ABOUT US
With our wealth of experience in Cuba, we have selected the best events to go to, places to see, things to do and accommodations.
The specialists at Cuban Cultural Travel have been organising cultural excursions into Cuba since 2003. We specialise exclusively in cultural travel and exclusively in Cuba. This specialisation makes us experts in this field. We have a strong working relationship with the best teachers, musicians, dancers, artists and photographers in the country and work closely with the Ministry of Culture. This gives us access to many activities and experiences otherwise impossible in this country.
With our wealth of experience in Cuba, we have selcted the best events to get to, places to see, things to do and accommodations. We regularly visit Cuba to monitor all activities, enabling us to give accurate and personal recommendations to our clients. ( For reading list see below)
Ethical Travel
Cuban Cultural Travel has been active for many years in organising meaningful donations to many of the arts schools throughout Cuba. This has included over 100 musical instruments, tools to repair instruments, entire libraries of music, dance equipment, computer equipment and uniforms for ensembles.
We structure our business so that is beneficial to all our teachers and logistic partners in Cuba. We also try to engage local restaurants and accommodation providers and pay them a fair price, putting some income back into the local community.
Recommendations
Research and enjoy your trip before you leave. Learn about the culture and history, the arts and architecture, the politics and the language. This will enhance your experience and let you delve further into this fascinating island.
Always treat the locals with respect, ask before you take a photo, have a few pictures of your family, pets or your country to show them – this is a great way to engage people. Cubans are very friendly and your trip will be so much more meaningful with genuine interaction.
Remember this is a developing nation and there may be things we take for granted that are difficult there. Slow down and remember you are somewhere very different. Soak up Cuba and revel in all that it has to offer. You will be back to your normal life way too soon!!
Reading list
The Cuba Reader: History, Culture, Politics
Ed.Aviva Chomsky, barry carr, Pamela mariA Smorkaloff. Duke University press, Durham , North Carolina,2003.ISBN 978 -0822331971. US publication with a good selection of articles.
Cuba Art and History from 1868 to Today
Nathalie Bondi.Prestel,new york, 2009. ISBN 3791343947. A joint publication of Havana’s Musieum of Fine Arts and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, this book accompanied the 2008 Montreal exhibition which showed to North America the ecclecticism in Cuban art from European, African, and American traditions.
Cuba: A History
Hugh Thimas. Revised edition, Penguin Books, London, new york, Melbourne, 2010. ISBN 978-0141034508.Classic scholarly work.
Cuba: A History
Richard Gott. Yale University Press, 2005 ISBN. 978-0300111149. A eorpean view of fives centuries of Cuban history.
The Splendor of Cuba: 450 Years of Architecture and Interiors
Michael connors. Rizzoli, New york, 2011. ISBN 978-0847835676. lavishly ilustrtaed survey of colonial palaces, sugar barons nasions and private homes in cubas cities.
Che: The Diaries of Ernesto Che Guevara
ocean Press, melbourne and new york, 2008 ISBN 1-92088893-4. one of the most important accounts of the Cuban revolution.
“Cuba: the country looks forward”
Hugh O’Saughnessy. The observer january 11, 2014. http://www.theguardian.com/world.2104/jan/11/cuba-changes-bring-mood-of-optimism
Cuba, Lonely Planet
Brendan Sainsbury, Luke Waterson. Lonely Planet, Melbourne 2013. ISBN 9781742204222. Full of useful inofrmation and maps.
