Viva La Cuba

Mar. 20, 2025
By: Norm Gholston

Havana’s vibrant rainbow of historic buildings illustrates the many cultural, economic, and political influences of this amazing country.

What a week! 19 intrepid individuals on Saturday March 1st boarded a charter flight from Miami International airport to Havana, Cuba. After a lovely lunch at La Botega we were given a private concert by the traditional Cuban combo Wena Vivre. Everyone joined in the dancing. A great start to an experience of a lifetime!

A live jazz performance.

While in Havana we heard from professors from the University of Havana about the history, architecture, culture, politics and economics of the Island country of Cuba. On foot we toured the UNESCO World Heritage site of Old Havana.

Street performers in Old Town Havana.

Sites included the Prado, Capitolio, Central Park and Grand Theater. We were invited to a jazz session including noted trumpet player, Yassek Manzano. We were witness to private dance performances from the troupe at Habana Compa’s and the Malpaso Dance Studio. Everywhere we traveled there was music being performed. While in Havana we visited several art studios and a large hand press print shop.

Art featured in a Community Print Workshop.

By comfortable bus driven with our Cuban tour guide Migdalia, where we visited one of Cuba's oldest and most beautiful cities Cienfuegos. We toured the architecture, art galleries and was given a private vocal performance in one of the many historic churches.

Town Square in the heart of Trinidad.

We continued our journey to the city of Trinidad on the Caribbean coast, another UNESCO World Heritage site. In Trinidad we toured with a local architect, historian and restoration specialist.

After two nights in Trinidad we returned for two more nights in Havana. We had a private performance from a classical string ensemble in a historic church, and visited more beautiful buildings. Finishing our last night with a farewell banquet and a few of the ladies took a tour of Havana in a classic 1950’s Chevrolet. What a wonderful experience to share with our new Cuban friends.