Architecture in Depth. The Architectural Tour of Cuba

The perfect Tour for Architects and/or Heritage conservation professionals

This architecture focused program takes you into Cuba’s amazing architectural heritage.  Our clients will be able to witness the restoration and rescue process taking place in a country that treasures some of the most wonderful architectural pieces built in the Americas since 16th Century up to the 20th Century. Our clients will also be able to appreciate the uniqueness of styles and tendencies adapted to Cuba’s geography, weather and idiosyncrasy.
Our clients will be able to visit different cities in Cuba, including Havana City, Cienfuegos City and Trinidad city.  Some of these cities, like Havana City and Trinidad city, have been declared  World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Throughout the week, there will be lectures, conversations with local experts, professional guided visits to the most outstanding promenades, buildings, fortresses and monuments. The first 3 days of the trip will be spent in Havana City, the capital city of Cuba, founded in 1519 by Spanish Colonizers. Since day 1 our clients will meet with members of the Cuban College of Architects who will open up the doors to Cuba’s Architecture for them.  To better understand Havana city’s development throughout the times, a visit to Havana City’s scale Model has been included in the itinerary.

Over there, visitors will have a panoramic scale view of urban development and our clients will be provided with a unique opportunity of engaging in a conversation with one of Cuba’s top architects.There will be walking tours as well as panoramic city tours scheduled for each day the group spends in Havana City. Our clients will walk down the streets of Colonial Old Havana as well as modern and Republican Havana where 3 centuries of colonial architecture converge with baroque, neo-gothic, art nouveau, art deco, eclectic and modern styles, in this marvellous Caribbean city.  The list of places to be visited includes: Castillo de la Cabana (the largest fortress in the Americas, built in 1770s after Havana was attacked by British troops) and Colon Cemetery (Cuba’s largest Cemetery and Museum of funerary arts).

 On day 4, the group will travel by bus to Cienfuegos city. Located on the southern coast of the island and founded by French immigrants in 19th Century on one of Cuba’s most beautiful harbours, Cienfuegos is known to Cubans as “the Pearl of the South”. A full day in Cienfuegos will allow our clients to enjoy its outstanding neoclassical architecture.  Meetings with UNAIC Regional Office specialist as well as with the City’s historian will be held.

On day 5, the group will travel to Trinidad City, a real jewel of colonial architecture. Built in early 16th Century, Trinidad was one of the first cities founded in Cuba by Spanish conquistadores, and it is probably the best preserved one. The whole town of Trinidad is a museum. Its streets, buildings and even furniture have been almost untouched for centuries. In Trinidad, the group will spend some time walking down the streets by the hands of the city historian. There will also be time to enjoy local cuisine and to have conversations with local UNAIC Officers.

On day 6, there will be time to visit the countryside and one of the World Heritage sites: “El Valle de los Ingenios”  (Sugar Mill's Valley). Our clients will visit this valley to see the ruins of what used to be sugar factories and slaves barracks, and will enjoy lunch in a typical restaurant built over an old watch tower: “La Torre de Iznaga”. In the afternoon, the group will return to Havana City.

On day 7, visitors will have to opportunity to visit parks in Havana, such as: “Parque Lenin”, the National Botanical Garden, where our clients will be able to enjoy nature as well as post Revolution (1959) architectural master pieces. Other important buildings such as the former National Capitol (today’s Natural Science Museum) will visited on this day. 

On day 8, the tour is over, and our clients leaving the country will be provided with transfer service to the airport.

PRICE PER PERSON IN DOUBLE OCCUPANCY: starting from $ 850 US

 

Tour details 

VIP program for architects and architecture-related professionals. 
- Duration: 8 days & 7 nights.
- Accommodations in 4 stars or 5 star Hotels in Havana City, Cienfuegos city and Trinidad City.
- Daily breakfasts.
- Lunches and dinners in some of the best restaurants of each city.
- Full- time bilingual tour guide to accompany the group 
- City tours, visits and lectures conducted by internationally acclaimed Cuban architects, professors and other specialists, deeply involved in Cuban architecture restoration process. 
- Admission to places as described on itinerary.
- Air-conditioned bus for transportation from day 1 to day 8, to all cities and places as described on itinerary. 

- Not included in price: international flight to Cuba, traveler insurance, Havana airport departure tax ($25 CUC), tourist visa, tips and gratuities

Minimum of passengers required: 6
Note:  Please, Contact us to receive a quotation, a detailed copy of the itinerary or to adapt the tour itinerary to your specific requirements…….

iIf number of participants is below 6 passengers, a taylored made package can be quote for you.