Authentic Havana Tour, Cuba

Experience Havana, Cuba and discover for yourself why this enigmatic Caribbean island creates such a compelling narrative.
Location:
Dates:
22-26 October 2023; 07-11 January 2024
Price:
$2950 per person

Havana, Cuba Tour

Experience Cuba and discover for yourself why this enigmatic Caribbean island creates such a compelling narrative. Cuba is an exhilarating feast for the senses! Intriguing architecture, beautiful classic cars dotting the streets, world-famous drinks and cigars, festive entertainment, and warm locals who genuinely love hosting contribute to the amazing atmosphere. While you may not consider a tropical island as a place steeped with Jewish tradition, Cuba was once the hub of Caribbean Jewish life. The history of the Cuban Jews stretches back to 1492. It is believed that Marranos (Spanish Jews who were forcibly converted to Catholicism) accompanied Columbus on his voyage, making Jews some of the first Europeans to set foot on the island. Hear and see the fascinating story of Cuba’s Jews, while soaking in everything this exotic destination has to offer! Cuba’s authentic flair and lively spirit are felt throughout every corner of Havana’s vibrant streets and breathtaking natural sites.

 

With Kosher Travelers it's not just a vacation - it's a lifelong experience

Day
Date
Location
Departure / Arrival Time 
Sunday
Arrival, Plaza de La Revolución and Cañonazo
Arrival approximately 1:45pm
Monday
La Habana Vieja
Departure 9:00am
Tuesday
Jewish Cemetery, Hemmingway, and the City Sights
Departure 9:00am
Wednesday
Cuban Jewry, Classic Cars, Rum and Shopping
Departure 9:00am
Thursday
Art, Cigars and Jewish Sites
Departure 9:00am
Friday
Return home
Departure 9:00am
Itinerary & Accomodation

Chateau Blanc is certified member property of the exclusive Hamsa ® travel brand. We are a private, family-owned kosher compliant bed and breakfast facility in Cuba dedicated to providing upscale accommodations .  With a modern decor, premium food and beverage services and a friendly and knowledgeable staff, we are committed to making your stay a most enjoyable experience.

Founded in 2018, by a Cuban American, our owner-operators have traveled to Cuba on many occasions and spend much of the year residing in Havana. Over the years, they have managed the travel and accommodations for many groups of various sizes, allowing us to develop a comprehensive understanding of the history, culture, and people of Cuba.

Join us for an adventure of a lifetime.

Sunday Day 1: Arrival, Plaza de La Revolución and Cañonazo

Assumes arrival by 1:45PM or earlier; please schedule flights accordingly.

Arrive at Jose Martí International Airport in Havana and meet your guide, who will be waiting for you upon exiting the Arrivals area. The guide will have a sign posted for your group.

Board an air-conditioned coach and proceed to start your experience in Havana with a brief orientation while en route to our first destination.

Visit to Plaza de la Revolución (Revolution Square), the site of political rallies and famous speeches

 Drive through el Bosque de La Habana, a national park in the Nuevo Vedado area.

 Meet the Sculptor/Artist and visit the studio of Enrique Avila, who created the world-famous Che Guevara sculpture, icon of the Cuban Revolution.

 Arrive at Chateau Blanc for check in and complimentary mojito. Welcome to Cuba dinner.

Following dinner, we will attend the changing of the guard ceremony, Cañonazo de las Nueve, that officially closes the city gates at 9:00PM sharp.

Monday Day 2: La Habana Vieja and Cuban Jewry

Departure for a tour of the old city and visit Museo de La Revolución (Museum of The Revolution), where you can see the history of world events told from the Cuban point of view.

Walk through the four main squares of Old Havana.

Visit Hotel Raquel and the Orthodox Synagogue - Adath Israel.

Box Lunch at Plaza Vieja. Walk by the legendary Ernest Hemingway hangouts

Tour by bus of the Famous Malecón seawall and see “Mafia” Hotels (The Hilton, The Capri, The Riviera) that were the local haunts of famous gangsters such as Lucky Luciano, Bugsy Siegel and Al Capone.

Visit El Patronato (Beth Shalom) Conservative Synagogue, and then the Sephardic Synagogue and the Steven Spielberg produced Holocaust Memorial

Following dinner, visit the iconic Hotel Nacional, a seaside hotel frequented by the rich and famous, and the best place in the city to enjoy a cigar by the water.

Tuesday Day 3: Vinales Valley: Tobacco, Coffee and Caves

Board the bus for a 3 hour ride to the beautiful mountains of Vinales Valley

First stop is at the Mural of Prehistoria. This mural painted on the side of a “mogote” stone depicts the evolutionary process of men and animals in the Sierra de los Organs, in its different stages. At 120m in length, it is one of the world’s largest open air paintings

Tour a working tobacco and coffee farm and learn the history of both in Cuba and watch as an expert gives you a cigar rolling demonstration. Hear the process for how coffee is grown, dried and roasted for this delicious drink

Wind your way down a lighted path down into a La cueva del Indio, and from there take a boat ride through the ​stalactite caves

Explore the quaint downtown area of Vinales and see artists, drink sugar cane juice and maybe even find yourself in the middle of an impromptu dance party.

Meet with the local artists and artisans in the main square, where you can view the Casa de la Cultura, an old colonial structure dating from 1832 and the quaint nineteenth century church. 

Late dinner at Chateau Blanc

Wednesday Day 4: Jewish Cemetery, Hemmingway, and the City Classic Cars

Departure to visit the Jewish Cemetery to gain insight of the once thriving Jewish community and personalities that existed in Havana.

Head back to the Havana Club Rum Museum to learn the history of rum in Cuba, including free samples and a store where you can purchase high quality Cuban rums.

See and learn how the famous Cuban cigar is grown and made at the cigar factory.

Then off to the Almacenes de San Jose where you can purchase local crafts, artwork, and souvenirs.

Ride the American Vintage cars back to Chateau Blanc for a farewell Cuban Dinner

Optional: Following dinner, visit the trendy Fábrica de Arte (F.A.C), a popular night spot for drinking, live music, dance, art and cinema

Thursday Day 5: Return Home

Breakfast & Depart to Jose Marti International airport.

Hasta pronto!!!!!!

Optional: Post Tour Shabbat in Miami- for details visit www.theshul.org/touristinfo. /www.myjewishflorida.com

What's included?
  • Three delicious kosher meals per day, including packed lunches for day tours.
  • A complete touring itinerary with a local English-speaking guide.
  • Travel in a luxury, air-conditioned coach bus.
  • Kosher Traveler’s exclusive program and a complete Shabbat program (see itinerary below for details).
  • All entrance fees for sites on the tour itinerary.
  • 4.5-star rated accommodations.

What's not included?

  • International flights 
  • Travel insurance - comprehensive travel & health insurance is compulsory.
  • Tips for local guides and service providers, $10 per person/per day.
  • Entry visa if required.
Kashrut information

Chateau Blanc proudly offers a kosher-compliant facility, where guests can expect the highest caliber food and services, prepared under the strictest adherence to hygiene and quality. We are certified by International Kosher Mehadrin (IKM), a highly respected kosher certification agency with over 25 years of service in the field.

Exclusive to Chateau Blanc, we are the only facility of its kind in Cuba. We serve a variety of fish, vegetable, pasta and dairy meal options, with meat options coming soon. Our kitchens are outfitted with separate refrigeration, sinks, ovens, dishware and utensils to ensure compliance with the highest standards of food preparation. Our chefs are well-acquainted with the strict dietary laws of kashrus, allowing us to create a memorable Cuban dining experience under strict kosher preparation.

International Kosher Mehadrin (IKM) will certify all “strictly kosher” resident guest groups traveling to Havana – UPON REQUEST – at our facility. For more information on IKM, please visit their website at http://www.ikmehadrin.com/

Breakfast is served each morning in our lounge and terrace areas on the fourth floor, or you can choose to relax and enjoy your meal in one of the common areas of the second and third floors. Get your day started right with with a fresh assortment of seasonal tropical fruits and juices, eggs, breads and pastries, yogurts and cereals, along with coffee and tea.   Snacks and beverages are available throughout the day in our POSH lounge.

Exclusive to Chateau Blanc, we are the only kosher compliant facility in Havana. We are pleased to provide a variety of fish, vegetable and dairy meal options, with meat options coming soon. Our kitchens are outfitted with separate refrigeration, sinks, ovens, dishware and tableware to ensure the highest standards of hygiene and food preparation. Our chefs are well-acquainted with the strict dietary laws of kashrut to create a most memorable Cuban dining experience under strict kosher preparation.

 


International Flights & Global Travel, Health & Luggage Insurance
    • Comprehensive Travel Insurance covering trip cancellation, medical emergencies and luggage is mandatory at the time of reservation.
    • Israeli Citizens; Kosher Travelers recommends Egert & Cohen Insurance. Contact Tali +972-2-622-7999 ext. 125 or 052-769-9406 or tali@egertcohen.co.il. You may also sign up for insurance online at https://www.egertcohen.co.il/travel/signup-kosher-travel.asp.
    • USA & Canadian Citizens; Kosher Travelers recommends www.traveldefend.com Ph Josh: 18005782871 info@traveldefend.com
    • Arrangements and cost of International flights are not included.
    • We recommend the following Travel & Flight Consultants
    • PJ - Tag Travel pj@tagtravel.co.il Tel: +9722-6234131
    • Ruth Berman of Ofakim +97225362163 or  ruth@ofakim.co.il
    • KOSHER TRAVELERS CANCELLATION FEES AND REFUNDS POLICY:If guest cancels their reservation the following cancellation fees apply:
      • 90 days prior a full refund is payable less $100 admin. per person
      • 45-90 days prior a full refund is payable less $500 per room
      • Within 45 days there is no refund.
      • If government-imposed lockdown of hotel or airport full refund less $100 admin. per person

What kind of crowd should I expect?

The common denominator of our clients is Shomer Shabbat and kashrut. There are no religious level criteria to join our tours, cruises, or hotel programs and we won't ask you any questions about your religious observance. We attract a diverse group of Jewish, English-speaking guests from across the globe, and encourage an accepting atmosphere among our group members.

At Kosher Travelers, we’re passionate about travel. Like you, we believe in opening yourself up to new experiences and breathtaking vistas that will forever expand who you are and how you see the world.

Discover… That’s why we put so much care into giving our customers not just a vacation but a life-changing experience. On a Kosher Travelers tour, you can be confident that every detail will be taken care of, from A to Z. No worries, no stress – just sheer delight and the freedom to fully enjoy every moment.

Enrich... We know what’s important to you. You want not just memorable, but meaningful. A pampering, deluxe, full-sensory experience that also has depth and spirituality. That’s why we bring the Jewish dimension to our tours, wherever in the world they are and provide the highest level of kashrut and all the amenities required for the kosher traveler.

Connect... Most importantly, when you travel with Kosher Tours, you travel with family. We take pride in creating a family dynamic among our group members. Lifelong friendships have been formed on our tours!

Come experience for yourself the magic of a Kosher Travelers Tour!

Discover. Enrich. Connect. And give yourself the gift of a lifetime.

Join Us in Cuba's Exhilarating Capital

Fascinating History

Hear Havana’s dramatic history and captivating story from our knowledgable tour guides.

Scrumptious Cuban Cuisine

Indulge in authentic Kosher Cuban cocktails and delicious cuisine prepared on-site!

A Vacation Like No Other

Let Havana's undeniable energy take you over and revel in the change of pace and artistic flair of this intoxicating country.

Pricing

Accommodations

Our standard rooms have one queen and one full sized bed. A perfect place to relax after a long day of seeing the sights.
Pricing
Prices are based on Twin share/double occupancy. Single Supplement $500

Deposit, Cancellation Fees & Policy:

There is a $1000 per person deposit required to confirm your reservation. If the tour is canceled because a minimum number of participants was not reached, you will receive a FULL refund. Please see our full terms & conditions page for more details.

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