Visit Cuba with the IISC in Sept 2025

‘A hugely enjoyable trip with a good balance of learning and fun’
(2023 participant)

Fully guided by experts, 7 nights inc. flights, breakfasts, lunches and two dinners.

*£2425 pp

Following successful tours in 2018, 2019 and 2023, the IISC has arranged another study visit to Cuba led by Dr Stephen Wilkinson, who lectures on Latin American and Cuban Politics in the faculty of Humanities, Business and Social Sciences at the University of Buckingham. Steve is Editor of the International Journal of Cuban Studies and the Director of International Institute for the Study of Cuba. Steve has been visiting Cuba since 1987, holds a PHD in Cuban Literature and has led more than twenty study tours to the island. He will be offering his insights and knowledge along the way to make this a truly unique and special experience.

The flights and itinerary are organised by the ATOL protected Specialist Travel Company Archipelago Choice. The itinerary will include city tours and visits to Museums, art galleries and Cuba’s top University for a talk on Cuba’s politics, economy and relationship with the US. The tour will deepen participants’ understanding of history, politics, economics and international relations as well as expand their knowledge of Cuba, its unique character and history. But it is not all study, there will also be plenty of time to explore Havana, visit the beach and we will spend a night in the beautiful Vinales Valley, famous for being the place where the finest tobacco in the world is grown.

The plan is to fly economy with Air Europa via Madrid departing from Gatwick departing on the 13^th September and returning overnight on the 20^th, arriving in Gatwick on the Sunday.

The price is £2425 per person and will include flights, hotels, English speaking tourist guide, transfers, visits, breakfasts all lunches in some great local restaurants and two dinners, based on a shared double room. A single supplement of £245 is payable for those who would not wish to share a room.

The tour is open to all.

WHAT IS INCLUDED

• Return flights on Air Europa in economy class from London Gatwick to Havana via Madrid
• Private transfer from Havana Airport to Sevilla Hotel
• 6 nights twin / double room accommodation at the Sevilla Hotel on bed and breakfast basis
• 1 night twin / double room accommodation at a Selected Casa Particular in Vinales on bed and breakfast basis
• Transportation as required in the itinerary and a private guide service throughout the tour
• Lunches every day from Day 2 and Dinners on the 18^th and 19^th September in local restaurants
• Entrance costs for all the visits described in the itinerary where applicable.

Single Room Supplement: £245 per person

Flights with Air Europa (Economy Class)

The prices are based on the below flights as a group fare. The flights are with Air Europa in Economy.**

13/09/2025 LGW-MAD UX1014 1000-1330

14/09/2025 MAD-HAV UX0051 1605-1950

20/09/2025 HAV-MAD UX0052 2155-1250

21/09/2025 MAD-LGW UX1015 1500-1625

Payments Schedule 

**The airline will require a payment immediately to secure the seats and therefore we would require an immediate deposit of £1000 per person at the time of booking. If you wish to join the tour and make your own way to Havana, then please let Matt at Archipelago Choice know and he will quote you for the ground services only.

However, we can offer a £100 reduction in the tour price if bookings are made BEFORE 7 JUNE. The balance can then be paid by the 4^th July

Planned Itinerary*

Saturday 13^th September

Meet up at London Gatwick in time for Air Europa flight to Havana with a short stopover in Madrid.  Arrive into Havana Airport and the warmth of the Caribbean, a transfer will be waiting to take you to the famous, colonial style Sevilla Hotel located in the heart of Old Havana.

Light snacks / tapas will be available from the hotel or local restaurant as well as that first opportunity for a world-famous Cuban cocktail! There may also be time for a short stroll tonight along the Prado, a lovely tree lined road that links the central square to the ocean and famous Malecon seafront promenade.

Sunday 14^th September 

A small fleet of Old American cars will be waiting for a fascinating panoramic tour of Havana visiting the downtown Vedado district and its hectic and fascinating street life. A stop can be made at the imposing Revolution Square and its large statue of Cuba’s National Hero, Jose Marti. Two huge and much photographed murals of Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos also adorn the government buildings overlooking the square.

Continue through the Miramar district of the city with its many embassies and elegant mansion houses and visit the Bosque De La Habana, a wooded park with the River Alemendares running through it.  The drive finishes along the majestic Malecon coastal promenade, known as “Havana Sofa”, as the locals use the sea wall for their socialising. Also pass the famous Hotel Nacional, the Havana home to many a celebrity and Mafia Don over the years.

After the tour we head to Callejon de Hamel, an eclectic street in downtown Havana that is entirely devoted to Afro Cuban culture. On Sundays from noon there is an impromptu gathering of locals and Santería priests dance to the rumba rhythms. The sounds from the drums invoke the spirits of the Santería gods, the Orishas.

The street is decorated with colourful street art, creative sculptures fashioned from recycled materials, small art galleries, market stalls, drinks outlets and cafes. Lunch will be served locally and it’s a great place to relax and enjoy some of the afternoon.

After lunch, Steve Wilkinson will take you on a walk to the famous Hotel Nacional, the Havana, stopping at various places of interest along the way and finishing with a cocktail in the history bar at the hotel. For those who want to continue their walk, a route along the Malecon can take you to the Sevilla, or the guide can arrange taxis for you.

Monday 15^th September

After breakfast head into Old Havana ready for a fascinating and leisurely walk through the narrow streets, absorbing the amazing vibrancy of this historic old town. The main sights can be visited along with having a fascinating peek into the life of the local " Habaneros", how they live, shop, work and socialise in this unique neighbourhood.

Enjoy lunch in a popular private restaurant and the remainder of the day can be yours to enjoy your own exploration of Old Havana or head back to your accommodation to relax by the pool.

Tuesday 16^th September

This morning, head to the embassy district of Miramar to explore the fascinating small museum of the Ministry of the Interior, interestingly housed in an elegant mansion house. The museum depicts the diverse and constant attempts, mainly from the CIA, to destabilise the Cuban Revolution and assassinate Fidel Castro.

Lunch will be served at a traditional restaurant specialising in Cuban cuisine and after lunch continue to the suburb of Jaimanitas for a visit to Fusterlandia!  Local artist Jose Fuster has spent decades turning his neighbourhood into a wonderland of art, decorating houses, gardens, street signs and more. It’s a fascinating and crazy kaleidoscope of colour!

After a very informative day the remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure to enjoy Old Havana independently and if there is time you could visit one of Havana's museums, such as the Havana Club Rum Museum, the City Museum or Fine Arts Museum for a nominal entrance fee .

Wednesday 17^th September  

This morning, we will visit the Centro Fidel Castro Ruz an elegant academic centre, library and meeting location dedicated to the life, work and writings of Fidel Castro. An incredibly interesting centre for those interested in Cuba’s political history.

After a wander around the local area, lunch can be enjoyed in a local restaurant before going to visit and meet with a Professor from the University of Havana Centre for the Study of the United States and the Western Hemisphere. This will be an opportunity to ask all the questions you wish about politics, history and the foreign relations of Cuba.

Thursday 18^th September

Up early this morning for a visit to the beaches at East Havana to enjoy the sunshine and have a swim / paddle and enjoy a stroll along the beach.

Lunch can be enjoyed at a local Casa Particular close to the beach, providing an interesting insight into the lifestyle of the locals living by the ocean.

After lunch we can visit Finca Vigia, the former home of the legendary American author Ernest Hemingway, who lived in Cuba for over 20 years and in fact used to describe himself as a Cuban. His beautiful home, purposely built in a working-class community so he could mix with his fishing friends, was the site where he wrote many of his famous books, including “The Old Man and the Sea”

Return to Havana in the afternoon in time to get ready for your last night in the city and dinner in one of our favourite private restaurants.
For the night owls, we can visit the Fabrica Del Arte Cubano.  Featured by Time magazine as one of the 100 best places to visit in the world, the venue is mix of art galleries, photography exhibitions, contrasting live music and dance rooms, restaurants and bars and more.  Attracting the stylish Habanero and visitors alike, it’s a memorable and unique evening venue.

Friday 19^th September

Leave Havana this morning and head west to the immensely picturesque UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vinales Valley, for an overnight stay in this delightful small rural town, surrounded by the strange “mogotes “, steep sided limestone cliffs rising from the fertile farmland, home to world famous tobacco plantations.

After a journey of under 3 hours you can have a tour of the valley starting with the impressive viewpoint of the valley. Then visit the controversial Pre-History Mural 120-metres tall and one of the largest al fresco paintings in the world. The work was commissioned by Fidel Castro and the keen debate amongst both locals and visitors is that its inspiring art or an eyesore?

Visit the world-famous tobacco plantations, meet the farmers and gain an insight into their lives and learn about the growing process and global fascination of the Cuban cigar.

Head into the caves of El Indio, thought to have been a refuge of the Guanahatabey Indians as well as a burial site! You can also visit a environmental artist project where a local farmer has created unique and amazing wood sculptures from natural debris found in the valley.

Lunch today can be at an organic farm restaurant. This family run cooperative is an award-winning food producer and you can enjoy a taster style platter of local dishes served on the terrace overlooking ‘Silencio’ Valley.

This evening, we will enjoy a dinner in a local restaurant specializing in Cuban food and a fantastic example of the hard work and creativeness shown by the local population in Cuba . We can meet the owners and talk about their project and thoughts on creating a private business in Cuba as well as their aspirations for the future.

Saturday 20^th September

There is an option to be up early on your last day in Cuba for a walk to climb up to a most amazing viewpoint to watch the sunrise over Vinales Valley, an awe-inspiring experience.

Also visit the community of the ‘Los Aquaticos’, who firmly believe and live by the doctrine of the medicinal and therapeutic properties of the local water. The tiny community maintain their deep faith in this long-standing tradition and have a relatively isolated presence from the main villagers living in Vinales. Enjoy a coffee and chat with the “Los Acuaticos” before descending back to the valley.

The remainder of the day will be free to relax in Vinales and explore the small market stalls in the centre of the town, before lunch is served in a local restaurant and a transfer takes us back to Havana airport in time for our flight departing at 21 45 hours

Sunday 21^st September

After a short stopover in Madrid, land back into London Gatwick as 1625 hours today.

If you are interested in this tour:

Please let Steve Wilkinson stephen.wilkinson@buckingham.ac.uk know that you are interested as soon as you can.  Send him your full name, dob, nationality and passport number. He will then pass your details to Matthew O’Sullivan at Archipelago Choice who will take your booking and charge you the deposit.

Visas

Cuban visas can be easily purchased online for a flat rate of £20 per person. This is not included in the price. The system is easy to manage, and Archipelago Choice will guide you on how to complete the two simple forms.

ATOL  

All bookings including a flight originating from the UK would be fully protected under the ATOL Licence of Archipelago Choice which is 6059

INSURANCE: If you are a student or employee of the University, you may be covered by the University’s policy (pending confirmation). We will provide details after booking. If you are not a student or employee, you will need to acquire travel insurance, Archipelago Choice  can advise on this.

ADD ON WEEK: If you wish to extend your stay in Cuba for an extra week, this may be possible to arrange. Please inform Matthew and he will be able to offer packages to suit your needs.

QUERIES: Dr Stephen Wilkinson  +44 (0)7956 381640 stephen.wilkinson@buckingham.ac.uk

COVID: Currently there are no restrictions on entry to the country. But passengers must have a valid health insurance policy.

*Please note: All prices and details may be subject to change. The flights are subject to availability at the time of booking and prices can change until the seats are secured. Early booking is strongly advised. For those living in the north of the UK it can be possible to receive a quote based on Air France flights that have departures from Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham via Paris.

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Radamés Giro

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