2019 Colorado Academy Cuba Program
| Travel Dates: | May 26, 2019 - June 1, 2019 |
| Group Organizer(s): |
|
| WTT Contact: |
|
| Deadline(s): | Interested travelers should enroll by November 9th |
Cuba Cultural Journey
A mere 90 miles off the coast of Miami, Cuba was once a popular destination for American tourists until politics, revolution and international intrigue got in the way. Today the island nation is a mirage in the minds of most travelers, a mysterious yet romantic place where cigars, antique cars, baseball and a bearded dictator loom largest. Cuba is place of dichotomies that leave your mind spinning: iconic revolutionaries and disillusioned expatriates, white sand beaches and industrial yards, decaying infrastructure and a highly educated population. The paradox of its proximity and isolation seems only to add to Cuba’s charm.
We are thrilled to offer a program that will see our participants digging deep into the history and modern reality of Cuba. We will meet with local community and government leaders, visit with farmers, hike along mountain trails, dance salsa and much more. Viva Cuba!
Cultural Journeys
Cultural Journeys allow travelers to gain insights into the heritage, history and modern realities of their destination by offering a broad diversity of experience. We rely on the expertise of our local staff to plan itineraries which not only explore the prominent sites but also make time for the lesser-known local gems and are intentional about regular interaction with local people.
Program Highlights
Check out some of the featured experiences of your program!
Have the adventure of a lifetime with your friends
Wander the narrow streets of Habana Vieja, the iconic section of this legendary city
Enjoy white-sand beaches and crystal-blue Caribbean water.
Listen to live music on the streets of Havana and engage with local musicians
Meet with renowned local historians to learn about Che Guevara, Fidel Castro and the roots and consequences of the revolution
The Itinerary
We do everything possible to run safe, engaging, and immersive programs for our travelers and given the unpredictable nature of international travel we must remain flexible in our planning. Changes to a schedule are uncommon but, we reserve the right to adjust programming in the best interest of the group.
| Date | Day | Location | Activity | Lodging |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 23 | Saturday | Denver, CO & Havana, Cuba | After a night time arrival in Havanna we'll head straight to our casas for dinner and a short orientation meeting. | Havana Casa Particulares |
| May 24 | Sunday | Havana | This morning we'll enjoy a tour of Old Havana, focusing specifically on some of the more interesting architecture and public spaces. After lunch we have the unique opportunity of visiting a boxing gym and drumming workshop, both of which cater to teens. | Havana Casa Particulares |
| May 25 | Monday | Havana | As much as any other country on earth, modern-day Cuba is tightly associated with two personalities: Che & Fidel. How did a medical doctor and avid traveler turn into two of the world's most famous revolutionaries? Today we'll delve into the story of the friendship that changed the history of Cuba forever with visits to the Cuban Revolution Museum, Che Guevara's home, la Plaza de la Revolucion. In the afternoon we'll visit Fusterlandia, a neighborhood which was claimed by a community of artists and converted into folk art kingdom. We'll also meet with Emprendadores, a local group of young entrepreneurs. Did we mention you'll be rolling through Havana the entire day in classic convertibles? | Havana Casa Particulares |
| May 26 | Tuesday | Havana & Las Terrazas | This morning we're off on a day trip to Las Terrazas, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and secluded eco-village of artists, coffee growers and ecologists about one hour from Havana. We'll visit Hotel Moka, one of first ecological hotels in the world, and check out an old coffee plantation. We'll also do a beautiful hike in the surrounding hillsides which culminates with an relaxing dip in some natural swimming holes. Then we head back to our casa particulares in Havana for the night night. | Havana Casa Particulares |
| May 27 | Wednesday | Havana, Santa Clara & Trinidad | After breakfast we are off to Santa Clara! On the way you'l check out Finca Vigia, where Hemingway spent much of his time. We'll also visit Muraleando which is an inspirational community arts center. After lunch we arrive at Che Guevera's Mausoleum and the famous, if quirky, train museum. This day will provide the group an opportunity to engage in open debate about Che and his role in Cuban revolution, the circumstances of his death and his legacy throughout wider Latin America. After our afternoon in Santa Clara we head to the idyllic town of Trinidad, a one of a kind, perfectly preserved Spanish colonial town and UNESCO World Heritage site on the southern coast of the country. | Trinidad Casa Particulares |
| May 28 | Thursday | Trinidad & Cienfuegos | We'll take a walking tour of the city this morning before heading to the Playa Ancon for the afternoon. After sunset we'll enjoy a celebratory dinner before our flight back to the States the following day. | Cienfuegos Casa Particulares |
| May 29 | Friday | Cienfuegos, Havana & Denver | Today we're up early for breakfast and a departure back to the airport in Havana for our flight home. | Your own bed, eventually! |
Accommodations
In order to provide a safe and memorable experience, we follow strict guidelines when choosing program accommodations. Walking Tree partners with hotels and guest houses which are centrally located, clean and safe. We vet and inspect the accommodations to ensure they uphold the ethos of our programs, are great values for our travelers and nice places to rest after enriching days of travel.
Casa Particular
Staying in casa particulares is the best and most memorable way to travel through Cuba. One of the few places where free enterprise is allowed to flourish, these homes are managed by Cuban families who also serve as the hosts. Many of the homes are quite impressive!
Safety and Support
EASY FUNDRAISING & PAYMENT
24/7 GLOBAL EMERGENCY LINE
HIGHLY VETTED PARTNERS
EXPERT LEADERSHIP
PRIVATE GROUP GUARANTEE
COMPREHENSIVE CURRICULUM SUPPORT
DEDICATION TO CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT
ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICING
We wanted our 16 year old son’s first experience traveling without the family to be a positive one. We wanted a true quality program and are so glad his school chose Walking Tree. Everything went absolutely smoothly on the trip. Our son has told us again and again how wonderful, informed, friendly, and absolutely critical to the success of the trip the Walking Tree staff was.
Tina
Parent of Leo Narbonne, traveler on Peru Service Adventure
Your Adventure Includes
Program Tuition Excludes: Travel insurance, baggage fees, passport/visa fees, laundry, souvenirs, and activities not listed on the itinerary.
Need to Raise Money? We Have You Covered.
Walking Tree Travel is proud to team up with Equal Exchange, a worker-owned cooperative that distributes organic coffee, tea, sugar, bananas, avocados, cocoa, chocolate bars, and more. There is no limit to the amount you can earn, so the sooner you can start, the better!
Learn more here.
Resource Center
Why should high school students travel abroad? What happens if a participant gets sick? How quickly do we need to enroll? We’re sure you have plenty of questions and we’ve got you covered! Visit our Resource Center to discover the answers to your most pressing questions and contact us anytime with additional questions.