Visions of Cuba Photographic Dsicovery Tour

Visions of Cuba- A Photographic Discovery Tour February 7-14, 2015, with optional extension to Vinales February 14- 16

Photo: Jack Kenny

About this trip Visions of Cuba- A Photographic Discovery Tour offers unparalleled access to the people and places of Cuba to photographic enthusiasts from the United States.

Experiences shared with local Cuban people in their homes and at work allow insightful portraits of not just the people themselves but their way of life from urban Havana to antique Trinidad to rural farms and ranches. Delving beneath the tourist veil and blending full measures of art, history, music, culture and local ambiance this photographic tour places us where we can best capture the ambient spirit and vibrancy of the real Cuba. Cultural interactions are a highlight providing extraordinary photographic opportunity.

This photographic discovery tour is designed for photographic enthusiasts of all levels from amateur to professional. Our hand selected professional photographer/ leaders, Efrain Padro from the US, and Julio Larramendi from Cuba are there as mentors to inspire and help you achieve your photographic goals. They will provide full time support to help you to achieve your best work by offering shooting suggestions, technical and aesthetic assistance, suggestions, tips, techniques and tricks of the trade and feedback. As both are native Spanish speakers, they will also help with language and translation as needed. This tour does not provide structured photographic education or formal reviews of images.

There will be, of course, ongoing discussions about all aspects of travel photography in general and photographing in Cuba in particular, from capture to sharing and even selling your images.

Shooting along side these pros, you will pick up valuable creative tips on lighting, composition, working with people and more.

Whether your goal is to build your fine art or travel photography portfolio, capture photographs to sell, bring home prize winning images for photography contest submittal, or just create astounding photographs for your personal library, this trip provides unparalleled opportunity,

professional support and inspiration to help you experience the real Cuba and create your best work.

Equipment: There are no restrictions as to the type of camera equipment you use. Most participants will carry DSLR cameras, some may use compact SLR or even point and shoot. This trip is about introducing you to the authentic Cuba so that you can create fabulous photographs according to YOUR style and preferences.

Accommodation: Cuba's touristic infrastructure struggles to keep up with growing demand and to achieve levels consistent with other countries. Location, comfort and authentic Cuban ambiance were priorities in hotel selection. Hotels may not be up to international standards. Flexibility and a cheerful outlook are requisite to maximizing enjoyment of travel in Cuba.

People to People Exchange- Legal Travel to Cuba Mexi-Mayan Academic Travel, Inc. works with Environmental Adventure Company LLC dba Authentic Cuba® who is licensed by the Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to organize and operate People-to-People exchanges to Cuba.

We travel to Cuba as goodwill cultural emissaries to meet and share insights with Cubans from all walks of life. Through interactive exchanges we will learn about their country and culture as we share our lives and views with them. The experience will foster understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity as it enrichens the lives all participants.

Detailed Itinerary Day 1, Sunday, February 15: Miami/Havana Rendezvous at the Swift Air counter at Miami International Airport at 5:45 am where we will check in as a group and await our 8:45 am one hour flight to Havana.

Welcome to La Habana! We meet our Cuban guide at José Martí International Airport and transfer in classic American cars to our hotel located on historic Plaza de Armas in the heart of Havana's colonial old town. Our local photographer, Julio Larramendi, will join us for a brief orientation, and we will have time to relax and have a coffee before we stroll along the renowned oceanside Malecon photographing the musicians, fishermen, Havana cityscape and Morro Castle. The fresh salt air and 3km walk will be welcome exercise after getting up so early and sitting in the airport for hours. Van support will be provided. We will pass through Maceo Park, Maximo Gomez Park, and La Punta Square- excellent places to photograph authentic Cuban life. Our welcome lunch of traditional Cuban specialties is served alfresco at La Barraca at the Hotel National with a view of Havana Bay. Returning to our hotel, we are free to meander the historic district independently before an early dinner on our own at a local “Paladar”- privately owned restaurant. Recommendations will be provided.

Our evening highlight - behold and photograph a most dramatic ceremony! El Cañonazo – the 9PM firing of the Cannon at the fortress of San Carlos de la Cabaña where Ché Guevara established his headquarters after the Revolution in 1959 – four hundred years after the fortress was built. El Cañonazo is an enchanting colonial reenactment dating back to 1519 when the city of Havana was enclosed by a tall stone wall to ward off attacks from pirates and the English. The

cannon firing signaled the closing of the city gates for the night. If you were outside at the time, you were in "vedado" or the forbidden zone. Today Vedado is an important cultural hub and elegant modern Havana neighborhood.

Hotel: Santa Isabel Hotel - 5* Boutique Hotel.

Meals: L Day 2, Monday, February 16: Old Havana Efrain and early risers may venture out before breakfast to capture the waking city in the exquisite morning light. After breakfast at the hotel, the rich and colorful history of Havana, comes alive in our viewfinders during our photo walk of La Habana Vieja (Old Havana), a Unesco World Heritage Site. The Scale Model of Havana with its color-coded buildings and landmarks makes it easy to understand the layout and expansion of the city over time. Our Cuban expert will lead a discussion of Havana's cultural and historical legacy. Photo opportunities abound as we visit four main plazas including the Plaza de Armas dating from the mid 1500's and Plaza de Catedral. Larramendi our Cuban photographer- and by now good friend- will show us his favorite spots, and we will have time to find our own inspiration at every corner, balcony and courtyard. Let's stop to browse at the open air antique book market and look for revolutionary memorabilia.

At the Taller de Grafica, a printmaking and lithography cooperative first begun by Che, artists use presses from the late 1700s and early 1800s. We interact with them and learn their printmaking techniques as we photograph them at work.

Our guided photo walk continues along Obispo Street to visit some painting studios like that of Orestes Gaulhiac and Rigoberto Mena where we learn from these artists as they exchange ideas and mediums with the group.

A wonderful lunch of local specialties awaits us at a private paladar.

Santeria is a popular Afro-Cuban religion descended from the Yoruba people of West Africa who were brought to Cuba as slaves. Practitioners venerate Orishas (Gods) representing land, sea, sky, animals, etc. In a cultural exchange rarely experienced by Americans we will experience a Santeria cleansing ritual using flowers and herbs to cleanse us of any negativity and leave us feeling refreshed.

At the Museo de Bellas Artes, the Cuban Art collection displays over 400 years of art from the island exhibiting the richness of its Spanish, French, Chinese, African and Aboriginal cultural roots. We'll meet and chat with museum staff and perhaps local artists. A special treat this afternoon is a visit to Larramendi’s Photo Gallery and an exchange with him and other local photographers about the art of photography in Cuba.

At sunset we will stroll the Malecon , Havana's breakwater where lovers, musicians, and Habaneros of all walks of life mingle. Golden light ignites the skyline, as we exchange ideas of our day's experience with our new Cuban friends.

Dinner is at Conde de Villanueva Hotel with Tobacco Cata, the only hotel in Old Havana with a cigar cellar and rollers. Our photographs gain meaning from a demonstration on tobacco, cigars and their importance to Cuba.

Hotel: or Santa Isabel Hotel - 5* Boutique Hotel.

Meals: B, L, D Day 3, Tuesday, February 17: Havana - CiĂŠnaga de Zapata - Cienfuegos Early departure to Cienaga de Zapata National Park, with breakfast in route.

Experience Las Salinas nature trail accompanied by a Cuban naturalist. Zapata is an important ecological reserve sustaining important populations of an amazing diversity of species. We will observe and discuss its diversity and ecological importance with the naturalist. Our Larramendi will share his in-depth experience here as we see and photograph crocodiles, plants, migrant and endemic birds and the reserve itself.

Lunch at El Legendario, a private local paladar in Ciénaga de Zapata.

Continuing to Cienfuegos, our Cuban professional photographer will lead an afternoon walking photo tour of the historical center. Founded in 1819 by the French, Cienfuegos, long known as the Pearl of the South, boasts a unique architectural style, and was built with fortunes from the sugar industry. The city is studded with ornate mansions and public buildings. Restoration efforts from both private and public sectors are reclaiming these architectural jewels from years of neglect and decay. The walking photo tour visits the historic center including Parque Martí, Tomas Terry Theater, Purisima Concepcion Cathedral, Palacio Ferrer and Casa de La Cultura. Our Cuban expert leads educational exchanges about the historical significance of Cienfuegos and the photographic beauty will be highlighted. Mingle with locals on the Malecon and photograph sunset over Cienfuegos Bay before dinner at the spectacular Palacio del Valle, an architectural jewel located in the Punta Gorda, in the city of Cienfuegos reminiscent of Spanish-Moorish art with influences of Gothic, Romanesque, Baroque and Mudejar styles Our authentic “boutique” hotel in Cienfuegos is more basic but is well located, clean and comfortable.

Hotel: La Unión Meals: B, L, D Day 4, Wednesday February 18: Cienfuegos - Trinidad Breakfast in hotel and time for independent photography this morning Cienfuegos.

Leaving Cienfuegos, we visit at the Provincial Art Gallery Maroya that displays local arts and handicrafts and even has antiques for sale. Gallery staff will share interesting information about the art and furnishings.

Trinidad de Cuba, a Unesco World Heritage Site first established in 1514 is virtually an open air museum. Seemingly frozen in time, its cobblestone streets and red tile roofed pastel colored buildings evoke its Spanish Colonial origins. Today, horse drawn carts are still common and musicians play Cuban rhythms in small shady neighborhood squares and plazas. We get into the swing of things here with lunch at Casa Villalba, a private paladar.

Meet with Doctora Alicia Garcia Santana, noted historian and author, who will regale us with tales of the history, traditions and architecture of Trinidad, and will share some special ideas about capturing special photographs here. Enjoy the afternoon lost in the old city discovering and interacting with its authentic people. Afternoon and evening are free for personal exploration of Trinidad. You will love wandering the cobblestone streets, absorbing the ambiance soaking up the sights and sounds Dinner on your own in a local private paladar.

Hotel: Las Brisas Trinidad Del Mar (all inclusive beach resort) or the boutique La Ronda hotel in downtown Trinidad Meals: B, L Day 5, Thursday, February 19: Trinidad

Breakfast in hotel before our walking photo tour of the historic center of Trinidad takes us to Plaza Mayor, Iglesia la Sagrada Trinidad, Museo Romántico and San Francisco Convent.

This visit will be highlighted by an educational exchange with members of the Convent. Visit the Santander family run pottery gallery "La Casa del Alfarero" and discuss traditional techniques for pottery making.

Tour the expansive Sugar Mill Valley where thousands of slaves once worked during the sugar boom of the late 1770's driven in part by demand from the newly independent United States.

Share ideas of that time period and discuss the history of the region with a local expert.

Enjoy a typical lunch at Plaza Mayor and this afternoon explore the city independently or with our photographers capturing quintessential images of this fabulous place, perhaps visiting the fish market, relaxing at an open air cafe with a Mojito or Cuba Libre, or sitting in the park people watching and listening to wandering musicians. Alternatively, take some time to unwind at the hotel enjoying the amenities and the beach.

Tonight at Casa de La Trova we mingle with locals and dance to the rhythms of son, a unique Cuban musical style.

Hotel: Iberostar Las Brisas Trinidad (all inclusive beach resort) or the boutique La Ronda Hotel in downtown Trinidad Meals: B, L, (Dinner if we stay at Las Brisas) Day 6, Friday, February 20: Trinidad - Topes de Collantes - Havana Breakfast at hotel then joined by a Cuban naturalist, we will drive to one of Cuba's most beautiful mountain areas, the Escambray Mountains. Around mid-day we will arrive at La Codina, a former coffee plantation where we will enjoy a hike and later stimulating conversation about Cuba's natural resources over locally grown coffee and a delicious family style lunch at the hacienda.

Returning to Havana in the late afternoon we will dine at Dona Eumita.

Then the evening is free for optional activities and there is so much to do and see. Is this the night to visit the famous Buena Vista Social Club for authentic Cuban music?

Hotel: Santa Isabel Hotel - 5* Boutique Hotel.

Meals: B, L, D Day 7, Saturday, February 21: Havana Breakfast in hotel then visit La Fototeca de Cuba, a prestigious international gallery and museum dedicated to photography. We will view the current exhibition and meet with local professional photographers exchanging ideas about the art and craft of photography and its evolving status in Cuba as an art form.

Cuba's long history with tobacco is showcased at Partagas Cigar Factory where tobacco experts discuss the grades and types of tobacco, how the leaves are selected and prepared as we watch traditional female rollers create the famous Cuban Cigar.

We visit next the iconic El Callejón de Hammel, a wide eclectic alleyway dedicated to AfroCuban culture featuring a large abstract mural and shrines to Santeria orishas cut into the towering walls. Continuing to modern Havana, we go through El Vedado, and Miramar, arriving at Jaimanita to visit the famed ceramist and artist José Fuster at his studio. Jose will lead an exchange on his art medium and discuss the future of Cuban art, then host a lunch in our honor.

Returning to El Vedado, we visit the house and gallery of artist Eduardo Guerra. He shares the studio with an innovative photographer and artist, Ernesto Javier Fernandez, featuring artistic creations from his photographs. Works of painter Ignacio Mérida are also displayed. We are invited to try the Cuban beverage of choice, the mojito, on the terrace and have a stimulating conversation about Cuban art and the Cuban way of life. In the late afternoon, visit The Ludwing Foundation of Cuba, a non-profit, non-governmental art institution that promotes the work of Cuba´s foremost photographers and visual artists. An educational exchange with staff and artists will be highlighted.

Enjoy our Farewell Dinner in a private paladar, then top the night off independently savoring and photographing Havana´s nightlife in La Zorra y el Cuervo or in The Jazz Caffe, both dedicated to the Latin Jazz Music- or perhaps the iconic show at the Tropicana. Whatever your choice, Havana’s vibrant, colorful nightlife will thrill you and provide exceptional photographic material. Our hosts will make reservations for us at our choice of venues.

Hotel: or Santa Isabel Hotel - 5* Boutique Hotel.

Meals: B, L, D Day 8, Sunday, February 22: Havana/Miami Breakfast in hotel, then bid farewell to Cuba as we transfer to José Martí Airport for our flight back to Miami, or begin optional extension to Vinales Meals: B Vinales Extension Overview: Vinales is a picturesque rural farming region in the western section of Cuba. Small fertile fields are still plowed by oxen and life is slower, more organic and peaceful here. We will visit tobacco farms, pre-historic indigenous sites, and small towns meeting the locals as we experience and photograph this important part of Cuban life.

Day 8, Sunday, February 22: Havana/ Soroa/ Vinales Breakfast in hotel, then early departure to Soroa where we will enjoy a botanist guided tour of the prolific orchid garden. Afterwards, a hearty lunch at Salto de Sorora prepares us for the short nature walk to the picturesque waterfall. We will have free time to explore and photograph the area and visit the home of a local farmer.

Sharing the road with horse drawn farm wagons we drive on to Vinales.

From the mirador (scenic lookout) next to our hotel, we can see below farmers plowing tobacco fields with oxen and the distinctive geological mesa like formations called topes (limestone mesas that dot the landscape), and we linger to capture the sun setting over this peaceful rural scene.

Dinner at the hotel.

Hotel: Los Jasmines or La Ermita Meals: B,L, D Day 9, Sunday, February 22: Vinales/ Havana After breakfast at hotel we're off for a morning tour of Vinales valley. We will stop to photograph the tobacco fields, farm workers and local activity.

Our visit to the Cueva de los Indios is highlighted by a boat ride through the cave before visiting the Mural de la Prehistoria.

Lunch a El Palenque de los Cimarrones energizes us for a visit to a working family run tobacco farm 2where we see and photograph the process of cultivating premium quality tobacco from seed to cured leaves, ready for rolling into the famous Cuban cigars.

Returning to Havana we dine at Cafe Laurent before a free evening to enjoy our last night on the town in Havana.

Hotel: Santa Isabel Hotel - 5* Boutique Hotel Meals: B,L,D Day 10, Monday, February 23: Havana/ Miami Breakfast at hotel and transfer to airport for our flight back to Miami.

Meals: B For more information and to reserve a space contact

Mexi-Mayan Academic Travel, Inc. 8 N. Loomis Street,

Naperville, IL 60540

Steve Carr

Efrain Padro

Mexi-Mayan Vice President

Professional Travel Photographer

steve@meximayan.com 630-878-8594

empadro@padroimages.com 303-997-9097