Cuba - Music and Dance

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Havana

Arrive in Havana at any time. Check into our hotel and enjoy the city. Please check the hotel lobby for notices on when/where the group meeting will occur. One of the oldest cities in the Western Hemisphere, the Spaniard Diego Velázquez moved San Cristobal de la Habana to its present location in 1519. The port city remained in relative obscurity within the empire until gold and silver began to flow from New World mines back to Spain. At the peak of Spanish power in the Americas vast fortunes were controlled from here, and Havana's deep water port served as an assembly point for massive armadas laden with New World plunder before their perilous journey back to Spain. Much of the treasure came from the ports of Cartagena (Colombia) and Veracruz (Mexico). The great flow of wealth bequeathed the city an architectural heritage unequalled in the region. Soon pirates turned their attention to the port and the city of Havana and its annual treasure trove became the number one target for Dutch, English and French corsairs. Eventually the Spanish began construction of various forts and a protecting wall to repel the invaders. Nevertheless, the city was sacked in 1762 and held by the British under the command of Lord Albermale for nearly a year. Eventually, the Spanish exchanged the Florida territory in trade for the island. The end of the British occupation also signalled the beginning of more economic freedom for the islanders, as they were given the right to trade with cities other than Cádiz in Spain. The ensuing economic boom translated into steady growth in population and material progress. Left to decay after the revolution, in 1982 Old Havana became Cuba’s first UNESCO world heritage site, with its mix of Baroque and neoclassical monuments, arcades, balconies, wrought-iron gates and internal courtyards. Today the restoration of the quarter-mile-square district is in high gear.The main area of interest to visitors is La Habana Vieja (The Old City), and the streets around the Malecon (ocean-side walkway). These are best discovered on a walking or taxi tour. Points of interest in this part of town include La Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Habana, the Palacio de los Marqueses de Aguas Claras (which now houses a restaurant), the Museo de Arte Colonial and the Plaza de Armas, with its statue of Manuel de Céspedes (one of the leaders of the Cuban independence movement). The Palacio de los Capitanes Generales is also located on the Plaza de Armas, which now houses the Museo de La Ciudad (city museum). The oldest colonial fortress sits on the plaza’s northeast sector, the Castillo Real de la Fuerza, whose construction began in 1558. The city is home to various museums, and depending on your area of interest, there is practically a museum for everyone. But perhaps one of the city’s (and Cuba's) greatest attractions is its music. Everywhere you go in Havana you hear and feel music, and people often dance in the streets; the island literally pulses with the beat and blend of Afro-Hispanic rhythms.Cristobal Colón (Columbus) found the main island of Cuba in October of 1492, following a route indicated by the Arawak people he first encountered in the Bahamas. Looking for the fabled Cipango, he noted in his log book that this newly found island was one of the most beautiful he had ever set eyes upon. The Spanish settlement and exploitation of the island began in earnest with the founding of towns such as Baracoa, Santiago and Havana. The Arawak population was soon decimated by both disease and enslavement and the Spanish replaced the native work force with African slaves. Though they did not find the metal treasures found in other conquered lands such as Mexico, Bolivia and Peru, the island did become a hub for the transportation of the New World wealth and treasure, via galleons, back to the Old World. It soon became the focal point for pirate activity in the Caribbean and eventually the islanders began to export their own wealth in the form of agricultural produce such as tobacco, sugar cane, and coffee. The unique blend of cultural traditions on the island continues to this day, with vibrant rhythms and a rich heritage of literature and dance. The island’s character is also influenced by the social injustice of its past and the present generation’s efforts to address that situation. Cuba and Cubans are unique among Latin Americans in many ways, and though the country has been a magnet for sun seeking tourists for some time, it is only slowly opening up to less traditional tourism. We sincerely hope you will take the opportunity to explore this uniquely beautiful and captivating land and its friendly and open people.Please note: the heat of Cuba may affect you upon arrival, with a general sense of lethargy and/or loss of appetite. This is no cause for alarm, it is simply your body’s reaction to the heat. Be sure to drink plenty of water and do not attempt too much in any given day.

Day 2-3 Santiago de Cuba

We catch a flight to Cuba's “Oriente” region and Santiago de Cuba, the heart and soul of Cuban music. Welcome to the cradle of the Revolution, and the home of traditional son rhythms. Santiago also boasts great museums, colonial churches and buildings of more recent historical importance, such as the Moncada Barracks, all well worth exploring. Santiago has a vibrant traditional music scene that will entice even the shyest dancer out to experiment with some salsa moves!The city was one of many founded by Diego de Velásquez, and one of its first mayors was the future conquistador of Mexico, Hernán Cortés. For nearly one hundred years the city functioned as the island’s capital and seat of power. However, it suffered through various pirate attacks, as well as natural disasters and the entire region quickly became isolated from the rest of the island. Santiago and the Oriente (east) have a large Afro-Cuban population. Many Africans were brought in as slaves to replace the dying indigenous people as labour force in the mines and ranches. The same slave rebellion that brought an influx of French refugees to the Trinidad area had a similar effect on Santiago, and spurred the area’s coffee and sugar cane cultivation. Santiago and the Oriente were both seats of various rebellions and independence movements. It is the birthplace of General Antonio Maceo, the revered mulatto leader during the war of independence from Spain (you will see the massive statue erected in his honour in front of the city’s long-distance bus terminal). Santiago also holds the title of “Hero City of the Republic of Cuba” for its leading role in significant events during the revolution. It was at Moncada Barracks that Fidel Castro first struck out against Batista’s abusive government in 1953, undergoing the trial that allowed him to expound on the government’s excesses during his famous La Historia Me Absolverá (History Will Absolve Me) speech. The people of Santiago were the first to rise up in arms against government troops in 1956, and it was in Santiago, on January 1st, 1959, that Fidel Castro declared the triumph of the revolution in a broadcast message to the country and the world.The city’s half million residents are fiercely proud of their cultural traditions and you will find many museums, cultural associations and clubs around the city. Santiago is where son and boleros originated, and the richness of the island’s strong African heritage is evident through institutions such as the Ballet Folklorico Tucumbá, a world-renowned Afro-Cuban dance company. The city is also well known for its vibrant, energetic Carnaval celebrations, and its Festival of Caribbean Culture.Estimated Travel Time: 5 hoursApproximate Distance: 860 km

Day 4 Camagüey

Continue your journey west along the Carretera Central to Camagüey, the third largest city on the island. Camagüey retains much of its colonial heritage in its buildings, plazas and its tinajones, large clay pots traditionally used in Spain and in its New World colonies for collecting rainwater.Camagüey has a rich tradition of cultural and technological leadership within Cuba. It is the birthplace of poet laureate Nicolás Guillén, whose brilliant Mis Dos Abuelos clearly captures and reflects the internal struggle born of Cuba’s tumultuous Afro-Hispanic heritage. Camagüey is also home of the Ballet de Camagüey, the second most important dance company in Cuba. The citizens of Camagüey are also proud of their innovations, and Cuba’s first radio and television emissions were broadcast from Camagüey, as well as the country’s first airport and commercial flights were executed here. This is also a university town and has a rich cultural tradition. With its large parks and winding cobblestone streets, one will enjoy strolling through the city. That said, getting around can be a little tricky. The city was deliberately set out in an irregular and confusing street pattern, with the aim of disorienting any would-be assailants, but with a little patience and time you can explore its colonial treasures on a walking tour. Most noteworthy of its churches, is the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad, with its baroque frescoes. The Museo Casa Natal de Ignacio Agramonte is the birthplace of the leader of a celebrated revolt against Spain in the late 1860s. Wander the historical streets of Camagüey, and explore the city's rich local tradition in music and literature. Many great music venues await us here! Enjoy a night on the town before leaving for Trinidad the next day.Estimated Travel Time: 8 hoursApproximate Distance: 330 km

Day 5-7 Trinidad

Only a 6-hour bus ride away, the colonial, UNESCO World Heritage city of Trinidad is home to lovely Spanish-style churches and great museums. Have a cool Mojito before meeting our salsa and music instructors, as we work out a relaxed yet fun-filled schedule for the next 2 days’ lessons. We include a group salsa lessons here; once you are comfortable with the basics of salsa, an individual lesson will help you learn how to spin or take the lead. Two lessons of 1 hour each are included (1 group and 1 individual). Depending on your preferences, we can arrange a female or male salsa instructor. The lessons are given by a cuban dancer normally in the main homestay or another house. We also include music lessons, introducing such instruments as congas, claves, guitar and cowbell. Practice up for our visit to a recording studio where you can record your very own song!La Villa de la Santísima Trinidad was founded in 1514 by Velásquez, and the famous defender of indigenous rights in the Americas, Fray Bartolomé de Las Casas, attended over the settlement’s first mass. The future conqueror of Mexico, Hernán Cortés recruited sailors here for his future expedition into that land. Trinidad is a charming town with the green mountains of the Sierra del Escambray in the background, and the turquoise waters and pure white sand beaches of the Caribbean Sea just a short distance away. The town was fairly inactive until the 1800s, when French refugees fleeing a slave revolt in Haiti landed here en masse and brought with them sugar cane cultivation. The new residents settled and farmed in the Valle de Los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills), just northeast of the town. Vast wealth flowed into the local economy from sugar cane cultivation and the area produced one third of the country’s sugar at one point. The sugar boom was terminated by the two wars of independence, but the wealth generated by the industry remains visible in the town’s once grand mansions, colourful public buildings, wrought-iron grillwork and cobblestone streets. The town and area also saw a lot of action during and following the triumph of the Revolution, as gangs of counter revolutionaries hid out and struck from the safety of the mountains. The Museo Nacional de la Lucha Contra los Bandidos and the Casa de los Mártires de Trinidad chronicles the struggles of this period in the town’s history. The town also has the requisite Casa de la Trova, a mainstay of Cuban musical culture in every town, and numerous similar clubs and restaurants, where you may enjoy the sounds of Cuban son.Spend the rest of your time on the beach relaxing, hiking to the Parque Topes de Collantes, horseback riding, or visiting the Che Guevera Monument in Santa Clara.Santa Clara was founded in 1689 by Spaniards hoping to evade the pirate raids on the coastal cities. Today it is a modern, industrial centre and holds a special place in the history of the revolution in that it was the first large city to be liberated by the Revolutionary Forces in December 1958.About 18 men, under the command of Comandante Ernesto (Ché) Guevara, fought against more than 400 heavily armed Batista government troops and captured an armoured train. The Museo Histórico de la Revolución chronicles the Battle of Santa Clara, and it is here that a gargantuan statue of El Ché was erected to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the revolutionary hero’s murder in Bolivia.Estimated Travel Time: 6 hoursApproximate Distance: 260 km

Day 8 Havana

We take a private van back to Havana in the afternoon and arrive around 4 pm for one last night of revelry. We will take in the unforgettable show at the Tropicana, Cuba's most famous stage. Over two hundred dancers perform on Cuba's most famous stage. This is where such greats as Nat King Cole and Maurice Chevalier won their fame. Adored by tourists, this show is a 1950s cabaret style extravaganza, where both music and rum flow freely to create unique memories for you. Known as 'the paradise under the stars', this open-air venue has been all the rage since 1939!Estimated Travel Time: 5 hoursApproximate Distance: 340 km