May 17 - 28, 2025 Pickup: Airport

Global Exchange invites you to join Santa Rosa Junior College Professor Gino Muzzatti on his eighth Global Exchange people-to-people tour to the island nation of Cuba from May 17 – May 25, 2025. The tour includes nine exciting days of locally-guided visits to the historic and cultural Cuban capital of Havana, and to colonial Trinidad, both named World Heritage Sites. We will also explore farms, artisan studios, museums and iconic historical sites in and around the fascinating cities of Santa Clara, Matanzas and Camaguey in Central Cuba.

We are also offering an optional three-day extension to the iconic Western region of Cuba from May 25- May 28 with visits to this stunning tobacco-growing region. We will be staying in local casas in quaint Viñales for two nights, and will venture out to experience the ecosystem of a Caribbean key (cayo).

This tour is designed for travelers of all ages and from every walk of life, including educators, retirees, artists, actors, nurses, musicians and environmentalists. Essentially, anyone interested in exploring Cuba with a small group of intrepid travelers led by local experts is welcome.

Finally, the most important benefit of your participation in this tour to Cuba, is supporting the Cuban People especially at this crucial time, by bringing much-needed humanitarian supplies to everyday people, struggling to make ends meet.

For more information or a detailed itinerary, please email Gino at gmuzzatti@santarosa.edu.

What’s Included

Accommodation

Included is in-country accommodations in a double at 5 star hotel and casas particulares

Single supplement for main tour

$250

Single supplement for extension portion May 25 - 28 (Optional)

only $30

Airport Transfers

On designated arrival and departure dates

Private bus

Or cars depending on group size

In country transport

Private group transportation throughout program in air-conditioned transportation

Meals

As listed on the itinerary. Generally 2 meals a day

Private events

And speakers as listed

Trip leader

A fluent english speaking local guide who will travel with the group through the program.

Admission fees

Includes fees for Guest speakers, community organization visits, and entrance fees as per itinerary

What’s excluded

Airfare

Visa and passport fees

Tips to guides, drivers, hotel staff, wait staff

Items of personal nature

Travel Insurance

Itinerary

Times and events subject to change

Depart Miami on a midday flight arriving in Santa Clara in the early afternoon
Upon arrival enjoy a late lunch and then a visit to the Che Guevara Memorial and Mausoleum.
Following the Mausoleum we will visit Club Mejunje; a LGBTQ cultural center and club unique to all of Cuba.
Depart for Trinidad
Upon arrival check into Melia Peninsula
Welcome dinner included at hotel
Enjoy remainder of evening on your own

Breakfast at hotel
This morning we’ll set out early to explore the colonial city of Trinidad, founded by Diego de Velazquez in 1514 and now a designated UNESCO heritage site. On this walking tour, we will also visit the Romantic Museum and ceramic-decorated plaza.
Lunch included
Following lunch we’ll visit a pottery workshop as Trinidad is known for its beautiful clay pottery.
Afternoon visit to Casa de Cultura to learn about their programs for the community. If possible, enjoy a special dance lesson here.
Return to the hotel for dinner and evening on your own.
Suggest the group visits the Casa de Cultura for music, if interested.

Breakfast at the hotel
Depart for Valle de los Ingenios to learn more about the history of sugar cane production and labor in Cuba.
Lunch included
Return to the hotel
Enjoy Dinner and evening on your own

Breakfast at the hotel and depart for Camaguey
Lunch upon arrival on the beautiful back patio of Campana de Toledo
Afternoon visit to some artists’ studios around city by Pedi-cab
Check into Hotel San Juan de Dios (no elevators)
Dinner and evening on your own
Visit to the Casa de la Trova for traditional Cuban music

Breakfast at hotel
Visit Ignacio Agramonte and Carlos Finlay historic homes, learn of their importance in national and local history.
Walking tour around Plaza San Juan de Dios w/lunch there.
Visit Arlequin Community Project to enjoy the artistic work they do with the young people of the community.
(It’s possible the ICAP Director will join the group here. ICAP is the Friendship Institute of Cuba and is your host institution while in Cuba.)
Return to hotel
Dinner on your own.
After dinner we will reconvene to participate in a CDR Visit (if still permissible at the time of program.) The CDR’s or Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, are essentially a block organization that can be found in every Cuban neighborhood since the time of the revolution. During this visit you will learn how the committees serve the community now. This is also the best time to bring donations, or “gifts” as we prefer to call them, to the community as well as enjoy snacks and beverages together and more importantly to exchange with Cuban’s in their neighborhood and learn about the realities of their day-to-day life.

Breakfast at hotel and early departure
Upon arrival in Matanzas, visit to Farm Dionisia to learn of their work.
Enjoy lunch there
After lunch we’ll visit San Severino fortress to learn more about the history of slavery in Cuba
Check into hotel Rio San Juan (no elevators)
Dinner included
Evening on your own

Breakfast at your hotel and then depart for Havana
Upon arrival in Havana we’ll take a tour of the newly reopened architectural gem, the
Capitol Building.
From here we’ll head to Muraleando Community Art Project, where a marginal neighborhood has turned a former trash dump into art and a marvelous community space!
Enjoy lunch at the project.
Following our visit at the project we’ll meet with a distinguished Cuban Architect to learn about Havana’s urban renewal programs.
Following the lecture we’ll check into the hotel Gran Aston.
Enjoy Dinner on your own
Post dinner we’ll reconvene to enjoy an evening of Cuban Jazz!

Breakfast at the hotel
9:30am Walking tour of 4 main historic plazas of Habana Vieja.
10:00am Visit to the Almacenes San José Artisan Market project, a market located on
the bay housing various artisan and artistic objects, as well as food vendors. This market is a great way to see small independent businesses and lively cultural life.
11:30am Visit to Callejon de Hamel to learn about their community programs featuring different African cultural traditions and performances.
1:00pm Return to the hotel
Enjoy lunch and afternoon on your own to prepare for return to US.
7pm Enjoy one last meal together, our farewell dinner, with a special surprise!

Breakfast at the hotel
Check out and depart for airport
Return flight to the US.

~end of main program

Breakfast at the hotel and early departure for Vinales
Stop in the intentional mountain community of Las Terrazas for lunch and a brief tour to learn more about this UNESCO designated Biosphere preserve area and the community projects there.
Continue on to Vinales where upon arrival we’ll visit the beautiful limestone mogotes and if possible, we’ll enjoy a short horseback ride.
Check in to casas
Enjoy dinner and evening on your own

Breakfast at your casa
Head to Puerto Esperanza to meet with a representative of the Ministry of Science & Environment (CITMA) for an overview of local flora and fauna and their overall work in Cuba.
Return to your casas
Enjoy a lovely dinner at a farm to table community restaurant (included)
Evening on your own

Breakfast at your casa and early checkout
Return to Havana
Stop at community project Patio Pelegrin for coffee and snack and to learn about the project, time permitting
Upon arrival in Havana, check back into hotel
Lunch and afternoon on your own to prepare for return
Final departure dinner