January 31 - February 8, 2016
Enjoy a rare and special opportunity to join the Los Angeles Conservancy and Conservancy staff on an exciting and informative historic preservation trip to Cuba. On this, our second trip to the island, you will explore buildings by master Los Angeles architect Welton Becket (the Havana Hilton) and have the chance to see Ernest Hemingway's home and raise a glass to him in his favorite local bar. You will also visit the Matanzas region of Cuba, including the seaside city of Varadero and its extensive mid century architectural marvels. This is your opportunity to experience the rich architectural diversity of this magic island and meet dedicated Cuban preservationists who are maintaining the integrity of the country's many historically important buildings.
The month of February is an excellent time to visit the tropical island. The days are mild and the Caribbean trade-winds roll in during the evenings, making for delightful nighttime activities.
This eight night/nine day program focuses on meeting everyday Cuban people, learning about historic preservation and urban issues from Cuban experts in the fields of preservation policy and implementation, and seeing architectural preservation projects on the island. You will also hear lots of wonderful Cuban music and visit a variety of artists' studios, museums and galleries.
Architecture, art, music, food and the people of Cuba!
Cuba offers a wealth of architectural diversity, and we will visit buildings in a multitude of styles, including Colonial, Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Mid Century and Post Modern. Cuba's glorious architecture and the preservation narrative behind it will be the main focus of this trip. And Cuba's iconic music, art and culture will be part of the conversation.
Most importantly, making substantive connections with the Cuban people will complete the picture of Cuba that you will experience. You'll participate in discussions about Cuban art, urbanism and culture with some of the island’s most articulate cultural thinkers, and experience the country’s lively music and deep roots.
Havana has become a foodie town with the advent of many new paladares (home restaurants) opening recently. Get ready to sample a wide variety of interesting traditional and creative new food.
Trip Details
Your trip begins with a night in Miami's Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel, followed by a chartered flight to Havana, where you will stay for four nights in the fully restored mid-century Mafia-era Hotel Capri. You will enjoy several days of exploration and discovery in the Cuban capital, then travel by luxury, air-conditioned private motor coach to the extraordinary city of Matanzas with an overnight at the seaside resort of Varadero.
You will join the Los Angeles Conservancy's director of development Liz Leshin and director of communications Cindy Olnick, as well as experienced Cuban-American study leader, Rosa Lowinger, and an excellent, fully bilingual Cuban guide.
The trip includes 17 meals: daily breakfasts at the hotels, and a variety of lunches and dinners. There will be time for dining and exploring on your own.
PROGRAM PRICE INCLUDES:
* Meet and greet at the Miami International Airport
* Round trip air Mia-Hav -Mia, Departure Tax in Miami
* Arrival assistance at Jose Marti Airport HAV
* Cuban Visa
* Licensing paperwork for People to People or Professional Research travelers
* Transfers in and out from the airport to hotel
* Medical Insurance in Cuba
* Accommodations for 1 night at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Miami
* Accommodations for 7 nights Hotel Capri (HAV)
* Accomodations for 1 night at Melia Las Americas (You will keep the room at the Capri for your convenience)
* Daily breakfast at the hotels
* 5 dinners
* 6 Lunches
* 10 visits to Museums or organizations
* Luxury Motor coach &/or van transportation for the whole program
* Full translation by professional Cuba based guide
* Group led by Rosa Lowinger
* Specialists to provide expertise in various subjects
* Artist studio visits as required in Itinerary
* Full program Management in Cuba
* Our Cuba Travel Tips publication and extensive traveler guidance
PROGRAM PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
* Passports
* Tips per person (Guide and Driver, baggage handlers & restaurants)
* Trip Interruption Insurance
* Round trip airfare from Home City to Miami
* All other items not listed in “PROGRAM PRICE INCLUDES”
Meet Rosa Lowinger!
Rosa Lowinger is a Cuban-American art conservator and writer with a specialty in art, architecture, and Cuban culture. The author of Tropicana Nights: the Life and Times of the Legendary Cuban Nightclub (Harcourt, 2005), a memoir and history of 1950s Havana, Rosa is a respected scholar and lecturer on Cuban art, architecture and modern heritage. She specializes in high-end, in-depth art and architecture programming and has designed and spearheaded Cuba travel programs for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Museum of Arts and Design in NY, the Menil Museum, the Bronx Museum, Art in General, the Association for Preservation Technology, the Santa Monica Museum, and the American Institute for Conservation. Rosa guest curated the 2013 exhibit Concrete Paradise: Miami Marine Stadium at the Coral Gables Museum, and is presently guest curator for an exhibit on Cuba that will open in 2016 at the Wolfsonian Museum in Miami Beach, FL. She is a Fellow of the American Institute for Conservation and was the 2008-2009 Rome Prize winner in conservation.
The Los Angeles Conservancy
The Los Angeles Conservancy is a nonprofit membership organization that works through education and advocacy to recognize, preserve and revitalize the historic architectural and cultural resources of Los Angeles County.
The proposed demolition in 1978 of the historic Los Angeles Central Library was the catalyst for the Los Angeles Conservancy's formation. The Conservancy succeeded in saving the library from the wrecking ball and has addressed countless advocacy issues in the years since. The highest-profile efforts include the 1931 Wiltern Theatre, now a top L.A. music venue; the 1939 Wilshire May Company building, now part of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art; and the world's oldest remaining McDonald's restaurant in Downey, now thriving and capitalizing on its heritage.
In addition to fighting for specific landmarks, the Conservancy works on broad-based initiatives to foster preservation and deter senseless demolition. The organization collaborates with public officials, community groups and others to establish incentives, such as the Mills Act property tax relief program, the 1979 City of Los Angeles' Historic Preservation Overlay Zone (HPOZ) Ordinance, allowing for the formation of historic districts, and enact public policies like the 1999 Los Angeles Adaptive Reuse Ordinance, which catalyzed the rebirth of historic buildings downtown and throughout the city.
Cuba Tours and Travel
Cuba Tours and Travel has over fifteen years of experience offering expert-driven cultural travel to Cuba. Our management and program-design team, working together with a team of superb Cuban travel associates in both Havana and Miami, are uniquely suited to offer you the finest in-depth travel program to the island. We are licensed by the US Treasury Department and are fully insured. Most importantly, we have an abiding love for Cuban art and culture and have strong connections to the cultural institutions on the island.
Cuba Tours and Travel is a full-service agency licensed by the U.S. Government
TSP# CU-077926-b. CST number 2073790-40
We are located at
320 Pine Avenue, Suite 503
Long Beach, CA 90802
For more information please write to customerservice@cubatoursandtravel.com
or call us at 888 225-6439
For more information on OFAC licensing please visit the following document:
http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/pages/cuba.aspx
Infrastructure in Cuba may not be maintained as well as participants are used to, resulting in potential challenges and risks. Participants must be careful walking, and aware of their surroundings at all times. Participants will be required to sign a waiver releasing the Los Angeles Conservancy from liability. Cuba does not have accessibility laws and some sites may not be accessible to travelers with limited mobility. Please contact us with any questions.
