Morning: the first activity in our full-time schedule of professional research this morning, it is to attend professional meetings with healthcare and medical professors and students at the Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina – ELAM (Latin American School of Medicine). Established in 1999 and finance by the generosity of people of Cuba, ELAM is the largest medical school in the world with a current enrollment of over 10,000 students from over 29 countries.

All its students are from outside Cuba and mainly come from Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa. The school also accepts disadvantaged students from the United States. Tuition, accommodation and board are free, and a small stipend is provided to students. This activity will be of particularly interest for the professional research of those travelers from USA, Canada and all over the world whose profession, professional background, or area of expertise (including area of graduate-level full-time study) relates to healthcare education and medical education research.

Lunch: a new wave of paladares (privately-owned restaurants) has recently swept the Cuban dining scene offering excellent food and charming ambient. Today we’ll enjoy a welcome lunch at the stylish Paladar San Cristobal, one of Havana's top ten private restaurants.

Afternoon: as part of our full-time schedule of professional research on Cuba’s educational system, our group will meet with Cuban doctors at a Maternity Home. This exchange presents an unparalleled chance for North American university and college professors, faculty and staff; K-12 teachers, and other educational professionals to conduct professional research on Cuba’s medical education.

Since Cuba places special emphasis on maternity and infant care, expectant mothers with high-risk pregnancies or other special needs can stay at a maternity home where an on-duty nurse lives and is available 24-hours. The most common reasons for going to a maternity home are the need for additional nutritional supplements, the risk of carrying a low-weight baby and carrying twins.

Your Cuba educational trip continues with a charming walk through Old Havana. As you explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you’ll make your way through the old city’s historic squares. Each has its own look, history and feel, but all are sure to delight and inform you.

Cathedral Square is named after the Cathedral of Havana, a great baroque church that sits imposingly on the square. This square is a favorite of both locals and visitors, and has plenty of cafés from which you can watch life stroll by. Cathedral Square has stood the test of time quite well, and is both a beautiful and fun spot in which to spend some time.

The next square you will traverse is the Plaza de Armas, or the “Square of Arms.” It’s the historical heart of the city from which Havana spread. The name comes from the 16th century, when the Spanish Army held military drills in the square.

The Square of Arms is surrounded by numerous striking buildings that have survived since colonial times. Two important museums are found at the square: the Museum of the City and a new maritime museum located in Havana’s oldest fortress.

Your Authentic Cuba Travel® guide will continue the walking tour of Old Havana’s squares with a stop at the Square of San Francisco. There you’ll find a church and monastery founded by the Franciscan Order that are now home to a museum of religious art and concert hall. The square is also known for a popular bronze statue of a well-known, Old Havana personality.

Originally, Plaza Vieja or “Old Square” was named Plaza Nueva when the Spanish first built it in the 16th century. Over the years, it has been the home of aristocrats, the location for bullfights, and the site of fiestas and religious celebrations. Today you will find some important museums and several beautifully restored buildings.

The last stop of the day is an appealing handicraft market in Habana Vieja, a perfect spot to pick out some handmade items to take home as presents or as your own souvenirs of authentic Cuba.

Evening: The one thing most people agree on is that Cuba is home to a lot of wonderful and diverse music. Tonight you will get a taste of authentic Cuba in the form of live music and dancing lessons— so get ready to have some fun! Your participation in these activities directly supports the Cuban people and the Cuban families financially while encouraging independent entrepreneurial activities that in turn strengthen civil society in Cuba.

You’ll get an up close view of both primary and secondary education today.

Morning: the first activity in our full-time schedule of professional research this morning, it is to attend professional meetings at the Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos Workshop School. This unusual school, which is part of a larger technical training institution, teaches its students the art and craft of historical restoration. Students concentrate in one of many different skilled trades such as historical gardening, traditional woodworking, painting restoration, and archeological techniques. These young people will later find employment working on projects preserving Cuba’s historical, artistic, and architectural heritage.

Our professional meeting with Cuban teachers this morning will be of particularly interest for the professional research of those travelers from USA, Canada and all over the world whose profession, professional background, or area of expertise (including area of graduate-level full-time study) relates to the teaching of skilled trades. With an aging workforce, the school is training skilled trades people who can help restore, preserve and maintain the historical and architectural heritage of the nation.

Next activity in our full-time itinerary, it is a visit to Hemingway’s home, Finca la Vigia. Hemingway lived in Finca la Vigia for twenty years, sharing it with his third and fourth wives, and his famous cats. After his death, the Cuban government took possession of the home and converted it into a museum.

As the place where Hemingway wrote some of his most important works, the home is a national landmark housing manuscripts, first editions, photographs, and many of Hemingway’s personal possessions—including his fishing gear and personal library. It is an experience that will bring the author’s world to life.

After a short drive, we’ll arrive in Cojimar, the setting for Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea.

Lunch at La Terracita Paladar in Cojimar fishing village. Eating in private family-run restaurants directly supports the Cuban people and the Cuban families financially while encouraging independent entrepreneurial activities that in turn strengthen civil society in Cuba.

After the lunch break, your Authentic Cuba Travel® tour guide will give you a short tour of Cojimar including a bust of Hemingway created from the propellers of the community’s fishing boats.

Afternoon: as part of our full-time schedule of professional research on Cuba’s educational system, you’ll get to visit the young students of the Angela Landa Primary School. You’re likely to be greeted by uniformed students with smiling faces who might remind you of your own students at home! The school’s dynamic principal will also share some of the specific challenges facing this urban school as Cuba’s economy begins to change.

This visit represents a great opportunity for North American university and college professors, faculty and staff; K-12 Teachers, and other Educational Professionals to conduct professional research on Cuba’s elementary educational system and to exchange with Cuban educators.

Evening: Get ready for some authentic Cuba with a bit of historical spectacle. The “Fire of the Cannon of 9 O'Clock” is an old tradition beloved by both locals and tourists. Real cannon firing and an amazing view of the city will make your Cuba Travel experience to the Fortress of San Carlos de Cabana very special.

Morning: the first activity in our full-time schedule of professional research on Cuba’s educational system this morning, it is to attend professional meetings with professors, faculty and staff at the University of Havana which has long been a cornerstone of higher education in Cuba. As first a religious institution, and then a secular one, it has been the birthplace of important cultural and political ideas for the country.

During your tour of the campus, you’ll have an opportunity to meet with students from the Law School—whose most prominent graduate is the long-time leader of Cuba, Fidel Castro. This activity will be of particularly interest for the professional research of those travelers from USA, Canada and all over the world whose profession, professional background, or area of expertise (including area of graduate-level full-time study) relates to higher education.

Lunch today is on your own in Old Havana.

Afternoon: led by internationally recognized Afro-Cuban artist, Pedro Pulido, Cintio Vitier is an arts program for children and teenagers located in the Nuevo Vedado section of Havana. In addition to the visual arts, students can also participate in theatrical, musical and dance projects. Mr. Pulido will meet with the Authentic Cuba Tour to discuss the impact of the program’s community outreach efforts.

Next, we will meet Dr. Miguel Coyula, an architect well versed in the efforts to preserve Old Havana. Dr. Coyula directs an organization ensuring that development in the old city is appropriate to its historical character while looking to benefits for the future. The Old Havana Scale Model is also on display, providing an unusual view on how ‘Habana Vieja’ has grown.

Next up on your Authentic Cuba tour itinerary is a stop at the Palace of Fine Arts. We’ll be focusing on the Cuban collection featuring several centuries of masterworks by Cuban artists working in an assortment of styles. It’s a terrific overview showcasing the varied inspirations for Cuban art.

Evening: Authentic Cuba Travel® suggests an optional activity this evening: a visit to Club La Zorra y El Cuervo. If you love jazz, it’s a not-to-miss opportunity to hear some of the hottest artists on the island.

Morning: as part of our full-time schedule of professional research on Cuba’s educational system, this morning we will hold professional meetings with Cuban professors at the Cuba Higher Institute of Arts (ISA), a multi-faceted school of higher education offering concentrations in all of the fine and performing arts. The school has invited Cuba tour participants to a meet and greet event with teachers and students.

This visit to the Cuba’s School of Arts presents an unparalleled chance for North American university and college professors, faculty and staff; K-12 teachers, and other educational professionals to conduct professional research on Cuba’s higher artistic education and the challenges it faces in the light of the new approach to higher education in Cuba.

Lunch today is more than a meal! You’ll dine with Jose Fuster, a locally beloved and internationally exhibited muralist, ceramicist, and painter. He’s also the mind behind turning the small village of Jaimanitas into a living art project. A graduate himself of the ISA, Mr. Fuster welcome our Cuba Education Tours to his home for a lively discussion about the role of art in communities.

Afternoon: A special year in Cuba’s history is documented at The National Museum of the Literacy Campaign. In 1961, the government embarked on a comprehensive effort to teach every Cuban how to read and write—all with the help of volunteer teachers. Dra. Luisa Campos, the director, will describe the methods and impact of the Literacy Campaign, and how Cuba, as one of the most literate nations in the world, continues to be a role model for other countries.

This guided educational tour will be of particularly interest for the professional research of those travelers from USA, Canada and all over the world whose profession, professional background, or area of expertise (including area of graduate-level full-time study) relates to the history of literacy education and alternative approaches to teaching. The ideal approach to teach and learn literacy depends on the student. Every student is an individual with unique strengths, weaknesses, interests, and ways of learning. So how do you teach 700 000 people of different ages and backgrounds in such a record time? What teaching approach was used and why it worked.

Morning: We’ll embark for a trip to Las Terrazas, a rural town found at the heart of UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Sierra del Rosario.

The morning Cuba Explorer tour of this mountain community will start at Rancho Curujey for explanation of the area.

The day long itinerary is an inviting mix of informative visits combined with some time to relax and enjoy the beautiful setting of Sierra del Rosario.

During the day, we’ll stop in at the studios of local artisans and visit rural primary and secondary schools.

Today’s travel is an excellent opportunity to do some research into Cuba’s educational system in rural areas. Our group will be welcomed by the school principals, teachers and students in these local schools who in turn will take us for a tour of the facilities. These visits represent a great opportunity for North American university and college professors, faculty and staff; K-12 Teachers, and other educational professionals to conduct professional research on Cuba’s primary and secondary educational system in rural settings.

And if you bring your bathing suit, you’ll have the chance to enjoy the clear cascading waters of the San Juan River.

We’ll take our lunch at an authentic Cuba restaurant in the area.

We’ll then continue to the Viñales Valley, where you will overnight at your Luxury Casa Particular with spectacular views of the valley.

Morning: the first activity in our full-time schedule of professional research this morning, it is to attend professional meetings with sports and physical education teachers, trainers and coaches at the Provincial Sports School (Escuela de Iniciacion Deportiva Escolar (EIDE)) “Ormani Arenado” in Pinar del Rio.

This activity will be of particularly interest for the professional research of those travelers from USA, Canada and all over the world whose profession, professional background, or area of expertise (including area of graduate-level full-time study) relates to sports and physical education.

Lunch at Paladar Casa del Campesino in Vinales Valley. Eating in private family-run restaurants directly supports the Cuban people and the Cuban families financially while encouraging independent entrepreneurial activities that in turn strengthen civil society in Cuba.

Vinales Valley is one of the most geologically striking areas on the island. It has dramatic cliffs, numerous caves, and mogotes, unusual hills with steep sides and rounded tops. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is only starting to be discovered by tourists.

The Cueva del Indio is part of the largest system of subterranean caves in all of Latin America. The caves are the site of both Amerindian pictographs and burials. Indigenous people also used the caves, as well as runaway plantation slaves, as places to hide from Spanish colonialists.

An underground river runs through the caverns, and you’ll get to experience the cave during a trip by boat.

One the way to Viñales, you’ll view the “Mural de la Prehistoria,” a gigantic hillside painting commissioned by Fidel Castro, and painted by the artist Leovigildo Gonzalez Morillos in 1961.

In the afternoon, you’ll have free time to roam the delightful town of Viñales with its small wooden homes fronted by porches. You can shop at the stalls in the craft bazaar, people watch in the city park, visit the town church, or stroll the Viñales Botanical Garden.

Morning: Today it’s time to end your educational trip to the authentic Cuba and wing your way home. And not to worry— your Authentic Cuba Travel® guide will make sure you arrive at Jose Marti Airport in plenty of time to catch your flight. Please remember to have some cash in hand for the airport departure fee of 25 pesos.