CUBASARASOTA COUNTY MASTER GARDENERSOct. 29 – Nov. 8, 2016

Encounter the natural and cultural history of Cuba, the island nation that boasts a unique mixture of African, European, and Caribbean tradition. Home to nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a population as warm as its climate, Cuba—once again accessible to American travelers—is a country begging to be explored.In addition to its dynamic cityscapes and geography, Cuba offers a vast array of flora, fauna, and animal species in lush and varied ecosystems. Join in-country experts and skilled guides in discovering the ways in which Cubans cultivate their crops, gardens, and organoponic gardens upon tropical and concrete terrains.Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from Cuba’s leading innovators in greenery and sustainability.

• Experience the rich history of Old Havana, touring the neighborhood’s museums, markets, and plazas.

• Dine at local paladares, or restaurants in private homes, as well as in a few of Ernest Hemingway’s favorite places.

• Meet with local representatives of Alamar Organoponic Gardens to learn about urban agricultural initiatives.

• Explore the ecologically protected area of Mil Cumbres, home to the highest concentration of endemic species in Cuba.

• Float through Cueva del Indio, a series of caves featuring an underground stream.

• Relax at Cayo Jutías, one of Cuba’s most pristine beaches.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

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CUBA

afternoon meet with Mr. Miguel Salcines from the Alamar Organoponic Gardens. Agronomist Miguel Salcines is the garden leader of this group of 160 cooperative owners. Learn about the garden’s history, accomplishments, and horticultural practices of organoponics in Cuba. Before returning to the hotel, stop by the eclectic Gallo’s Garden of Affections in Alamar. Dinner will be on your own. This evening, you may wish to see the surviving founders of the Buena Vista Social Club perform, or take in another evening show. Overnight at Meliá Cohiba. (BL)

NOVEMBER 1 - SOROAThis morning visit the National Botanical Garden in the outskirts of Havana. Explore the gardens with your guide, with lunch at El Bambú, an ecological restaurant located within the garden. This afternoon visit Las Terrazas, a self-sustained community named after their 5,000-hectare reforestation project. While at Las Terrazas, visit the Buena Vista Coffee Plantation. Arrive in Soroa late this afternoon. Dinner is at your hotel this evening. Overnight at Horizontes Villa Soroa. (BLD)

NOVEMBER 2 - SOROA This morning enjoy a guided tour of the Orchid Garden, run by the University of Pinar del Río. Meet with a staff member for insight about the garden, which features more than 20,000 plants including 700 orchid species. The garden also hosts a botanical research center belonging to the University of Pinar del Río. Lunch will be at El Salto restaurant. This afternoon you will have an interpretive short trekking adventure (2 km) on the trail “Maravillas de Soroa” with a local expert on the native flora and fauna. This evening enjoy dinner at a local paladar. Overnight at Horizontes Villa Soroa. (BLD)

NOVEMBER 3 - VIÑALES Today starts with a hike with the biological station’s expert guide in the ecologically protected area of Mil Cumbres (Thousand Peaks), home to the highest concentration of endemic species in Cuba. Lunch at your hotel and then transfer to Valle de Viñales. En route, visit the Government Tobacco Factory. Dinner is at a local paladar located in the hills surrounding Viñales called the Agro Ecologico. Savor all the dishes made with the produce from the land where the restaurant is located. Overnight at Hotel Los Jazmines or similar. (BLD)

NOVEMBER 4 - VIÑALES This morning you will have the opportunity to take a guided hike in Viñales National Park: the valley of the mogotes. The area consists of flat-topped hills dating

ITINERARY

OCTOBER 29 - HAVANA This morning check in at the Tampa International Airport for your afternoon flight to Havana. Upon arrival at the José Martí International Airport, you will be met by your guide and driver and transferred to your hotel. After check-in and a chance to settle in, meet with your guide and a representative from the hotel for a welcome cocktail. Learn how the Cuban mojito is prepared and have a conversation with your guide about the foods of Cuba and what to expect while you’re traveling. Dinner at a local paladar. Overnight at Meliá Cohiba. (D)

OCTOBER 30 - HAVANA This morning you will be given a guided walking tour of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the four “plazas” in Old Havana: Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de San Francisco de Asís, and Plaza de Armas. Also learn about the restoration projects going on throughout Havana and see the giant model of the city. After lunch at Ernest Hemingway’s Old Havana favorite, Sloppy Joe’s, join the weekly Sunday festivities at Callejón de Hamel, which is known for its electrifying and hypnotic rumba music and is home to hundreds of Afro-Cuban inspired murals. Continue on to explore the famous El Morro Castle, the fortress guarding the entrance to Havana Bay, built in 1589. Dine this evening at the private restaurant La Guarida, which is the location of the Cuban Oscar-nominated film “Strawberry and Chocolate.” Overnight at Meliá Cohiba. (BLD)

OCTOBER 31 - HAVANA Today meet with representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI), which has created a special unit to promote and support urban agriculture. Agricultural extensionists from MINAGRI advise and disseminate knowledge based on the principles of organic agriculture, and usually play a pivotal role in the start-up and functioning of the popular gardens and horticulture clubs. MINAGRI also operates eight “House of Seeds” (Casa de Semillas) in greater Havana, which you will visit. These centers sell agricultural supplies to the public that would otherwise be difficult to obtain, such as vegetable and medicinal seeds and seedlings, biological pesticides, organic fertilizer, and tools. Enjoy lunch at La Terraza de Cojímar, another one of Hemingway’s favorite Cuban restaurants. It offers a fabulous view of the Cojímar Bay, where Hemingway would go out fishing and from where he met the fisherman on whom “The Old Man and the Sea” is based. This

back to the Jurassic Period that can be found in only four countries in the world. Lunch today is at a special location known as Palenque de los Cimarrones. After lunch, visit with Carmen and Caridad Miranda, who own a unique botanic and herb garden. Learn about the use of herbs in the typical Cuban diet. Next is a very special treat, a visit to the home and studio of Nils Navarro, a famous Cuban wildlife artist. Talk with Nils about his amazing work and learn about the life of an artist in Cuba. Enjoy dinner in town at a local restaurant, with time afterwards to catch some Cuban music and dancing. Overnight at Hotel Los Jazmines or similar. (BLD)

NOVEMBER 5 - VIÑALES Your day starts with a chance to take in the artisan market in Viñales, followed by a tour of Cueva del Indio, a series of caves with an underground stream where you will take a boat ride and learn the history of this natural site. Enjoy lunch in town. In the afternoon, visit a local tobacco farm and learn from the owner about his work and the life of a tobacco farmer in Cuba. Your next stop is in the nearby city of Pinar del Río, where you will visit Fabrica de Tabacos Francisco Donatien, a traditional cigar factory, located in a stately, colonnaded building that was the city jail until 1961. You will also visit the Ron Guayabita Rum Factory, where you can discover the “typical drink of the province.” Dinner will be at your hotel this evening. Overnight at Hotel Los Jazmines. (BLD)

NOVEMBER 6 - HAVANA Following breakfast and check out, it will be time to hit the beach! You will be transferred to Cayo Jutías, a lovely beach with turquoise water and beautiful coastlines. After your swim, you will be taken to a nearby seaside restaurant, where you can change out of your swimsuit and have a seafood lunch. Return to Havana, this time staying in Old Havana at a centrally located, colonial-style hotel. Time permitting, a visit to the Colón Cemetery is planned. This evening, gather for dinner at a paladar where you can enjoy mojitos on the rooftop with magnificent views of the city. Overnight at Hotel Telégrafo. (BLD)

NOVEMBER 7 - HAVANAToday will begin with a look at the Capitol building, which you might recognize as a replica of the Capitol in Washington, DC. Continue on to take in the Museum of the Revolution as well as the Natural History Museum, and then have a late lunch at a local cafe. You will have the remainder of the afternoon to explore the city on your own, or your guide and driver will take you to the San José crafts market, Havana’s main enclosed local arts and crafts market and cultural

fair, housed in the restored and renovated historic San José warehouses, originally built in the 1880s. After shopping, make your way back to the hotel on your own, either via a vintage car cab ride or a stroll through Old Havana. Tonight, enjoy a very special farewell dinner and spectacular show at the famous Tropicana. Overnight at Hotel Telégrafo. (BLD)

NOVEMBER 8 - DEPARTUREThis morning you will be transferred to the airport in Havana for your flight back to Tampa. (B)

Itinerary subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.

LAND COST

$3,395 (based on a group of 15 minimum)

Includes:

• All accommodations, meals, non-alcoholic beverages with meals, entrance fees and activities as listed in itinerary

• Full-time guide for duration of program• Private vehicle transportation• Tips/gratuities for guide and driver• Carbon offset

Not included: International airfare from Tampa, hotel gratuities, travel/trip cancellation insurance, optional activities, items of a personal nature, or alcoholic beverages.

THE FINE PRINT

Price is based on double occupancy; for a single room throughout the trip add $695 per person. A $200 per person deposit and enrollment form is required to secure your space on the trip. This deposit is refundable until August 20, 2016 excluding a $100 cancellation fee. After August 20, 2016 deposit is non-refundable. Final payments are due no later than August 20, 2016; cancellations received after this date are not refundable. Travel/trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. For more information call Travel Insured at 800-243-3174. Holbrook Travel’s agency number is 15849.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ENROLL

Contact Sandy Schmidt at schmidt@holbrooktravel.com or 877-907-5360.PHOTOS BY

Guillaume Baviere, Alton Biggs, Michelle Korczynski, Colleen Taugher, and Jack Wickes

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