Day 1

Arrive into Havana on this day.

The group then transfers to Viñales, considered by many to be the most beautiful region in Cuba. The Viñales Valley National Monument boasts stunning landscapes and incredible photo opportunities. The area is also famous for its thriving tobacco industry, which we visit on Day 2.

We check-in at bed and breakfasts, known as “casas particulares,” or “private homes.” Since the 1990s, Cuban families have been permitted to rent rooms out of their family homes to foreigners. Featuring comfortable accommodations and ample privacy, it’s a great way to interact and immerse yourself with the everyday Cuban lifestyle.

We hold a welcome dinner with our host family at our accommodation, enjoying traditional Cuban dishes like Rosas Viejas.

Day 2

Our first sunrise in Cuba is spent capturing photos at a gorgeous lookout offering panoramic views of the beautiful valley and its karst rock formations, known as Mogotes.

We then visit the home of Benito, a local tobacco farmer, who shows us the tobacco cultivation and production process, followed by a cigar rolling demonstration. He might (he definitely will) light up a cigar or two for the group and offer some delicious Cuban rum or coffee to accompany it.

For lunch, we enjoy a farm-to-table experience on the grounds of a local farm, Finca Paraiso Agroecologica (the agroecological Paradise Farm), where we will learn about Cuban agriculture and tobacco production, while indulging in an organic meal.

After we spend the afternoon in Viñales, we depart back to Havana and stop for sandwiches and espresso en route.

Once we arrive in Havana, we check-in at a beautiful and serene private hotel. Located just one block off a main street leading to the Prado and Malecon, this stunning art deco style building has lush gardens and a very peaceful ambiance for a much needed respite from the bustling city streets.

Day 3

Our first excursion in Havana is a sunrise photo shoot at Morro Castle, with views of the sun rising above the Alamar Housing projects and Eastern Beaches.

The morning continues with a photo walk along Prado Avenue and Havana’s seawall (Malecon). Catch Cubans on their way to work and school, and all the hustle and bustle of the city, followed by a delicious Cuban breakfast.

In the late morning, we visit a local boxing gym, where we will meet with adult boxers. The first hour is warmup, with plenty of time for some portraits, the second hour should be 5-minute practice matches.

Lunch and a first image review held at a local art gallery. After lunch, a walking tour of the stunning Old City. Wander through the Plaza de Armas, a scenic tree-lined plaza formerly at the center of influence in Cuba. It is surrounded by many of the most historic structures in Havana, as well as important monuments. See the Plaza de San Francisco, a cobbled plaza surrounded by buildings dating from the 18th century, dominated by the baroque Iglesia and Convento de San Francisco dating from 1719. Visit the Plaza Vieja, surrounded by sumptuous houses of the Havana aristocracy from the 18th and 19th centuries. Visit Plaza de la Catedral and the Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Habana. The sights are endless!

Dinner is enjoyed at Al Carbon paladar. Created by the owners of the immensely popular Iván y Justo, this restaurant specializes in traditional Cuban dishes cooked over charcoal.

Day 4

The day starts with a bang! We load into classic Old American Cars at dawn for an amazing sunrise shoot near an old fort. Later, the classic cars drive us to the Christopher Colon Cemetery, a national monument and one of the oldest and most prestigious cemeteries in Latin America.

We tour and photograph at Christopher Colon Cemetery, a national monument and one of the oldest and most prestigious cemeteries in Latin America. After a restful lunch, we enjoy a performance by Habana Compás Dance company, which encompasses the rich rhythm and flow of the island, performing traditional and modern dances born from their Spanish, Cuban, and Afro-Cuban heritage. It is an absolutely amazing experience.

We continue our tour across Havana with a visit to La Finca Vigía. Formerly the home of Ernest Hemingway, today it still houses his expansive collection of books. It was here where he wrote two of his most celebrated novels: For Whom the Bell Tolls and The Old Man and the Sea. The beautiful grounds and bizarre tales from Hemingway’s many years in Cuba are captivating.

Our evening winds down with drinks and sunset photo shoot on the rooftop of La Guarida Paladar, a famous and scenic restaurant with incredible views of Havana. It is housed on the third floor of a large, old town house carrying the charming ambience of the early 1900s. Dinner at this location is a real treat.

Day 5

On this final day in Havana, we visit a centuries-old mansion in Vedado neighborhood. Step inside this stately residence to discover what lies behind the crumbling facades of Havana’s impressive mansions. Josie, who has lived in the house for over 60 years, will show us around and explain its rich history.

Visit an agricultural market, where Cubans buy fruits and vegetables. There are many photo opportunities in this location.

Lunch at Mas Habana, a new paladar in Old Havana that has become very popular for its great food and ambiance.

Free time to explore and shoot on your own.

(Optional) Take pedestrian ferry across Havana Bay to the community of Regla, a working-class, Afro-Cuban community with a thriving local culture. Regla is especially known for its strong ties to Santería and other Afro-Cuban religions. Explore the town for photo opportunities and visit the shrine to the Virgin of Regla.

For dinner, we enjoy a private tour of La Fábrica de Arte Cubano, the country’s most successful art and music venue. Cuba’s top artists and photographers display their work throughout tens of thousands of square feet of wall space. Meet with Enrique Rottenberg, one of Cuba’s premiere photographers and resident artists.

Dinner is held at Tierra, located inside a container in the Fábrica de Arte Cubano and outside on a scenic deck space. The restaurant mirrors the eclectic crowd, serving dishes from around the world.

Day 6

We say goodbye to Havana and depart very early for Cienfuegos, one of the country’s oldest and most beautiful cities. Often referred to as the “Pearl of the South,” Cienfuegos is one of Cuba’s only cities to display French and Spanish architecture. Situated on one of the country’s largest bays, the city offers beautiful ocean front landscapes, and is deeply rich in culture.

Our group is very lucky to have the opportunity to enjoy a photo walk through Cienfuegos with Omar Valenti, who will show us the ins and outs of this beautiful port city.

We spend the night in Cienfuegos for a very special morning adventure. continue on to Trinidad, Cuba. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its cobble-stoned streets, pastel colored homes, and small-town feel. We stop at the lookout point to capture the sunset along the southern coast of the island.

Once we arrive to Trinidad, we check-in at a quaint bed and breakfast right in the heart of town. Since the 1990s, Cuban families have been permitted to rent rooms out of their family homes to foreigners. Featuring comfortable accommodations and ample privacy, it’s a great way to interact with and support everyday Cubans.

Day 7

On day 7, we wake early and head to a lagoon home to many flamingos. We have the opportunity to take small boats out to this amazing scene, followed by a nature walk with many amazing species to observe. 

After our exciting morning, we continue on to Trinidad, Cuba. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its cobble-stoned streets, pastel colored homes, and small-town feel. We stop at the lookout point to capture the sunset along the southern coast of the island.

Once we arrive to Trinidad, we check-in at a quaint bed and breakfast right in the heart of town. Since the 1990s, Cuban families have been permitted to rent rooms out of their family homes to foreigners. Featuring comfortable accommodations and ample privacy, it’s a great way to interact with and support everyday Cubans.

For sunset, we walk to the highest point of the city to shoot the sun rising over the bell towers and colonial homes of historic Trinidad.

Day 8

This morning is a very special one. We are lucky to be invited into a small fishing village to watch fishermen return from their overnight fishing outings and photograph their amazing hauls. This really is a photographer’s paradise, with awesome wooden boats, decaying docks, beautiful birds, photogenic fishermen, and much more.

After breakfast, we visit to the archeological site San Isidro de los Destiladeros, near the city of Trinidad. This historic location was once a sugar plantation, operated with slave labor in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Remnants of this thriving industrial heritage survive: an impressive owner’s house, three-story tower, cistern, main sugar factory, ancillary buildings, and dikes. Almost all are in ruins or in imminent danger of collapse. A local guides us through the property to discuss the extensive history of sugar cane and slavery in Cuba.

We continue on with our agricultural tour by visiting a coffee plantation in the hills near Trinidad. This offers amazing tastings and history of the crop.

Upon return from our exciting day, folks have the afternoon off to do what they please. Enjoy a photo walk around Trinidad’s town, visit some of the curio shops or outdoor craft markets, or find yourself in an amazing plaza with live music.

Day 9

At breakfast, we enjoy a discussion with Nancy Benítez, a local architect, historian, and restoration specialist. Ms. Benitez will provide an overview of the city’s history from an architectural, economic, and infrastructural point of view.

In the late morning, we visit the city’s historic houses with a local guide. Families allow us throughout the homes, where we can snap photos of a number of antiques from the 1950s and well beyond.

Each group member’s afternoon is free to explore and shoot – perhaps a walk to a scenic park where large groups play dominos or enjoy a swim at the beach.

We enjoy one final dinner together at Grados, a private restaurant defender of the traditional Cuban cuisine and member of the slow food movement. Each dish has a history which is thoughtfully laid out by chef Raulito Bazuk.

Day 10

This final morning is open for folks to explore on their own and take part in activities to support the locals. 

In the late morning, we transfer to the Santa Clara Airport to return to the US or other hometown locations after a memorable trip!