Home > Dive Discovery Group Trips

Cuban Culture + Gardens Of The Queen
December 28, 2016 - January 7, 2017 Group Trip

Escorted by: Amos Nachoum & Amanda Cotton

COST: US citizens $7,200 p.p. twin share
single accommodation in Havana + $650

• Where: Havana and Gardens of the Queen
• Duration: Cuba 10 Days / 9 nights (6 nights aboard Avalon II, 3 nights in Havana)
• Max No. of Guests: 16
• Activities: 5 days diving, 2 days cultural exchange in Havana
• OFAC License: Educational Activities (515.565)

ITINERARY

Departure, 12/28 (Miami or from your country of origin if not USA)

– travel (on your own) from your home city to Miami (or directly to Havana from your country) because charter times are subject to change. Flights are typically early in the morning so it is wise to arrive in Miami the night before and be ready to leave first thing the next day. there is a convenient and reasonably priced hotel ideal for this purpose located at the Miami airport.

Day 1, 12/29 (Miami to Havana) (Hotel Parque Central)

- Depart for Miami Airport (5am)
– Check-in for 9am departure, 3 hrs. before (6am)
– Depart Miami to Havana – Havana Air (9am)
– Plans for the rest of the day are subject to arrival times of all guests
– Lunch at Cafe del oriente
– Official Presentation of the City of old Havana – Journey through old Havana, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and interact with the locals as you visit the four historic plazas that make Havana one of the most unique architectural places in the western hemisphere.
– Hotel Parque Central check-in (4:30pm)

Day 2, 12/30 (Havana–Parque Central)

– Breakfast (8am)
– Social Presentation of the City of Modern Havana – Exchange ideas with the local people about the history of these architectural gems as you see the Capitolio, the university of Havana, the Plaza de Revolution and other historic landmarks (9am)
– Cigar Factory – Meet the workers and watch how they continue a centuries old tradition (11am)
– Lunch at El Litoral (included) (12:30pm)
– Morro Castle, La Cabaña Fortress – Dialogue with the locals as you see this famous fortress that guards the entrance to Havana Bay (2pm)
– Dinner group coordinated (7pm)

Day 3 , 12/31 (Gardens Of The Queen – Boat)

– Early Breakfast on your own at the hotel Parque Central, with 24-hour room service. Hotel check-out. (3:30am)
– travel to Jucaro by bus – 7 hrs. including time for lunch (4am)
– stop at vegetable stands and meet the local farmers (9am)
– Boat check-in, lunch on board and travel to Gardens (5 hrs) (12pm)
– Exchange ideas with marine experts about Cuba’s intricate ecosystem and how this can be applied to other oceans in the world
– Dinner on the boat (included) (5pm)

Day 4 - 8, 01/1-5 2017 (Gardens Of The Queen – Boat)

– Breakfast, lunch and dinner (included) AND 15 dives (6am to 9pm)
– Meet with marine experts to gain insight into the conservation measures that Cuba is taking to preserve their delicate aquatic ecosystem in the Gardens of the Queen. “Jardines de la Reina was declared a Marine Park in 1996 – and with the support and management of Avalon, along with the Research Center for Coastal Ecosystems in Ciego de Avila and the Fisheries Control Department, this area has been preserved for future generations as an intricate network of untouched marine ecosystems that have been regarded by many knowledgeable scientists and organizations as a bench mark of the original status of coral reefs as found by Christopher Columbus in the early years of his discovery.”

Day 9, 01/6 2017 Depart The Garden

– Breakfast (included) (6am)
– travel by boat from Gardens to Jucaro (5 hrs) (7am)
– travel to Havana (5-7 hrs) (12pm)
– Hotel Habana Panorama Check-in (7pm)
– suggested Dinner at La Florentina (Capri) (8pm)

Return, 01/7 2017 (Fly To Miami or to your country of origin if not USA)

– Breakfast on your own (4am)
– Check out of the hotel (5am)
– Leave 5am for airport for 9am departure to Miami (5am)
– Depart Havana to Miami – Havana Air (9am)

The Avalon II

The new Avalon II is a one year old, 110’ long vessel that can accommodate 16 people in eight ensuite double cabins. Fully air conditioned, the boat has a large diving deck, good rental diving gear, Nitrox, a parlor, dining room, and bar. Even a Jacuzzi is waiting for us on the top deck.

Meals are superb with pasta, lobster, shrimp, and salads combined with plentiful fresh tropical fruit like guava, pineapple and papaya. English speaking guides, as well as some of the crew are very experienced and accommodating.

Contact Cindi at Request Info to reserve your spot!

For more information
Contact:
Dive Discovery
@
1 800 886-7321
(415) 444-5100
or
Request Info