Visit Cuba with the IISC

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

 

Fully guided, 7 nights with flights, breakfasts and lunches.

*£2,610

Following successful tours in 2018, 2019 and last year, the IISC in conjunction with the Department of Politics at the University of Buckingham, is planning another study visit to Cuba led by Dr Stephen Wilkinson, who lectures on Latin American and Cuban Politics, 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 protected Cuba Specialist Travel company Captivating Cuba. The itinerary includes visits to two of Cuba’s top Universities to meet students and staff.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 by the pool and explore Havana!

The plan is to fly economy with Air Europa via Madrid departing from Gatwick on Saturday 14^th September and returning overnight on Saturday 21^st arriving in Heathrow on Sunday 22^nd. The group will stay at the Hotel Telegrafo in Havana the Hotel America in Santa Clara and the Hotel Barcelona in Remedios, Villa Clara.

The price of £2,210* includes the visa, flight, hotels, English speaking tourist guide, transfers, visits, and stated lunches, based on a shared double room. A single supplement of £319* is estimated for those who would not wish to share a room.

The tour is open to all students, alumni, staff and their relatives or friends.

‘An excellent complement to my course’

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

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 your email and please reply by May 15^th, 2024.

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 Saturday 14^th Sept

Arrive Havana. Check-in to Hotel.

Evening: Welcome dinner in a nearby restaurant.

 

Day 2 Sunday 15^th Sept

9.30 am Guided tour around Old Havana.  Visit to the Hemingway room at the Ambos Mundos Hotel

Lunch in the Ambos Mundos.

2:00 pm: visit to Revolution Square and Jose Marti Monument Museum. Cocktail at the Hotel Nacional.

6:00 pm: Transfer to hotel – evening free.

 

Day 3 Monday 16^th Sept.

8:0 am: Pick up at hotel and visit to the University of Artemisa. Visti to the Orchid Garden research centre and waterfall of Soroa. Opportunity to bathe in the waterfall.

6:00pm: Return to Hotel

Evening: Dinner in a private restaurant.

 

Day 4 Tuesday 17^th Sept.

8.30am: Check out of hotel

9.30am visit to the Calixto Garcia Hospital.

12.30pm Lunch in a private restaurant

2pmTravel to Santa Clara.

5.30pm Check into Hotel.

7pm Dinner in Santa Rosalia restaurant.

Evening in the city.

 

Day 5 Wednesday 18^th Sept

8:45 am: Pick up at hotel and visit The University of Villa Clara ‘Marta Abreu’

9.00 am. Meet and greet.

10.00am Activity with language students.

11.30am: Salsa lessons

1.30pm. Lunch in Santa Clara.

2:00 pm: Visit the Mausoleum of Che Guevara and the historic train monument. Coffee in the Revolution café.

Evening Free.

 

Day 6 Thursday 19^th Sept

7.30 am Breakfast. Check out

8.30-Depart for Remedios.

Visit the Sugar Mill museum

1.30 Lunch at beach restaurant on the Cayos

Afternoon on the beach.

Return to Remedios Check into the Hotel Barcelona

Dinner in local restaurant.

 

Day 7 Friday 19^th Sept

8am Check out and transfer back to Havana.

Lunch in Kilometro Zero

2pm Visit National Arts Museum and Museum of the revolution.

4pm Check into Hotel Telegrafo

19:00. Farewell dinner in El Cocinero restaurant and night club.

 

Day 8 Saturday 14^th Sept.

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

1. 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.*

14/09/2024 LGW-MAD UX1014 1000-1330

14/09/2024 MAD-HAV UX0051 1605-1950

 

21/09/2024 HAV-MAD UX0052 2155-1250

22/09/2024 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 hotels as per itinerary.

Price per person based on a double occupancy room £2,610

Price per person based on Single occupancy £2,929

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.

 

If you are interested in this tour:

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 interested. As soon as we have sufficient numbers we will then provide details on how to book and pay your deposit..

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. In Santa Clara the hotel may be subject to change depending on availability.