HAVANA, TRINIDAD, VINALES
Welcome to Camera Odysseys
We are your next photo travel adventure!
This workshop will help bring your photography to the next level.
We will be reviewing our images as we shoot.
Our destinations are remote and exciting. But that's not the only reason they are fascinating. They’re also some of the most extraordinary places in the world – mysterious, romantic, exotic, and exquisitely beautiful – that are ideal for photo travel adventures.
Our destinations have been timeless, with very little change over the years. But they are endangered and will change dramatically as they embrace 21st century changes. That’s a key reason we help you experience, document, and share these fragile, anachronistic ways of life in faraway places while you still can
TRAVEL LIKE A JOURNALIST,
LIVE LIKE A NATIVE,
SHOOT LIKE A PROFESSIONAL
This Is Cuba!
Our 2023 Winter Trip is scheduled for April 28th to May 7th
The Magic of Old Havana
Enjoy local music and culture with colorful Cuban dancers, musicians, boxers, and artists. Ride in vintage American cars and explore the charming backstreets of old Havana humming with music, energy, and Cuban cuisine. Meet artists and purchase their work directly from them.
· Let’s Meet the Tobacco Farmers!
This trip includes one of our favorite remote places, giving you a travel adventure with a twist that no ordinary group could offer. In Cuba, we don’t just visit magnificent urban Havana, we travel to Viñales to meet some of the most famous tobacco growers and cigar makers in the world. Think of this experience as the equivalent of learning about great wines in Bordeaux and Burgundy.
· Visit UNIESCO Heritage Site, Trinidad
This photo-ready waterfront town on Cuba’s south coast is charming in its pure and simple style. Trinidad is known for its historical buildings and beauty, and is one of the best-preserved cities in the Caribbean from the time when the sugar trade was the main industry in the region.
Our Crew
Bruce Byers,
Founder and Head Photographer
You’ll find Bruce on the streets of the world, photographing people and places. He knows Cuba intimately and this will be his 25th trip to the island. Bruce designs trips to make sure you see and photograph the world in a unique way. He is passionate about Cuba and eager to share what makes this country and its amazing people so memorable. Over the course of the Cuban adventure, you will learn skills and perspectives from his informal photo workshop:
The difference between photography and pictures
How to take photographs that tell visually rich narratives
How to use design in photography through color, texture, light, perspective, and detail
How to craft your own unique visual voice
Carlos Rene Aguilera Tamayo
World-Renown Cuban Artist
Our resident Cuban artist Carlos will travel with us to share the world of Cuban artists. A native of Santiago, he follows in the footsteps of his famous Cuban artist father, José Julián Aguilera Vicente. Engaging, charming, with a great sense of humor and worldwide sophistication, Carlos will be our window into life and culture of Cuba, assisting in your one-one-one conversations with some of the most talented working artists in Cuba today as well as all the people you will meet on your adventure.
Can We Legally Go to Cuba?
Yes! Camera Odysseys has traveled to Cuba for the past 10 years. We have great friends and connections to make your trip a once in a lifetime adventure. Camera Odysseys is licensed to bring groups into Cuba under the auspices of “Support for the Cuban people.”
Is Cuba Safe?
Cuba is completely safe, and the local residents are friendly and curious about visitors. It is safe to walk the streets alone at night (although we recommend walking with a buddy or two), and the country is welcoming. The Cubans depend on tourism, so they are open to visitors.
Is There Internet and Cell Service?
There are several hotspots in Havana where you can access the internet, but US phone service is not available. Texts are operational as is email with a hotspot, however US carriers will charge significant roaming charges for texts. We have a private hotspot available for our guests to text/email
Price and Fees
Our Lighting Workshop
Trip is scheduled for
April 28th to May 6th
Workshop starts in Havana, Cuba
Havana to Trinidad, Viñales
· All-inclusive 8 nights, 9 days
· $4350 (double occupancy)
· Singles is a $550 supplement.
· Deposit, $900, due March 31st
· Trips can be extended. Call Bruce for details. Mobile: 917-992-1453
Note: Final schedule may deviate from plan due to conditions on the ground.
Please be flexible.
What's Included
· All meals
· All ground transport in Cuba
· Accommodations in a charming casa (bed and breakfast)
· Entrance fees to all attractions included in the itinerary
What's NOT Included:
· Any pre-departure hotel in the US
· Airfare to Havana.
· Travel insurance. You need to get your own personal travel insurance for medical and trip cancellation.
· Internet or communications costs in Cuba at a Havana hotel/internet facility
· Alcoholic beverages
April 28th Arrive in Havana
Arrival at Havana’s Jose Marti International Airport. Private transfer from the airport for lodging.
Check into local casa
Welcome rum toast
Walk the Malecon for stunning sunset photo opportunity
Opening dinner in a local café with music.
We will explore a neighborhood to photograph after dark (optional),
There are many music and club options that you can choose from after our walk.
April 29th Havana
· Sunrise on the Malecon: fishermen, boats, tall ships, seascapes, local Havana residents
· Breakfast served in your casa
· Walk to the Capitol area of Havana. This walk will introduce you to the brilliant colors of Havana. The city will be alive with friendly Cubans and vintage American cars.
· A city-wide ride in a vintage car to get an overall feel for Havana with surprising glimpses into the past.
· Lunch in a café owned by a Cuban photographer, complete with refreshing cold Cuban beer and terrific sandwiches.
· Explore the beautiful plazas of old Havana
· Photograph locations from the 16th century
· Sunset on the streets with vintage cars as backdrops
· Dinner in a local cafe’
· Evening walk in a new neighborhood (optional)
April 30th
We are off to Trinidad
We head for the town of: Trinidad, a water front UNESCO city on Cuba’s south coast known for its beauty and an historical importance. Trinidad is one of the best-preserved cities in the Caribbean from the time when the sugar trade was the main industry in the region.
We will stop at a local farm to photograph local life.
Jim will conduct a lighting workshop on site.
· Depart after breakfast at casa.
· Lunch on the road.
· Arrive Trinidad early afternoon to explore the street life.
· Rooftop sunset gathering and rum tasting.
· Dinner at local restaurant with music.
· Evening walk and music in the square (optional).
May 1st Trinidad
Breakfast: 7:30 in your casa
Walk the city visiting the town square and streets in between.
· Sunrise walk
· Breakfast in your casa.
· Walk the city visiting the town square and colorful streets .
· Visit local artist studios.
· Lunch at a hilltop restaurant (great view of the town).
· Early afternoon, return to Havana. We will visit the countryside and sugar cane fields.
· Dinner at a local café.
May 2nd Havana
Lets go Boxing ( photographing the boxers )
· Sunrise on the Malecon
· Visit to: Gimnasio de Boxeo Trejo. This boxing gym is famous for coaching young Cuban boxers who will show off their physical skills and sit for portraits.
· Lunch at an artist’s studio with music and great art to see and purchase’
· Ride in vintage cars to visit El Cristo de La Habana (Havana’s monumental statue of Christ) and a stop at Moro Castle to photograph its 16th-18th century-old walls, canons and a great skyline of Havana and the Malecon.
· Return to the Malecon by local ferry for sunset and music.
· Dinner at a local café.
· Evening photo walk in another old Havana neighborhood. (optional).
May 3rd Havana
Early Morning, Dancers
Flamenco Dancers in the Havana Cathedral Square. These great dancers will make it easy for you to create images with them with a once in a life time backdrops of 15th century buildings. This is always a lively shoot.
Breakfast in a local cafe'
We will be joined by one of the teachers from Old Havana Restoration School and Workshop to talk about the restoration of Old Havana and for those that want to can take a tour of the school that is putting Havana back together. We will be allowed to photograph the students and their work.
Visit Taller experimental de Grafica, a famous printmakers workshop to watch, photograph and talk with the Cuban artist as they create their work.
Lunch at local neighborhood Paladar El Reconejo
The Old Square has one of just 7 commercial Camera Obscura in the world. It is a great way to step inside a camera and see Havana live. After which we will photograph the other great square of old Havana. San Francisco has a great church tower for full city shots.
Other places to visit. We can put short trips together for those that want to go.
Optional Travel to Havana's Fusterlandia
Optional Travel to the Hemingway House
Sunset we will be at the Malecon.
Dinner: at the Art Factory, a great place for art, photograph, music and mixed media.
May 4th Viñales
Viñales and the Tobacco Farms
Early departure in private bus for scenic drive to the tobacco region of Viñales
· Lunch with a local farmer at his home.
· Visit to local tobacco farms offering unique photo opps.
· Capture the beauty of the local landscape
· Visit with local artist
· Return to Havana.
May 5th Havana
Sunrise either Malecon or streets
· Breakfast in your casa.
· Free time to return to the locations you loved, visit museums, explore old Havana.
· Lunch with an artist in his/her studio
· Visit to Fusterville, a living performance art village covered in mosaics by Jose Fuster.
· Sunset on Malecon.
· Music and drinks at the historic Hotel National.
Farewell dinner and music at La Guarida
May 6th Departure Day
To extend your stay call Bruce before booking. Cell: 917-992-1453
Please reach us at info@cameraodysseys.com for any additional information
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. As of our last trip May 2022 we could not bring back Rum or Cigars. BUT this changes all the time.
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: Get at the airport or ask Camera Odysseys to get one for you.
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.
A. Traveling with Camera Odysseys we will travel under the License; Support of the Cuban People
B. Camera Odysseys will take care of this for you.
VACCINATIONS:
Your should have all your Covid Vaccinations
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..