’58 Explores

Cuba in Transition February 27—March 7, 2015

 

Dear friends, Join us for this unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the rich local culture and rhythms of daily life in Cuba while exploring local landmarks that are significant to Cuba’s heritage. Begin in Cienfuegos, a city with beautiful architecture, nestled between lush mountains and rich agricul-tural lands. From here enjoy a day trip to Trinidad, one of Cuba’s oldest cities and a crown jewel of co-lonial architecture. This entire city with its fine palaces, cobbled streets and tiled roofs is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Our adventure concludes exploring Havana which has the reputation of being the most splendid and the finest example of a Spanish colonial city in the Americas. This program, which will operate in partnership with the Center for the Study of Cuban Culture and the Economy, has been designed to unravel the richness of Cuban culture while interacting with local resi-dents and professionals to gain a new, in-depth perception of Cuban life. I encourage you to join me and my wife and other Princeton class of ’58 alumni and make your reserva-tion today! Like most of you, it will be our first visit to Cuba. Warm regards, Jock Brooks ’58

Friday, February 27 MIAMI Independent arrivals in Miami before checking into the Miami International Airport Hotel. Meet the director of the Center for the Study of Cuban Culture and the Economy, Dr. Joseph Scarpaci, for an included lecture and dinner at the hotel. D. Saturday, February 28 CIENFUEGOS Morning charter flight from Miami to Cienfuegos. Upon arrival, enjoy a walking tour of the historic area around the Parque Marti. Stop in at the Tomas Terry Theater built in the late 1800s before enjoying lunch at Jardin de los Laureles. Drive to the Taller Grafico, a wonderful graphic print shop and meet the artists, some of whom hold classes for local residents with Down’s Syndrome. Visit the Museo Historico Provincial and enjoy a wonderful performance of Cantores de Cienfuegos, a 23-member choral group. After checking into your hotel in Cienfuegos, enjoy drinks and a welcome dinner. L,D. Sunday, March 1 CIENFUEGOS / TRINIDAD Depart for a full day excursion to Trinidad. Spend the day exploring this city, the crown jewel of Cuba’s colonial cities. Begin the day at the Plaza Mayor which is in the center of town. Around the plaza are the Museo Romantico, the Museo Arquelogia, and the cathedral, Iglesia Parroquial de la

Santisima Trinidad which was built between 1817 and 1892. Visit the Palacio Cantero which is housed in a mansion. The view of Trinidad from the top of the tower is wonderful and not to be missed. Stop in at the home and studio of artist Carlos Mata and his wife, Barbara Calzada and daughter, Amaya Mata, who are also artists. Enjoy lunch at a new private restaurant and engage with the staff of the restaurant before visiting Trinidad’s Library where the group will learn how books are selected and what censorship occurs and discuss how Havana exerts control in more rural areas. Continue on to explore Valle de Los Ingenios, the sugar industry’s living museum which includes the famous Manaca-Iznaga Tower. End the afternoon visiting the beautiful Trinidad home of Julio Munoz, a horse whisperer, and his wife Rosa, followed by an introductory salsa lesson. Return to Cienfuegos and enjoy dinner at a private restaurant. B,L,D. Monday, March 2 HAVANA Morning drive along the “autopista” to Havana making a stop en route to the Bay of Pigs. Arrive in Havana and enjoy lunch at the historic Nacional Hotel. Its remaining splendor and history serve as a tangible reminder of Cuba’s past times. After lunch, check into the Parque Central Hotel. After a lecture by Dr. Rena Perez on “Living in Cuba Today,” enjoy cocktails and dinner on the hotel’s rooftop. B,L,D. Tuesday, March 3 HAVANA University of Havana economist Dr. Ricardo Torres joins us this morning for a discussion of The Changing Faces of Cuba’s Economic Structure focusing on Cuba’s strategy to liberalize its economy.

’58 ExploresCuba in Transition February 27—March 7, 2015

Enjoy a carefully crafted walking tour of Old Havana. Havana has the reputation of being the most splendid and finest example of a Spanish colonial city in the Americas. Enjoy a private viewing of the newly created model of Old Havana, which serves as an excellent introduction to the layout of the city. Enjoy lunch accompanied by traditional music at the Plaza Vieja, a stunningly beautiful old square surrounded by mansions. This afternoon, enjoy a city orientation tour by motor coach. The tour will include an inside visit to the wonderful Riviera Hotel, which when it opened in 1958, was considered a marvel of modern design. Drive along La Rampa to the Parque Copelia, a large, lush park that is an entire block. Enjoy dinner at the Café Oriente Restaurant, which is located right in Old Havana on one of its most beautiful squares. B,L,D. Wednesday, March 4 HAVANA / PINAR DEL RIO Depart for a full day excursion to the western part of Cuba where dramatic limestone peaks tower above verdant valleys. Drive to Pinar del Rio, stopping en route at an Orchid Farm at Soroa. The hilly grounds contain over 800 species of plants all thriving in the humid climate. Continue to the Valle de Vinales to admire Cuba’s most famous landscape. Visit a tobacco farm to learn about the tobacco industry. Enjoy lunch at the beautiful Hotel La Ermita overlooking the valley. It is possible from here to appreciate the valley’s distinctive landscape with its steep-sided limestone mountains rising dramatically from fertile flat-floored valleys where farmers cultivate the red soil for tobacco, fruits and vegetables. After lunch, spend time exploring the town of Vinales. Enjoy a dinner at leisure this evening. B,L.

Thursday, March 5 HAVANA Enjoy a morning lecture on “US/Cuban Relations” by Professor Raul Rodriguez from the University of Havana. After the lecture, enjoy watching a wonderful dance rehearsal of the Danza Contemporanea de Cuba. Enjoy a private lunch at the home and studio of artist Jose Fuster who has turned his neighborhood into one enormous piece of mosaic art. Enjoy a visit to the Presidential Palace, now a museum, which illustrates the history of the Cuban political development. Walk to the Granma Memorial which preserves the vessel that brought Fidel Castro, Che Guevara and other revolutionaries to Cuba. Enjoy dinner this evening at a private restaurant. B,L,D. Friday, March 6 HAVANA Enjoy a morning briefing at the US Interest Section to learn more about US/Cuban relations and the role of the US Interest Section. Visit the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes: Arte Cubano (Cuban Collection). This tour will be accompanied by a contemporary art curator. After lunch at El Ajibe, visit the 7 y 60 studio to view the works of four young and emerging artists. End the day with a visit to the Santonvenia Senior Center and meet with staff and residents. Enjoy your farewell dinner which takes place at La Guarida , perhaps the most well-known of all “paladars” in Havana, made famous because it was where Fresa y Chocolate, the 1994 Oscar-nominated film about gays in Cuba, was filmed. B,L,D.

Saturday, March 7 RETURN Return flight to Miami. B.

Trip Price: $4,280 Single room supplement: $1,060 (Limited Availability)

Trip price includes roundtrip airfare on charter flights from Miami to Cuba, accommodations in hotels as outlined in the itinerary based on double occupancy, all meals listed (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner), one drink with lunch and one with dinner, bottled water kept on the bus, sightseeing and excursions as listed, transportation in a deluxe, air conditioned motor coach, the services of a Distant Horizons tour manager and of a local Cuban guide, a Cuban visa, all gratuities, and mandatory health insurance and evacuation required by the Cuban Government which provides $25,000 worth of medical coverage and $7,000 worth of medical transportation. Trip price does not include domestic airfare to and from Miami, departure tax of 25 CUC’s (the equivalent of approximately $30 USD) in Cuba, luggage charges, additional drinks at meals, trip cancellation, lost baggage and medical insurance (above a mandatory amount required by the Cuban government), items of a purely personal nature and any items not listed. Please note that participants must be in good physical condition and be able to walk for long distances over uneven

cobblestones and up and down stairs without problems. This is a rigorous, fast-paced program.

Please note that this trip is being sold on a first-come, first-served basis. To sign up for this trip, please send your reservation form along with a deposit in the amount of $1000.00 per person

made payable to Distant Horizons. Send to Distant Horizons at 350 Elm Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802

For additional information or a more detailed itinerary contact Melissa Costa at Distant Horizons at 1-800-333-1240

R E S E R V A T I O N F O R M

’58 Explores Cuba in Transition February 27—March 7, 2015

I would like to reserve_____space(s) for ’58 Explores Cuba in Transition

Enclosed is a deposit of $1000 per person, in the total amount of $____________. Your deposit is refundable up to 60 days prior to departure less a $500 administration fee.

Please make checks payable to Distant Horizons.

Room Arrangements Single Occupancy (Single supplement $1,060) Double Occupancy, I will share a room with:________________________ I would prefer a roommate but will pay the single supplement if one is not available

Personal Information

Last Name_____________________________________ First Name_______________________________________

Last Name_____________________________________ First Name_______________________________________

Address_______________________________________ City, State, Zip____________________________________

Daytime phone (______)__________________________ Email Address____________________________________

Please note that this trip will operate in conjunction with the Center for the Study of Cuban Culture and the Economy.