Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/621051
DAY 6: HAVANA-VARADERO After your hotel breakfast, you'll depart for Matanzas. Stop at the Bacunayagua bridge view point overlooking the Yumuri Valley on your way to Matanzas city, where you'll visit the Music and Art school and interact with students and teachers. Next, visit the nearby art studio and workshop of Lolo, a famous local artist. Stop at Plaza de la Libertad, Matanzas' main square before enjoying lunch at the local paladar, El Bukan. From there, you'll visit Callejon de las Tradiciones, which is part of the AfroAtenas Community Project. The Callejon comprises an urban block of artists in the neighborhood of Pueblo Nuevo. The project's aim is to remember, preserve, and enforce the roots and traditions inherited by the Cuban people from the African culture introduced to Cuba by the slaves. In late afternoon, you'll continue to Varadero Beach, and enjoy a panoramic tour along the center of the city. Check into your hotel in late afternoon and enjoy dinner at your leisure. INCLUDED MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 7: VARADERO-CARDENAS-VARADERO Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then depart for nearby Cardenas for a Casa del la Cultura exchange. Visit the Farm, "Coincidencia" founded in 1987 by Héctor Correa. Interact with Hector and his family, who have been working the land and creating pottery from it for many years. After a light lunch at the farm, you'll return to Varadero. Enjoy a salsa lesson by the pool area with the hotel entertainment staff, and then dinner at the hotel at your leisure. INCLUDED MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 8: VARADERO After breakfast at the hotel, visit the Casa de la Cultura in Varadero and enjoy a cultural exchange with the Danzon Club. Meet the musicians and dancers and learn about the Cuban National Dance "El Danzon." Later, you'll visit one of the local craft markets. Interact with the artists and vendors to learn about possibilities in Cuba for setting up private-run stores or markets in this new era. Next, visit Casa Dupont (also known as Xanadu), the former estate of American millionaire Irene Dupont. Tour the mansion and learn the story of the Dupont family. Enjoy lunch at Casa Dupont followed by rum and cigar tasting. Return to your hotel in mid-afternoon to get prepared for tomorrow's early departure. Enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel. INCLUDED MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner DAY 9: DEPARTURE Depart for Havana about 5am, arriving at the airport at 8 am for your 10:30pm departure to Miami (subject to change). INCLUDED MEALS: Breakfast INCLUDED IN PROGRAM: • Round-trip Miami airport/hotel shuttle • Pre-trip briefing with welcome cocktail and 1 night accommodations at Miami airport hotel • Round-trip Miami charter flight • 4 nights hotel accommodations in Havana, 3 nights in Varadero • Most meals and beverages–7 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 7 Dinners • Gratuities for porterage, wait staff, local guide, and driver • Activities and visits indicated in the itinerary • Transportation with driver and local Cuban guide • 24-hour tour director to host welcome briefing in Miami and accompany the group throughout the trip • Cuban tourist visa • Cuban medical insurance (excluding pre-existing conditions) NOT INCLUDED IN PROGRAM: • Gratuities for housekeeping staff and tour director • Cuban departure tax of $25 USD, payable at Miami airport prior to departure • Optional AV-OK Total Vacation Security Plan including cancellation/change waiver