DRAFT Itinerary To Cuba
Starting Easter Monday, April 17, 2017
DAY 1. Monday. Arrive at Holguin, Cuba.
Arrive Northeastern city of Holguin via a direct flight from Miami in the early afternoon. Once there, check in to the hotel and spend some time relaxing on the beach in the afternoon. A welcome dinner of authentic Cuban food and dancing will allow us to get to know one another and prepare us for the week ahead.
DAY 2. Tuesday. The Indigenous Cuba
Certainly before the arrival of the Anglican church to Cuba and even before colonialism had found its way to the Caribbean, the Island had its own culture and religious practices. On this day we will visit the largest indigenous sepulcher in the Caribbean in Chorro de Maita museum and the representation of an aboriginal village exploring the indigenous culture of the island. In the afternoon we will enjoy the warm waters of the beautiful Guardalavaca beach and in the evening we will have a local dinner of some of the most original Cuban food and culture before heading to our hotel.
DAY 3. Wednesday. Colonialism and the Roman Church
After a motor coach drive to Santiago de Cuba, we will visit the Roman Catholic cathedral and take a special restricted access tour of the Shrine to La Caridad del Cobre, Cuba’s very special representation of the Mary, the mother of Christ. In the afternoon we will pay a short visit to the Episcopal Church of St. Luke before heading out to dinner and then rest. We will spend the night in Santiago.
DAY 4. Thursday. Slavery and the African Influence
We’ll check out of our hotel and head to the airport for our short flight to Havana. Once there, we will visit the Guanabacoa´s Museum and get a presentation on the religion of the slaves and how it mixed with the official religion of the colonial powers. A prime example of this can be found at El Rincon and the veneration placed upon San Lazaro (Lazarus) who is said to have healed many on the island. Dinner in Havana and then rest follows.
DAY 5. Friday. Havana as capital and metropolis
In order to really experience Cuba, you must wander through the streets of Havana, visit the history and museums, shop and eat. Today will be a mostly free day to do just that. In the evening, our group will gather once more to have dinner at Calle Obispo, experience “el cañonazo de las 9” (the live canon firing at 9PM), and then visit the Malecon for some dancing and fun.
DAY 6. Saturday. The Anglican Experience
After a late start to our day, we’ll gather to visit the episcopal cathedral and a visit with the bishop. We’ll then drive the short distance to Matanzas to visit the students at the Seminario Evangelico de Teologia (the local seminary where Episcopal and other clergy are formed). Finally, after our drive back and some rest, we’ll gather once more for dinner at Plaza Vieja and a visit to the world famous Club Tropicana.
DAY 7. Sunday. Varadero Beach and Closing Eucharist
An on the seventh day, we too shall rest. We’ll take the short drive to Varadero Beach, considered by some to be amongst the most beautiful in the world with its pristine sand and warm waters. We will gather again as a group in the evening for a meal and Eucharist where together we can share in the reality of Christ and in listening to our stories of the week.
DAY 8. Monday. Departure Day
We head home with the satisfaction of a good week of learning and community.
Arrive Northeastern city of Holguin via a direct flight from Miami in the early afternoon. Once there, check in to the hotel and spend some time relaxing on the beach in the afternoon. A welcome dinner of authentic Cuban food and dancing will allow us to get to know one another and prepare us for the week ahead.
DAY 2. Tuesday. The Indigenous Cuba
Certainly before the arrival of the Anglican church to Cuba and even before colonialism had found its way to the Caribbean, the Island had its own culture and religious practices. On this day we will visit the largest indigenous sepulcher in the Caribbean in Chorro de Maita museum and the representation of an aboriginal village exploring the indigenous culture of the island. In the afternoon we will enjoy the warm waters of the beautiful Guardalavaca beach and in the evening we will have a local dinner of some of the most original Cuban food and culture before heading to our hotel.
DAY 3. Wednesday. Colonialism and the Roman Church
After a motor coach drive to Santiago de Cuba, we will visit the Roman Catholic cathedral and take a special restricted access tour of the Shrine to La Caridad del Cobre, Cuba’s very special representation of the Mary, the mother of Christ. In the afternoon we will pay a short visit to the Episcopal Church of St. Luke before heading out to dinner and then rest. We will spend the night in Santiago.
DAY 4. Thursday. Slavery and the African Influence
We’ll check out of our hotel and head to the airport for our short flight to Havana. Once there, we will visit the Guanabacoa´s Museum and get a presentation on the religion of the slaves and how it mixed with the official religion of the colonial powers. A prime example of this can be found at El Rincon and the veneration placed upon San Lazaro (Lazarus) who is said to have healed many on the island. Dinner in Havana and then rest follows.
DAY 5. Friday. Havana as capital and metropolis
In order to really experience Cuba, you must wander through the streets of Havana, visit the history and museums, shop and eat. Today will be a mostly free day to do just that. In the evening, our group will gather once more to have dinner at Calle Obispo, experience “el cañonazo de las 9” (the live canon firing at 9PM), and then visit the Malecon for some dancing and fun.
DAY 6. Saturday. The Anglican Experience
After a late start to our day, we’ll gather to visit the episcopal cathedral and a visit with the bishop. We’ll then drive the short distance to Matanzas to visit the students at the Seminario Evangelico de Teologia (the local seminary where Episcopal and other clergy are formed). Finally, after our drive back and some rest, we’ll gather once more for dinner at Plaza Vieja and a visit to the world famous Club Tropicana.
DAY 7. Sunday. Varadero Beach and Closing Eucharist
An on the seventh day, we too shall rest. We’ll take the short drive to Varadero Beach, considered by some to be amongst the most beautiful in the world with its pristine sand and warm waters. We will gather again as a group in the evening for a meal and Eucharist where together we can share in the reality of Christ and in listening to our stories of the week.
DAY 8. Monday. Departure Day
We head home with the satisfaction of a good week of learning and community.
