Trip Highlights
Grand Aston La Habana
Our headquarters will be Havana’s newest and most stylish hotel, Grand Aston La Habana on Havana’s historic Malecón. Grand Aston is one of the finest hotels in the Caribbean. After a busy day, relax, have a cold drink, check your email with available Wi-Fi, look at the sea and be inspired by Havana coming to life after dark.
Our headquarters will be Havana’s newest and most stylish hotel, Grand Aston La Habana on Havana’s historic Malecón. Grand Aston is one of the finest hotels in the Caribbean. After a busy day, relax, have a cold drink, check your email with available Wi-Fi, look at the sea and be inspired by Havana coming to life after dark.
Classical Music & Dance
In Cuba, the classical arts are revered by every walk of life. During this trip, patrons will experience performances by such renowned groups as: Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional; Ballet Nacional de Cuba; Ballet Español de Cuba; Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba; Danza Contemporánea de Cuba; Orquesta de Cámara de la Habana and much more. Events will include opportunities to attend private rehearsals as well as performances and mingle with the performers in intimate settings.
In Cuba, the classical arts are revered by every walk of life. During this trip, patrons will experience performances by such renowned groups as: Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional; Ballet Nacional de Cuba; Ballet Español de Cuba; Lizt Alfonso Dance Cuba; Danza Contemporánea de Cuba; Orquesta de Cámara de la Habana and much more. Events will include opportunities to attend private rehearsals as well as performances and mingle with the performers in intimate settings.
Traditional Cuban Music
Traditional music and its evolution over the centuries is at the heart of the Cuban soul and mystique. The history of music in Cuba is the story of its people; from slavery, political upheaval, revolt and a joyful celebration of Cuban cultural life.
Traditional music and its evolution over the centuries is at the heart of the Cuban soul and mystique. The history of music in Cuba is the story of its people; from slavery, political upheaval, revolt and a joyful celebration of Cuban cultural life.
Cuban Jazz & Nightlife
Cuba has some of the finest young jazz musicians in the world. The Afro-Cuban tradition has evolved into a robust music scene that has a solid foundation in the classical music training musicians receive at the prestigious music schools throughout the country. In Havana, jazz thrives. Our patrons are not only immersed in Havana’s jazz nightlife but will be treated to private, one-on-one concerts from the best and brightest of Cuba’s jazz elite, including pianist Aldo López-Gavilán. This unique exposure to one the world’s most active jazz scenes is a CR&V exclusive. You will better understand the day-to-day sacrifices as well as the financial and artistic challenges, including the difficulty of buying and maintaining instruments in Cuba.
Cuba has some of the finest young jazz musicians in the world. The Afro-Cuban tradition has evolved into a robust music scene that has a solid foundation in the classical music training musicians receive at the prestigious music schools throughout the country. In Havana, jazz thrives. Our patrons are not only immersed in Havana’s jazz nightlife but will be treated to private, one-on-one concerts from the best and brightest of Cuba’s jazz elite, including pianist Aldo López-Gavilán. This unique exposure to one the world’s most active jazz scenes is a CR&V exclusive. You will better understand the day-to-day sacrifices as well as the financial and artistic challenges, including the difficulty of buying and maintaining instruments in Cuba.
Architecture and Historic Preservation
Some of the most exquisite historic buildings in the Caribbean are in Cuba. Havana is celebrating its 500th anniversary. But, despite 60 years of embargo, Cuba has managed to preserve and restore some of its most important heritage structures, neighborhoods and monuments. Using tourist dollars and financial incentives, much of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is gradually being rehabilitated to its former beauty as the city celebrates five centuries of life. Our delegates will gain an insight into what it takes to gradually restore one of the world’s great cities, one building at a time.
Some of the most exquisite historic buildings in the Caribbean are in Cuba. Havana is celebrating its 500th anniversary. But, despite 60 years of embargo, Cuba has managed to preserve and restore some of its most important heritage structures, neighborhoods and monuments. Using tourist dollars and financial incentives, much of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is gradually being rehabilitated to its former beauty as the city celebrates five centuries of life. Our delegates will gain an insight into what it takes to gradually restore one of the world’s great cities, one building at a time.
Visual Arts
As part of our cultural exchange, our patrons will visit notable Cuban artists’ studios, galleries and homes. They will discuss their work, their artistic vision and the status of Cuba’s control of artistic expression. These personal encounters will help you understand cultural life in Cuba before the Revolution as well as today. Artwork will be for sale at all studios and galleries. In addition, a CR&V exclusive private show of original art for sale by Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA) professors and students is always on our itinerary.
As part of our cultural exchange, our patrons will visit notable Cuban artists’ studios, galleries and homes. They will discuss their work, their artistic vision and the status of Cuba’s control of artistic expression. These personal encounters will help you understand cultural life in Cuba before the Revolution as well as today. Artwork will be for sale at all studios and galleries. In addition, a CR&V exclusive private show of original art for sale by Instituto Superior de Arte (ISA) professors and students is always on our itinerary.
Cuba Cuisine and Paladares
The growing movement of private restaurants, or paladares, in people’s homes, is flourishing in Havana. This movement is at the vanguard of economic change and private ownership in Cuba. The best dining in Cuba is in paladares along the backstreets and alleyways of Old and New Havana. The restaurants are being reviewed internationally and Havanaphiles are slowly finding their way to these wonderful free-enterprise culinary destinations. All of our meals outside of the hotel will be in paladares. And, for the meals not included in the package, you will be given the names and locations of Havana’s best private restaurants, all within a ten-minute cab ride from the Grand Aston La Habana.
The growing movement of private restaurants, or paladares, in people’s homes, is flourishing in Havana. This movement is at the vanguard of economic change and private ownership in Cuba. The best dining in Cuba is in paladares along the backstreets and alleyways of Old and New Havana. The restaurants are being reviewed internationally and Havanaphiles are slowly finding their way to these wonderful free-enterprise culinary destinations. All of our meals outside of the hotel will be in paladares. And, for the meals not included in the package, you will be given the names and locations of Havana’s best private restaurants, all within a ten-minute cab ride from the Grand Aston La Habana.
Additional Activities In Support of the Cuban People
Meet with career Cuban diplomat Camilo García López-Trigo for a talk about US/Cuba relations; Dr. García is a professor at University of Havana International Relations School and an expert in US political studies. You will also visit a daycare center run by The Sisters of the Love of God, visit a classroom in session, learn about the remarkable work the sisters do for families in need and be inspired by the humanitarian work of their order.
Meet with career Cuban diplomat Camilo García López-Trigo for a talk about US/Cuba relations; Dr. García is a professor at University of Havana International Relations School and an expert in US political studies. You will also visit a daycare center run by The Sisters of the Love of God, visit a classroom in session, learn about the remarkable work the sisters do for families in need and be inspired by the humanitarian work of their order.
