Have Your Way in Havana.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Your long weekend begins with shopping at a street market where you can connect with local farmers and stock up on Cuban gifts. At La Murleando, you’ll meet artists and musicians who founded the neighborhood project that made Havana’s streets famous with colorful murals and a vibrant art scene. Let your feet do the exploring during our walking tour of Old Town Havana. A historian will share insight into Cuba’s rich past, as we stroll this 500-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site. As the heart of Havana, Old Town was built by the Spanish, burned to the ground by pirates, yet remains an impressive district of baroque and neoclassic buildings. From here, we’ll enjoy an intimate dinner at a privately-owned restaurant where you can savor traditional Cuban dishes. Cap the night with a daiquiri at El Floridita, a cocktail bar founded in 1817 and once frequented by Hemingway. In true Havana fashion, we’ll retrace the footsteps of this legendary American novelist with drinks, dancing, and days-turned-into-nights.
Day 2: Prepare yourself for a true Havana experience as we step into a traditional, working, cigar-making factory. Our aficionado Augustine will walk you through the process where experts hand-select leaves and roll each cigar before it’s packaged. From puffing to politics, we’ll team up with a former Cuban diplomat who will lead you on an exploration of the island’s history. We’ll tour the U.S.S. Maine, the Museum of Revolution, and Hotel Nacional, gaining an inside look at the complex history of our two countries. After lunch, rev your engine as we experience Cuba’s car culture during a tour of a car-restoration business where artisans bring new life to classic cars. Talk shop with owners, Julio and Nidialys, who have hosted famous guests including Michelle Obama and Mark Zuckerburg. Buckle up for a tail-finned cruise to the Malécon, 5th Avenue, and Revolution Square, before parking at Fabrica de Arte Cubano (Cuban Art Factory). As the pinnacle of the Cuban arts scene, you’ll meet local artists and hear about what inspires their work. When the sun goes down, it’s your choice: dinner and dancing at The Tropicana or live music at the Buena Vista Social Club.
Day 3: No American was ever more identified with Cuba than Ernest Hemingway. Step into Finca Vigia, the author’s Cuban home where you’ll get a fascinating look into furnished rooms from 1939 to 1960—the period when Hemingway wrote, “For Whom the Bell Tolls.” During lunch hour, fuel up with our local chef who will prepare popular Cuban dishes during a cooking workshop. Savor the results before our visit to a private dance company, where you’ll be treated to an Afro-Caribbean dance performance. Put those moves into practice during a salsa lesson that will have you shaking your hips to the beat long after the music stops. Your farewell dinner this evening is at Havana’s most elegant paladar, famous for its role in the Cuban movie “Fresa y Chocolate.”
Day 4: Imagine meeting one of the closest documentarians to Castro. Well, on this trip you can, as you spend your final day in Cuba with the photojournalist who had virtually unfettered access to him. You’ll hear stories of the last half-century, as well as learn backstories behind iconic photos. End the journey with a final Cuban lunch on your own before you return to the airport for your homebound flight.
Welcome Back to Culture.
4-Days & 3-Nights
Lose yourself during a long weekend in spicy Cuba, known for its irresistible rhythms and vivid art scene. In one action-packed weekend, you'll connect with the city's artists, musicians, and dancers; chat with Havana's greatest creatives; watch breathtaking performances; and even shake your hips during a salsa lesson. Become one with the culture as you shop in the local market, cook lunch with Cuban chefs, tour a working cigar factory, and visit Ernest Hemingway's home. Get ready for the magic and color of Havana that starts with historic landmarks and ends with lasting friendships with the vibrant Cuban people.
Your Experience Includes:
3-night accommodations at La Reserva Colonial Mansion
3 Breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 2 dinners
Support vehicles
Experienced guides
Behind-the-scenes logistics
Admission to tastings, historic sites, and events
Gratuities for hotels, meals, and baggage
All land transportation during the trip
Trip literature
Because Culture Matters.
jeff@jefflavender.com | +1 310.774.7611
This experience is brought to you in partnership with Classic Journeys.