Experience Havana de Cuba
like a local.
For artists and photographers
of all skill levels.
This is a great trip for the artist to work hands on with a local Cuban artist, Our artist from Santiago, will be doing a printing workshop in Havana.
It is also a great trip for the photographer as you will be able to work with Bruce Byers
who has been to Cuba many times and is hands on with helping you create the images
you want.
Trip runs February 17-25, 2018
We will fly direct from Philly and NYC on the 17th.
Workshop will begin in Havana visiting local Cuban artists, printing center and the historical streets. Old cars are a must along with the sunsets on the Malecon.
February 20th we are off to Vinales to immerse yourself in beauty of the famous tobacco region for the day.
The next 4 days we will be working with Carlos Aguilera a great Cuban painter and print maker.
Photographers will work with Bruce Byers on the streets, people and architecture of Havana. We will be photographing the dancers, boxers,artist and culture. i
The streets and artist studios, will be our home in Havana Cuba.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba click here
Sold out. Check out Cuba trip Feb 2-2 to 2-11
Plus $300 for plane fare
By Sept 1st 2017. ( 100$ off for early sign up)
(Non-refundable unless trip is canceled)
Includes from airfare from Fort Lauderdale, accommodations and workshop in Cuba
4 dinners and 4 lunches included.
Stay in Casa Particulars, in the home of local families {breakfast included}
Enjoy some group meals at local restaurants and artist studios.
Special opportunities for sketching, painting, printmaking, collage, mixed media with Carlos Aguilera
Photography under the tutelage of Bruce Byers
Artist bring your cameras too.
Havana
$900 deposit for 7th to 15th Havana to Trinidad and Vinales
Bruce Byers, well known NYC street and travel photographer
Byers has traveled all over the world preserving his observations on film. He explains, “I am intrigued by the emotional power of an individual’s private reveries, typically unobserved by the outside world. Traveling Cuba over the past 10 years has made it seem like my second home. The friends I know in Cuba will quickly become yours too."
Carlos Aguilera, accomplished Cuban painter and printmaker. Carlos René Aguilera Tamayo was born in Santiago de Cuba in 1965. In addition to exhibiting widely in Cuba, he has also shown his work in New York, the Dominican Republic, throughout Eastern and Western Europe and Latin America. In1996 he won a gold medal at the Third Caribbean and Central American Biennial in Santo Domingo.
As you probably are aware, President Trump announced new restrictions on travel to Cuba. These changes DO NOT AFFECT Camera Odysseys’ trip planned for February 17th to the 25th, 2018. Our itinerary adheres to the requirements for educational people-to-people exchanges that will continue to be allowed under the new guidelines. In fact, trips like ours are now the ONLY way to see Cuba under the new rules. Working with Camera Odysseys, we will handle your Cuban visa and all documentation requirements for the journey. We hope you will consider joining us on this truly special trip during this important historical moment. And if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me directly at 917-992-1453. I have run many People-to-People trips to Cuba since 2010 and would be happy to talk about my experience visiting this fascinating island nation.
Is Cuba safe?
Yes, American tourists are safe throughout Cuba, though we always recommend using common sense.
Daily itinerary: Starts in Havana with direct flights from NYC and Philly
Day 1 Feb 17th- Travel to Havana
In Havana we plan to walk the streets of 15th century Spanish architecture. Have meals with local artists. Photograph the old cars, street, Cuban local life. Get to know Cuba.
Lunch in a local resturant with music
Afternoon: Ride the double decker bus to get the feeling of Havana.
Sunset: On the Malecon ( along the water) for sunset, music and local life
Dinner: Welcome dinner
Evening: Hotel National to hear music and go back in time.
First day is to give you the flavor of Cuban life and begin to immerse you in the culture.
Days 2 Feb 18th- Havana
6:30 Sunrise on the Malecon
8:30: Breakfast in your casa
The morning will be exploring the local streets, photographing the local street life. Every corner has the colors of Cuba and the cars of a past time. The buildings will be a time travel into the 20's and the 15th century. Your head will move in many directions.
Lunch: will be in a local Cuban artist's studio. (Nelson Vilalobos) Here we will get to talk, take photograph and live the art of the Cuban artist.
Afternoon: Walk the square of Old Havana.
Visits to Moro Castle by old American cars,
Sunset: on the Malecon
Dinner: Be ready for a night of dance, music, art and food at the famous La Fabrica de Arte Cubano
Day 3 Feb 19th- Havana
6:30 Sunrise on the Malecon
8:30: Breakfast in your casa
Today we will go to Taller experimental de Grafica
This is the famous local printing workshop. You will get to stand next to the artist as they pull prints from century old presses. The artist are open to your questions and love to get you involved with what they are doing. Art is for sale too.
Lunch: With a local Cuban artist in their studio. (Kamil Ballaudi)
Afternoon: Walk the squares, Camera Obscure in Old Square
Sunset on the Malecon
Dinner: Music and good food at local resturant ( dinner not included)
Evening: On your own. Depending on what is going on in Havana, there will be a number of different night time activities to pick from.
Day 4 Feb 20th- Travel to Vinales into the tobacco region of Cuba
Vinales
Vinales is home to the valleys that produce the greatest tobacco. The beauty is second to none. We meet with artist for lunch and to learn their about their art. We will photograph the farmers and the vallieys. There will be great photos to take and plenty of inspiration for creating in the up-coming workshop.
Other day trips will include:
Fusterlandia where we can create ceramic designs they might add to the art of the town.
Visit the buildings of Old Havana from the inside out with Gessen from the restoration school.
Days 5-8 Feb 21st-24th Havana
Workshop begins. Hands on art creation.
Each day we will take trips around town to look for materials for our printing.
Lunches will be either in local Cuban Cafe's or with local artist we will visit.
The photographers in the group will go off with Bruce to shoot at sunrise and sunset around the city and the Malecon. We will go to the famous boxing ring to meet and photograph Cuba's young hopefuls. On the Malecon we will work with local Flamingo dances with 15th century forts as a background. The streets are full of old colorful cars and are great for local life. There will also be walks at night.
Carlos
There will be lots of things to get involved in ( too many for the time we have )
Flea markets to find materials
Streets of Old Havana
Art galleries
15th century arictechture
Moro Castle
Dinner at artists
Old cars
Day 9 Feb 25th Travel to US
( You just might want to stay )
Workshop materials
For the Artist:
We will figure out what supplies need to brought with us depending on the type of art and printing we pan todo. We will be calling everyone to get an idea of what the workshop will be. Cuba is limited in supplies.
For the Photographer:
Bring your usual gear. We will do a fair amount of walking and you will need to carry your own equipment. Call Bruce to talk 917-992-1453
What's Included:
Some Meals (listed on itinerary) 4 dinners 4 lunches
All ground transport in Cuba
Accommodations in Casas (bed and breakfast) including breakfast
Visa to Cuba
Medical insurance in Cuba (Note this is not travel cancellation insurance)
Entrance fees to attractions listed on itinerary
What's NOT included:
Alcoholic beverages
Accommodations at starting off point in US
Travel insurance
Some meals (refer to itinerary)
Ground transport at starting off point in US
$300 plane fare ( we are taking direct flights from Philly and NYC
Internet or communications costs in Cuba
Workshop materials you need to bring
Note: Final schedule may deviate from plan due to conditions on the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba
What do I need to bring with me?
You will need your passport and a visa (Camera Odysseys will take care of this) for entry into Cuba. Once there, shopping for essential items like toiletries is nearly impossible. You must bring anything you will need, including all medications. You will also need enough cash to last throughout your trip, since most American credit and debit cards are not accepted in Cuba, traveler’s checks are not accepted, and ATM cards issued by a U.S. bank cannot be used. I always say " You can always bring the USA cash home, you can't get more once there."
What should I leave at home?
Walkie talkies, satellite phones, and GPS devices are not allowed, and should be left at home. There is no phone service for U.S. cell phones in Cuba. Plan to be without internet for the duration of your trip—it is available in some Cuban hotels for a fee, but it is slow and unreliable. We will have a Cuban phone with us if there is a need to call the USA.
What is Cuban food like?
Cuban cuisine varies widely depending on the season, location, and market prices—and is limited by what’s available to the Cuban people. Thus, it includes staples like rice, beans, chicken, fish, pork, plantains, and root vegetables. As seasonings are hard to come by, we invite you to bring packaged spices, for your own use and to give to locals as gifts.
What can I bring back from Cuba?
U.S. Customs rules surrounding Cuban souvenirs are similar to those for other countries. Since late last year, the limits on the number or value of Cuban cigars and alcohol have been eased, so you can bring back as much as you want. We also recommend Cuban coffee and art as a lasting memory of your adventure.
Is Cuba safe?
Yes, American tourists are safe throughout Cuba, though we always recommend using common sense. Please see your Final Documents for more detailed information.
Quick Facts
PASSPORT VALIDITY:
Must be valid at time of entry. You need 6 months on the passport. USA requirement.
BLANK PASSPORT PAGES:
Two pages are required for entry/exit stamps
TOURIST VISA REQUIRED:
Tourist travel to Cuba remains prohibited. You must obtain a license from the Department of Treasury or your travel must fall into one of 12 categories of authorized travel. See ENTRY, EXIT & VISA REQUIREMENTS below.
Camera Odysseys will take care of this for you.
VACCINATIONS:
None
CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR ENTRY:
U.S. credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba. Bring cash to cover your stay. The Cuban government requires that travelers declare cash amounts over 5,000 USD. Travelers should note that the Government of Cuba charges a 10 percent fee for all U.S. dollar cash conversions; this does not apply to electronic transactions or cash conversions in other currencies.
Camera Odysseys will exchange money for you..
