SIUE Sponsors Music Lovers Tour of Cuba
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Office of Educational Outreach is sponsoring the Music Lovers Tour of Cuba from May 14-21, 2016. The eight-day, seven-night deluxe excursion features premier hotel accommodations and dining, with private musical performances and dance recitals.
A maximum of 20 tour participants will have a unique opportunity to experience Cuban music, ethnic art, dance and architecture.
The tour begins with an overnight stay in Miami. The group flies to Cienfuegos, continues on to Trinidad, and concludes in Havana before returning to Miami. Travelers will experience a private concert by famous Cuban jazz musician Jorge Luis Pacheco in his home.
The Irene Rodriguez Compañia Flamenco Dancers also will perform, and participants will receive a private salsa dance lesson. Other musical events include performances by the Havana Youth Orchestra and entertainment at the Casa de la Trova.
In addition, there will be numerous photo opportunities, including vintage cars and colonial Spanish architecture.
In Cienfuegos, travelers will enjoy the post-war architecture of The Hotel Jagua, which was built in the 1950’s as a casino. While in Trinidad, participants will stay in a five-star hotel, the Iberostar Grand Hotel. The 19th century hotel is centrally located in Trinidad, opposite the tranquil and inviting Parque Céspedes, with its many colonial Spanish buildings.
Havana hotel accommodations are at the Hotel Parque Central, which TripAdvisor lists as the No. 1 hotel in the capitol city. The five-star hotel is directly across from Cuba’s Capitol Building.
Airfare pricing is from Miami International Airport. The total cost includes round trip airfare from Miami to Cienfuegos with return from Havana to Miami, hotel rooms in three different cities, all meals except one lunch and one dinner, entrance fees to scheduled music venues, museums and other events, Cuban tourist visa and departure tax, Cuban insurance (health and evacuation), and gratuities for restaurants and porters.
Pricing begins at $4,700 (double occupancy) for SIUE premium alumni members and SIUE students. There is special pricing for SIUE faculty, SIUE alumni and members of participating SIUE friends organizations. The trip is open to the general public.
For more information, contact the Office of Educational Outreach at 618-650-3208 or visit the SIUE Music Lovers Cuba Tour website for more information and trip registration at siue.edu/cubatrip.
