Colorful photos of Cuba

Cuban Rhythms

December 2–7, 2026

Pricing: $5,395 per person; For a single room add $675
Trip is limited to 25 participants

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Please contact ATA at 855-395-6100 or CHQtravels@academic-travel.com to inquire.

Overview

Join Chautauqua Travels for an in-depth exploration of contemporary Cuba, hearing the unique perspectives of artists and entrepreneurs, farmers and dancers, urban planners, and political experts, expanding on our quest for lifelong learning. Since Christopher Columbus declared Cuba part of the Spanish Empire in 1492, the island has served as a way station of New World wealth on its way across the Atlantic, a playground of American mob bosses and literati, and a tropical outpost of communism. The story of its past is told in the streets of its soulful cities, where Russian-made Ladas buzz alongside classic American cars and majestic façades now stand in various states of decay or restoration.  Amid this tableau that seems frozen in time, Cuban creativity is alive and thriving. During six fascinating days in and around Havana, visit family homes as well as important historic sites, enjoy private performances by renowned musicians and dance companies, and meet artists in their studios. Through panel discussions with local experts and interactions with everyday Cubans, gain insights into a rich and storied culture and the challenges and joys of life in Cuba. 

Please note: Much of the infrastructure in Cuba has not been updated to meet accessibility standards and can be challenging for those with mobility issues, including balance issues, using a cane/mobility aid, or walking challenges. The sidewalks and streets are in poor condition, and it is difficult to maintain an uninterrupted flat surface for any stretch of distance. Almost all restaurants and several visits require climbing at least two to three flights of stairs to access. All stairs have handrails on at least one side, but many staircases are narrow, and some are winding. Travelers will need to be able to climb up and down these stairs without assistance. There are no elevators. 

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Questions?

Please contact ATA at:
Toll-Free Number: 855-395-6100
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Trip Highlights

  • Experience Cuban rhythms as you take a dance or Afro-Cuban percussion lesson.
  • Witness private performances from classical music to Latin Jazz to impromptu jam sessions.
  • Meet members of the Malpaso Dance Company with Executive Director Fernando Sáez.
  • Discuss historic preservation with urban planners and meet with entrepreneurs to discuss politics and foreign policy.

Trip Expert: Judy Barie

Judy Barie, artist and curator, has managed the growth of the CVA Galleries in Chautauqua as Director for the past 16 years. She was instrumental in creating the new spaces in Strohl and Fowler-Kellogg Art Centers, and the Melvin Johnson Sculpture Garden. Judy is committed to introducing the Chautauqua audience to artwork that is inclusive, inventive and created by professional and emerging artists. She also builds strong relationships with collectors, art enthusiasts and those new to contemporary art, resulting in a universal support of artists.

Judy Barie

Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 1

Bienvenidos a Havana 

Arrive at Havana’s José Martí International Airport and transfer to your boutique hotel* in Vedado, a historic residential neighborhood filled with elegantly restored mansions. Meet your fellow travelers for an orientation from your tour staff followed by a festive welcome dinner featuring local flavors. Experience a captivating performance by Primera Linea, a youth band which fuses music from New Orleans and Cuba.  

Included Meals: Dinner 

Accommodations: Boutique hotel 

Day 2

History of Havana 

Meet with Cuba’s top urban planner this morning to gain insights into the cultural, political, and socioeconomic factors that are influencing the city’s evolution—and the challenges that historic preservationists face bringing this enchanting city into the future. Then set out on a walking tour of Old Havana. Exploring in small groups, you’ll have a chance to interact with families and entrepreneurs, visiting private homes and businesses to get an inside look at daily life in the city. After a traditional Cuban lunch in a renowned paladar, or privately-run restaurant, Enjoy a private classical musical performance.  Cap off the day with visits to the home studios of world-renowned and up-and-coming artists.  

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

Accommodations: Boutique hotel 

Day 3

Classic Cuba  

Tour the home of Ernest Hemingway at Finca Vigía, where the author penned For Whom the Bell Tolls and The Old Man and the Sea. Then travel to an urban farm on the outskirts of Havana. Sit down to a farm-to-table lunch and learn about the role of small, community-run gardens in addressing food scarcity issues in the wake of the collapse of the Soviet Union—once Cuba’s main supplier of agricultural products. This afternoon, stroll through the Museum of Cuban Art where an art historian will provide an overview of Cuban artists and art over four centuries. Then tour the iconic Hotel Nacional. The Nacional has played host to many foreign dignitaries who visit the island, as well as to the Mafia’s annual meetings in pre-revolutionary days. Walk the property to take in its grandeur. You will have the option to view the onsite bunkers to learn more about its role during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  This evening, experience a rooftop jam session with local musicians over a casual dinner. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

Accommodations: Boutique hotel 

Day 4

Afro-Cuban Influence 

Today you will examine the Afro-Cuban influence. Begin with the visit to Beyond Roots, a boutique start-up sharing Afro-Cuban culture in Cuba and through the world. Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of Callejon de Hamel, a neighborhood showcasing its Afro-Cuban culture. Here you will also learn about the religion of Santería. This afternoon, delight in a performance by the Rumba All Stars, a groundbreaking, multi-generational ensemble combining elements of theater, music, and dance. Attend a dance lesson to learn to learn some salsa moves or try your hand at Afro-Cuban percussion. This evening, gather for a reception at Café Madrigal, the art-filled home of filmmaker Rafael Rosales, where you’ll exchange with writers and artists over cocktails followed by a cigar tasting with a local expert. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Reception 

Accommodations: Boutique hotel 

Day 5

Entrepreneurialism and the Arts Revealed 

Participate in a panel discussion with top Cuban experts in politics, entrepreneurship, economics, and foreign policy. After lunch, you will have the chance to stop at boutique shops for an opportunity to support local businesses and entrepreneurs. This afternoon, pay a special visit to the Malpaso Dance Company headquarters with Fernando Saez, meeting with dancers and learning about the global influences that have shaped the style of this renowned troupe. Celebrate your journey at one of Havana’s top paladars.  

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  

Accommodations: Boutique hotel 

Day 6

Hasta Luego! 

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch your flight home. 

Included Meal: Breakfast 

What’s Included?

  • All accommodations for the duration of the tour
  • Meals, as noted in the itinerary
  • All sightseeing and visits as noted in each itinerary
  • Expertise of an ATA-hired tour manager and local guides throughout the tour
  • All gratuities for on-tour guides, drivers, hotel, and restaurant staff as part of the group program
  • All on-tour transportation, unless otherwise noted
  • Quietvox listening devices to facilitate audibility and social distancing on tour
  • The assistance of an ATA professional travel team to assist with pre-trip questions, travel arrangements, including flights, extra hotel nights and other services
  • Comprehensive pre-departure mailings and materials with information about the destination and what to expect on tour, including a suggested reading list
  • Emergency evacuation insurance

Accommodations

*Boutique hotels are privately and independently run by Cuban citizens rather than by the Cuban government. Each hotel only has 8-11 rooms. As such, with a maximum group size of 25, our group will likely utilize two hotels. They are all similar caliber and located in the same neighborhood. These former colonial mansions turned into full-service hotels are not only compliant with the US regulations on travel to Cuba but capture the charm and mystique of a bygone era. Specific boutique hotel assignments will be announced closer to departure.