9-Nights Cuba: People, Art & Culture - Luxury Small Group Journeys from $8,995

Abercrombie & Kent: Cuba: People, Art & Culture

DAY 1 Camagüey, Cuba

Arrive and transfer to your hotel located in the historic center of this city recognized as aUNESCO World Heritage Site lauded for its exceptionalarchitecture. Following a welcome cocktail, set out for a visit to a family-owned working ranch that dates to 1930 andmeet the modern cowboys who work it. Then, learn aboutagrarian reform before indulging in a feast of Cuban foodaccompanied by live music.

Begin your day with a visit to the Camagüey Ballet, whereyou explore the costume warehouse, meet this world travelledcompany’s director and attend a private rehearsal.Hop on a bicitaxi for a tour of the city’s hallmark sights, including Mayor Ignacio Agramonte Park and the historicarea near the Plaza de los Trabajadores, ending at the Plazadel Carmen — a picturesque pedestrian square. Stop forlunch at a paladar (privately run restaurant), and thenvisit the workshop of Martha Jiménez, an internationallyacclaimed artist whose nearby sculpture, Chismosa — abronze depiction of three women gossiping — is a locallandmark. Later, enjoy a rum-and-cigar pairing with a cigarexpert who explains the history of tobacco in Cuba. Dinneris on your own, with restaurant recommendations availablefrom your local guide.

Depart for Trinidad, arriving in time for lunch at a privatelyowned restaurant. Historic Trinidad features a wealth ofSpanish colonial architecture — along with cobblestonestreets and graceful palaces and plazas — within its fewsquare blocks. Take in the sights on a walking tour, visiting arationing bodega and stopping at La Canchanchara to samplea refreshing signature cocktail, while a traditional band playsin the background. Visit the family-run Santander workshopand gallery to participate in a pottery-making experiencewith one of its renowned ceramicists. Check in to your hotelfor a welcome drink, followed by dinner.

Located in the central province of Sancti Spíritus, Trinidadwas founded in the early 16th century. Explore the town’sconnection to the sugar industry, which flourished inthe nearby Valley de los Ingenios (Valley of the SugarMills). Visit a former sugar plantation for an in-depth view. Continue to a traditional finca located in the forested Escambray Mountains. Meet its owners and workers as they go abouttheir daily routines; as part of a Chef ’s Table experience,brew your own farmer-style coffee; and even try your handat milking a cow before sitting down to a farm-fresh lunch.Then, explore the village, soaking up the atmosphere beforereturning to your hotel.

Depart Trinidad for Cienfuegos on the southern coast, a French-settled city that grew into an important hub for thesugar cane, tobacco and coffee trades. In 2005, UNESCOrecognized the Urban Historic Centre of Cienfuegos as thebest example of early 19th-century Spanish Enlightenmenturban planning. Start your visit here with a guided walkthrough its historic center to view landmarks that includethe José Martí Memorial Park, named for a beloved poet andkey figure in the drive for Cuba’s independence whose versesserve as lyrics for the classic folk ballad Guantanamera. Alsovisit the cathedral and neo-rococo Palacio Ferrer, and thencontinue to the Terry Theater, built by a wealthy industrialist in 1889, followed by Museo Provincial to hear a performanceby the Cantores de Cienfuegos Choir and interact with theperformers. Proceed to the city of Santa Clara, famous asthe site where Che Guevara defeated the forces of GeneralFulgencio Batista, driving the dictator into exile and winninga defining battle to secure victory for the Cuban Revolution.After lunch at a private restaurant, visit the Che GuevaraMausoleum, last resting place of the guerilla leader andfighters who perished alongside him. Continue to Havana,the capital of Cuba, where you check in to your hotel. Enjoya welcome cocktail, followed by dinner at La Moneda Cuba.

Meet a veteran Cuban diplomat and educator, who offers deep firsthand insight into Cuba’seconomy, the dynamics of U.S.-Cuba relations and theongoing effect of the U.S. embargo on the country and learn about the role played by radio stations such RadioRebelde and Radio Habana Cuba in achieving independence.Afterward, a local architect joins you for a walking tour ofpedestrian-only Old Havana, designated a UNESCO WorldHeritage Site for its Baroque and neoclassic architecture,which dates to its founding as a Spanish colony. Immerseyourself in the rhythms of Cuba when you attend anAfro-Cuban musical performance. Pause for lunch beforecontinuing to the Museum of the Revolution (upon itsopening), set within the former Presidential Palace of allCuban presidents, from Mario García Menocal to FulgencioBatista. A repository of artifacts and exhibits related tothe Cuban Revolution, it houses Granma, a yacht used totransport 82 fighters of the revolution from Mexico to Cuba in 1956. Visit the studio of one of the photographers whocovered the first years of the Cuban Revolution. End the day at a little league baseballfield, where you watch tomorrow’s superstars engaging inCuba’s beloved national pastime.

After breakfast, drive through Pinar del Río Province, takingin the scenic Cuban countryside en route to one of Cuba’s premier tobacco farms for an in-depth lookat this country’s most famous cash crop. Tour the farm andenjoy freshly prepared lunch while interacting with thefamily and workers. After learning about organic farmingpractices in Cuba, return to Havana. Tonight, enjoy dinneron your own, with options provided by your guide.

Head outside the bustling capital to visit Fusterlandia, acolorful mosaic studio in the Jaimanitas neighborhood.Alongside its artist, José Fuster, see how the collaborativeproject transformed the area into a creative canvas. Continueto an urban farm where you attend amojito-making class before sitting down to a traditionallunch. At dance-and-percussion company Habana Compas,discover the role music and movement play in Cubansociety. See a performance, with a chance to interact with itsdancers and instructors after the show. Proceed to Angelesdel Futuro, where you see a circus performance by a young, talented troupe. Learn about the program’s challenges andsuccesses from the children involved. After some time torefresh at the hotel, join internationally known artist andpainter Kadir López at his private studio/art gallery. Enjoya Scenic Sundowner, complete with hors d’oeuvres and livemusic, as you admire his artwork and learn the historybehind it. Reflect on the enriching experiences during anauthentic meal at a private restaurant.

Pay a visit to Finca La Vigía (“lookout house”), the formerresidence of Ernest Hemingway. Now a museum, thebuilding was constructed in 1886. Engage with the museum’scaretakers and learn about the author’s life and work inCuba. At the National Museum of Fine Arts of Havana,tour its collection with a local specialist before pausing forlunch at a paladar. Then, dance to Cuban rhythms with aprofessional instructor during a private visit to La Casona delSon. Continue to a body shop, where you meet the presidentof the vintage car club A Lo Cubano. Interact with itsmembers and learn about entrepreneurism in Cuba. Meetingwith private owners and taxi drivers of classic American cars,discover how they keep the vehicles running as you cruisethe streets of Havana. This evening, attend a farewell dinnerat a private restaurant, accompanied by live music.

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airportfor your departing flight.