Cuba Art Tour
US VISIT TO CUBA ~ ART ITINERARY – 7 days (suggestion)
This a licensed people to people tour for US citizens. It is perfect for those interested in learning about Cuban Art, visiting the Artists' studios and buying art direct which can be legally exported to the United States. This tour is also available for British and other nationalities who dont need a license to visit Cuba.
Day 1
6:30 am MIA Airport Check-in and assistance at airport
10:30 am Depart Miami on special charter flight direct to Havana
11:30 am Arrival Havana and transfer to hotel
Orientation drive of city from airport –Revolution Square (short stop) and change money en route at a Cuban bank.
Upon arrival - welcome Mojito cocktail at the Hall of Fame bar in the Hotel Nacional in Vedado, an iconic hotel constructed in 1930, modelled on the Breakers hotel in Florida.
A traditional Cuban Creole lunch in the ranch style restaurant in the hotel garden.
Check-in to hotel – free afternoon
7:00 pm Cocktail Reception on the roof of either the Hotel Parque central or the Hotel Saratoga, both 5 star hotels in old Havana. Meet some of cuba's artists here.
8:00 pm Dinner at local paladar, Café Laurent in Vedado.
Day 2
9:00 am Old Havana guided walking tour to see all the important sights including the
Bacardi rum building, the Gran Teatro and the Capitolio. Walk down Obispo cobbled street to see the four important squares of old Havana including La Plaza de las Armas, La Plaza de La Catedral, La Plaza de San Francisco with its interesting church and La Plaza de Vieja
We visit the studio and gallery of famous artist, Nelson Dominguez, in old Havana.
1:00 pm Lunch at La Mina in the courtyard near the Plaza de Armas.
Return to hotel for rest and at 4.00 pm we depart for a Cocktail Reception at Ludwig Foundation, an Arts foundation located in a beautiful penthouse in Vedado where we will meet young aspiring Cuban artists including Frank Mujica and Ariamna Contino.
Dinner at San Cristobal paladar in old Havana, great food in an amazing museum like atmosphere.
Day 3
9:00 am Depart hotel for Artists Studio visits (these are scheduled depending on the specific interests of the travelers but will include Cristina Vivas, an art curator who represents several well known contemporary artists and her husband, the well known photographer, Jose Figueroa)
12:30 pm Lunch at El Aljibe Restuarant in Miramar
Visit the Bellas Artes Museum Cuban Collection ~ private tour with the Curator
Free time in afternoon
Cocktail late afternoon at the residence of artist, Kadir Lopez, in his lovely house in Kohly. Kadir collects old petrol station signs and superimposes a special photographic image. Americans love these images because they remind them of the USA in the 1950s.
7:30 pm Dinner – L’Atelier paladar, an amazing Mallorcan style farmhouse in the middle of Vedado.
Day 4
9:00 am Visit the La Casa de Amistad House in Paseo – a cultural centre, the Decorative Arts Museum and the Columbus Cemetery
12:30 pm Lunch at Vistamar Restaurant in Miramar overlooking the sea
Afternoon of Mid-Century Architecture with an architectural historian – driving tour including visits to the iconic 1950’s Riviera Hotel and the Havana Libre Hotel known as the Hilton before the Revolution.
Driving tour of US Interest Section and other significant examples
Visit Swiss residence designed by Ricard Neutra Alfred de Schulthess
Visit National Art School
Free evening.
Day 5
Depart Havana to visit Las Terrazas in the Sierra del Rosario mountains . Visit the community of local artists.
Lunch at Casa del Campesino (farmers lunch)
Return to hotel
7:00 pm Dinner at Club Havana beach club.
Day 6
Visit to artists' studios such as Yoan Capote, Maria Cienfuegos
7:30 pm Farewell dinner at La Guarida paladar (famous for scenes from the film, Fresas y Chocolate ‘Strawberries and Chocolate’, which were filmed there)
Day 7
Depart for Jose Marti International Airport
We can make arrangements for an add-on to your trip. This could be 3 nights in the colonial gem town of Trinidad which celebrates its 500th anniversary in 2014. A mini bus and guide would be provided for this extension and you would also get the chance to stop for a city tour of the beautiful city of Cienfuegos en route. There are several artists to visit in this area and a print makers' cooperative in Cienfuegos.