Cuba itineraryweb

Theodore Roosevelt AssociationStrenuous Life Adventures!

CHAIR Michele Bryant

Theodore Roosevelt AssociationStrenuous Life Adventure - Cuba

Prepared by Michele Bryant

PLEASE NOTE:We will make every effort to operate the program as outlined herein. However, circumstances beyond our control may arise which

would require an adjustment to the tour or its inclusions. We will do all that is possible to avoid such changes but we must reserve the right to make such modifications. Normal cancellation penalties still apply to any program that has been changed.

Prepared by Michele BryantCastillo del Morro

Nightly cannon lighting ceremony

As a participant, your tour is being arranged by Insight CubaLicensed Travel

Insight Cuba, worked closely with The Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control, between 2000-2004 in order to create legal travel programs to Cuba for U.S. citizens. Due to regulation changes at the end of 2003, Insight Cuba, as well as numerous other organizations, had to suspend their travel programs. In light of the new regulations released by the Obama Administration, we are excited to once again facilitate People-to-People Educational Exchanges.

Insight Cuba has been issued a specific license by The Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control, which authorizes registered guests of our programs to visit Cuba legally. There are no applications to complete, and your travel with us is fully authorized.

Prior to your departure, you will receive a copy of our Specific License and a Letter of Authorization which legalizes your travel to Cuba. Simply carry your license and Letter of Authorization with your travel documents, as you may be required to present both documents prior to boarding a direct flight from the U.S. to Cuba, or upon your return to the U.S. when going through immigration.

Theodore Roosevelt AssociationStrenuous Life Adventure – Cuba Itinerary

Celebrate President's Day in Cuba!

Friday, February 17, 2012

Miami to Havana

Havana to Santiago de Cuba

Santiago de Cuba to Havana

Havana to Miami

Arrive Back in Miami February 24


Prepared by Michele Bryant

Bienvenidos a Cuba!

Arrive at José Martí International Airport –HavanaWelcome to Cuba! After clearing immigration and customs, your Cuban host will greet you and escort you to your motor coach.

Take a Scenic Trip to Hotel NacionalEnjoy a scenic trip to your hotel in Havana. Take some time to settle in, and spend the rest of the day at your leisure, soaking up the incredible sights and sounds of the city.

Enjoy a Bully Welcome Dinner!Celebrate your arrival with a welcome dinner at your hotel.

Dinner Included

Explore Old Havana!

Journey Through Habana ViejaAfter breakfast we'll stroll through the streets of historic Habana Vieja, exploring the famous Cathedral Square, Plaza de Armas (where U.S. Troops camped during the occupation), the City Museum, and Palacio de Los Capitanes Generale (where the transfer of power from Spain to the U.S. Took place). The city has been restored to its historic splendor by UNESCO World Heritage; it exudes colonial charm at its finest and is a must-see for all travelers.

Meet with Professors and Students for DiscussionsAfter lunch, meet with professors and students at the University of Havana and participate in a discussion of the Spanish American war. After that, we head over to the Vedado section of Havana, to visit El Morro castle (at the entrance of Havana Harbor where the USS Maine blew up), along with The Monumento a las Victimas de Maine along the majestic waterfront and the elegant neighborhood of Miramar.

Experience the Traditional Cannon BlastEnjoy the traditional cannon blast ceremony at Carlos de la Cabana Fortress, historically used to signal the opening and closing of the gate of the fortress. It is now one of the oldest traditions in Havana.

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Included

People-to-People and Cuban Culture!

Share Special Moments with the ChildrenThis morning, we'll make a special trip to the Hogar para Niños sin Amparo Filial Bauta orphanage right outside of Havana. Visits from Americans are so rare and exciting for these children; you’ll be greeted with outstretched arms and open hearts.

Marvel at Napoleon ArtifactsThe Napoleonic Museum is one of the most important of its kind in the world. Housed in a Florentine-style palace, treasured objects used by Napoleon Bonaparte who had guns in the battle of Borodino, cocked hat and glasses used in Santa Elena, in addition to parts of the Bourbon monarchy, the first empire and personal belongings of Napoleon I. Charles Bonaparte was the grand nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, and served as Secretary of the Navy and Attorney General for Theodore Roosevelt..

Head up the Hills to GuanabocoaNext, we'll explore Guanabocoa and learn about the religion of Santeria. We will also have the unique experience to sit down and talk to local residents about life there. Later that evening, we will have dinner at our hotel and attend a famous block party where people from all walks of life come to discuss neighborhood issues, eat, drink and form friendships.Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Included

It's off to Santiago de Cuba!

Adios Havana!In the morning your Cuban host will escort you on a short flight from Havana to Santiago de Cuba.

Meet with a University Professor and Students for DiscussionsOnce we've landed, we'll tour and meet with a university professor and students to have a lecture on the seige of Santiago, with opportunities to ask lots of questions and gain insight on the history.


"Roosevelt...made you feel like you would like to cheer."

Trace TR Through the Spanish American WarThis morning we'll head out for a tour of the Spanish American War. We'll start in Siboney to talk about the Rough Riders' landing at Daiquiri on June 22, 1898, and Siboney, which was one of three sites east of Santiago where American expeditionary forces landed in Cuba and where the Rough Riders made night camp on the way to battle.

We'll then tour Las Guasimas, tracing the area where the first battle or skirmish of the U.S. army troops occurred with the Spanish.

Next, we'll stop at El Viso Fort, the target of U.S. artillery shelling during the battle of El Caney, followed by El Caney church and courtyard area, the site of intense fighting between U.S and Cuban forces and the Spanish army on July 1, 1898.

And of course, we'll tour San Juan Hill Military park (hill) including the Peace Tree and a walk around Kettle Hill!

That evening, we'll meet with a historical society and participate in a discussion regarding the history of the Spanish American War.


Castillo del Morro

Journey Through a Fortress like TR!This morning, take an unforgettable journey to see the Castillo del Morro San Pedro de la Roca like TR did! Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, the castle has breathtaking views of the sea, and is massive! Wander through the maze of rooms, viewing prison cells, a chapel, and tons of bedrooms, which once accommodated 150 soldiers. We'll make a stop in the Museo de Piratería, an interesting museum within the castle, which showcases information and materials on pirate raids that occurred in the 16th century. While at the castle, meet with Cuban Historians to discuss the Spanish American War, and its impact on Cuba.

TR writes about Castillo del Morro in his book Rough Riders: “One day General Lawton, General Wood and I, with Ferguson and poor Tiffany, went down the bay to visit Morro Castle. The shores were beautiful, especially where there were groves of palms and of the scarlet-flower tree, and the castle itself, on a jutting head land, overlooking the sea and guarding the deep, narrow entrance to the bay, showed just what it was, the splendid relic of a vanished power and a vanished age. We wandered all through it, among the castellated battlements, and in the dungeons, where we found hideous rusty implements of torture; and looked at the guns, some modern and some very old. It had been little hurt by the bombardment of the ships. Afterward I had a swim, not trusting much to the shark stories. We passed by the sunken hulks of the Merrimac and the Reina Mercedes, lying just outside the main channel. Our own people had tried to sink the first and the Spaniards had tried to sink the second, so as to block the entrance. Neither attempt was successful.”Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Included

Back in Havana!

Fly from Santiago de Cuba to HavanaToday, head back to Havana on a morning flight.

Share Experiences at the Friendship HouseCasa de la Amistad or Friendship House is a majestic mansion that evokes a Florentine palace from the beginning of twentieth century. The building is a real treat to the eye and emblematic of Cuba's multi-layered history.

Commemorate Our Time in Cuba with a Farewell DinnerWe share our last night together with a very special farewell dinner.


Adios Cuba!

“I wish to preach, not the doctrine of ignoble ease, but the doctrine of the strenuous life.”Adios Cuba! After breakfast, you’ll bid farewell to Cuba, as you board your flight back to Miami. Return back to U.S. with amazing memories and experiences you will treasure forever!

Breakfast Included

Included in the tour:U.S. Treasury Department License and Letter of Authorization5 star hotel accomodations - Havana:Hotel Nacional/ Santiago de Cuba:Hotel MeliaAll Meals (Day of arrival:Dinner only - Day of departure:Breakfast only)Internal round trip flight Havana to Santiago de CubaDays full of guided activitiesYour Cuban Host (Tour guide)Expert LecturesAll entrance fees to scheduled events and activitiesAll in-country ground transportation and transfersTravel health insurance, emergency medical evacuation, & trip cancelation coverage (up to $1000)Insight Cuba Travel Handbook24-hour emergency service hotline

Cost:$2997(per person double occupancy)$3297 (per person single occupancy)
