Havana Art Exploration

Upon arrival this afternoon (flight not included), your local Exeter Latin America representative will meet you outside for your private arrival transfer to your accommodations – either a casa particular or a choice of upscale premium boutique hotel.

Any trip to Cuba must begin with the majestic faded glory of Havana. Located on the northern coast of Cuba just 105 miles from the U.S., Havana was founded in the 16th century by the Spanish and quickly became a jewel in its New World holdings as a strategic trading stop between Spain and its colonies. The large number of Spanish colonial buildings in Old Havana are just one reason it is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

After settling into your hotel, meet with your driver and guide for a private visit to the Fabrica de Art Cubano. Here you’ll have a private guide tell you of this fascinating avant-garde space where artists come together under one roof to share their masterpieces.

Evening

Tonight, begin your stay with a dinner reservation at one of our favorite privately-owned restaurants (paladares). (Cost of dinner not included.) After dinner, you’ll head back to the Fabrica de Arte Cubano to experience it in all its glory.

After breakfast, head out with your driver and guide for a visit to the Cuban wing of the Fine Arts Museum where a local curator will accompany you for an in-depth look at Cuban art from the colonial period right up to the 20^th century.

Lunch reservation at one of our favorite privately-owned restaurants (paladar) whose setting has a large focus on the art of photography. (Cost of lunch not included.)

After lunch, you’ll have the opportunity to visit 2 galleries or artist home studios accompanies by one of our art curators. In private galleries, you’re able to see a variety of works from multiple artists and because they’re privately curated the work tends to be more edgy as they’re not subject to any filters by the Ministry of Culture.

Or, if you’d prefer direct contact with artists, visit a few studios of independent, emerging Cuban artists. This is a great chance to interact directly with artists, learn about their inspiration and motivation, and hear their viewpoints on Cuba and its current geopolitical situation. Every exploration is tailored to you, so please specify if you have any requests as to painting, photography, sculpture, mixed media, etc.)

Dinner reservation at one of our favorite privately-owned restaurants (paladars). (Cost of dinner not included.) After dinner, join a local expert sommelier for a cigar & rum tasting. This experience can be tailored based on your interest level in rum and/or cigars.

This morning after breakfast you’ll visit some private art galleries accompanied by a local curator. These private art galleries will give you a deeper look into the lives of Cubans as these art pieces aren’t censored through governmental standards.

Lunch reservation at one of our favorite, privately-owned restaurants (paladars), (Cost of lunch not included).

After lunch, you’ll venture out to visit up and coming artists in their own studios. Here you’ll get up close and personal with the artists’ lives and emotions and be able to directly engage with them. Of course, based on your interests this could be tailored to fit in media like photography, sculpture, painting, etc.

Dinner reservation at another of our favorite, privately-owned restaurants (paladars). (Cost of dinner not included).

After breakfast this morning, meet your guide to continue exploring Havana. You’ll then walk in the footsteps of the city’s colonial past as you explore the four key squares of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage site. As you walk around, you’ll stop into one of the privately-owned shops or businesses to learn a bit about entrepreneurship in Cuba. (For the Premium experience, you’ll be joined this morning by an architect who is well-versed in the restoration work done to date as well as the ongoing challenges in preserving Havana’s architectural heritage.)

Lunch reservation at one of our favorite, privately-owned restaurants (paladars), (Cost of lunch not included).

The richness of art in Cuba spills out from museums and galleries onto the streets and public spaces. This afternoon, our specialist guide will take you for a look at the most important government-sponsored and privately produced public arts. From the barrio to the Revolution-sanctioned murals, but also many examples of the underground street art movement which can be provocative in dealing with current issues facing Cuba, you’ll get far off the regular tourist trail to see a slice of real life in Havana.

Dinner reservation at one of our favorite, privately-owned restaurants (paladars), (Cost of dinner not included).

After breakfast, check out of your casa or hotel for private transfer to the airport for your return flight to the U.S. You’ll again have airport VIP service today.

(If you have a later flight, your program can be customized to include additional time to explore with driver and guide – additional costs apply.)