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February 14–21, 2015
Variety Cruises S/C Panorama
Cuba: Havana to Cienfuegos - 8 Days aboard the S/C Panorama
Brand g Vacations is pleased to introduce our 2015 People-to-People Exchange Program, Cuba: Havana to Cienfuegos aboard the S/C Panorama. The program offers a perfect combination of inspiring places and rich history in the comfort of an all-gay environment starting at just $3,495* per person
Brand g Vacations is pleased to introduce our 2015 People-to-People Exchange Program, Cuba: Havana to Cienfuegos aboard the S/C Panorama. With only 24 guest cabins, the S/C Panorama offers smartly designed accommodations in a yacht-like and intimate environment in which to navigate the waters of Cuba. Our custom shore program provides authentic, educational, culturally-enriching people-to-people exchanges daily.
From Old Havana and it's renovation of her stunning architecture, to Trinidad, the meticulously well-preserved Spanish Colonial city our program offers an in-depth and unique perspective of a country through activities organized by our expert on-board Exchange Facilitator. The program offers a perfect combination of inspiring places and rich history in the comfort of an all-gay environment starting at just $3,495* per person
Trip Highlights
• People-to-People interaction & meaningful exchanges with locals
• Old Havana and the renovation of it's historic architecture
• Guanahacabibes National Park and it's 140 archeological sites
• Cayo Largo, a limestone island of mangroves and salt pans
• Trinidad, the meticulously well-preserved Spanish colonial city
• Cienfuegos, the Pearl of the South, with it's cluster of Neoclassical structures
• No packing & unpacking to change hotels
The Ship
The Panorama provides a yacht like, congenial atmosphere and the freedom offered to guests on board to experience the program at your own individual pace. Guest cabins size range from 118 – 260sq. ft and offer all the amenities you expect from a modern small ship. Local and international cuisine is offered to suit every palate. Meals can be served indoors or outdoors – single sitting. Life on board: Briefings, excursions, cultural events – are amongst the activities organised by the "Exchange Facilitator" who will be onboard during the entire duration of the program to answer questions, participate in meetings and exchanges as they take place.
Accommodations
The Panorama cabins are located on all 3 decks and are finished with wooden furniture and light fabrics. Cabins on the Upper and Main Decks are equipped with windows while cabins on the Lower Deck are finished with portholes. The fully equipped bathrooms are finished with marble. All cabins are air-conditioned and fitted with TV, telephone (for internal use), hairdryers, mini-fridge, central music, public address system and safe boxes.
Travel Itinerary
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Havana, Cuba
Depart from Miami International Airport on your short flight to Cuba. Upon arrival, meeting and assistance then transfer to the dock. Lunch at Café del Oriente. Embarkation will be at 4PM. After a short orientation by your crew, we'll go to the Ambos Mundos Hotel in the heart of Old Havana we'll be briefed by a Cuban specialist from the Office of the City Historian on the comprehensive restoration project going on in Havana's historic "Old City" area. Return to the S/C Panorama for dinner. At 8:30 PM, observe the Canon Blast Ceremony which dates back to the colonial period in which the gates to the entrance of Havana would close. Overnight onboard the S/C Panorama.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Havana, Cuba
Breakfast will be onboard. Depart for a full day excursion to the province of "Artemisa". Drive by bus to the UNESCO –designated Biosphere Reserve region and the international/eco-community of "Las Terrazas" in the mountainous area, "Sierra del Rosario". Meet with locals and learn more about life establishments in the village including the local family doctor, nurse, clinic, an elementary school, community museum, local artists homes and studios, as well as the site of an old/colonial 18th century coffee plantation. Return to Old Havana to continue our walking tour of its plazas. Dinner onboard the S/C Panorama.
Monday, February 16, 2015
Havana, Cuba
Breakfast on board, then we will have a people to people exchange in Artecorte in Old Havana and learn about the private sector which is part of the current economic transformation of the island. Visit Convento Belen, a Jesuit convent which was restored to an active community center. Meet with families, young people and the elderly. Visit the Quisicuaba Community to learn about Afro Cuban culture. Here you can discuss how African religions and traditions influenced the culture of Cuba. Return to the S/C Panorama for lunch and sail to Cabo San Antonio Dinner and overnight onboard the S/C Panorama.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Cabo San Antonio Los Morros
 After breakfast on board, visit "Guanahacabibes" National Park, one of the country's largest nature reserves, where you meet with the naturalists and locals. You will meet with environmentalists at the CITMA Environmental Research Station as well. Time permitting we will also stop in a small fishing village for an exchange with members of the community. Set sail for Cayo Largo. Dinner and overnight onboard the S/C Panorama.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Cayo Largo
 Breakfast onboard as we head to Cayo Largo, an island comprised of limestone, formed over millions of years from the remains of marine organisms. Visit with the scientists involved in the Coral Reef Protection. After lunch on board, we will visit a Sea Turtle Breeding Center and Endangered Species Protection program. Time permitting; enjoy some snorkeling with coral reef & conservation experts. Return to the S/C Panorama for dinner and departure for Casilda.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Casilda/Trinidad
 After breakfast onboard, depart to Trinidad, a meticulously well-preserved Spanish colonial city, with its rich architecture, cobblestone streets, palaces and plazas. It is sometimes referred to as the "museum city of Cuba." We will walk through the town with a representative of the Office of the City Historian (Architect Nancy Benitez), interacting with residents and visiting local artists and home studios, the Museum Romantico or the Architecture Museum. Enjoy lunch in this most picturesque city. In the afternoon, we will visit the policlinic and learn about one of Cuba's major achievements – health care. Overnight: S/C Panorama Set sail for Cienfuegos.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Cienfuegos
 Breakfast onboard before our visit to Cienfuegos. Founded by French settlers, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is known as the Pearl of the South. Before lunch participate in a walking tour of the city center with a specialist then visit the Maroya Gallery for Folk Art where there will be discussions and interchanges with local artists. Return to the S/C Panorama for lunch. After lunch we will enjoy an exchange with some Cuban artists and musicians and take some salsa classes. Dinner onboard the S/C Panorama. In the evening, participate in an exchange with the Cuban people in their community.
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Cienfuegos
After breakfast, continue to the Santander Family Ceramics Workshop/Studio "Casa de Chi Chi" for interaction and exchange before disembarkation and our return charter flight to Miami.
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