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8-day luxury tour of Cuba including Havana, Santa Clara, Cienfuegos and Trinidad.
Embark on an unforgettable journey with Brand g as we delve into the rich history, captivating culture, and breathtaking natural beauty of Cuba, the Caribbean’s largest and most enchanting island. Discover the timeless allure of Cuba as you explore its vibrant streets adorned with vintage cars, savor the world-renowned craftsmanship of cigars, and bask in the serenity of unspoiled beaches. Each moment is a celebration of the island’s unique charm and warmth. Due to the special requirements to visit Cuba, US guests will be required to sign a travel affidavit confirming that they are traveling under the People to People – General license and will participate in our schedule of activities.
Independent arrivals into Miami. Take the included airport shuttle service provided by the host hotel to the Sonesta Miami airport, where a one-night stay is included as part of your reservation. This evening meet other travelers at an informal welcome reception. Overnight at the Sonesta Miami Airport.
(Welcome Reception)
This morning, enjoy breakfast at the hotel before gathering in the hotel lobby to meet your trip hosts for a welcome briefing. Thereafter we transfer to the Miami airport, where you will receive your Visa/Tourist card prior to flight check-in.
Upon arrival to Santa Clara, Cuba, your local guide will welcome us and assist you with boarding your coach. There will be time for orientation and general questions. Time permitting – enjoy a quick visit of Santa Clara city center; Teatro La Caridad, one of the few remaining colonial theaters on the island and the Che Guevara mausoleum. To keep to our schedule today, a box lunch will be provided for your enjoyment on the coach. Enjoy panoramic views of the Mountain Range of Escambray, known for its coffee plantations enroute to the ancient city of Trinidad – A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tonight enjoy a group dinner at Paladar Museo 1514, a popular gem with particular antique décor and a menu that combines traditional Spanish cuisine with local seafood.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Today, following an included breakfast at the hotel, we start the day with a visit to the Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills), a series of three interconnected valleys that were the center for sugar production during the 18th and 19th centuries. At the peak of the industry in Cuba, there were over fifty sugar cane mills in operation.
In 1988, Valle de Los Ingenios, and neighboring Trinidad, were declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Trinidad’s prosperity rested on the sugar
industry and became the cultural center of the island. Much of the architecture is Neo-classical and Baroque with a Moorish flavor, reflecting the town’s heritage of Spanish conquerors.
Lunch is included today at El Ojo del Toro, a family-owned restaurant in the local fishing village of La Boca, at the mouth of the Guaurabo river.
After lunch we will visit the Santanders, arguably the most renowned family in town. The family has worked the Art of Pottery for generations. We will visit their workshop and interact with the craftsmen. After, we return to the hotel for some relaxation time.
Tonight’s dinner is at Sol y Ananda. This local gem features a delicious variety of local seafood, Cuban creole cuisine dishes, as well as live music.
Tonight if you wish you may partake of optional nightlife entertainment in the city with live music at Casa de la Trova, a traditional-music venue located in the heart of town, not far from your hotel. Salsa lessons are available for those feeling adventurous.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
This morning, following breakfast, we check-out from hotel to depart for Havana via Cienfuegos. Along the way, we will see locals hitchhiking to different parts of the country, as well as picturesque groups of farmers selling their fresh products in the middle of the highway.
In Cienfuegos, we will enjoy a walking tour of the city center, a town awarded for its architecture. We will stop at the famous Thomas Terry theater and enjoy a performance by the local choir.
Today’s included lunch is at El Lagarto. This privately owned paladar is set right on the mouth of the beautiful Bay of Cienfuegos. After lunch, our journey will continue to Havana.
Upon arrival to Havana, we’ll check in to the Grand Aston Hotel. After some time to refresh we’ll have an included dinner at Al Carbon. This hidden gem created by internationally awarded Cuban Chef Ivan Justo, is a private restaurant showcasing barbeque traditional Cuban cuisine with an international flair and live entertainment.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Today, following breakfast at the hotel, we’ll enjoy a tour of Havana with visits to: Visit the Taller de Grafica Experimental, Havana’s printmaking and lithographic workshop; Plaza de Armas, a scenic tree-lined square situated at the center of the former political and military influential area on the island; Plaza de San Francisco de Asís (San Francisco Square) a remarkable cobbled plaza surrounded by buildings dating from the 18th century and dominated by the baroque church and convent of San Francisco built in 1719 (now a concert hall).
We’ll take a break for lunch at Plaadar Los Mercanderes, where you’ll be introduced to the owner and his wife. Yamil is a former cigar industry expert and remarkable entrepreneur. This farm-to-table, sustainable restaurant in the heart of old town became the first to have its own organic farm and fishing boat to provide fresh product.
After lunch we’ll visit the charming Plaza Vieja, with galleries and popular cafeterias attended primarily by locals. Then, a Guided tour of The Museum of Cuban Fine Arts. This remarkable piece of modern architecture is dedicated exclusively to Cuban Art from the earliest days of Spanish colonialism to the latest generation of Cuban artists.
Enjoy some free time at the hotel before another wonderful evening out with dinner at paladar El Cocinero — one of the top restaurants in the country, located in the ruins of an old factory, and decorated by the work of independent Cuban artists Damian Aquilez and Arles del Rio.
After dinner we visit the New York Times-featured Art and Live Music venue, Fábrica de Arte Cubano, today’s best cultural proposal in the city. It hosts one of the biggest exhibitions of contemporary art on the island along with interior and architectural design.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Today, after another delicious breakfast at the hotel, we visit CENESEX, the “National Center for Sex Education”, a government-funded organization founded in 1989, known for advocating tolerance towards the LGBTQ+ community, as well as addressing issues related to domestic abuse. CENESEX stresses acceptance of sexual diversity and has attracted international attention in recent years for its campaigns for the rights of transgender persons, and provision of state funded sexual reassignment surgery. The head of the center is Mariela Castro, daughter of the Cuban politician and former president Raul Castro.
Today’s included lunch is at paladar CostaVino, a stylish venue located not far from the residential embassies district. The cuisine is an upscale recreation of Cuban traditional cuisine with a Spanish flair.
Following lunch, we’ll continue with an Art tour with curator/entrepreneur Sandra Borges. This includes visits to the studios of several Cuban artists including
the The Merger. This collaborative ensemble of artists creates unique works on canvas and big scale sculptures. Their work is part of the permanent collection at the Phoenix Art Museum and can be seen in several private collections throughout Europe and the U.S. We will also visit Studio 3 y 31. This group of young, talented artists share not only their workspace, but also their tremendous passion for art. An extensive number of drawings, photographs, painting and sculptures can be appreciated here.
Thereafter we’ll return to hotel for some time to refresh before dinner at Cocina de Liliam, one of Havana’s first Paladars, opened back in 1990’s, which still serves “grandma’s recipes”.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
This morning after breakfast, we start with a visit to the studio/rehearsal space of the multi-awarded Cuban choreographer Rosario Cardenas, where we will enjoy a short performance, meet the dancers, and engage in educational interaction.
Then we’ll continue with a visit of the whimsical home of artist Jose Fuster, who continues to make major contributions to the rebuilding of his small fishing village, located on the outskirts of Havana.
We then drive to the next-door province of Artemisa, originally considered to be rural Havana. Here we visit Finca Marta an organic, sustainable farm mastering “green farming” a people’s initiative to make empty land productive during the hardship of the so called “Special Period” (after the collapse of the Soviet Union). We will meet the farm staff to learn about their daily routines. Farm-to-table lunch will be served after our tour.
On our drive back to the city, we will make a stop at a Bodega (grocery store), to learn how locals receive their monthly, subsidized products. There will also be an optional visit to the Arts and Craft market for souvenir shopping.
Tonight, experience a vintage American convertible joyride to dinner at “La Guarida”: The country’s most famous restaurant! It carries the charming ambiance of the 1920’s. It is recognized not only for its delectable dining, but also for being the location of “Strawberry and Chocolate” a Cuban film nominated for an academy award, the first ever movie to present the existing political and social contradictions of the time on the island, and the first ever to feature a gay man in a main role. The building was finished in 1913 and can be seen in many international publications like The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and others.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Following an early breakfast, we’ll transfer to the Havana airport for your included flight to Miami. We expect to arrive to Miami at approximately 11:45am. Please schedule your onward flight from Miami for 1:30PM or later.
(Breakfast)
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If a lower fare is ever offered on the Brand g website, you can request (either directly or through your travel agent) to have that savings applied to your final payment.
Pre-paid gratuities of $220 per person are additional.
A $1,500 per person deposit is required to confirm your space. The balance of the trip is due 120 days before departure on September 24, 2024. Failure to make payment(s) in a timely manner may cause your reservation to be cancelled
Consider purchasing travel insurance to help protect your trip. We offer travel insurance as part of a travel protection plan from Travel Insured International. Click here, or call Brand g at 952-405-9309 for pricing information. Please note, to be eligible for certain additional travel protection benefits you must purchase your plan within 21 days of the date your initial trip deposit is received.
Experience the laid-back South Florida lifestyle at this Miami Airport hotel. Take advantage of it’s location just 1.5 miles from Miami International Airport with round-trip airport shuttle service and explore nearby attractions like Port Miami Cruise Terminals, Brickell, Downtown Miami, and more.
Dates of Stay: January 22-23, 2025
For additional pre-program nights, please book those using the hotel website here for room category Deluxe – King or Deluxe – Two Doubles (based on the bed type you need). Let us know about your pre-program reservation and we’ll request that the hotel bridge the two reservations.
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Arrival: You should schedule your flights to arrive to the Miami Airport (MIA) by January 22, 2025. The first activity that day will be at approximately 5:30pm.
Departure: You should schedule your flights to depart from Miami, Florida (MIA) at 1:30pm or later on January 29, 2025. Our expected arrival time from Havana is at 11:45am.
US citizens: This tour meets the legal requirements of “People to People” category and incorporates a full-time itinerary featuring exchanges and cultural activities that support the Cuban people.
Citizens of all other countries should check with their own Cuban consulate or embassy to determine entry requirements.
We advise all guests to ensure their passports are valid for a minimum of 6 months after your last date of travel.
A complimentary airport shuttle is provided from the Miami Airport (MIA) to the Sonesta Miami Airport Hotel.
Departure transfers are provided from the Gran Aston Hotel to the Havana International Airport to coincide with Brand g’s included flight. (HAV).
Contact our team or your travel agent to ensure arrangements outside of these arrival and departure transfers will be included. Booked guests should provide their arrival and departure details 45 days prior to the trip to ensure transfer availability.
We will make every effort to accommodate special dietary requests. Please inform our office at least 45 days prior to departure of these requests.
Gratuities are customary expressions of appreciation for a job well done. It is our goal to ensure that the service you receive is as wonderful as the sites you visit. Gratuities for the included portions of this program have been pre-paid. At your own discretion you may choose to provide additional tips.
You are on vacation as the last thing we want to impose is a dress code. Be as dressed up or down as you see fit as long as you are comfortable and dress appropriately for changeable weather. You may wish to bring along a few nicer outfits for dinners.
If specific clothing is required e.g. when visiting cold or tropical climates or a place of worship on a tour, we will specifically let you know prior to travel.
Most US travelers are covered by routine vaccinations. US citizens should consult the Centers for Disease Control website cdc.govor your health care provider for vaccination requirements and recommendations. Citizens of all other countries should consult their government’s national disease center or their physician.
All hotels will have designated outdoor smoking areas. We ask that guests refrain from smoking while during tours.
We love our solo travelers – and we have many!
This page is designed to offer information on the solo traveler experience with Brand g.
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Important information
2025 Cuba – Terms & Conditions
Thank you for choosing Brand g for your vacation. To ensure that you understand the conditions of your vacation, please read the following policies and procedures completely. All policies and procedures are subject to change at any time at Brand g’s sole discretion without notice. All information contained herein is in effect at the time of publishing and is subject to change at any time.
Information contained on the Brand g Vacations website (brandgvacations.com), our online booking site, or any printed or online advertisements do not form part of any offer or contract. Terms and Conditions will be included with your travel documents and contain complete and important information regarding cancellations, itineraries, health and immigration requirements, and other relevant information.
Itinerary arrival and departure times are always subject to change with or without notice. Brand g reserves the right to cancel, alter, advance, postpone or substitute any portion of the itinerary, which, in its sole judgment and discretion, is justified for any reason, and to do so without liability for any loss whatsoever to guests as a result of said change(s). Brand g is not responsible for incidents such as airline cancellations, re-routings or any disruption of scheduled services or accommodation, or lost luggage.
All schedules, fares, and terms and conditions listed in this website are effective as of January 2024 and supersede any schedules, prices, and terms and conditions previously published.
All fares including land and hotel, are capacity controlled, subject to change at anytime without notice and do not guarantee availability. All are subject to change and/or cancellation without notice.
Travel documents will not be dispatched until full and final payment and passenger Contact Information has been received by Brand g and cleared. For purposes of this Agreement, Contact Information shall mean a guest’s full name, passport number, address, telephone number (land and mobile), electronic mail address and emergency contact information and any other information as requested by Brand g.
Our tour meets the legal requirements of “Support for the Cuban People” category and incorporates an itinerary featuring exchanges and cultural activities that benefit the Cuban people.
Travel Professionals
Travel agents are considered to be the agent of guest and not of Brand g Vacations. Brand g is not liable for any representation, act or omission of Guest’s travel agent. Guest’s fare is not considered paid until Brand g receives full payment, and the amount thereof is subject to change at any time prior to receipt of payment. Guest shall at all times remain liable to Brand g for the price of passage. Brand g reserves the right to refuse travel if all charges and surcharges have not been paid in advance of departure.
Deposit/Final Payment
All payments will be processed by Brand g Vacations. To reserve your trip, a $1,500 per person deposit is required at the time of booking. Full payment is due no later than 120 days prior to departure (September 24, 2024. Guests will not be permitted to change travel agents once final payment has been received. Final documentation will be issued after receipt of final payment and approximately 30 days prior to tour. All reservations are subject to cancellation if payments are not received by the due date and are guaranteed only when paid in full 120 days prior to tour. Reservations made within 90 days of tour require full payment within seven days of booking or sooner, as specified by Brand g Vacations. Payments may be made by AMEX / VISA®/ MasterCard® or DISCOVER®.
Cancellations/Refunds
Should you find it necessary to cancel your reservation or any component thereof, you or your travel professional are required to contact Brand g Vacations directly by telephone as well as submit your cancellation in writing. Refunds are subject to the schedule below regardless of Brand g’s ability to resell the space and cancellation charges may not be converted to future tour credits:
Cancellation Charges:
Cancellation Charges | |
Days Before Departure | Per Person Charge |
300 or more days to 03/27/2024 | $100.00 |
300 – 181 (03/28/2024 – 07/25/2024) | $500.00 |
180 – 121 (07/26/2024- 09/23/2024) | $1,000 |
120 days or less: (09/24/2024 – 01/22/2025) | 100% of per person charges |
Health and Medical Requirements
All guests are required to report to Brand g Vacations at the time of their reservation is made:
By booking passage on this program, the guest represents and warrants that he/she is physically and otherwise fit to travel, and that the guest will comply at all times with applicable rules and regulations of the guides.
Baggage
Airlines are strict with baggage limitations. Guests are encouraged to contact individual airlines for weight limitations.
All baggage must be securely packed, and properly and clearly labeled. Liquid, fragile, perishable and other articles not suitably packed are transported at your own risk. Brand g is not responsible for loss or damage to baggage or any other personal item during air travel or land extension programs.
We recommend that you hand-carry travel documents (passport, visa, cruise tickets), medications and valuables. These items are the full responsibility of the guest at all times. Brand g shall not be responsible for the loss of, or damage to, such personal items.
Travel Documents
All travel documents (air tickets, passport and medical insurance information) are the guest’s responsibility. It is also the guest’s responsibility to obtain any necessary visas and public health documents for all applicable countries and to comply with all customs requirements. Without the required documents, a guest may be denied participation or accommodations and Brand g Vacations will not make a refund or be otherwise liable to any guest for such denial of boarding or lodging.
In the event that Brand g provides information or advice as to necessary travel documents, visas and medical inoculations, guests are still obligated to verify such information with the appropriate government authorities, and we do not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of such information. Please check with the appropriate consulate or embassy for specific requirements. Security measures imposed by governments may change from time to time and each guest will be required to comply with them. As a courtesy, we will endeavor to provide each guest with notice of measures that may affect them but complying with any such requirements is the sole responsibility of each guest. Please consult your travel professional for advice on such requirements to avoid loss of participation privileges.
Errors and Omissions
All fares, and itineraries are subject to change with or without notice. Additional restrictions may apply. We reserve the right to correct any errors or omissions.
Our website or promotions may contain inadvertent technical or factual inaccuracies and typographical errors. Brand g Vacations reserves the right to correct errors and omissions at any time without prior notice, and to cancel any offered product, service, amenity, etc. in the event of any error or omission in the description, including pricing and availability.
Video / Photographic Release
You agree to participate in promotional, publicity, or merchandising pictures during this event. You hereby authorize the reproduction, sale, copyright, broadcast and/or distribution of said video, sound recording and pictures without limitations. You further agree and release Brand g, its parent, subsidiary companies, their representatives and agents from any liability, loss, expense or claims arising from distribution, broadcast, sale or use of your likeness or voice. You certify that you are 21 years of age or over. You may opt out of any promotional videos and pictures; however, Brand g does not guarantee that you will not be included.
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