NOTE: On June 4, 2019, the Trump administration rescinded the “people to people” educational exchange license. However, every U.S. citizen can still legally travel to Cuba and group travel is still possible, pre-approved, under the “support for the Cuban people” license. Lumaria Workshops’ Cuba program is designed to maximize “support for the Cuban people” through stays at private B&Bs, meals at private restaurants, and interactions with independent artists, Cuban photographers, private tobacco farmers, etc. We are delighted to have National Geographic Cuba expert, Christopher P. Baker joining us to elevate this tour to an experience that goes way above any normal photography workshop.
TOUR DATES:
FEBRUARY 27 – MARCH 8, 2024
COST: $4,950
REGISTER TODAY!
Day 1: Arrive Havana
Clients arrive on separate flights. Our tour begins this evening for an orientation meeting and welcome reception. We’ll then ride in 1950s convertible cars to dinner at La Guarida, Havana’s most sensational (and photogenic) restaurant.
Overnight: Casas particulares, Havana (Meals included: D)
Day 2: Havana
This morning we’ll explore the back streets of Habana Vieja, the colonial quarter, with its non-stop and über-intriguing and colorful street-life, including humble yet immensely photogenic solares (crumbling tenements). In the afternoon, we’ll photograph along the Prado, around Parque Central, and in the earthy and exuberant backstreets of Centro Habana, ending with a stroll along the Malecón at sunset and dusk.
Overnight: Casas particulares, Havana (Meals included: B, D)
Day 3: Havana
More street photography this morning as we hop aboard bicitaxis and head into southern Habana Vieja to photograph boxers at Gimnasio Rafael Trejo (or a similarly funky boxing ring) and spend time shooting in and around Iglesia de la Merced, Havana’s most beautifully decorated church, including its shrine drawing adherents of Santería. After lunch, we’ll enjoy a private photo shoot with Raices Profundas Afro-Cuban dance company (or similar).
Overnight: Casas particulares, Havana (Meals included: B, D)
Day 4: Viñales
This morning we venture beyond Havana to tobacco country. We’ll arrive in Viñales in time for lunch overlooking the valley, renowned for its mogotes (sheer-faced, freestanding limestone formations) and tobacco fields studded by Royal palms. We’ll photograph at our first farm before settling into our private B&Bs, with the balance of the afternoon free to explore this peaceful country village at leisure. We’ll end with a sunset shoot, then dinner at Finca Afro-ecológica El Paraíso.
Overnight: Casas particulares, Viñales (Meals included: B, D)
Day 5: Viñales
Up early for a sunrise shoot in the tobacco fields. We’ll spend much of the day photographing the farmers and magnificent landscapes of this unique region, including breakfast at a farm. Late afternoon and early evening offer further tremendous photo ops as we some of our favorite farmstead homes to photograph exceptionally photogenic personalities. We end with dinner at the village’s finest restaurant.
Overnight: Casas particulares, Viñales (Meals included: B, D)
Day 6: Viñales –Trinidad
We depart early this morning for Trinidad, stopping first at the idyllic mountain village of Las Terrazas for a coffee-break and a short stroll to meet and photograph one of Chris’ artist friends in his studio. After our long journey on the Autopista, we’ll arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage city of Trinidad in late afternoon. Tonight enjoy dinner alfresco at the city’s top gourmet restaurant, boasting views over the colonial core.
Overnight: Casas particulares, Trinidad (Meals included: B, D)
Day 7: Trinidad
We’ll explore Trinidad at sunrise, reveling in the uber-photogenic street life and gorgeous early morning sunlight. The balance of the morning and early afternoon is at leisure to pursue your own photographic interests before we journey to the nearby Río Guarabo for a special late afternoon photo shoot.
Overnight: Casas particulares, Trinidad (Meals included: B, D)
Day 8: Trinidad
This morning we’ll journey into the Valle de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills), a UNESCO World Heritage Site where we’ll photograph a quinceañera–a girl celebrating her fifteenth birthday–at Chris’ favorite 18th-century hacienda. We’ll then enjoy a true country lunch at an adjoining farmstead. The balance of the afternoon is free for you to explore and photograph Trinidad at leisure.
Overnight: Casas particulares, Trinidad (Meals included: B, L)
Day 9: Havana
This morning depart Trinidad and return to Havana, stopping at a former sugarcane processing community to photograph locals in the ration store, surrounded by incredible revolutionary murals. We’ll lunch en route before arriving Havana in late afternoon. This evening is free to dine at leisure, and/or you may choose an optional visit to the Tropicana cabaret.
Overnight: Private B&B, Havana (Meals included: B)
Day 10: Havana
This morning, a tour highlight is our photo session with two ballerinas of Cuba’s acclaimed Ballet Nacional de Cuba. Our two venues for the ballerinas are among the most remarkable historic settings in Havana! The afternoon is at leisure. This evening, we’ll enjoy a slideshow of everyone’s favorite images before our farewell dinner at one of Havana’s top paladares.
Overnight: Private B&B, Havana (Meals included: B, D)
Day 11: Depart
Today depart Havana for home. (Meals included: B)