Support for the Cuban People Program
People • Culture • Food • UNESCO World Heritage Sites • Architecture
October 25 – 31, 2023
(NEW DATES!)
March 27 – April 2, 2024
(JUST A FEW ROOMS LEFT!)
Support for the Cuban People Program
People • Culture • Food • UNESCO World Heritage Sites • Architecture
October 25 – 31, 2023
(NEW DATES!)
JOIN US ON A FULLY-LICENSED PROGRAM IN
SUPPORT OF THE CUBAN PEOPLE
LIMITED TO 8 to 15 PARTICIPANTS MAXIMUM
RECENTLY ANNOUNCED!
This fully-licensed program is sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Treasury OFAC to travel legally to Cuba under the designation of Support for the Cuban People.
Included are all accommodations in Cuba, group transportation, airport transfers in Cuba, group tips for local guides and drivers, and most meals. Health insurance in Cuba for those 79 years of age and younger, is also included, plus much more.
Items not included are your airfare to and from Miami and to and from Havana; your tourist card issued for travel to Cuba (secured from the airline upon check-in and currently US$85), or a one-night hotel stay in Miami the day before the trip starts.
See the individual tabs below for much more detailed information on these incredible programs.
WHEN
TWO DEPARTURES
October 25 – 31, 2023*
and
March 27 – April 2, 2024*
* That said, you’ll be required to arrive in Miami the day before each of the above dates in order to make what is expected to be an early morning flight to Havana the next morning.
COST
$4,499 per person in Double Occupancy.
Please add $699 for Single Supplement if you’d like your own room throughout the program.
NOTE: Single rooms are strictly limited.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER
Please request the details of this trip by contacting your Tour Leader, Ralph Velasco, at ralph@ContinentalDRIFTER.co.
Your participation is not confirmed until the completed Reservation and Terms & Conditions Forms, plus an image of valid passport and payment in full, have been received.
Our Support for the Cuban People Program Includes (exact details subject to change)
- Cultural exchanges with local Cubans.
- Medical insurance while in Cuba for those 79 years of age and younger (included with your airline ticket to the island).
- Accommodations at a centrally-located casa particular in Havana.
- Breakfast daily and most other meals.
- Services of an English-speaking guide throughout.
- Transfers in an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver for most program activities.
- Day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Viñales Valley.
- Group tips for our guide(s), bus driver, and for all included meals.
Program Does Not Include
- Airfare to and from Miami from your home airport.
- Airfare to and from Havana from Miami (estimated to be around US$300).
- Accommodations in Miami the night before the program start date (we’ll provide hotel information).
- Fee for tourist card which is payable to the airline at check-in in Miami (currently US$85).
- Items of a personal nature such as, but not limited to, baggage fees, laundry, Internet access, telephone calls, additional tips, alcoholic beverages, and other items not specifically outlined as included in the Itinerary.
Experiential highlights include*
- Various orientation walks with our local guide.
- Day trip to the Viñales Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where we’ll experience the town of Viñales and a visit to a local tobacco farm to learn about this unique process, as well as have lunch at a picturesque organic farm.
- Classic American car ride through the streets featuring the highlights of Havana.
- Visit to a cigar factory in Havana where we can witness how cigars are handmade to this day in Cuba.
- Wonderful meals at hand-selected restaurants throughout Havana and Viñales, including limited alcoholic and other drinks.
- Ride on “la lanchita,” the locals’ ferry in Havana harbor.
- Visit the otherworldly gallery of world-famous artist Jose Fuster in the neighborhood of Jaimanitas.
- Visit Morro Cabaña, a.k.a. Castillo del Morro, and the lighthouse, the icon of Havana.
- If he’s available, a private visit with world-renown photographer Sr. Roberto Salas at his home in Havana, where he’ll share stories and show us photographs of his time spent photographing revolutionaries Fidel and Raul Castro, as well as Ernesto “Che” Guevara, along with his other fabulous work, as well as that of his father.
- Visit a local farmer’s market.
- Much more.
* All activities are subject to change and availability.
Ralph Velasco is a U.S.-based travel photography instructor, author, and international Tour Leader who for more than 15 years has organized and led over 120 international, multi-week tours and more than 100 domestic tours in the United States. His international trips have included Armenia & the Republic of Georgia, Egypt, Morocco, the Adriatic, Central Europe, Iceland, Bhutan & Nepal, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Spain, Portugal, Tuscany, Romania, Mexico’s Copper Canyon, Turkey, Colombia, and many other locations.
Ralph is an award-winning travel photographer, podcast host, and public speaker, and for more than 15 years he’s been the Founder and CEO (Chief Experience Officer) of PhotoEnrichment Programs, Inc. d.b.a. The Continental DRIFTER®.
His trips focus on the culture, people, food, drink, and other unique activities and experiences each place has to offer. Each trip has guests staying in unforgettable properties, such as private castles, wine estates, one-of-a-kind boutique hotels, villas, mansions, and converted monasteries around the world.
Subscribe to Ralph’s YouTube channel, The Continental DRIFTER®, as well as visit its accompanying travel blog at this link. At The Continental DRIFTER®, you can expect travel advice, interesting stories, expert interviews, and easy-to-use photography tips for Baby Boomers and Gen X travelers.
Remember, DRIFTER…life’s too short not to travel!
Cuba Testimonials
“Cuba is a destination that everyone should try to get to. Going with Ralph and PhotoEnrichment Adventures made this trip a 10+ in my opinion. Everything was well communicated and planned out. All of the activities are well thought out and different than typical touristy things. It made me want to get up and out each day to enjoy the adventure as well as the people in our group.
The balance of planned activities and free time was just enough. I came into this trip as a “tourist” picture taker with my iPhone and Canon Elph….but with guidance from Ralph and all of the easy-to-learn tips about photography, I now have a new excitement about pursuing this hobby as a photographer. I have always loved traveling and this trip was nothing but perfect! I look forward to more trips with PhotoEnrichment Adventures!”
~ Carol R. (2023 Colombia, 2018 Vietnam, 2018 Cuba, 2019 Armenia-Georgia, 2019 Morocco, 2019 Costa Rica)
“I truly enjoyed my trip to Cuba. There are so many opinions about what Cuba is and isn’t, and this trip enabled me to see and experience this beautiful country and the warm, welcoming people who live there!”
~ Linda H. (2022 Spain, 2018 Cuba and 2012 Morocco)
“I love photography but to get a heavy-duty cultural trip was really a bonus. So great to learn about a country and the people!! Thanks so much, Ralph.”
~ Kathy S. (2018 Cuba and 2012 Morocco)
“I’m a repeat client of PhotoEnrichment Adventures because the itineraries are well planned, Ralph is an exceptional tour leader and the other participants are always cool. I’ve been to Havana twice before but had a completely new experience there on my recent trip with Ralph. Great value for money.”
~ Jen B. (2018 Cuba & 2016 Lapland)
“I had an amazing time on my trip to Cuba with our wonderful leader, Ralph Velasco. The activities each day were fun, interesting, and a great experience. I learned a lot about Cuban daily life during our walks through Habana, from our local guide, Amed, and during visits to the farmer’s market, a renowned photographer’s home, and brief chats with people in local shops. I’ll recommend this trip to everyone! We also had so much great food, Cuban music almost everywhere we went, and a wonderful group of fellow travelers who were also charmed by Cuba and this fantastic trip!”
~ Connie L. (2018 Cuba & Chicago)
“This was my second trip with Ralph Velasco’s PhotoEnrichment Programs, and this experience was as wonderful as my first trip (to rural Romania) last year! Both programs were extremely well-planned and organized, with a great balance of non-repetitious activities. In Cuba, the objective of the trip was to get as familiar with the people as possible, and this was achieved in many ways — first and foremost, through our local guide Amed, who was extremely engaging, knowledgeable not only of the sights but Cuba’s geopolitics, and never missed an opportunity to provide insightful explanations.
We did some wonderful “street photography” walks, which for me was the highlight of the trip. And Ralph seems to attract group participants who are enthusiastic and eager to learn as much as they can about the places they’re visiting. While Ralph gives us a lot of suggestions on finding photo opportunities and taking good shots, the program is not overly technical — all individuals (regardless of their level of photography expertise) will benefit. I learned a huge amount both from Ralph and the other participants.
I highly recommend PhotoEnrichment’s programs, based on this trip, my experience last year in Romania, and reports I heard from others who have gone on various PhotoEnrichment trips. In fact, several people in our group enjoyed this trip so much that we’ve asked Ralph to organize a “Cuba II” program next year!”
~ Matthew E. (2022 Antarctica, 2018 Cuba & 2017 Romania)
“I loved our trip to Cuba with Ralph Velasco. Photo opportunities are extensive including the crumbling houses next to the beautiful art deco refurbished ones, the people who enjoyed interacting with us and having their photo taken, the music, the art and the wonderful old cars that make Havana a special place. Cuba is a country I definitely want to return to. PEA did a wonderful job arranging visas, transportation, accommodations, meals and tours.”
~ Mary Anne J. (2018 Cuba)
“Mary Anne and I look forward to more trips with you.”
~ Gil J. (2018 Cuba)
“Cuba is amazing. I was impressed with how colorful the buildings, cars and clothes are in Cuba, it seems to match the warmth and enthusiasm of the people. The food was delicioso and very flavorful, but not spicy hot so it was easy to enjoy. My husband and I hope we can return sometime, there is so much to experience, it would absolutely be worth a second (or third) look.”
~Amy and Robert M. (2017 Cuba)
“So much fun, the people of Cuba are so happy and so into music and art. I learned so much about the history of Cuba. The photo opportunities were endless. Ralph and Amed put together the perfect blend of activities. I could not have been more happy.”
~ Steve G. (2017 Cuba, 2016 Cambodia, 2015 Vietnam)
“We had a great time in Havana. Ralph seems to attract really good travelers. Everyone got along really well. The trip was well planned and hit all the best places in Havana. The accommodations were top notch and the trip ran very smoothly. No hitches or surprises.”
~ Patrick M. (2017, 2015, 2014 Cuba with PEA)
“Thanks again for such an amazing trip…my photography interest and appetite have completely grown since the trip and I have come back so invigorated and inspired. I’m excited to learn more and begin to take some higher-quality pictures.”
~Sarah R. (2015 Cuba)
All activities and itinerary details are subject to change, but rest assured we’ll make every effort to provide a comparable alternative should changes to our schedule need to be made.
