The Itinerary

Welcome dinner at Ivan Chef Justo Restaurant (included)

Ivan Chefs Justo is an exquisite private home turned gourmet restaurant in Old Havana. Ivan Chefs Justo is named after two chefs, Ivan and Justo. This is undoubtedly one of the best paladares in Cuba. Adding to its draw, Ivan is known for having served as Fidel Castro’s private chef. His paladar has received numerous visits by world-wide celebrity chefs, actors and musicians. 

Walking Tour Old Havana

Step back in time on an exclusive walking tour of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage site. More than just beautiful colonial architecture, this is an immersive journey into the city's living history, where every cobblestone street and ornate facade tells a story of cultural fusion, resilience, and artistic spirits.

The experience includes visits to leading local creative projects such as La Marca, Centro de Las Raíces, and Clandestina, among others, offering a direct look into Havana’s contemporary entrepreneurial and artistic scene.

Group Lunch at Esto no es un Café (included)

"Esto no es un Café" is a unique culinary and artistic space that blurs the lines between a restaurant and a gallery. Its name, meaning "This is not a Café," playfully nods to René Magritte's famous painting, signaling its unconventional approach. The menu itself is a tribute to many artists, featuring dishes creatively named after works by figures like Duchamp, Pollock, Klein, and Lam transforming dining into an interactive art experience.

**As of May 29, 2026, Esto No Es Un Café has announced a temporary closure. If the restaurant does not reopen prior to the program dates, this lunch experience will be replaced with a comparable venue offering a similar level of culinary quality and cultural significance.  

End the day’s activities with a classic car tour of Havana!

Experience riding in a classic 1950’s American car kept up over the decades with Cuban ingenuity and foreign makeshift parts. Tour Havana, Cuba’s capital city in a classic 1950’s convertible from the Almendares Forest and the Revolution Square to the Cristo Statue that overlooks the city of Havana.

Dinner on your own

Night Jazz Concert

Enjoy a beautiful evening in the Cuban jazz scene, world-renowned for its virtuosity and the fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms with contemporary sounds. Participants will experience firsthand how top-tier musicians deliver performances filled with improvisation and technical mastery. This intimate setting provides the perfect backdrop to appreciate the island's melodic richness while witnessing the creative evolution of jazz in one of Havana's premier venues. 

Salsa and Casino class 

Begin your journey into the heart of Cuban motion with an introductory class dedicated to salsa and casino at La Casona del Son. Guided by expert instructors, you will master the fundamental steps and the unique circular flow that distinguishes Cuban casino from other styles. This dance session builds the essential rhythmic foundation and partner connection needed to navigate the vibrant dance floors of Havana with confidence. 

Visit to Cuba’s Fine Arts Museum

It is the biggest art museum in Cuba with an impressive collection of paintings and sculptures. Its main goals are to restore, preserve, and promote works belonging to the heritage of the Cuban people. This visit will focus on the work of Cuban contemporary artists in a private curatorial guided tour.  

The Museum is proudly dedicated to its mantra of investigating, educating, and inspiring society. It houses the largest collection of art in the Caribbean. Despite the ups and downs experienced by the country, it remains a fascinating cultural landmark.

Group lunch at Fusterlandia (included) 

A Gaudi-esque art-studio-turned-gallery created by visual artist José Fuster in Jaimanitas on the western outskirts of Havana. (Interview Report by NBC News on Fusterlandia). Fúster is known as the Picasso of the Caribbean, and has named his community as Fusterlandia. Fúster, together with local youth, has mosaiced over 80 houses with ornate murals to suit the personality of each inhabitant. 

Private performance of Havana Compass Dance

Visit with Havana Compas Dance Troup in their studio. Havana Compas is a world-renowned dance troupe that combines Spanish dance and African rhythms with visual and performing arts. They will provide a brief lecture about their juxtaposition of Spanish dance and instrumentation with Afro-Cuban music and instruments alongside an astounding dance demonstration.

Dinner on your own

Visit Tungasuk (Farm-to-Table)

Located on the outskirts of Havana, Finca Tungasuk offers a retreat of serenity and a deep connection with nature through an organic, family-run farming project. During this day trip, delegates can explore the fields and participate in a farm-to-table experience, where local ingredients are transformed into an honest and creative gastronomic proposal. It is the ideal setting for a reflective pause away from the city's pace, providing insight into the resilience and innovation of Cuba's contemporary agroecological movement.

Lunch at Tungasuk Farm (included)

Return to Havana

Time for debriefing, personal development and research 

9 PM Cannon Firing

We will end the day with a visit to the historic 9pm cannon firing, an icon of Habana’s history and time keeping. Every night, precisely at the 9 o’clock hour, a cannon is fired from across Havana’s Bay in the Cabaña Fortress. This visit allows us to learn about Havana’s colonial history and appreciate the modern-day ritual that used to signify the evening closing of the city walls and bay.

Dinner on your own

Curatorial tour of Callejon de Hamel

The two-block long alley has become a shrine to Afro-Cuban religious art created by painter and sculptor Salvador González. Our visit will include a tour of altars venerating the Yoruba deities that exhibit the hybrid of Cuba’s cultural heritage known as Santeria and Ocha-Ifa mixed with a showcase of Yoruba dance and musical traditions. On Sundays the alleyway comes to life with live rumba drumming.

Lunch at El Del Frente (included)

Delegates will enjoy a delightful lunch at El del Frente, a popular restaurant in Old Havana. Known for its lively rooftop setting and creative menu, El del Frente offers a fresh take on Cuban and international flavors, including excellent ceviches, tacos, and fresh seafood. It's the perfect spot to savor delicious food and refreshing drinks while soaking in the energetic atmosphere of the historic city. 

Visit to Lizt Alfonso Dance Company

Created in 1991 by Lizt Alfonso, it is one of the most popular companies/schools in Cuba. Lizt has performed throughout the world including the City Center and the New Victory Theater (New York), the Shanghai Oriental Art Center; the Oude Luxor Theater (Rotterdam, the Netherlands), the Thalia Theater (Hamburg, Germany) and the Cairo Opera House. Many of their dance routines have become popular via mainstream Spanish pop music videos. Their choreography in the video for Bailando is one of these.

Visit with Yazmin & Beat Zero rehearsal
Enjoy a behind-the-scenes visit with Yazmin & Beat Zero during a live rehearsal in Havana. This intimate experience offers a unique opportunity to observe Yazmin's the creative process, engage with the international and local musicians who will perform with her, and gain insight into the cultural and musical exchanges that inspire the band's distinctive sound. 

Private curatorial visit to Fabrica de Arte Cubano (FAC)

A cooking oil warehouse that has been converted into an art gallery, music venue and theatre. Your delegation will receive a private curatorial tour of FAC. FAC is an example of Cuba’s new arts economic model for cultural entertainment, partially administered by the Ministry of Culture and whereby internal kiosks, bars and restaurants are privately owned. At FAC you can buy art, jewelry and clothes by up-and-coming Cuban designers.

**As of June 6, 2026, FAC has announced a temporary closure. If FAC does not reopen prior to the program dates, this experience will be replaced with a comparable cultural activity of similar educational and artistic value. 

Dinner on your own at FAC

Seaside Educational Excursion

Enjoy an educational experience along Havana’s northeast coast to discover the stunning biodiversity living beneath the surface. During this excursion, marine biology specialists will guide participants in identifying local species and understanding mangrove and reef ecosystems. It is a unique opportunity to connect with the natural environment while learning about the importance of conservation and the balance of marine flora and fauna.

Seaside group lunch (included)

Private performance of Rumba All Stars

Join the Rumba All Stars to explore the technical depth of the fundamental styles of rumba: columbia, guaguancó, and yambú. During this private session held as part of our maritime excursion, the collective offers a demonstration of percussive mastery that integrates rhythmic analysis with a live performance. The experience culminates in a participatory jam session, allowing for a direct connection with Cuba's vibrant sonic heritage.

Return to Havana

Dinner on your own

Visit to Hemingway House "Finca Vigía" 

Finca Vigía was once the residence of Ernest Hemingway. The building was built in 1886 and the writer lived there from 1939 to 1960. While living at Finca Vigía, Hemingway wrote much of "For Whom the Bell Tolls," a novel about the Spanish Civil War. There he also wrote "The Old Man and the Sea" about a fisherman who lived in the nearby town of Cojímar. 

Lunch at Café Ajiaco in Cojímar (included)

Lunch at El Ajiaco isn't just lunch. Before enjoying lunch we will visit their urban farm, a sustainable food project that supplies the restaurant of the same name, both located in the coastal town of Cojímar, east of Havana. There you can receive advice on growing aromatic plants that are essential in Cuban food. You will learn about cultural attention to crops and natural fertilizer methods. You will also harvest the ingredients with which your food will be prepared at the restaurant "El Ajiaco"

Walking Tour of Cojímar

Walking tour of Cojimar, the small fishing town east of Havana where Hemingway wrote his highly acclaimed novel, “The Old Man and the Sea.”

Yazmin & BeatZero Concert (Dinner on your own)
Conclude your journey with an intimate live performance by Yazmin & Beat Zero in Havana. Blending soulful bilingual lyrics, Cuban-inspired rhythms, and influences from Folk, Rock, and Jazz, Yazmin and her band create an uplifting and emotionally rich musical experience. From heartfelt ballads to energetic, dance-worthy piano-driven arrangements, this special evening offers a memorable celebration of the cultural connections explored throughout the program. 

Visit to the San Jose Art Fair

Located in a renovated shipping warehouse along Havana’s Bay is the San José Art Fair, Havana's biggest souvenir market. It has two floors and has all types of souvenirs, art, paintings, pottery, textiles, tobacco shops, and cafeterias.

Group lunch at Loft Bahía (included)

This space is a true oasis offering breathtaking panoramic views of the Havana Bay. In this relaxed and breezy atmosphere, delegates will share a casual lunch designed to enjoy the sea breeze and the vibrant energy of the city from above.

Time for packing and debriefing 

Farewell dinner (included) and optional dance evening