Havana Biennial Art Exhibition Sample Itinerary*
Day 1: Bienvenidos a Havana!
Welcome to Havana! After clearing immigration and customs, your Cuban host will greet you and escort you to your hotel in the heart of Havana. Take some time to settle in, and spend the rest of the day at your leisure, soaking up the incredible sights and sounds of the city. Later that evening, celebrate your arrival with a welcome dinner at the hotel.
(Dinner included)
Day 2: Havana
Let the fun begin! After breakfast, enjoy a stroll through the historic streets of Habana Vieja, exploring the famous Cathedral Square, Plaza de Armas, and the City Museum. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has been restored to its historic splendor. It exudes colonial charm at its finest and is a must-see for any traveler. After lunch in Old Havana, you will visit several Biennial locations including the Center for Contemporary Art, Center for the Development of the Visual Arts and the National Center for Conservation, Restoration and Museology.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Day 3: Biennial de le Habana- Fortress and the Castillo
The Biennial de le Habana is a massive art festival that spans three weeks and showcases exhibitions of contemporary Latin American and Caribbean artists. Much of Havana becomes a giant art gallery with world class talent on display. Today, you will have breakfast at the hotel and then spend the morning at this incredible festival which takes place at the Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro and the Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña. In both locations, you will meet with both Cuban and international artists.
(Breakfast and Lunch included)
Day 4: Biennial de le Habana - Pabellon and Casa de las Americas
The exhibition pavilion for large events in Havana is located in the Vedado district at 23rd Street, an area also known as "La Rampa", because it leads up from the Malecón to the upper parts of the city, like a ramp. Memorable exhibitions have taken place in this building complex, for example, the presentation of the Parisian May Salon in 1967. The idea for this gathering came from famous Cuban artist, Wifredo Lam, who was living in Paris at the time. The Parisian May Salon showcased numerous stars of modern art including: Picasso, Magritte, Lam, Vasarely, Asger Jorn, Miró, Hundertwasser etc.
After Lunch, you'll get the opportunity to meet with representatives from Casa de Las Americas, founded in 1959 by Haydee Santamaría. The programs at Casa de Las Americas encompass various fields of art, culture and humanities. There are special departments for literature, visual arts, theater, music, Caribbean research, and women’s studies. Casa de Las Américas organizes a wealth of cultural and scientific events and awards international prizes for literature, photography, graphic arts, musicology, and theater. The institution owns four galleries for temporary exhibitions, as well as its own art collection.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Day 5: Havana
After breakfast, you'll meet with the professors and students of La Escuela Taller Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos. This unique institution was established in 1992, in an effort to train local youth in the arts and theoretical knowledge necessary to preserve their rich architectural heritage. Late morning, your group will visit the Convento de Nuestra Señora de Belén, a humanitarian health project in Old Havana and meet with the project Director for a lively discussion and tour of the facility. After lunch, visit the Partagas cigar factory in Old Havana. Tonight, will be your farewell dinner followed by the amazing Buena Vista Social Club show at the historic Hotel Nacional.
(Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Day 6: Adios Cuba!
After breakfast, you’ll bid farewell to Cuba as you board your flight back home.
(Breakfast included)
*This sample program (itinerary) will provide insight into what a participant may experience while traveling on an Insight Cuba program. A significant portion of your in-country programming is customized for each group in order to maximize your cultural experience. Many of our visits are not tourist destinations and are not always available, therefore, this program should be considered as a sample only, and may not be the actual itinerary for your particular program.