University of Buckingham Study Tour 2023

University of Buckingham and IISC

Study tour of Cuba 13-23 September 2023*

‘A hugely enjoyable trip with a good balance of learning and fun’
(2018 participant)

Estimated price – *£2,180

Following successful tours in 2018 and 2019, the IISC is once again planning a study visit to Cuba led by Dr Stephen Wilkinson, who lectures on Latin American and Cuban Politics 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.

The flights and itinerary will be organised by the ATOL/ABTA protected Cuba Specialist Travel company Captivating Cuba.

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 relax, explore Havana and enjoy a couple of days at the beach!

The plan is to fly economy with Air Europa via Madrid departing from Gatwick on Saturday 13^th September and returning overnight on Saturday 23^rd  arriving in Heathrow on Sunday 24th. The group will stay at the Hotel Mystique in Havana.

The price of  £2,180* includes the visa, flight, seven nights in the Mystique Havana Regis Hotel and casas, English speaking tourist guide, transfers, visits, and stated lunches, based on a shared double room. A single supplement of £267* is estimated for those who would not wish to share a room.

The tour is open to all.

‘Fantastic organisation, interesting itinerary with a good variety of programmes.’

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN TAKING PART IN THIS TOUR, PLEASE EMAIL Dr Stephen Wilkinson immediately in the first instance. We need a minimum of 10 participants to make this trip work. Please provide your full name DoB and Passport number in you email and please reply by March 14^th, 2023.

ONCE WE HAVE A LIST OF INTERESTED PARTICIPANTS, we will arrange a meeting on teams where Dr Wilkinson and Gemma from Captivating Cuba will explain the programme. (A non-refundable deposit of £150 will be required to make the fight reservations. Payment must be received by  the beginning of June. The balance for the tour must be paid by the beginning of July).

Proposed Itinerary*

Day 1

Arrive Havana. Check-in to Hotel for the next 7 nights

Evening: Welcome dinner in a nearby restaurant.

Day 2

9.00 am Presentation and welcome talk to Cuba by Rafael Hernandez, director of Temas magazine, an independent journal of social and political affairs.

11.00am visit to “La Maqueta de La Habana” in Miramar, for a talk on the history of the city. 1:00 pm: Lunch at paladar “Mojito-Mojito” (paladars are private restaurants)

3:00 pm: Guided tour around Old Havana with an expert from the Old Havana restoration project.  5:00 pm: Transfer to hotel – evening free.

Day 3

9:40 am: Pick up at hotel and visit to Centro de Estudios de la Economía Cubana (CEEC), lecture on Cuban Economy by Dr. Ricardo Torres.

12:00 Lunch at Café Laurent paladar (private restaurant)

2:00pm: Visit to the Centro de Estudios de los Estados Unidos (CESEU), lecture on Cuba-US relationship by Dr. Jorge Mario Sánchez and Dr. Raúl Rodríguez .

4:00 pm: Transfer to hotel Evening free

Day 4

8.30am: Pick up at hotel and visit to the National School of Public Health

The day will start with a conference/presentation on the history of the health system, a visit to polyclinic and a family doctor’s surgery.

1pm Lunch in a local paladar

2pm Transfer to hotel.

Afternoon and Evening free.

Day 5

9:45 am: Pick up at hotel and transfer to the Revolution Square and visit to José Martí Museum. Guided tour.

1.30pm. Lunch at the paladar ‘Cuba 54’ or similar.

2:00 pm: Visit to Instituto Superior de Relaciones Internacional (Diplomats’ training school).

4:30 pm: Transfer to hotel Evening free.

Day 6

9.00 am. Pick up at hotel and visit to the Fusterlandia, home and living workspace of the Cuban Artist Jose Fuster. .

12.00. Lunch in a local paladar ($25 pp)

2pm Visit to the National Art Museum with guided tour.

Evening Dinner at the paladar ‘El Cocinero’ and afterwards visit to the Fabrica del Arte Cubano (if it is open).

Day 7

Day trip to Playas del Este beach outside Havana. Stopover at the Finca Vigia, the home of Ernest Hemingway.

Lunch in Cojimar.

Return to hotel late in the afternoon.

19:00. Farewell dinner at paladar: “La Guarida”

Day 8

8 AM. Free to do last minute shopping. Late checkout.

Afternoon: Transfer to Havana Airport for return flight.

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.*

Saturday 16 Sept.

LGW-MAD UX1014 1000-1330

MAD-HAV UX0051 1610-1945

Sat-Sun 23-24 Sept.

HAV-MAD UX0052 2145-1240

MAD-LGW UX1015 1500-1625

Includes 

– service of guide (English language) and Dr Stephen Wilkinson (Cuba academic specialist)

– private bus for the group in all transfers.

– Lunch and excursions as per described on the itinerary.

– accommodation at comfort casas and hotels as per itinerary.

Price per person based on a double occupancy room £2,180

Price per person based on Single occupancy £2,447

The deposit on this is £150 per person and the balance is payable 8 weeks prior to departure

Please note the price and itinerary is subject to confirmation at this stage. Some of the visits may be retimed or altered but substitute activities will be arranged. 

To BOOK:

We will tell you when sufficient numbers have expressed their desire to go. You should only book at that point. Please let Steve Wilkinson stephen.wilkinson@buckingham.ac.uk know that you are booking. Then contact Gemma at Captivating Cuba to arrange payment. Gemma will take your payment and issue a receipt.

VISAS: Travel to Cuba requires you to purchase a Tourist Card/Visa. These will be supplied by Captivating Cuba and the cost is included in the price.

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, Captivating Cuba 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 Gemma at Captivating Cuba and she will be able to offer packages to suit your needs.

QUERIES: Dr Stephen Wilkinson 07956 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 are approximates only and depend upon numbers of passengers. A minimum of 10 passengers is required. The flights are subject to availability and restricted to the group, itinerary and passenger numbers. Any changes made will be subject to a new quote from Air Europa. The group must travel together in all flights.