Cuba is a kaleidoscopic land on the verge of the most dramatic changes in its history. As travel opportunities open up, you may be wondering about the best way to visit this dynamic Caribbean island before it’s too late to witness its authentic soul. A People-to-People itinerary grants access for US citizens, and its travel benefits stretch far beyond legal entry.
Now is the time to plan a journey to Cuba before it changes forever!
In April 2017 best-selling author, filmmaker, and TV host Phil Cousineau will be leading an exciting journey into the heart of Cuba for Sacred Earth Journeys, exploring the cultural, historical, and sacred sites of this impressive land.
The customized People-to-People itinerary will allow participants to explore the gritty genuineness of Cuba’s cultural carnival and enjoy personal encounters with working artists, writers, teachers, filmmakers, coffee and tobacco farmers, and ballplayers, which will reveal just how eager they are to share the heart and soul of their culture.
The tour will take participants around the whole island, from Havana to Santiago de Cuba, with many fascinating destinations in between. Most importantly, participants will get a chance to see Cuban sites and culture that are off the tourist trail. In the UNESCO World Heritage site of Havana, for example, as well as a walking tour to take in the city’s glorious mélange of architecture, participants will also travel to Callejon de Hammel in the Cayo Hueso neighbourhood – one of the most exciting living arts neighbourhoods imaginable. The Callejon is the work of local artist Salvador González who uses funds from the sales of his artwork to support art & cultural projects in this lively working-class neighbourhood. There will be an opportunity to meet with Salvador González and also enjoy the famous Afro-Cuban rumbas that take place every Sunday afternoon here.
Another highlight of this journey will be a literary pilgrimage to Finca Vigia, the “Lookout Farm”, Hemingway’s home in San Francisco de Paula, now restored as a museum. Cuba is also filled with natural wonders and exotic landscapes, such as the Viñales valley, a magnificent region of biosphere reserves, splashing waterfalls, spectacular mogotes (carsic formations), and some of the world’s finest beaches and dive sites. The journey will, of course, offer plenty of time to enjoy Cuba’s lush beaches including Playa Larga and Playa Girón, where the infamous Bay of Pigs invasion took place in 1962.
If you’re looking for a unique way to visit Cuba and truly appreciate its rich history and modern-day culture, a People-to-People itinerary is essential. For more information about our April 2017 journey to Cuba with Phil Cousineau visit our website and read our beautifully-detailed itinerary. Our Flickr album also contains many stunning images of this vibrant island if you’re craving some travel inspiration!
We hope you can join us as we explore the heart and soul of Cuba before the island nation changes forever. In a future blog post we’ll feature an interview with tour leader Phil Cousineau to hear what makes Cuba such a fascinating destination for him!
