Cuba: Pearl of the Antilles 2024

November 5-12, 2024

(Limit of 8 photographers)

Making Cigars, Trinidad, Cuba

A photography tour for 

Traditional

Infrared 

&

iPhone 

Photographers

Email Rad Drew 

for registration instructions.

Old Havana

Experience the Pearl of the Antilles in all its glory and grit during this extraordinary photography experience with a small group of fellow adventurers. 

Late Night Pick Up Game, Trinidad

We'll explore historic plazas and architecture in Havana and Trinidad. And, we'll have the opportunity to meet and enjoy the hospitality of our neighbors to the south.

Young Fisherman watching his Father, Cojimar, Cuba

From the moment you set foot in Havana, you'll feel that you are in another world; in place, in time, and in history. Once one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Havana is today a city with a rich culture, a complex past, and an uncertain future.

We'll roam the streets of Old Havana, stroll down the Prado, and walk along the Malecon, the boulevard by the sea. In the evening, old cars from the 40s and 50s cruise along the Prado providing opportunities for "Panning on the Prado!"

Panning on the Prado

Our exploration of Havana will include numerous sites that prompted UNESCO to name Habana Vieja (Old Havana) a World Cultural Heritage site.

El Capitalio, Havana

This old center of the city contains a mix of Baroque and neoclassical monuments, and includes many homes with arcades, balconies, wrought-iron gates and internal courtyards.

We'll visit the five plazas of Habana Vieja – Plaza de Armas, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de San Francisco, Plaza del Cristo and Plaza de la Catedral – each with its own unique architectural character.

The image below was made in Cathedral Square shortly after sunrise before many people were out.

Cathedral Square, Old Havana
© Rad A. Drew

Outside of Havana we'll visit the small village of Cojimar. This charming village was a haunt of Hemingway's while he wrote the Old Man and the Sea. This is one of the most serene and picturesque spots in all of Cuba.

Sea-Side Home in Cojimar
© Rad A. Drew

Cojimar Castle
© Rad A. Drew

As we travel from Havana to Trinidad, we'll stop at interesting sites along the way, some planned, others serendipitous, spontaneous. 

The image below is of boats at a small fishing village near Trinidad.

Fishing Boats near Trinidad
© Rad A. Drew

And then there's Trinidad. Founded by the Spanish in 1514, Trinidad is one of the best-preserved cities in the Caribbean from the time when the sugar trade was the main industry in the region. We'll walk the cobble-stone streets of the city and visit the Plaza Mayor at the center of town and eat in small restaurants, some in the homes of Cuban families.

The woman pictured below was selling straw hats in front of her home. When asked if she made them herself, she invited me into her modest home and began to show me. Her hands flew as she demonstrated her art.

Hat Maker, Trinidad
© Rad A. Drew

This shot of the city is an iPhone panorama taken from a rooftop restaurant owned by a local family. It was the rooftop of their home, and meals were prepared in their family kitchen. This was not only one of the best views afforded of the city, but some of the best food as well! 

iPhone Panorama of Trinidad
© Rad A. Drew

After many trips to Cuba since my first in 2014, I've learned where to go, what to see, and how to spot spontaneous opportunities. Our goal is to provide you with an experience of authentic Cuban life and culture. We'll avoid heavily touristed areas and visit some sights at times to avoid large numbers of tourists.

Butcher, Trinidad
© Rad A. Drew

Trinidad is a wonderful place for street photography and to learn more about life in Cuba.

Travel Itinerary Overview

Day 1, Arrive in Havana

Days 2, 3 – Havana

Day's 4, 5 – Trinidad

Days 6, 7 – Havana

Day 8, – Depart 

Cost

$4,899

Fees include:

• 7 nights lodging (5 in Havana and 2 in Trinidad)
• Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner each day
• Ground transportation in Cuba
• Spanish Speaking Guide 

Fees DO NOT include:

• Airfare to/from Havana
• Travel Insurance (for cancellation and trip interruption; highly recommended) 
• Travel visa (purchased at airport, usually about $100 depending on your airline)
• Personal Expenses 
• Alcohol 
• Gratuities

Important

Documentation Requirements
A valid passport, and a Travel Card (aka Visa) (purchased at airline ticket counter) is required for Cuba.

U. S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC)
Trips to Cuba are strictly governed by the OFAC. We work to ensure that all of the appropriate documentation and OFAC requirements are met for each participant for travel to Cuba.

Physical Fitness

Participants are expected to have a reasonable degree of physical fitness, primarily the ability walk on uneven surfaces and occasionally up stairs. 

Terms and Conditions

A non-refundable (unless we fill your spot) deposit of $1000 per person is required at the time of booking. The balance is due on August 7, 90 days prior to the start of our trip. Once fees are paid-in-full cancellation penalties apply. 

Trip Details

Once we receive your deposit, we'll send you a Welcome email with everything you need to know about ticketing, logistics, currency, what to bring, etc. Prior to our trip, we'll host a Zoom session so participants can meet in advance and ask any last minute questions before we travel. 

Please See Cancellation Policy 

and Covid Protocol here.

Registration

Email Rad Drew for 

registration instructions.