CUBA

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society100 N. 20th Street – 5th FloorPhiladelphia, PA 19103-1495

215.988.8800PHSonline.org

CUBA

October 7-15, 2018

Discover

Dear PHS Members and Friends,

I invite you to Travel with PHS to Cuba in 2018. Blessed with excellent growing conditions, Cuba has a long history in agricultural production and horticultural know-how. As the largest and most populous island in the Caribbean, the ‘Pearl of the Antilles’ is also a melting pot of cultures and cuisines. Our tour begins and ends in Havana with visits to the colonial cities of Trinidad and Cienfuegos in the middle. Travel with us and experience this enigmatic island nation.

If you have any questions, please email me at sbetts@pennhort.org or call 215-988-8819. I look forward to traveling with you.

Sincerely

Suzanne W. Betts Membership Director

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DAY Sunday, October 7, 20181

Today you’ll arrive independently to Miami. We’ll spend one night near the Miami International Airport and meet for welcome drinks. Dinner is on your own tonight.Hotel: TBD

DAY Monday, October 8, 20182

Today we’ll have a group transfer to Miami International Airport and fly to Havana. After arrival at Jose Marti International Airport, we’ll clear customs and immigration, and meet our guide and driver. Before checking into our hotel, we’ll visit the home and barrio of Jose Fuster. For the past 30 years, he has turned his neighborhood into a kaleidoscope of bold mosaics. Influenced by Picasso and Gaudi, Fuster has captured the vibrant spirit of Cuba through his artistry. We’ll dine together tonight and have a presentation on the history and architecture of Havana and Cuba by a noted Cuban architect.

(B, D) Hotel: Sevilla (2 nights) www.hotelsevilla-cuba.com

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DAY Tuesday, October 9, 20183

Following breakfast, we’ll enjoy a walking tour of Old Havana. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town center retains an interesting mix of Baroque and neoclassical monuments, and a homogeneous ensemble of private homes with balconies, wrought-iron gates and internal courtyards. After lunch at the Havana Botanic Garden, we’ll meet with Sr. Alejandro Palmarola of the Botanic Garden and President of the Cuban Botanical Society for his insights into the flora of Cuba. Dinner at your leisure to enjoy the many wonderful paladares, (private restaurants) in the Capital; you will be provided with a list of a few recommendations and your guide will assist in your selection and reservation.

(B, L)

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DAY Wednesday, October 10, 20184

This morning we’ll leave Havana and travel to Cienfuegos in central Cuba. Known as known as the “Pearl of the South”, Cienfuegos was founded in 1819 by French immigrants from Bordeaux and New Orleans. Following a light lunch, we’ll enjoy a private tour of the Jardin Botanico de Cienfuegos. Created in 1901 by American sugar baron Edwin Atkins and later managed by Harvard University, the 1,500-acre garden is now operated by the Cuban government. Tonight, we’ll enjoy dinner at the Palacio de Valle.

(B, L, D) Hotel: Melia Jagua (2 nights)

DAY Thursday, October 11, 20185

Today, we’ll spend most of the day in Trinidad de Cuba. Trinidad is one of the best preserved colonial towns in all the Americas and founded in 1514 as the fourth of the seven original villas (towns) founded by Diego Velazquez. It prospered as a sugar town until the international sugar market collapsed in the 1860s and the town drifted into obscurity. On our walking tour we’ll visit one of the town’s museums and a stop at a craft market.

Lunch is at your leisure – there are many new paladares in town and some very interesting art galleries. You’ll have time after lunch to explore on your own.

(B, D)

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DAY Friday, October 12, 20186

Following breakfast, we’ll return to Havana and en route visit La Finca Vigia, Ernest Hemingway’s home as he left it before his return to USA never to return. He said of Cuba that “it was the best place on earth to work.” Many of his greatest works including “The Old Man and the Sea” were written here. Lunch will be at local cooperative restaurant overlooking the Bahia de la Habana. After checking into our hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure.

(B, D) Hotel: Sevilla (3 nights) www.hotelsevilla-cuba.com

DAY Saturday, October 13, 20187

Today we enjoy a guided tour of the Bellas Artes Museum’s Cuban collection which illustrates the history of Cuba through its arts. We’ll also visit the Iglesia de San Francisco de Paula built in the 1700’s and was originally attached the first hospital in Cuba to treat only women. It is now a concert hall which contains art work by some of Cuban’s most notable current artists. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to visit the Craft Market, or explore more of Old Havana. Tonight, dinner is at leisure.

(B)

DAY Sunday, October 14, 20188

This morning we’ll venture out of Havana and travel west towards Las Terrazas, the most successful of the planned communities built in the late 1960’s. Nestled in the beautiful Sierra del Rosarios Mountains, about an hour west of the Capital, this ecological settlement was built by people who hoped for a better life in an ecologically sound environment. It has been declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. We’ll visit the Rancho Curujey and our guide who will provide more information about the ecology of the area and the purpose of the settlement. Our lunch this afternoon is at a 19th century French coffee plantation. In the afternoon we’ll have a guided tour of the Soroa Orchid Garden. Spaniard Tomás Felipe Camacho created the garden in 1943 to honor his daughter. The family’s house – which is being converted into a museum – is located within the garden. Camacho also collected a library dedicated to orchids and ornamental plants, and the collection still considered to be one of the best in Cuba. The garden is home to over 20,000 plants and 700 species, including 250 species native to Cuba.

(B,L,D)

DAY Monday, October 15, 20189

Following breakfast, we’ll checkout of hotel and return to the airport for our return flight to Miami.

(B)

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TERMS & CONDITIONS

This trip has been organized by World Passage Ltd. for Members and friends of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS). Please read this information carefully. Contact Suzanne Betts at 215-988-8819 if you have questions.

Trip FeesThe price has been determined in accordance with currency calculations as of November 2017. Price per person based on double occupancy. $4,100 PHS Member/$4,300 non-Member. Single occupancy of a room requires additional payment of $800.

Tour Price includes:• Hotel accommodations based on two people sharing a room with private bath, hotel service charges, tips and gratuities, taxes and porterage per itinerary• Ground transportation by private motor coach on touring days• Meals and tips to wait staff at included meals • All land travel, transfers and porterage in Cuba• US Treasury Department, OFAC License – Compliance with all Federal Regulations• Cuban Tourist Visa for non-Cuban born participants• Health insurance in Cuba• Services of a professional English speaking guide• Entrance fees to included sites • Gratuities for driver and guides• $300 tax-deductible donation to PHS

Tour Price does not include:• Airfare/transportation to/from Miami• Trip cancellation insurance• Airline baggage charges – Cuba/USA• Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, WIFI, business center expenses and room service.• Immunizations and prescription medications required for travel• Meals, tours and entrance fees not specifically mentioned in itinerary

TERMS & CONDITIONS (continued)

TERMS & CONDITIONS (continued)

Reservation and PaymentA deposit of $600 per person, completed registration forms, 2 legible copies of your passport, is required with deposit. Written confirmation will be provided upon receipt of deposit. Your deposit is fully refundable if you cancel prior to June 27th or if space on the trip is not available. Your deposit is not refundable after that date. The balance is due by close of business August 28th, 2018. Your balance payment is refundable if you cancel prior to August 28, 2018. Your balance is non–refundable after that date.

NOTE: your cancellation must be in writing and received by World Passage by the close of business on the relevant cancellation dates above.

Number of GuestsA maximum of 16 guests can be accommodated. A minimum of 12 full pay travelers is required to operate the tour. If this number is not met, the trip may cancel, and you will receive a full refund. Purchase of non-refundable services outside of tour itinerary, such as airline tickets, before minimum guests have registered is at the sole risk and expense of the guest.

Physical CapabilitiesPlease advise PHS of any restrictions regarding diet, mobility issues or disabilities so that we may plan accordingly, when possible. This tour is designed for reasonably active people. Tours can involve quite a lot of walking. Terrain may include steep inclines, cobblestones, grass, dirt paths, uneven surfaces, in areas with restricted vehicle access and up/down stairs. Each participant must be able to navigate themselves in/out of the tour vehicle. It is strongly suggested that all tour participants be in good health.

PassportIt is the traveler’s responsibility to ensure he/she has a valid passport. Passports must be valid at least 6 months beyond your travel date to be accepted.

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HotelsHotels are shown on your itinerary. World Passage LTD reserves the right to change any hotel through any circumstance, the substitute will be of equal or higher quality.

Scheduled ActivitiesEvery effort will be made to provide such services as listed, but where unavailable circumstances necessitate changes, the best substitute will be made at the discretion of World Passage LTD, PHS, or the ground operator without financial compensation to tour members.

Flight Arrangement Flight information will be released at a future date. Please do not purchase airline tickets until you receive official confirmation that the minimum number of guests has been reached.

TERMS & CONDITIONS (continued)

Notes

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CancelationsThe purchase of cancellation/medical travel insurance is strongly recommended. Most travel insurance policies include both cancellation and medical coverage.

You may purchase from Allianz Global by calling 800-284-8300 or by going to our travel coordinator’s website http://worldpassageltd.com/travel-insurance-and-cell-phones/ When purchasing an Allianz Global policy by phone please give to the agent the ACCAM number: F027117. This is the identification number of our travel coordinator and will facilitate your application process.

To have a preexisting condition covered (available as a refundable reason to cancel) you will need to purchase your insurance within 14 days from the date of your deposit payment.

In case you need medical treatment, hospitals and clinics for tourists are conveniently located throughout the country. Cuban medical insurance is included in the price of the trip and covers 100% of medical expenses up to $25,000 and re-patriation or transportation due to illness, accident, or death (up to $7000) - except as noted below. Your hotel has first aid station and nurse for immediate attention to minor illnesses or injuries. Your insurance will cover treatment in the hotel and at a clinic if necessary. PLEASE NOTE: Cuban health insurance does not cover treatment for a pre-existing condition – you are liable for the costs incurred from the treatment of a preexisting condition. You may seek reimbursement from your USA insurance company; if your USA policy so provides.