Categories: Travel

Discover Cuba on A&K’s New Luxury Small Group Journey

Abercrombie & Kent first revealed it was going to return to Cuba back in April at its 100 Club event for top travel advisors in Chicago. Now comes the details. Beginning this October, A&K will feature a new Luxury Small Group Journey that spans nearly the entire island from Camaguey to Havana.

On “Cuba: People, Art & Culture,” guests explore this fascinating island nation over 10 days, discovering the rich tapestry of Cuban heritage, from its bustling city streets to its vibrant artistic scene and beyond. From gaining a deeper understanding of Cuba’s economy and U.S.- Cuba relations during an insightful talk with a former Cuban diplomat to enjoying a rum and cigar pairing with a cigar expert who explains the history of tobacco in the country, this comprehensive journey will reveal Cuba through intimate, unscripted experiences alongside local residents.

“We’re very excited to be returning to Cuba, a multifaceted island just 90 miles from the US, but offering a rich history and distinctive culture that very few Americans have experienced firsthand,” says Stefanie Schmudde, senior vice president-global product strategy for A&K. “We have developed a completely new itinerary that starts in CamagÅ±ey, the cultural soul of Cuba bursting with a lively art scene, then on to Trinidad and Cienfuegos, historical centers of the sugar cane, tobacco and coffee trades, Santa Clara, a historic turning point of the Cuban Revolution, and finally ending in Havana, where guests can explore on their own while staying in the heart of Old Havana.”

Highlights of “Cuba: People, Art & Culture” include:

Camagüey: Located in the heart of Cuba, this town is one of the original Spanish settlements, a UNESCO World Heritage Site lauded for its exceptional architecture and arts. It features the internationally renowned Camagüey Ballet, where guests can explore the elaborate costume warehouse, meet the company’s director and attend a private rehearsal. Discover life on a family-owned working ranch dating back to 1930, learning about agrarian reforms from the modern cowboys who work it, then indulge in a welcome dinner with live music, hosted by the family.

Trinidad & Valley de los Ingenios: Historic Trinidad and Valley de los Ingenios (Valley of the Sugar Mills) gained UNESCO World Heritage status for their importance as a center of the sugar trade industry. Guests will visit a former sugar plantation to learn about its storied past, then meet the owners and workers of a traditional finca to discover farm life today, complete with a true farm-to-table lunch. In addition to history, Trinidad is also rich in Spanish colonial architecture, which guests can take in during a walking tour (stopping at La Canchanchara to sample their signature cocktail) and then visit a family-run Santander workshop and gallery to participate in a pottery-making experience with one of its renowned ceramicists.

Cienfuegos & Santa Clara: In Cienfuegos, a French-settled city that grew into an important hub for the sugar cane, tobacco and coffee trades, guests can enjoy a guided walk through its historic center to view landmarks, including José Martí Memorial Park and the neo-rococo Palacio Ferrer. Then they visit the Museo Provincial to hear a performance by the Cantores de Cienfuegos Choir and interact with the performers. In Santa Clara, they visit the Che Guevara Mausoleum, the last resting place of the guerilla leader and fighters who perished alongside him.

Havana: Guests discover the importance of music and the arts in Cuban culture during a meeting with renowned artist and painter Kadir López at his private studio, complete with live music and cocktails. They tour the National Museum of the Fine Arts of Havana with a local specialist, interact with dancers and instructors following a performance at a dance-and-percussion company and explore Fusterlandia alongside artist José Fuster to see how the collaborative project transformed the community.

Guests step back in time during a visit to the Museum of the Revolution (upon its opening) set within the former Presidential palace, and the studio of one of the photographers who covered the first years of the Cuban Revolution. They explore one of Cuba’s premier tobacco farms for an in-depth look at this country’s most famous cash crop and enjoy freshly prepared lunch while interacting with the family and workers. Guests participate in mojito making classes, dance to Cuban rhythms with a professional instructor during a private visit to La Casona del Son and visit the former residence of Ernest Hemingway to meet with the museum’s caretakers and learn about the author’s life in Cuba.

Limited to just 18 travelers, this intimate Luxury Small Group features an English-speaking resident tour director and local guides, as well as arrival and departure transfers. A&K exclusives include Traveller’s Valet, complimentary mid-journey laundry service and Travelling Bell Boy service to transfer luggage between accommodations. Travellers can book with peace of mind knowing this Luxury Small Group Journey is guaranteed to operate with a minimum of two guests.

A&K’s “Cuba: People, Art & Culture” program is designed to enhance contact with the Cuban people, support civil society in Cuba and support private enterprises in Cuba. This travel program to Cuba is operated under a people-to-people license from the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). All travelers must begin and end the program in Miami regardless of their country of origin.

A&K Advantages

Discover Cuba through a local lens during intimate, unscripted experiences alongside residents
Explore local architecture, performing arts, agriculture, history and community initiatives during immersive, engaging visits with local residents
Join a local architect for a stroll through Habana Vieja — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — learning about plans for its revitalization
Gain a deep understanding of Cuba’s history, economy and U.S.-Cuba relations during an insightful talk with a former Cuban diplomat
Immerse yourself in the wonders of Havana during meaningful, educational visits, which reveal the country’s diverse culture, art, history, religion and music