Travel to Cuba

PHOTO: Street in Havana, Cuba. Photo courtesy of David Cogswell.

As 2014 came to close, one of the biggest — if not the biggest — travel stories of the year was the announcement by President Barack Obama about his plans to normalize diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba.

Cuba has rapidly become one of the hottest destinations for U.S. travelers and demand for this predominantly untouched destination was validated by active members of USTOA in a recent survey conducted by PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), which named Cuba the second (behind Myanmar) top “emerging” country that they see becoming increasing popular in 2015.

While USTOA has made its position clear on Cuba for some time, this is first time Cuba debuted on USTOA’s list— confirming the growing interest from American travelers.

With the restoration of diplomatic relations and the elimination of many regulations governing travel to the country, the floodgates to Cuba will soon be open. But a number of USTOA tour operator members have already opened the door through licensed people-to-people travel programs, which provide access that is otherwise prohibited to ordinary tourism. Following is a sampling of itineraries from members.

Globus: This company is offering three itineraries to Cuba in 2015. The nine-day “Eastern Cuba’s Hidden Gems” tour includes a wide range of immersive educational activities, such as a farm-to-table cooking demonstration, dance lessons and a scenic cruise of Santiago Bay. Guests can also visit a traditional print shop, a mechanical music-organ factory, Fidel Castro’s boyhood home and more. Available on select dates between April and October, this tour is priced starting at $2,719 land only. Visit www.globusjourneys.com.

Collette: This company’s “Rediscover Cuba — A Cultural Exploration” features an interactive lecture on the instruments used to produce the distinctive “sounds of Cuba,” a visit to a working cigar factory, a locomotive ride through the countryside and a meeting with the owners of one of Havana’s paladars, a small specialty restaurant with its own organic farm. Available February through May 2015, this seven-night itinerary is priced starting at $3,979 per person land only based on double occupancy. Visit www.gocollette.com.

Alexander + Roberts: “Undiscovered Cuba” is this company’s small-group journey showcasing smaller towns rarely visited by American travelers. Guests meet renowned artist Jose Fuster, visit with local students and professors to learn about efforts to preserve the architectural heritage of Old Havana, browse local farmers’ markets and dine at private, family-owned paladars. This 13-day journey is available March 8 and 29, April 26, May 17, June 7, and July 19, 2015. Prices start at $5,795 per person land only based on double occupancy. Visit www.alexanderroberts.com

Tauck: For 2015, Tauck is enhancing its popular eight-day Cuba itinerary by adding five additional days and expanding beyond Havana and its surroundings. The 13-day “Cuba: Connecting with People & Culture” itinerary includes three nights in Havana, two nights in Cayo Santa Maria, three nights in Camaguey, one night in Holguin and two nights in Santiago de Cuba. Trip highlights include an architectural walking tour with a local expert in Habana Vieja (old Havana), a musical performance by a children’s group in Caibarien, and discussions with many local artisans, restaurateurs, fisherman, and historians. Available January through early June 2015, the tour is priced starting from $7,465 per person double occupancy, plus airfare. Visit www.tauck.com.

Explorica: The nine-day “Havana Highlights” tour from Explorica Inc. unearths the country’s vibrant culture through open dialogues with the artists of the painted streets of Callejón de Hamel, the farmers of sustainable farms and other distinguished citizens. Guests also visit the Cuban National Circus School, a rural neighborhood health clinic and an afterschool program for kids. Available year-round, this tour has prices starting at $2,897. Visit www.explorica.com.

Mayflower Tours: “Cuba Experience 2015,” Mayflower’s Cuba offering, includes visits to a cigar factory, ceramic studio and gallery, botanical gardens, a craft market and more. Guests also can travel in style in a fleet of antique cars, ride an antique sugar cane steam train, take a salsa lesson and enjoy a performance by the Cienfuegos Choir. Available April 5, May 10 and May 17, this engaging nine-day journey is priced starting at $4,199 per person double. Visit www.mayflowertours.com.

For more information about tours and packaged vacations, visit www.ustoa.com.