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Concordia University Department of Journalism Faculty of Arts and Science
First Ever Canadian Academic Introduction to Media in Cuba Tour |
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| PROGRAM OVERVIEW |
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| CITIES AND SITES VISITS |
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Havana City and Havana province |
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| TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS |
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Havana's Hotel Saint Johns has many amenities in the city's cultural hub adjacent to the Malecón. |
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| ACADEMIC HIGHLIGHTS |
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Talk with Unión de Periodistas de Cuba (UPEC) members about the role and function of journalism in Cuba |
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Meet members of the Cuban Association of War Correspondents |
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Encounters with Cuban and foreign journalists from print, radio, internet and television |
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Visit the offices of Cuba's two daily newspapers: Granma and Rebelde |
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Learn about urban agriculture that supplies 40% of Havana's produce |
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Travel to jungle mountaintops to learn what Cubans are doing to protect and conserve the natural environment |
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Meet the editors of Sexología, the publication of CENESEX, covering all matters of sexuality and AIDS issues |
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Tour the home and community of legendary Ernest Hemingway |
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Enjoy a performance of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba and a baseball game |
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Guided walking and coach tours of Old and Modern Havana |
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Witness the largest collection of colonial-era architecture in the Americas and restoration efforts |
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America's first war correspondent Taíno Chief Hatuey of Hispanolia traveled to Cuba in 1511 to alert Indians of the evils of conquest. |
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Father of Cuban independence José Martí is considered among Latin America's premier jounalists, philosophers, poets and authors. |
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Did you know the Cuban Revolution was the first to be fought and won using modern media? It is 50 years old in 2009. Fideo Castro was the world's longest serving elected president. |
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In Cuba from Sunday 26 April to Sunday 3 May 2009 |
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Eight days and seven nights on the grand island of the Caribbean |
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Explore the role of journalism in Cuba and its differences and similarities to Canada. Meet with members of all media branches |
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Talk with Cubans about free speech, freedom of the press, and other issues of ethics, morals and rights |
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Visit tropical ecological sites and learn about Cuba's renowned system of urban organic agriculture |
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Concordia journalism faculty Ms Donna Nebenzahl is the inspiration for this program and will serve as tour leader. Read her invitation to join this historic Spring 2009 Concordia Study Abroad trip, and her academic objectives and goals.
This program is fully escorted from the minute you touch down in Havana until you return home. While on the island you're in the conscientious care of our expert multilingual Cuban guide together with our professional bus chauffeur. Our Canadian and Cuban staff ensures worry free Cuba travel before, during and after your tour.
Time to commit. This tour is limited in size. Please register now so you can start planning for your Spring 2009 Cuba Education Tour.
Check out our travel planning page: what to take, packing tips, gifts, gratuities, local customs, clothing, and free Spanish primers.
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| TOUR ACTIVITIES LEGEND |
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Fountain pen icon for special Concordia events |
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Shoe icon for music and dance activities |
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Turret icon for history and architecture |
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Face icon for art, museum, and education visits |
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Owl icon for nature and ecology romps |
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Fork icon for tour meals included |
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Ball icon for beach, sun and swimming |
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Smiling icon for free time and leisure |
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| Click here for web resources on journalism in Cuba. |
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| Hint BLUE text links across this site offer extensive details and pictures. |
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| Included in costs All activities listed below unless noted otherwise. |
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| Meals All breakfasts are included. Most lunches and dinners are not. Your guide is glad to suggest eateries for every taste and budget. |
| Travel insurance Students and teachers have comprehensive trip interruption and health coverage while on this tour. |
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Island transportation You travel in a private luxury tour coach chauffeured by a professional driver. |
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Memories of Cuba last forever. Discover the island on routes less traveled. |
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 Five star treatment round-the-clock from our Cuban and Canadian staff ensure worry free travel abroad. |
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Rooftops in Old Havana. |
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| CLICK TO REVIEW EACH TOUR DAY :: 01 :: 02 :: 03 :: 04 :: 05 :: 06 :: 07 :: 08 :: |
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| Day 1 :: SUNDAY |
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HELLO CUBA |
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| Musician and dancers in Havana. |
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Modern dance students practice. |
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Learn plenty of new and unusual dance moves … |
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… and swing to lots of great music. |
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Cuban girls perform folk dance. |
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| The city of Havana as seen from the fortress El Morro, across the harbor from your hotel. |
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Arrival at Havana's José Martí International Airport.
Collect your bags and go through customs. See What to take to Cuba.
You're welcomed at the airport by your Cuba Education Tours guide and professional bus chauffeur.
Your Cuba Education Tours guide will direct you to a bank or exchange bureau (CADECA) to purchase Cuban Convertible Pesos.
Group transfer to your Hotel Saint Johns located in Vedado – Havana's cultural and entertainment district.
Private check-in with assistance from your guide.
Afternoon and evening are free for you to settle in, rest up, and explore the vibrant neighborhood surrounding your hotel.
All breakfasts are complementary and served daily from 7:00am to 10:00am.
Click here for list of expenses not included in tour package.
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José Martí International airport in Havana – a colorful welcome. |
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TIME AND CLIME IN HAVANA NOW
Island-wide annual averages
Summer temp average: 81F | 27C
Winter temp average: 72F | 22C
Ocean temp average: 78F | 25.5C
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Havana's Malecón seawall near your hotel – a place for relaxation and new friendships. |
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| Most common questions 1 Is Cuban food good? It's healthy and simple but not spicy. 2 Am I free to ask any question? You'll insult your island hosts by being less than candid. 3 Is the water safe? Yes, but we suggest bottled water for peace of mind. 4 Are vaccinations needed? No. 5 Can I stay in Cuba after the tour? Absolutely and we are glad to help. 6 Do Cubans like tips? Yes, please see our Gratuities Guidelines. |
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Click to enlarge. A view to the west and the Vedado neighborhoods from Central Havana's San Lázaro Street. |
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CUBA IS THE LARGEST and least commercialized island in the Caribbean. It hosts 6000 plant species, half of which are endemic. There are 20 million palms in Cuba comprised of 30 species. Other flora includes the rare cork palm, a holdout from the cretaceous period; the jagüey, a fig with aerial roots; the palma barrigona (pot belly palm); the ceiba (sacred silk-cotton tree); and the mariposa (butterfly jasmine, Cuba's national flower). The most abundant land fauna is reptilian: crocodiles, iguanas, lizards, salamanders, turtles and 15 species of nonpoisonous snakes. The biggest land mammal is the jutía, a tree dwelling rodent the size of a cocker spaniel. The native bee hummingbird or zunzún is the world's smallest warm-blooded vertebrate weighing between 1.6 and 1.8 grams. The Cuban trogon or tocororo is the national bird – its red, blue and white plumage reflecting the colors of the Cuban flag. |
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| Day 2 :: MONDAY |
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DISCOVERING HAVANA |
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Example of restoration in Old Havana. |
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Street pantomime in Old Havana. |
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View of the Capitolio from the Malecón seawall. |
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Inside view of the dome of El Capitolio. |
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| Exterior and interior of the Cathedral of Havana initiated by Jesuits in 1748 and completed in 1777. Click photos for larger view. |
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Gioia Minuti is editor of Granma International's Italian edition, and a world renowned writer on Cuba issues. Click here to see her website. |
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Gioia Minuti interviews Cuba's Minister of Foreign Affairs Felipe Perez Roque. |
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Ornate filigree and statuary adorn Havana's Gran Teatro where the National Ballet performs. |
Guided walking tour of Old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We'll visit four of the five historic plazas that make Havana unique in the western hemisphere. They contain the largest collection of Spanish colonial-era architecture in the Americas. This is a private tour led by your Cuba Education Tours guide.
Cathedral Square, the most beautiful and private 18th century colonial plaza on the island. Named after the masterpiece of Cuban baroque architecture: the Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Habana built by the Jesuit order.
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| Square of Arms, an ancient military parade ground for Spanish soldiers, surrounded by impressive buildings such as: |
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Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, former seat of colonial government. Today the building houses the Museum of the City. |
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Palacio del Segundo Cabo, seat of the second authority of the island. Today it houses important publishing concerns. |
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Museo de Artesania at Castillo de la Real Fuerza, the second oldest fortress built by the Spaniards in the West Indies. Today it displays treasures of artistic ceramics by the most prestigious Cuban artists from the middle of the last century to present. The institution is host to the Ceramic Biennial. |
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Musicians perform at your restaurant. |
Lunch at La Mina Restaurant where you'll enjoy traditional Cuban dishes and live music (not included in program costs)!
We continue onto San Francisco Square, one of the oldest plazas in the historical quarter. The square is named after magnificent Iglesia y Monasterio de San Francisco de Asís dating from the 16th century. The basilica is a striking example of Cuba baroque architecture.
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Plaza Vieja in Old Havana. |
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And later to Plaza Vieja, the only civic square of colonial times. Absent are churches and government buildings, and is in contrast surrounded by opulent aristocratic 17th century residences. We'll visit an important center for the visual arts.
Free time in the famous open-air handicraft market near Cathedral Square where you can purchase all sorts of crafts and souvenirs by local artisans.
Tour highlight Evening welcome fiesta at the Vedado house of Ms Gioia Minuti, editor of the Italian edition of Granma International. Special guests will include staff from Granma, Prensa Latina and other Cuban media. |
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| Day 3 :: TUESDAY |
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JOURNALISTS UNION AND YOUTH NEWPAPER |
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This 1971 poster promotes an UPEC conference on Cuban humor! |
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Masthead of the electronic edition of the daily newspaper of the Young Communist League. It is the most read publication among Cuban youth. Check out the website. |
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Morning meeting at the offices of the Unión de Periodistas de Cuba (UPEC – Cuban Union of Jounalists) to discuss the work of this organization, and the role and responsibilities of the media in Cuba. See its website en español.
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Juventud Rebelde is popular with adults too. |
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Afternoon visit to the offices of Juventud Rebelde, the official newspaper of the Young Communist League (UJC) and the second largest daily publication in Cuba. Will meet and discuss media issues with Juventud Rebelde staff.
Get ready for an air-conditioned luxury coach tour of the most important sites of Modern Havana such as the Capitol building, the Grand Theatre, Central Park, Prado promenade, Revolution Square, Coppelia Ice Cream Park, Plaza José Martí (in front of US Interests Section), Malecón seawall, Monument to the Battleship Maine, Hotel Nacional, University of Havana, Cementerio de Cristóbal Colón, and the Miramar, Central Havana and Vedado neighborhoods.
Evening suggestion Dance to Afrojazz, Cubajazz and Sonjazz at Club La Zorra y El Cuervo [The Fox and the Raven] featuring astonishing performances by island bands and soloists! It is frequented by artists, students, dancers, and foreign guests (optional participation, not included in cost, 10 CUC entrance fee). |
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| Day 4 :: WEDNESDAY |
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ENCOUNTERS WITH REPORTERS, CUBAN BALLET |
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| Left Publication of CENESEX offers in depth coverage on all matters of sexuality and AIDS prevention. Right CENESEX pro-condom poster reads: Disfruta la vida evita el SIDA. ¿Cómo demuestro que te amo? [Enjoy life, avoid AIDS. How I show you that I love you?]. This one shows a woman holding a condom and tulip. A matching version shows a man. They target both gays and straights. |
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| Journalist Mike Fuller, born in the USA, lives with his wife and son in Cuba. Listen to his Prensa Latin webcasts "Three Minutes from Hanava," the first in English from the island:
Visit his Blog Mike Fuller Stories |
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Street Mural. Cuba prides itself on being a nation of and for peace. |
Morning visit with members of the Association of Cuban War Correspondents. We'll meet with Cuban journalists who have experienced the horrors of military conflicts directly. The slogan of the Association is: "Those Who Have Lived Through War Defend Peace." We'll discuss journalistic themes of peace and war, twenty-first-century trends and lessons within this field, new technologies, and children as protagonists and victims of current confrontations. As well, we'll explore the correspondents' activity in the context of humanitarian international law, their ethical responsibility and the repercussions of their work in the construction of a new century of peace. This is a great opportunity to meet with correspondents who covered humanity's most horrific undertakenings.
Meeting with the editors Sexología, the journal and website of CENESEX (Centro Nacional de Educación Sexual / National Center for Sexual Education). This organization and its founder Mariela Castro Espín campaign for equality and dignity for lesbians, gays, transsexuals and transgendered people. Its work consists of advocacy at the community and political level combined with national education efforts and sensitivity training. In particular CENESEX leads in the areas of HIV/AIDS awareness and support services, and gender and sexuality counseling. The heroic work of CENESEX has rocketed Cuba into the stratosphere of the most progressive nation in Latin America for queers. As such, Cuba today is ahead of the United States on most matters of legality, compassion, safety, health and government supported promotion of equality. Visit the CENESEX website en español.
Afterwards we'll meet with American journalist Mike Fuller who lives and works in Cuba. He writes for important national and international newspapers, journals and websites. Mike is a fun, passionate writer who'll shed insights on the life of a foreign reporter residing in Havana.
Program highlight Attend a performance of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba (BNC). The troupe was founded 1948 by Prima Ballerina Assoluta Alicia Alonso, who remains its chief choreographer and artistic director. The BNC ranks among the top ballets in the world. (Performances typically begin at 5PM. Tickets not included in cost. If ballet does not perform tonight, this activity will take place on another tour evening, or we'll attend a performance of the Spanish Ballet of Cuba.)
Left Alicia Alonso, founder of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, in her trademark role "Giselle." Right Alonso, grande dame of Cuban dance, in 2005. |
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| Day 5 :: THURSDAY |
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RADIO STATION AND HEMINGWAY HOUSE TOURS |
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Beach on the outskirts of Cojímar near the home of Ernest Hemingway. |
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In an exceptional act of devotion, neighborhood fishermen in Cojímar donated bronze boat propellers and fishing gear to cast a sculpture of Hemingway who befriended and honored them in life and immortalized them in literature. Bronze, like so many other essential items, is scarce on the island because of Washington's economic blockade against the Cuban people. |
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Click to enlarge. Raúl Corrales Fornos photo of the march of the victorious Cuban rebels and peasants following defeat of Batista. He rose from extreme poverty to world class photojournalist. His pix are heralded epic and profound. |
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Exclusive Morning visit to Radio Enciclopedia founded in November 1962. We'll tour its Havana broadcast facility and meet its staff. The station runs 24/7 and ranks amongst the most popular in its spectrum. The objective of Radio Enciclopedia is to promote social and intellectual development. Its programing focus is spiritual, scientific, and cultural. Its medium is music and educational commentary. Radio Enciclopedia is organized and operated as a collective. It routinely wins the prestigious "Distinction of Quality" and "National Vanguard" awards.
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War reporter, activist, man of letters, journalist and titan author Ernest Hemingway. |
Now were off to visit Finca Vigía [Lookout Farm] where North America's literary giant Ernest Hemingway spent twenty-one of his most important and productive years penning building blocks of English literature. Claimed by both the United States and Cuba as their son, it was Hemingway himself who declared the island his true home.
En route we'll dine at La Terraza de Cojímar restaurant for lunch – it was Ernest Hemingway's favorite eatery (not included in cost).
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Raúl Corrales Fornos. |
Following our visit to Finca Vigía, we'll stop at the home and studio of Cuba's famed photojournalist Raúl Corrales Fornos (1925-2006). A personal friend of Hemingway, Corrales published a picture book on his chum's island adventures focusing on life at sea. Corrales served as Fidel Castro's official photographer for many years. The story of Corrales is without exception. As a youth he worked selling newspapers on the street, shining shoes, and as a janitor. He went on to document the Revolution as only one other, Alberto Diaz aka Korda, was able to do. Corrales photos capture mass action and evoke emotional responses in both friends and foes of the working class.
Evening is free to rest up, enjoy amenities at your hotel, or local entertainment opportunities. Your guide will keep you posted on local happenings. |
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| Day 6 :: FRIDAY |
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ORGANIC AGRICULTURE AND CULTURE |
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Afrocuban dance at Central Havana's Callejón de Hamel. |
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Cuban hip hop. |
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Havana street percussionist. |
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Fresh vegies from urban organic gardens for sale at a farmers market in Havana. |
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Members of the Organoponico Alamar cooperative at work. |
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Organic oranges to market. |
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Morning visit to the offices of Granma International, Cuba's largest daily newspaper. We'll tour the facility and meet with journalists. Granma was founded on October 4, 1965, and is the official organ of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party. Its name comes from the yacht Granma that carried Fidel Castro and 81 other rebels to Cuba's shores from México in 1956 thus launching the Cuban Revolution. Granma is read around the world and is published in many languages in addition to Spanish, including English, French, Turkish, Italian and Portuguese. The visit will provide insights into the daily activities of the Cuban journalist.
Afterwards we'll visit the Vivero Organoponico Alamar, 15 kilometers east of Havana. It's one of the most successful urban organic farms in Cuba raising ornamental plants, medicinal herbs, and millions of seedlings for neighboring residents and farmers. Established in the 1990s, the Alamar cooperative has about 35 members and provides a range of healthy, organic low-cost food to the local community. We will visit a farmers market and urban organic garden en route. Get ready for a yummy organic lunch prepared and served by cooperative members.
Depending upon the playoff schedule, we'll attend a baseball game in Havana – always a rousing, yet friendly experience.
Youth spectators at a Cuban baseball game.
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Masthead of the Cuban daily newspaper Granma. |
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"Message from the Commander in Chief." Front page of 19 February 2008 issue of Granma features Fidel Castro letter detailing his decision not to run for president in upcoming elections. |
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Colorful Cuban Tody. |
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| Some among many staples grown organically in Havana province: Left to right Bananas, coffee beans, cucumbers, pineapple, sweet potatoes, eggplant, and avocados. |
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| Day 7 :: SATURDAY |
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LAS TERRAZAS ECO-COMMUNITY |
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| Cuban parrot and Gundlach's hawk are rare and endemic to Cuba. |
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Cubans enjoy lifelong free healthcare and education combined with inexpensive housing, utilities and childcare. |
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Orchid. Exotic and unique plants and animals thrive in Cuba. |
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Eggshells are affixed to tips of medicinal aloe vera plants to thwart bird attack. |
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Left Cuban youths ride horse on beach. Above A boy and his prize piglet. |
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Morning departure to Las Terrazas eco-community in the Sierra del Rosario mountain range west of Havana in the province of Pinar del Río.
We'll tour its rural village called Rancho Curujey and enjoy a welcome cocktail while learning about this self-sustaining community's successes in reforestation, historical preservation, environmental balance, and a good life.
Next we'll meet with local artists and craft workers in their homes and studios.
Later we'll walk the incredible ruins of a French Coffee Plantation built in 1801 worked by African slaves.
We have lunch at a traditional Cuban restaurant.
You'll have free time to swim in the fresh waters of the San Juan River and explore the surroundings of this lush tropical paradise. Don't forget your swimming suit. Afterwards, we'll return to Havana.
Evening is free to rest up, enjoy your hotel, or local entertainment opportunities. Your guide will keep you posted on local activities. |
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Left Tobacco farmer. Above In the countryside many youth are engaged in organic agriculture combined with rigorous academics. |
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We'll swim in this heavenly pool at Las Terrazas. |
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The jutía, native to Cuba, is a large rodent the size of a cocker spaniel. They dwell in trees and are vegetarians. Jutías are the preferred breakfast of crocodiles and the biggest endemic island mammal. |
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| CUBA HAS MORE than 30 types of palms, including royal palms. Other indigenous plants are mahogany, ebony, lignum vitae, cottonwood, logwood, rosewood, cedar pine, majagua, granadilla, jagüey, tobacco, papaya trees, and the sacred ceiba tree. |
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| Day 8 :: SUNDAY |
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GOODBYE CUBA – HELLO MONTREAL |
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