Morning: Authentic Cuba Travel@’ specialist photography tours are designed to give you close, unforgettable encounters escorted by expert Cuban guides and professional award-winning Cuban photographers like Natasha Forcade, Abel Ernesto, Ricardo Lopez, Yander Zamora and others.

Accompanied by a Cuban specialist photographic guide, our photographic adventure goes Western to explore one of Cuba’s most photogenic natural settings, the Valley of Vinales, showcasing the most stunning landscape in Cuba and some of the most fascinating and authentic limestone formations on the Caribbean island. This region is especially renowned worldwide by its mogotes, a sort of conical freestanding hills found in four regions of the world only (including Cuba).

As part of our support for the Cuban people and photo shooting session this morning, we will have the opportunity to meet some of the local farmers, whose knowledge and secrets regarding the cultivation of the world’s finest tobacco have been passed down for generations.

We will also have some time to take pictures at the Prehistoric Mural, a gigantic painting mural right on the side of Vinales’s mogotes.

Lunch: our tours to Cuba for photographers from USA, Canada and all over the world feature a delicious traditional lunch at the privately-owned bar-restaurant Paladar Yuri & Nino, El Campesino. Yuri is a young woman entrepreneur who started this small restaurant that has expanded into a large establishment. Yuri and her family work hard to create delicious and plentiful food that comes with a beautiful mountain view.

During our specialist photography expeditions to Cuba, lunch breaks provide an excellent opportunity for your Cuban specialist photographic guide for the day to talk about how to be more resourceful with your composition and exposure given the current light conditions of the day. Your professional award-winning Cuban photographer will also discuss the proper use of shutter speed and aperture, filters and long exposure and other technical aspects so that you can capture that perfect image in the photographic setting you are visiting today.

Following lunch, your Cuba photography tour will take you literally into the heart of one of the famous mogotes. The Indian Cave is an iconic attraction of Vinales and offer unique photo shooting opportunities. The cave history goes back in times to the pre-colonization period when it was used as a burial site for the Guahahatabeyes, one of Cuba’s native people. As we go deep into the cave, we will encounter a subterranean river that runs through the cave. Then we will enjoy an amazing boat ride to the other side of the hill.

As it is our goal that tour participants capture in images (from their very own unique styles) the cultural and social fabric of this picturesque and authentic Cuba destination founded in 1607, our Authentic Cuba Travel® guide will give our Cuba explorers some free time in Vinales Town to take pictures of camera-friendly locals and attractions such as the Parque Jose Marti, Casa de La Cultura, the Church, the open-air Market and others.

Evening: tonight you will have the opportunity to visit Havana’s most popular and well renowned jazz club, La Zorra y El Cuervo, where you will hear Cubajazz, Sonjazz, and Afrojazz played by some of the best Cuban Jazz musicians. This part of the evening is optional and is not an included part of the tour pricing.

Morning: escorted by a Cuban specialist photographic guide, we board privately-owned Cuba’s vintage American cars from the 1950’s to continue our Cuba photography journey with a tour through various sections of Havana… in style.

In 1960, the new government of Cuba nationalized numerous US-owned businesses, in response; the US government imposed a total ban on exports to Cuba, so the regular import of American-made cars to the island was completely cut off overnight. 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.

We will enjoy a photo shooting tour of important attractions in the Havana city today such as the Square of the Revolution, seat of power and authority of Cuba’s government today; the University of Havana, the oldest university founded by the Spaniards in The Americas; the Colon Cemetery, founded more than 140 years ago; the Monument to the US Maine Battleship, sank in Havana’s harbour in 1898; and others.

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. 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. Even President Obama and his family are among the patrons of this paladar!.

Afternoon: we will explore the sights and sounds of the historical core of Havana City. Declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old Havana contains the most excellent buildings built in a period of 500 years in the 142 hectares that comprise the historical centre today.

The best way to take stirring images of the wealth of historical and architectural heritage in this section is to embark on a walking tour. Guided by our Authentic Cuba tour guide we will start our afternoon exploration at Plaza de Armas, the early parade ground of the Spanish military.

The Square of Arms is the oldest colonial square in the city and it is enclosed by imposing buildings such as the Palace of the Captain Generals, past seat of the Spanish rulers in the island; the Palacio del Segundo Cabo, former headquarters of the vice governor; and the Fortaleza de La Real Fuerza, first fortress erected by the Spaniards in Cuba; and many others of great historical value.

Our photography tour of Old Havana will continue on to the Cathedral Square, the most striking and concealed colonial square in the old city that takes its name from the Cathedral of San Cristobal de La Habana, the most elaborate piece of Cuban baroque architecture.

The square is surrounded by amazing 18th century colonial mansions and palaces such as the Palace of the Marquises of Aguas Claras with its shady balconies and beautiful Andalucía style central patio; the Palace of the Counts of Casa Bayona housing today the Museum of Colonial Art; and the House of the Count of Lombillo with exquisite arches of its verandas supported by Toscana-style columns; and many others.

Nearby we find the Taller Experimental de Gráfica, a collective of Cuban print and lithography makers that work tirelessly in the airy and imposing colonial building located in Callejon del Chorro. We will be welcomed by the workshop director and several artists for a people- to- people exchange on their daily life and work as Cuban artists.

Our exploration continues on to the commercial square of the city, the Square of San Francisco used in earliest colonial times to stockpile the goods arriving at Havana’s harbour and provide the Spanish galleons with water to continue their transatlantic journeys.

At the end of the afternoon, we will land at the Old Square of the historical core. Used mainly for public gatherings in colonial and republican times, the squares shows today signs of revitalization as most of its surrounding building have been restored to former glory. This is an excellent opportunity to take “before and after” photographs of buildings in the area.

Another excellent photo shooting opportunity can be taken advantage of at the harbour side “Almacenes de San Lorenzo”, an airy huge Republican-period warehouse that was fully restored recently and houses today the Old Havana Handicraft Market where you can purchase artworks such as original photographs, paintings and sculptures by Cuban young artists and artisans.

Evening: we will close the evening with an incredible night photo opportunity at Fortaleza de San Carlos de La Cabana where we will witness one of Cuba’s longest standing and most authentic ceremonies: The Firing of the 9 O'Clock Cannon.

Morning: we have an appointment today at Fototeca de Cuba (1986), an art gallery formed to safeguard and support the photographic wealth of Cuba and to create an opening for the exhibit of national and international photographic artwork. This photo gallery is also a library that treasures a priceless compilation of documents. The Fototeca serves a museum containing the largest collection of Cuban photography found anywhere in the world today.

This is an unparalleled opportunity for Authentic Cuba Travel® participants not only to connect with Cuba’s photographic history but to meet leading Cuban photographers and establish relationships with Cuban curators and important personalities of Cuba’s art scene.

Next we will go for a tour of an alleyway street in Central Havana known as Callejon de Hamel. Here, the late Cuban fine artist Salvador Gonzalez worked to expand and provide a sort of cultural rescue since 1990 until his death in 2021. Entire buildings were overtaken by his sculptures and murals, which pay homage to deities from the Afro Cuban culture and faith. We will have the opportunity to meet with local artists to talk about the work he did and the ways it has impacted the neighborhood.

Lunch today will be hosted by renowned Cuban painter and ceramist Jose Fuster at his wild kingdom “Fusterlandia” in the town of Jaimanitas, a photo-friendly coastal town in the outskirts of Havana.

During our specialist photography expeditions to Cuba, lunch breaks provide an excellent opportunity for your Cuban specialist photographic guide for the day to talk about how to be more resourceful with your composition and exposure given the current light conditions of the day. Your professional award-winning Cuban photographer will also discuss the proper use of shutter speed and aperture, filters and long exposure and other technical aspects so that you can capture that perfect image in the photographic setting you are visiting today.

Afternoon: we will visit the photography studios of such famed experimental Cuban photographers as Cirenaica Moreira, Rene Pena, Juan Carlos Alom, and more.

This is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend a photography workshop and to discuss your ideas with expert Cuban photographers that will sure take your photography skills to the next level. At the same time, patronizing Cuban photographers directly supports the Cuban people and the Cuban families financially while encouraging independent entrepreneurial activities that in turn strengthen civil society in Cuba.

Evening: we will enjoy a wonderful presentation and reception at the exclusive Ludwig Foundation, where the topic will be Cuban contemporary arts. This is another of those unique highlights that you can only enjoy by booking one of our Authentic Cuba tours.

Morning: there are many things that separate authentic Cuba tours from the crowd; among those the opportunity to travel to picturesque towns and cities off the beaten track. For the next two days, we will explore two of America’s best preserved colonial cities: UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Cienfuegos and Trinidad.

Sitting on the wide open Bay of Cienfuegos, Cienfuegos is a Caribbean city where photo shooting opportunities abound. From a very photogenic population with a surprising number of residents having very light skin, blue eyes and blond hair to the imposing ensemble of neoclassical structures at the capital city of the province we will have our hands full within the next 48 hours.

Upon arrival in Cienfuegos city, we will visit Proyecto Comunitario Trazos Libres (Free Strokes Community Project), a cultural community project founded by contemporary Cuban visual artist, Santiago Hermes in La Gloria neighborhood, in Cienfuegos city.

La Gloria neighborhood offers a unique photogenic location for the avid Cuba travel photographer to capture the authentic Cuba. Cubans are some of the most engaging and friendly models for portrait photography found anywhere in the world. This visit is a great opportunity to take amazing pictures of locals going about their daily lives. It is also a perfect setting for amazing street photography and architectural photography.

Hermes has turned his house into the operational base for a cooperative of local artists whose work center around the preservation and promotion of Cuban artistic traditions through the production of art exhibits, performances and installations about the sugar, cigar and coffee production.

During this Support for the Cuban People visit, we will mingle among the artists and enjoy unique handicrafts, murals, photographs, and traditional costumes. We will learn more about the role of this Cuban based nongovernmental art collective in the promotion of culture in countryside Cuba.

Lunch is included at Paladar Ache, one of Cienfuegos top ten private restaurants, serving local specialties in a pleasant courtyard.

Next we will enjoy a photo shooting session at Del Valle Palace showcasing a stunning Moorish architecture that has deservedly converted the palace in one of the highlights of the city. We recommend you climb up the majestic marble staircase that leads to the upper floors to enjoy the majestic architecture of the palace. From there a circular wrought iron staircase leads to the rooftop of the building from where you can take amazing panoramic shots at the Bay of Cienfuegos, cityscape and the dome of Cienfuegos’ unfinished Nuclear Power Plant that looms at the horizon.

The Cuba travel experience wouldn’t be complete today without the exploration of the historical center on foot following the lead of a professional Cuban photographer.

A nice place to start is at the Jose Marti Park which marks the original site of foundation of the city in 1819 by a group of French immigrants under the Spanish ruling of Captain General Jose Cienfuegos. Guarded by two iconic white marble lions, the park is centered by a sculptural ensemble dedicated to Jose Marti, and surrounded by imposing neoclassical structures from the 19th century.

The Teatro Tomas Terry is a 950 seat auditorium that dominates the north side of the square is one of the highlights of this afternoon. As you walk into the historical theatre, you will notice the white Carrara marble statue of Tomas Terry in the lobby. Tomas Terry's widow and sons donated most of the monies for the construction of the theatre at the end of the 19th century.

Most of the elements of the lobby such as the mural paintings, the mirrors and the ticket booth as well as the Cuban hardwood carved seats, the wrought iron work of the balconies, the impressive ceiling fresco in the interior have been preserved as the very day of the opening in 1895 when a piece of Verdi’s Aida was staged for the first time.

Standing majestic opposite the two white marble lions we find the Catedral de La Purisima Concepcion (1870) with its dramatic mismatching towers framing the stunning neoclassical facade. On the west side of the square we find the former Palacio Ferrer- we recommend you climb up the mirador (lookout) tower for a photo shooting session of the cityscape; and el Arco del Triunfo (the Triumph Arch) dedicated to the Cuban independence of 1902.

We'll also visit the elegant art gallery Galería de Arte Maroya and review its impressively displayed collection of paintings, sculptures and antiques.

To wrap up Cienfuegos tour, we will have some free time at Cienfuegos’ premier art gallery known as Maroya which is quite peculiar in the sense that you can find not only all sort of crafts and original artworks by Cienfuegos’ most important artisans and artists but also you can buy antiques.

In the late afternoon, we will say good bye to the city and continue our Cuban journey to Trinidad. This evening our group overnights at a Luxury Casa Particular in Trinidad where you can enjoy a swim in the warm waters of the Caribbean as well as the eventful atmosphere of the city which is ideal for night photo shooting sessions.

Morning: with a colonial atmosphere beyond comparison, the historical core of Trinidad was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1988 because of its well-preserved ensemble of colonial structures that show barely no signs of the 20th century. Today our photography tour will take you to explore this photo-friendly “living museum city” that about 50 thousand inhabitants called home these days.

The avid Cuba travel photographer will enjoy our itinerary in Trinidad and the Sugar Mill Valley with amazing street photography and colonial architectural photography as well as landscape and wildlife photography. Trinidad and the Sugar Mill Valley should be at the top of any photographer’s list who wants to capture stunning images.

We will start at the former House of the Sanchez Iznaga family who join together two pre-existing buildings in 1819 to complete their upper-class residence. Showing typical domestic elements of the Trinitarian architecture of the second half of the 18th century and 19th century, the building contains the Museum of Architecture today that sheds light on the evolution of local architectural development over time in the city. Understanding the history and the urban development of Trinidad help the American photographers in mentally visualize the Trinidad street scene before capturing the best possible images.

We will also pay a visit to the Church of the Holy Trinity that dates back from the late 19th century. The interior contains a beautiful altar that was done in Cuban hardwoods by local artisans as well as the image of El Cristo de la Veracruz (1731) which is the most venerated religious object in the region.

As we explore the surroundings of Plaza Mayor, the main colonial square of the city, we will also pay a visit to Museo Romantico displaying an excellent collection of artworks, European porcelain and glassware and local furniture that were once the property of Trinidad’s former aristocracy such as the Counts of Brunet, former house owners.

A few blocks away, we find one of Trinidad’s most photographed structures, the bell tower of the former Convento de San Francisco de Asis. Today the building houses the Museo de La Lucha Contra Bandidos that serves as a remembrance of the bloody counter-revolutionary gangs that operated in nearby Sierra del Escambray in the period from 1960 to 1965. Do not miss the remnants of an American U2 plain that was shot down during the so called Missile Crisis in 1962.

Next we will make a stop at the Loma del Puerto (Del Puerto Hill) at the Mirador del Valle de Los Ingenios. The Sugar Mills Valley was among Cuba’s largest sugar cane producing regions by the second half of the 19th century bringing about the wealth that somehow financed the town’s mansions and palaces that we visited earlier.

Before heading back to your accommodation for dinner and refreshments, we will make one last stop at Casa del Alfarero to meet the Santanders, an authentic Cuba family of pottery makers who has been making ceramics for generations using the traditional potter’s wheel. Cubans are some of the most engaging and friendly models for portrait photography found anywhere in the world. This visit is a great opportunity to take amazing pictures of locals working on their pottery wheels! Shopping in these sorts of independent businesses directly supports the Cuban staff and their families while encouraging independent entrepreneurial activities that in turn strengthen civil society in Cuba.

After some complimentary dinner and refreshments back at your accommodation, we can head back to the colonial town for personal explorations of the city, some more photo shooting, or we can simply relax while sipping on a mojito or cuba libre or daiquiri or just...any Cuban drink you fancy!

Evening: if you feel like dancing tonight you have two options. You can enjoy varied musical live shows from the comfort of your hotel or you can head back to town for a more authentic Cuban experience at Casa de La Trova which is always a total Cuba immersion in dancing... with Trinitarians to traditional live music. Thanks to Cuba being an open and friendly society, Cubans are arguably the most engaging subjects for portrait photography you can find worldwide, so taking pictures of locals dancing to Cuban rhythms is a great opportunity tonight.

Morning: today marks another excellent opportunity to photograph one of Cuba’s most breathtaking landscapes as we visit the 90-kilometer-long Escambray Mountain Range.

The journey will begin at your accommodation where we will board former military Russian trucks that will take us to Topes de Collantes, the largest settlement in the mountainous area that stands at about 770 meters above the sea level.

En route, we will pass coniferous forest and giant ferns that flourish in the cool microclimate of this region.

Your expert photographic Cuban guide will also show you to the most photogenic locations to capture native wildlife and provide you an array of information about your potential subjects so that you are better prepare and take the better images you can shoot. You will return home with images you will be proud of and a newfound set of skills to build upon your artistic creativity and photographic techniques.

Topes de Collantes National Park in the Escambray mountains in Central Cuba. A perfect place for encountering the Cuban Emerald (Chlorostilbon ricordii), Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus), Cuban Parrot (Amazono leucocephala), Fernandina’s Flicker (Colaptes fernandinae)…

A typical Cuban lunch will be served at the Spanish estate house of the former coffee plantation Hacienda La Codina.

During our specialist photography expeditions to Cuba, lunch breaks provide an excellent opportunity for your Cuban specialist photographic guide for the day to talk about how to be more resourceful with your composition and exposure given the current light conditions of the day. Your professional award-winning Cuban photographer will also discuss the proper use of shutter speed and aperture, filters and long exposure and other technical aspects so that you can capture that perfect image in the photographic setting you are visiting today.

Afternoon: it is time to say good bye to central Cuba and hit the road back to Havana city.

Our Cuba photography adventure comes to an end today as we will take an early morning transfer to Havana City’s International Airport.