their rehearsals, then take some time to speak to the dancers and teachers about their training, daily lives, and future careers. Over lunch, meet former Cuban baseball players for a DISCUSSION about the history and the love of this favorite pastime in Cuba and the United States. Next, visit JOSE FUSTER’S STUDIO; cleverly nicknamed the “Picasso of the Caribbean.” Here, you will discover a surreal world-like nothing you’ve seen before. Interact with members of the neighborhood to discuss the project’s impact on the surrounding area. Before your farewell dinner this evening, enjoy a ride in a classic 1950’s OLD STYLER car – the perfect ending to your time in Cuba.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
HAVANA
Day8
Your program ends after breakfast with guests departing on individual schedules. Airport transfers are provided.
Meals included:
- Breakfast
Things to note
- The “Cuba’s Charming Colonial Cities & Havana” program requires walking on cobblestone streets and uneven pathways, climbing stairs, and participating in a full-time schedule of people-to-people activities.
- Due to the special requirements to visit Cuba, participants will be required to complete and sign a travel affidavit confirming that they are traveling under a people-to-people license and will participate in a full-time schedule of educational exchange activities. Participants are also required to send a color copy of their passport valid photo page (passports must be valid 6 months from the last date of travel). These items must be sent to Globus within 7 days of making a reservation.
- In Cuba, activities that have been scheduled far in advance can sometimes become unavailable for a number of different reasons. The purpose of the trip is to have meaningful interactions with the locals and if the planned people-to-people educational exchange isn’t available, rest assured that another that will be just as enriching will be substituted.
Hotels
It may occasionally be necessary to use alternative hotels of a similar standard to those shown.
Gran Hotel
First-Class
The historic Gran Hotel, located on the city's pedestrian street, was built in 1939. The lobby features high ceilings, chandeliers and antique furniture. With 72 rooms, an outdoor pool, patio courtyard, rooftop terrace, restaurant, and cocktail bar.
Location
Maceo No 67 e/Gral General, Camaguey, Cuba
Hotel Facilities
- Bar/Lounge
- Elevator
- Restaurant On-Site
- Currency Exchange
- Pool
- Concierge desk
- Gift Shop
Room Facilities
- Phone
- Non-smoking Rooms
- In-Room Safe
- Air Conditioning
- Cable/Satellite
- Climate Control
- Television
Jagua Hotel
First-Class
Built in the modernist style of the 1950's, and recently renovated to new levels of sophistication, the Jagua hotel features a lobby with contemporary art, avant-garde furniture and three sides of glass walls. The hotel also has a pool and spacious pool-deck overhanging the bay, as well as a lobby bar. Rooms are comfortable with clean lines and modern colors. Jagua´s unique setting allows you to enjoy the ocean landscape of the bay as well as great restaurants and city activities.
Location
Calle 37 No 1e/0 y 2, Cienfuegos, Cuba
Hotel Facilities
- Parking/Valet
- Fitness Room
- Restaurant On-Site
- Concierge desk
- Gift Shop
- Pool
- Elevator
- Bar/Lounge
Room Facilities
- In-Room Safe
- Desk
- Window Opens
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Climate Control
- Smoking Rooms
- Room Service
- Hair Dryer
- Alarm Clock
- Television
- Phone
- Mini-bar
- Air Conditioning
Melia Cohiba Hotel
Moderate Deluxe
The Melia Cohiba is a modern five-star property featuring 462 rooms. It is located in the El Vedado district, facing the famous Havana Malecón and is near Havana's historic center. The hotel has an outdoor pool, fitness center, sauna, squash court, spa services, hair salon, business center, gift shop, five restaurants, coffee bar, cigar bar, lobby bar, nightclub, and 24-hour room service.
Location
Paseo between 1st Y 3rd, Havana, Cuba
Hotel Facilities
- Pool
- ATM
- Bar/Lounge
- Beauty Salon
- Currency Exchange
- Laundry Available
- Fitness Room
- Parking/Valet
- Gift Shop
- Business Center
- Spa Services
- Restaurant On-Site
- Concierge desk
- Elevator
Room Facilities
- Mini-bar
- Alarm Clock
- Climate Control
- Coffee Maker
- Hair Dryer
- Television
- Air Conditioning
- Phone
- In-Room Safe
- Cable/Satellite
- Desk
- Internet Access
- Room Service
- Iron/Ironing Board
- Non-smoking Rooms
- Smoking Rooms
