Cuba at a Crossroads: Wheels Over Cuba (10-day program)
This cultural trip would immerse the participants in Cuban culture at the same level of most of the island’s nationals. The bicycle, a common means of transportation in Cuba for most everyone, would be the point of departure allowing participants to scrutinize Cuba from a different angle and would allow them the ability to have daily meaningful interactions with Cubans along the route.
Price: $3,500.00 per person (10-day program)
Single Room Supplement: $500.00 (10-day program)
Minimum number of participants in program: 8
Maximum number of participants in program: 14
Program dates: Program commences every Friday (through May 2018)
Accommodations: private boutique properties (a combination of 3-star and 4-star standards)
Inclusions:
Required Travel Documentation: Cuban Visa, OFAC Affidavit, Approval of Travel Letter
Accommodations
Activities: guest speakers, visits, entrance fees
Sample Program
- This itinerary is intended as a guideline, and subject to some change. Cuba is a challenging and laborious destination. Certain visits may have to be substituted or rescheduled as necessary. Changes often times are meant as upgrades to the program.
- Restaurants are listed in the order we intend to make the reservations. There is a possibility that restaurant swaps will be necessary due to lack of space availability at the venue. The plan is to bring you to all of these high-end, fantastic, and unique restaurants one day or another.
Day 1 (Miami – Havana)
Meet & Greet at Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport [HAV]
Transfer to accommodations and check in
Lunch at La Mina Restaurant
Visit Museum of the Revolution
Orientation meeting with Cycling Program Director and road leaders
Welcome Dinner at Café del Oriente
Day 2 (Havana)
Breakfast at accommodations
Walking tour of Old Havana
Lunch at Old Havana’s Farmer’s Market
Bike ride of “modern” Havana (18-25 miles, city terrain, no follow bus)
Presentation on race and gender issues in Cuba
Dinner at Dona Eutimia Paladar Restaurant
Day 3 (Havana – Cienfuegos)
Breakfast at accommodations
Check out of accommodations
Bus transfer to Autopista Nacional (National Highway)
Bike ride on Autopista Nacional (35 miles, flat terrain, follow bus)
Lunch at Fiesta Campesina (one-hour rest after lunch)
Bike ride on Carretera de Aguada de Pasajeros (35 miles, flat terrain, follow bus)
Check in at accommodations
Dinner at privately-owned restaurant
Cuban Music at El Benny Club
Day 4 (Cienfuegos)
Breakfast at accommodations
Bike ride of Cienfuegos and vecinities (18-25 miles, city terrain, no follow bus) Visits: Elementary school, family doctor office-home
Snack lunch
Attend rehearsal of of Choral Ensemble “Cantores”
Dinner at privately-owned restaurant
Day 5 (Cienfuegos – Trinidad)
Breakfast at accommodations
Check out of accommodations
Bike ride to Trinidad (35 miles, flat terrain, follow bus)
Snack lunch
Check in at accommodations
Dinner at Casa Munoz
Music at Casa de la Trova
Day 6 (Trinidad)
Breakfast at accommodations
Bike ride of Trinidad and vecinities (18-25 miles, flat terrain, no follow bus) Visits: Casa del Alfarero, Torre Iznaga Sugar Plantation
Snack lunch
Visit Museum of Trinidad Architecture
Dinner at privately-owned restaurant
Attend Afro-Cuban, Rumba show of Palenque de los Congos Reales
Day 7 (Trinidad – Havana)
Breakfast at accommodations
Check out of accommodations
Excursion of Topes de Collantes, a naturalist exploration of the flora and fauna of Central Cuba
Lunch (included during the excursion)
Afternoon coach bus ride back to Havana (with the possibility of more bike riding, depending on participants’ skills and level of energy)
Check into accommodations
Dinner at accommodations
Rest of evening at leisure
Day 8 (Havana)
Breakfast at accommodations
Bike ride to National School of Arts (25 miles, city terrain, no follow bus)
Visit National School of Arts
Lunch at local restaurant
Bike to La Maqueta de la Habana (12 miles, city terrain, no follow bus)
Visit La Maqueta de la Habana (Scale Model of the City Center)
Dinner at privately-owned restaurant
Day 9 (Havana)
Breakfast at accommodations
Bike ride to Jaimanitas (35 miles, city terrain, follow bus for return ride)
Visit Artist Jose Fuster & Lunch hosted by artist
Return ride
Rest of afternoon at leisure
Farewell dinner at Ivan Justo Restaurant
Guests: Cycling Program Director and road leaders
Day 10 (Havana – Miami)
Breakfast at accommodations
Check out of accommodations
Transfer to airport
Depart for USA on scheduled flight
Meals: as per itinerary
Transportation: private transportation in air-conditioned transports – transports will depend on the size of the group
Personalized assistance throughout program: AC Journeys Study Leader, AC Journeys Cuba Representative, Cuban guide and bicycle leaders.
Exclusions
Airfare
Cost of luggage fees on any air carrier
Mandatory Medical Emergency and Health Care Insurance
Meals not included or listed
Gratuities
Personal Expenses
Forms of Payment:
Check – made out to AC Journeys and sent to:
AC Journeys
1988 NE 178th Street, North Miami Beach, FL 33162
Wire Transfer – add $50 to your balance per wire transfer.
Credit Card – add 4.5% credit card fee to your balance.
Payment Schedule
First Installment: At time of enrollment — 25% of Total Amount
Second Installment: 90 days prior to departure — 50% of Total Amount
Third Installment: 60 days prior to departure — 25% of Total. At this time, participants requesting to be in a single room will also pay the corresponding single room supplement.
Enrollment and Cancellation Policy
* Anyone enrolling after any of the above-mentioned dates will be depositing the total amount needed in deposit for that particular date. For example, if a person enrolls 90 days or less prior to departure, that participant will pay 75% of the price at the time of enrollment.
** The minimum number of participants is required for the trip to happen at the above-listed price. If the minimum number of travelers is not reached 60 days prior to departure, the program price might be reassessed.
*** Cancellations 90 days prior to departure will receive 100% reimbursement of any paid amount. Cancellations 60 days prior to departure will receive 50% reimbursement of any paid amount. Cancellations 45 days prior to departure will receive 25% reimbursement of any paid amount. Cancellations 30 days or less prior to departure will receive no reimbursement. AC Journeys strongly recommends the purchase of cancellation insurance. AC Journeys can be of assistance with the purchase of cancellation insurance through Travelex Insurance Services.
**** If AC Journeys needs to cancel the program for reasons unrelated to an individual participant’s personal reasons, registered participants will be fully reimbursed.