October Educational Exchange Orientation Trip

Higher Education Orientation Trip to Cuba

trip postponed to June

Led by John McAuliff, Executive Director of the Fund for Reconciliation and Development
October 11 - 22, 2012

October 11 Miami Airport Hotel

Optional dinner in Miami with Cuban American friends. (Cost of airport hotel and dinner are not included)

October 12 Santiago Hotel Casagranda LD

Early morning check in for an 8 a.m. charter flight to Santiago de Cuba. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel. Have lunch and then meet with administrators at the Universidad de Oriente. Guests from the university will join us for dinner.

October 13 Santiago Hotel Casagranda BLD

Take a city tour of Santiago and learn about its role in the Cuban Revolution and its dynamic cultural heritage.

October 14 Parque Colon Hotel Playa Pesquero BLD

Explore Parque Natural Cristobal Colon where Columbus landed on October 28, 1492. Visit a Taino village restoration. Later this afternoon, learn about the regions ecological characteristics at the Caverna Tanque Azul, with an opportunity to swim (if you snorkel, bring gear).

October 15 Holguín Hotel Pernik or Villa El Bosque BLD

Depart for Holguín. Upon arrival, visit the city. After lunch, meet with administrators and professors at Universidad de Holguín. Guests will join us for dinner at Paladar La Ternuda.

October 16 Camagey Hotel Colon or Grand Hotel BLD

Depart for Camagüey. Visit the city this afternoon.

October 17 Sancti Spíritus Hotel E Plaza or E del Rijo BLD

This morning, meet administrators at the Universidad de Camagüey. Depart for Sancti Spíritus. Have lunch and meet with representatives from the Nunez Jimenez Foundation (FNJ). See their museum and visit the permaculture organic farm training and research project where students can volunteer. Dine with guests from FNJ and the university.

October 18 Sancti Spíritus-Havana Habana Libre BLD

Meet administrators and professors at the Centro Universitario de Sancti Spíritus (Marti Peres). Depart for Havana. Stop for informal dinner at Playas del Este. If time permits, observe cannon firing ceremony.

October 19 Havana Habana Libre BD

Attend briefings with the Ministry of Higher Education and with study abroad professionals at the University of Havana. This afternoon, visit the International School of the Arts with Paradiso, the tour company of the Ministry of Culture.* Enjoy an evening (with guests) at a performance of Opera de la Calle at its dinner theater El Cabildo.

October 20 Havana Habana Libre BLD

Gather with Dr. Rafael Hernandez to discuss social and economic renovation in Cuba and in-depth programs available for students visiting Havana. Dr. Hernandez is the Director of Temas magazine and 2011 visiting professor at Harvard and Columbia Universities. Have lunch with guests at Yoruba Cultural Association and see a sanitaria religious exhibition. Hear talented musicians preserve and interpret Cuba’s Celtic heritage during a performance by Banda de Gaitas at Teatro Retazos. Have dinner at paladar Las Estaciones or Los Nardos.

October 21 Havana Habana Libre BD

This morning, Dr. Carlos Alzugaray, a former diplomat and 2011 visiting professor at Queens College CUNY, will discuss with us US Cuba relations. Lunch on own followed by an afternoon of self-directed time to follow up on meetings, special interest appointments, or museum visits. Gather for a final dinner.

October 22 Miami B

Transfer to the airport in time for a 10 a.m. charter flight to Miami.

* On request, an effort will be made to arrange alternative appointments at other specialized universities in the Havana area, e.g. Technology (CUJAE), Medicine, Agriculture, Peadagogy, (Full list below.) Personal payment of taxi fares may be necessary.

Please note: Itinerary times, sequence, and content are subject to change

Land and Charter Air Costs:

Per person in double occupancy: $3,920.00

Single occupancy supplement: $275.00

Cost includes: local Cuban guide, all items as indicated in the itinerary such as meals, accommodations, speakers, entrance fees, and group transportation; tourist entry card, tips for guide and driver. Each group lunch/dinner has two beverages, including water, juice, soda, or beer.

Cost does not include: individual tips, tourist card for entry into Cuba, bottled water, departure tax of approximately $27 USD (25 CUC’s), and other items of a personal nature.

Price is based on a minimum of 10 participants. If fewer than ten enroll, a surcharge will apply. A minimum of 8 travelers is needed in order to operate this program.

Charter Air Schedule:

October 12 Miami-Santiago 8:00 AM

October 22 Havana-Miami 10:00 AM

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Land and Charter air package does not include connecting flights from home gateway or hotel at the gateway.

Due to the time of departure from Miami, this trip requires an overnight at an airport hotel on the outbound portion of the trip. John McAuliff will stay at the Miami International Airport Hotel, located within the terminal building. Rooms at this hotel can be reserved for $170 per night including tax.

Important Notes & Requirements:

This program is currently available only for participants who qualify for the general license for full or part-time faculty and staff developing a student program for credit at a tertiary institution or who have a general license for professional research. Third party providers may participate if they are designated to do so as a  representative of qualified institutions.

Before purchasing any connecting air tickets that are non-refundable, wait until you are contacted to confirm we have a guaranteed minimum number of participants. The trip is priced on 10 participants and a minimum of 8 participants will be required for the trip and payments will be refunded if the trip cannot take place.

Due to the short preparation time for this program, participants must send full payment to Holbrook Travel by September 12.   Miami-Santiago and Havana-Miami air tickets cannot be reserved until at least a deposit of $500 is received. Because of the likely limited availability of seats on charter flights an early deposit is recommended.  After September 12, payment is refundable only if the program is canceled. 

Optional travel/trip cancellation Insurance is strongly recommended

See www.travelinsured.com or call Holbrook at 352-377-7111

Universities in Havana under Ministry of Higher Education

Universidad de Habana

Universidad de Ciencias Informaticas

Polytechnic Institute "Jose A. Echeverria" (CUJAE)

Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Agricolas (INCA)

Universidad Agraria de la Habana

Instituto Superior de Diseno

Other Universities and Organizations in Havana

Universidad de Ciencias Pedagogicas Enrique Jose Varona

Universidad de las Artes (ISA)

La Escuela de la Medicina Veterinaria

Universidad de Ciencias de la Cultura Fisica y el Deporte "Manuel Fajardo"

Universidad de Ciencias Medicas de la Habana

Escuela Latinamericana de Medicina

Centro de Ingenieria Genetica y Biotecnologia

Centro Nacional de Rehabilitacion "Julio Diaz"

Acuario Nacional Cuba

For further information, or to obtain a registration form, contact John McAuliff, director@ffrd.org