Due to the huge success of our February 2015 150-person “To Cuba With Love,” CODEPINK organized another trip to coincide with Valentine’s Day to celebrate the normalization of relations and the show our Cuban neighbors some love!
- **APPLICATION CLOSED**
- Dates: February 7- February 14
- Cost: $2,000 for a double room; $2,175 for a single room
- Check out trip FAQs here for more information about program cost, travel logistics and accommodations!
The group will meet with government officials about US-Cuba relations, look at Cuba's changing economy moving away from state-run enterprises to cooperatives, talk to doctors from around the world being trained in Cuba, visit cooperative farms, take day trips outside Havana, and interact with local people about cultural, economic, environmental and health issues. Check out testimonies, photos and press coverage from our 2015 trip.
The Cuban people are so wonderful--fun, funny, inventive, creative, well-educated, curious and they have a zest for life that rival any. So join us, and mark history with a mojito, the world's greatest music, and a most-welcomed dose of love for our neighbors.
For more information, contact [email protected].
Trip Itinerary
Sunday, February 7 - Arrival
Monday, February 8
8:30 AM Departure for ICAP
9:00 AM Meeting with representatives of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) Possible meeting with Kenia Serrano, President of ICAP and Member of the Cuban Parliament
11:00 AM Tour Vedado District
Visit the John Lennon Park, drive by the Christopher Columbus Cemetery, visit to the Revolution Square and the Anti-imperialist Tribune José Martí, drive by the University of Havana and Malecón
1:00 PM Lunch at La Mesón de la Flota (included) in Old Havana
2:30 PM Walking tour in Old Habana City tour in Habana Vieja
5:30 PM Return to hotel – Rest
Dinner on your own
Evening Optional cultural activities
-Meeting with Norma Guillard (LGBT issues)
-Meeting with Mario Arrastia (Renewable Energy in Cuba)
-Meeting with Mayrel Suarez (Education in Cuba)
Tuesday, February 9
8:30 AM Departure
9:00 AM Visit the Literacy Campaign Museum and meet Professor Luisa Campos from the Pedagogical University, discussion on Education in Cuba
11:00 AM Cuban Socialism in Transition Discussion about economy with economics professor and consultant to Havanada Rafael Betancourt
1:00 PM Lunch at Jardín de los Milagros Paladar (included)
3:00 PM Visit to the Callejón de Hammel and meet with muralists and painter Salvador Gonzalez Escalona Learn about the cultural street and community project
4:30 PM Return to the hotel and rest
Evening Optional activities and informal meetings
-Meeting with Gisela Arandia (Race Relations in Cuba)
-Meeting with Dr. Miguel Paneque (Primary Health Care)
-Music and Dance Workshop with Liliam Lombera
Wednesday, February 10
8:30 AM Departure
9:00 AM Meeting with Dr. Rafael Hernandez, director and editor of the social sciences journal Temas, Professor of Political Sciences and Director of the forum “the Last Thursday of the Month”, an open meeting for debate and discussion on pressing issues
11:00 AM Visit to a Health Clinic and Overview of the Public Health Care in Cuba with representatives of the Ministry of Public Health
1:00 PM Lunch at La Torre Restaurant (included)
2:30 PM Meeting with urban planner and architect Miguel Coyula, discussion on Havana’s urban development, participation and architecture
4:30 PM Cuban Music from the origins to modern times, with Professor Dr. Alberto Fayá, musician, chairman of the music department of the National Writers and Artists Union (UNEAC) and founder of Moncada musical band
6:00 PM Return to the hotel
8:30 PM Meeting with the Defense Committees of the Revolution (CDRs)
Thursday, February 11- Day Excursion to Las Terrazas, Artemisa
8:30 AM Departure to Las Terrazas
10:00 AM Arrival in Las Terrazas Visit the community and meet with local artists Visit the school República de Uruguay; Visit the day-care center Las Terracitas; Meeting with the Family Medical Doctor and river; Lunch included at Cafetal Buenavista; Optional option to go swim at the River San Juan
6:00 PM Return to Havana Evening Optional visit to the Fabrica de Arte Cubano (FAC), an old cooking oil factory that has been restored and is now the venue for concerts and exhibits of vanguard art in Cuba. (2 CUC cover)
Friday, February 12
8:30 AM Departure
9:00 AM Meeting with Dr. Isabel Moya to discuss gender, disabilities and discrimination and with representatives the National Sex Education Center CENESEX
12:00 PM Drive to Cojimar, East Havana
12:30 PM Lunch at Casa Grande (included) and explore the fishing village that inspired Hemingways’s The Old Man and the Sea
2:00 PM Visit the Organic Agricultural Urban Cooperative of Alamar meet with managers, specialists and workers.
4:00 PM Departure for visit two community projects
5:00 PM Meeting with members of the Community Project Espiral, a grassroots project dedicated to educate young people on environmental issues and sustainable development
6:00 PM Cultural activity with Okan-Tomi at Alba Theater, a grassroots company that explores and reworks Afro-Cuban dances and music traditions
8:00 PM Return to the hotel and free for dinner
Saturday, February 13
9:30 AM Departure to the Book Fair Visit and attend the International Book Fair of Havana Meeting with representatives of the Cuban Book Institute Lunch on your own
2:00 PM Optional activities
Group 1: Visit to the Fine Arts Museums
Group 2: Visit to the Revolution Museum
Group 3: Visit to the Arts and Crafts Market
Group 4: Visit to the home and art studio of ceramist and painter José Fuster Learn about his art community project
7:00 PM Valentines Day dinner (Included)
9:00 PM Farewell party with Cuban guests
Sunday, February 14 - Departure
PROGRAM COST
Includes:
- Round-trip airfare Miami — Havana
- Cuban Visa
- Airport taxes
- Health Insurance in Cuba
- In/out airport transfers
- Double hotel accommodations in Havana (Additional cost for single room supplement)
- Breakfast everyday at the hotel and at least one other meal a day (either lunch or dinner) as indicated in the program
- Ground transportation for bus trip
- Entrance/Program fee for seminar and other scheduled activities (unless otherwise indicated).
- Guided visits and cultural activities included in the program
- Fees for professors, lecturers, and institutions
- Expenses for Cuban participants (coordinator, guides, drivers and others)
- Administrative overhead fees
Program Cost does not include:
- Expenses in Miami
- Excess baggage
- Meals not included in the program, drinks and tips
- Personal items/expenses
- Optional/evening activities and/or unscheduled activities