As the U.S. government continues to loosen travel restrictions to Cuba following president Obama’s visit earlier this year, Americans piqued with curiosity about the formerly-forbidden Caribbean island are considering travel plans of their own.
The Lincolnwood and Glenview Chamber of Commerce organizations have decided to team up for a seven-day excursion to the island this November.
Director of the Lincolnwood Chamber of Commerce, Jackie Boland, is organizing a trip Nov. 9-16 through tour guide company Chamber Explorations. Boland, who said two chamber members have already registered for the trip, said about 10 people showed up for an information session held at the Lincolnwood Community Center on April 27.
Traveling to Cuba with a large group versus a solo trip has several perks, according to Boland, who said each day includes a full itinerary of stops to some of the most infamous parts of Cuba, including a tour of Old Havana, a stop at a cigar-making factory, and visits to art galleries and museums that encapsulate the country’s rich history and culture.
One stop that’s not on the agenda, however, is a day-long trip to the beach. The U.S. State Department says “the traveler’s schedule of activities must not include free time or recreation in excess of that consistent with a full-time schedule,” so a stop at the beach would be OK, but lingering all day would be off-limits.
On the first day of the trip, the group will depart Miami for a 45-minute flight to Jose Marti International Airport in Havana. The first day includes a stop at the Plaza de la Revolucion in Havana. During the following days, travelers will visit the town of Matanzas, where they’ll go on a walking tour of the town square, the Sauto Theater and the San Carlos Cathedral.
After a three-night stay in Varadero, travelers head back to Havana, where they’ll visit an 1870-era cemetery named after Christopher Columbus, along with a local Cuban dance company and stops at famous hotels and museums. Guests will also have some free time in Old Havana to check out the nightlife, including the world-famous Tropicana Cabaret Show, according to information on Chamber Excursions website.
The last days of the trip will take travelers to the rural Cuban countryside, in the Vinales Valley, which is located in the western-most mountainous range in Cuba, and is known for beautiful scenery including caves, rivers, and tobacco plantations.
While in the rural parts of Cuba, guests will visit Ernest Hemingway’s farm, known by the name Finca La Vigia, or “Lookout House.” There, travelers will be able to see the Nobel Peace Prize winner’s famous yacht, which he used to patrol for Nazis in the Caribbean waters, according to Chamber Explorations.
On the last night, guests will have the chance to interact with members of a vintage car club, who will show-off their autos and discuss Havana’s vintage American vehicles.
While the trip undoubtedly offers a culturally-enriching experience that comes with a rare first-hand glimpse into the Cuban lifestyle, it comes with a price. A $4,000 cost includes all meals and four-and-five star resort stays, along with travel expenses from Miami to Cuba. It doesn’t cover the flight from Chicago to Miami, however, according to Boland.
“The value of the trip is that it’s safe and you’re going with a company that has been there before, so all the kinks have been ironed out,” Boland said. “The tours are paced very well, so you get a lot packed into your day.”
More information on the trip is available at lincolnwoodchamber.org.
Natalie Hayes is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
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