Havana Jazz Festival

Day One
HAVANA
After clearing immigration and customs at the Jose Martí International Airport in Havana, you’ll take a short drive to the Meliá Cohiba hotel for check-in and a tour orientation*. At 9:00pm we'll join the opening ceremonies for the 2020 Havana Jazz Festival at the Teatro Nacional. Afterwards, return to the hotel or continue the nights festivities with performances at Fabrica de Arte or Casa de la Musica.
(D)

Day Two
HAVANA
After breakfast at the hotel, join a discussion about Cuban jazz, culture, and history with influential musician and musicologist, Alberto Faya. After lunch, we'll meet with the director and students from Las Escuelas Nacionales de Arte Cubano (Cuba's National School for the Arts). Next, we’ll visit meet with Roberto Salas, one of Cuba’s most influential photographers who traveled with Fidel Castro in 1959 to document his rise to power. After dinner, we'll attend Havana Jazz Festival performances.
(B, L, D)

Day Three
HAVANA / MATANZAS
We'll depart for the city of Matanzas and stop at the Bacunayagua Bridge, one of Cuba's most fantastic views. Next, we'll meet with students at the Pastorita Art School. Then, visit Ediciones Vigia, a book publisher that makes handmade paper and hand-bound literary books. After lunch, we'll meet with members of Cuba’s famous folkloric dance group, Afrocuba de Matanzas. Back in Havana, we'll visit Finca Vigia, the home and museum of writer, Ernest Hemingway. Tonight, enjoy dinner on your own followed by scheduled Havana Jazz Festival performances.
(B, L, D)

Day Four
HAVANA
This morning, we'll go on a street food tour through Vedado while visiting our favorite spots. Next, we'll visit Casa de las Americas, a cultural epicenter, which promotes literary works, artists, and musicians. After lunch, meet dancers in their studio for a salsa demonstration, salsa lessons, and a lot of fun whether you want to dance or not. Next, we'll visit the iconic Hotel Nacional, where we'll learn about its history from a guide and take-in great views of the Malecón and the Florida Straights as you walk its grassy ramparts. After dinner, we'll attend Havana Jazz Festival performances.
(B, L, D)

Day Five
HAVANA
Explore Old Havana’s labyrinth cobblestone streets for a privately-guided-walking tour of the old city. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, we’ll visit some of Havana’s most important sites including Plaza de Armas, Plaza de San Francisco, Plaza de la Cathedral, Plaza Vieja, and other surprises along the way. After lunch, visit the Proyecto Sociocultura Cabildo Quisicuaba, an association dedicated to resurrecting the neighborhood through arts, culture and spirituality. The neighborhood now boasts a museum, dance studio, and art galleries. After dinner, we'll attend Havana Jazz Festival performances.
(B, L, D)

Day Six
HAVANA
After breakfast, visit Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (National Fine Arts Museum) Considered the finest art museum in the Caribbean, the National Museum of Fine Arts holds the largest collection of paintings and sculptures in all Latin America. After lunch, we’ll hop into a restored, pre- 1959 classic American car and go for a slow drive along Havana's scenic neighborhoods. Next, we'll visit the famous Callejón de Hamel, a narrow lane adorned with brightly-colored paintings, sculptures, and murals, paying homage to Afro-Cuban rituals. We'll watch a Rumba performance. After dinner, we'll attend Havana Jazz Festival performances.
(B, L, D)

Day Seven
HAVANA
After breakfast, say adios to Cuba as you board your flight home.
(B)

All meals are included as indicated B, L, D (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)