(413) 203-1125

March 24 to 31 and April 28 to May 5 - $2500 to $2800
What is life like for the ordinary Cuban in 2012?  What is the history that has created modern Cuban society?  What does Cuba look like and feel like?  This trip is the opportunity to find out by experiencing Cuba for yourself.  Beginning with a welcome dinner at an Old Havana microbrewery and outdoor tavern, the group will immerse itself in Cuba for 8 days and 7 nights.  The trip will include the opportunity to walk Old Havana and learn about its history, to explore the modern Havana districts of Vedado and Miramar, and to visit neighborhood institutions such as the Callejón de Hamel and the Casa del niño y la niña in Cayo Hueso, a neighborhood founded by cigarmakers who settled there from Key West and Tampa en the early 20th Century.  There will be visits to museums and a cigar factory, and the group will visit a hospital, a neighborhood clinic, a Family Doctor home or a center for the elderly.  The group will spend an evening with a neighborhood Committee for Defense of the Revolution and Women’s Federation Committee, and also will have the opportunity to visit with Cuban artists in their studios.  At night, the group is invited to attend Havana’s jazz clubs, experience the famed Tropicana nightclub, and attend the ever changing schedule of baseball games and cultural events.   Cost includes membership in the Center for Cuban Studies and Art Cuba:  The New Generation or The Cuba Reader, an anthology of writings on Cuba and the Cuban Revolution.

March 31 to April 7 and June 1 to 9 - $2500 to $2800
Up until the Cuban Revolution in 1959, the Cuban elite ensured that European culture predominated, pushing African culture and even its history into the dark corners.  But as Cuban poet Nicolás Guillén once said, “Show me a Cuban who says he is white, and I’ll ask him to bring his Grandmother out from the kitchen.”  These days, Cubans are proud of their mixed heritage and it is shown in their literature, music, dance, film and the resurgence of interest in Afro-syncretic religion.  This program explores the history of African presence in Cuba, through visits to Matanzas and the Museum to Slavery, exploration of African presence in Cuba’s art in the Cuba collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, visits to sites of Afro-Cuban art and pride such as the Callejón de Hamel, and meetings with Afro-Cuban artists, filmmakers and writers.  The group will also with the Yoruba Association and Casa Africa.  As well the group will visit the Church of the Black Virgin in Regla and the Community of Atarés, two of the important centers of Afro Cuban community and spirituality in Havana.  Cost includes membership in the Center for Cuban Studies and a copy of Afro-Cuba: An Anthology of Cuban Writing on Race, Politics and Culture.

April 21 to 28 and May 26 to June 2 - $2500 to $2800
Through this program, visitors will learn about Cuban daily life, work, art, and how Cubans themselves see the Cuban reality.  The group will walk the streets of Old Havana with a specialist on the life and architecture of the oldest part of this historic city and then view the room-size model of the City of Havana in Miramar to learn about the history of the city, urban planning and the challenges planners confront in their work to improve and develop the city within enormous financial limitations.  The group will visit an open-air farmers’ market, talking to both sellers and shoppers about both the impact that food shortages and the new opportunities for self employment that are part of ongoing economic reforms.  A day trip to nearby Pinar del Rio will include the Center for Cuban Studies humanitarian project with Downs Syndrome children in the printmaking workshop run by local artist Jesús Carrete, a visit to Las Terrazas, a contained community within a UNESCO-designated biosphere known for its environmental work and a visit to a state-owned tobacco farm where farmers will talk about production in this type of state-controlled system.  Back in town, the group will also have a chance to visit a community run organic farm.  The trip will also include visits to the Museum of the Revolucion, the Literacy Museum and to several local art galleries, with the chance to meet and talk with artists, directors and curators. Another day trip will be to Matanzas, to Ediciones Vigía a privately run publishing house that produces handmade books of high artistic quality and also employs a number of local women.  While in Matanzas the group will pass through Varadero to learn about the tourism industry and meet workers and waiters and hear their perspective.  Finally, the group will also visit the Martin Luther King Center, an independently run community organizing and educational project linked to the Cuban Baptist church.   Cost includes membership in the Center for Cuban Studies and The Cuba Reader, an  anthology of writings on Cuba and the Cuban Revolution.

7 al 14 abril y 2 al 9 de junio - $2500 to $2800
En 8 dias y 7 noches, los participantes en este programa tendrán la oportunidad de sumergirse en la historia,  la vida diaria y la cultura actual de Cuba y los cubanos.  Aunque no estará excluida ninguna persona, el programa funcionara solamente en español y el propósito es introducir latinos de los Estados Unidos a sus hermanos y hermanas – y primos y primas  en Cuba.  El programa incluirá recorridos de Habana Vieja y Habana Moderna, visita a la Universidad de la Habana, al Museo de la Revolucón y de Bellas Artes, al Museo Hemingway, al Museo del Ron y al Museo de Alfabetización y la Ciudad Escolar Libertad para conocer del reconocido sistema de educación cubano.  El grupo también visitara con una casa del médico de la familia .  Viajando por el día a Pinar del Rio, visitara a una finca de campesinos, una comunidad campesina en las montañas y una fábrica del tabaco.  Visitará a otros artistas en sus estudios y talleres en la Habana, y compartirán experiencias con un Comité de Defensa de la Revolución.  También asistirá al Centro de Estudios Che Guevara.  De noche, el grupo tendrán chances asistir a los famosos centros de jazz y baile, como La Zorra y el Cuervo, El Gato Tuerco y Jazz Café.   El costo incluye inscripción en el Centro de Estudios Cubanos y The Cuba Reader, antología informativo sobre Cuba y la Revolución Cubana.

May 12 to 19 and June 9 to 16 – $2500 to $2800
This program coincides with the month of the Cuban Art Biennial, fast becoming a well known and prestigious showcase for the art of Cuba, the Caribbean and Latin America.  The group will be hosted in Cuba by Paradíso, the agency of the Ministry of Culture which organizes the Biennial.  The group’s days will be filled with attendance at the various sites, workshops and installation of the Biennial, as well as opportunities for tours of Old Havana and Modern Havana, visits to the Museum of the Revolution, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Hemingway Museum.  There also will be a series of visits to artists’ studios, including the panoramic work of Afro-Cuban artist Salvador González Escalona of the Callejón de Hamel and José Fuster of Jaimanitas, where the group will also have the opportunity for lunch at the artist’s home and will deliver supplies for his art project with disabled youngsters.  Cost includes membership in the Center for Cuban Studies and Art Cuba:  The New Generation or The Cuba Reader, an anthology of writings on Cuba and the Cuban Revolution

Coordinated and led by well known Cuban poet and writer Pedro Pérez Sarduy
May 19 to 26 - $2500 to $2800
For the 2nd year, Common Ground is organizing an extraordinary opportunity for scholars, writers, and those in the arts from the United States to meet with their counterparts in Cuba to explore the history, culture and society of Afro-Cuba.  Last year’s exchange at Casa included Mavis Alvarez, Irene Esther Ruiz, Gisela Arandia, Inés (Lalita) MartiatuTerry,  Gloria Rolando, Daysi Rubiera, Sandra Alvarez, and Nancy Morejon.  Led by Pedro Pérez Sarduy, the group will meet at Casa for presentations on a wide range of subjects related to the history and experience of Afro-Cuban women, and will also with Pedro explore the city of Havana and visit his home town of Santa Clara, setting for his recent and well known novel, The Maids of Havana.  It is a program designed for serious scholars of the African diaspora as a way to broaden the exchange and dialogue between Cuba and the United States.   Cost includes membership in the Center for Cuban Studies and The Maids of Havan.

June 16 to 23 and September 15 to 27 – $2500 to $2800
A 7 day trip that introduces you to the Cuban people, their history, land and culture through a series of visits to historic sites, museums, talks by experts on Cuban society, and opportunities to mingle directly with the Cuban people. Based in Havana, you will also travel to the romantic city of Santa Clara, seized by Che in the final days of the Cuban Revolution. Visits will include the Museum of the Revolution, the Museum of Fine Arts which takes you through several centuries of artists’ portrayal of Cuban landscape and personalities, the Hemingway Museum, the Center for José Martí, and the Che Memorial and Museum. You will meet well known local artists José Fuster of Jaimanitas and Salvador González Escalona of the Callejón de Hamel, each of whom has created a work of art out of their communities, involving their neighbors and drawing on rich cultural heritages. Cost includes membership in the Center for Cuban Studies and The Cuba Reader, an anthology of writings on Cuba and the Cuban Revolution.

June 15 to 25 – $2800 to $2995
Start your trip in Santiago, cradle of the Cuban Revolution and of Afro Cuban Culture. After visiting Cuba’s most sacred site, the Basílica of the Virgin of Cobre, continue to historic Bayamo, and from there to Camaguey, land of cattle ranching and Cuba’s vaqueros. From there to the breathtaking Valley of the Sugar Mills and historic Trinidad, nestled in the foothills of the Escambray mountains. Throughout your visits to these cities and towns you will learn about Cuba’s history and culture and have opportunities to meet and talk with the Cuban people. Finally, by way of Matanzas, you will reach the capital city of Havana for 5 days of visits to Havana’s most important historic sites, neighborhoods, artists and revolutionaries. Ten days in all, including airfare from Miami, accommodations at first class hotels, breakfast daily, several other meals, a knowledgeable group leader and English speaking Cuban guide. Cost includes membership in the Center for Cuban Studies and TheCuba Reader, an anthology of writings on Cuba and the Cuban Revolution.

July 7 to 14 and September 15 to 22 - $2500 to $2800
An exploration of Cuba’s spiritual life. After many years of disregard and at times outright discrimination against practitioners, since the first visit of the Pope to Cuba some 10 years ago, there has been a resurgence of religion in Cuba as well as a new acceptance of religious practice. The first set of dates coincides with the second visit of the Pope to Cuba but this and all other trip dates will explore the full variety of religious faith and practices in Cuba: Catholicism, protestant faiths, Judaism and a variety of Afro Syncretic religions. The group will visit the Yoruba Association and attend a ceremony; visit a variety of churches in Havana and in Matanzas, the Church of San Lázaro and the mission of nuns who attend it, and the extraordinarily vibrant and peaceful Evangelical Seminary in Matanzas. As well, the group will visit the Jewish Community Center in Havana and share a meal with the Jewish community there. There will be opportunities to talk with priests, congregation leaders and parishioners of all walks of life. Cost includes a copy of Fidel on Religion and membership in the Center for Cuban Studies.

June 9 to 16 and October 6 to 13 - $2500 to $2800
Old Havana and Trinidad have been declared by UNESCO architectural treasures of humanity.  But these cities and other gems such as Cienfuegos are more than just buildings.  They are the built expression of the culture and history of the people who built them and of those who still live in them today.  The group will explore Old and Modern Havana with specialists from the Office of the Historian of the City, on foot and by bus; visit an extraordinary Art Deco neighborhood on the outskirts of the city; and the neighborhood of Jaimanitas where the artist Fuster has helped his neighbors decorate their houses with unique expressions of whimsy and flair. The group will also travel to the stately city of Cienfuegos, long an important port city with both a central colonial park and a fascinating waterfront area.  Continuing on to the City of Trinidad, the group will stroll the old streets where often they will be welcomed in by the house proud residents to see the uniquely designed interior roofs and patios of their centuries old houses.  Before returning to Havana, the group also will tour the Valley of the Sugar Mills with its Iznaga Tower.

• RT Air from Miami (travel from other cities with supplement possible)
• Accommodations in 4* and better hotels
• Breakfast daily at the hotels plus welcome and farewell dinners and at least 2 lunches and 1 other dinner
• Transportation by airconditioned bus for transfers and all scheduled program activities
• Program of activities as described above
• English speaking guide permanently assigned to group
• Entry visa for Cuba
• Membership in the Center for Cuban Studies
• Educational materials to help the participant prepare for the trip
• Program and Service fees