Cuba | Exploring Cuba with NRF of Wisconsin

Upon arrival at the José Martí International Airport in Havana, transfer to your lodging in the heart of Old Havana. Brigidinas is a working convent that is run by the sisters of Saint Brigida. Check-in is at 4 pm; however, early arrivals can store luggage while exploring the area on own. In the evening enjoy a group orientation at the convent then head out for a welcome dinner at a local privately-owned restaurant known as a paladar.

Explore Old Havana's cobblestone streets with a walking tour. Visit the Plaza de Armas, Plaza de San Francisco de Asís, Plaza de la Catedral, and Plaza Vieja. Next, visit the Organoponico Vivero Alamar, an incredible urban garden located outside of central Havana, widely considered one of the most successful organic farms in the city. During the tour, learn about the advances Cuba has made with respect to organic farming. This afternoon visit with a representative from the Cuban Marine Research Center to hear about Cuban turtles and Cuba's conservation program. Also visit the National Aquarium where you will see the three species of marine turtles nesting in Cuba.

Before leaving Havana see the Plaza de la Revolución then travel to the Zapata Peninsula, which is home to the largest wetlands in the Caribbean. Seventy percent of the area is a Biosphere Reserve and Cuba's largest national park. The Zapata area consists of scrub, mangrove swamp, and coastline, and over 200 bird species have been recorded here. Zapata's wetlands are home to more than 1000 species of plants and 37 species of reptiles including the endemic Cuban Crocodile. After lunch at a local restaurant, receive an introduction and welcome to Zapata National Park. Continue to Casa Enrique, arriving late afternoon.

Explore the Hatiguanico River, one of the largest and most important in Cuba. Journey deep into the heart of the peninsula. See several species of mangrove and wildlife, including fish, endemic aquatic birds, reptiles and mammals. View the clear springs at Hatiguanico's headwaters and the river's tributaries-the Guareiras and Gonzalo Rivers. Continue to the Santo Tomás Ditch to observe more aquatic birds and changes in the vegetation. Have lunch at a restaurant with Zapata area conservationists who provide insight about current wetlands preservation projects. This afternoon, observe birds at Las Salinas, home to 165 indigenous and migratory birds, plus mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. Expect to see flamingos, Roseate Spoonbill, Glossy and White Ibis, herons, pelicans, Snail Kite, Peregrine Falcon, Cuban Black-Hawk, Belted Kingfisher, and others. Have dinner at the hotel.

The Zapata wetland area borders the Bay of Pigs, where in 1961 the US led a failed invasion of Cuba. Before returning to Havana, we will visit the Bay of Pigs Museum, a small museum dedicated to that battle. Enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant, Cueva de los Peces. Afterwards travel to a neighborhood outside of Havana called La Víbora where you will hear a talk given by a local naturalist.

Depart for the western province of Pinar del Rio, stopping en route at Cueva de los Portales, a limestone cave set adjacent to hills covered in lush vegetation. The cave is interesting both geologically and historically, famous for being where Che Guevara headquartered during the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. The area is renowned for being an excellent place to spot the Cuban Solitaire, a sought-after endemic bird. Then continue on to Viñales, one of the most picturesque towns in Cuba to enjoy dinner at a local paladar and overnight in a casa particular. Though heavily impacted by Hurricane Ian in late September of this year, Viñales and Pinar del Rio are slowly recovering.

Today take a walk though through massive limestone formations called mogotes for a chance to see plants common to the mogote vegetation complex, including the "mogotes triad"; Bombacopsis cubensis, Gaussia princeps, and Spathelia brittonii. Afterwards visit a local family and their tobacco farm and learn about Cuba's innovation in agricultural sustainability. After lunch at Agro Ecologico, visit the home of Nils Navarro (at 2pm), an accomplished naturalist, artist and author.

Following breakfast, you will head to the coast, your destination; Cayo Jutias, a lovely beach with turquoise water and beautiful coastlines. En route, you will have the opportunity to view the typical life outside the cities, often seeing horse-drawn carts and interesting homes. Once you get to the beach, you can decide if you'd like to walk to the end of the caye, rest under the palm trees with a cerveza, or enjoy a wonderful swim. After about an hour or two of relaxation, lunch will be served at the seaside restaurant located right at the beach. There are restrooms in this area if you would like to change out of your swimsuit before returning to Havana. This evening explore the city in an antique car, passing by the Malecon and ending at Hotel Nacional to enjoy the Buena Vista Social club performance.

Fly back to Miami in time to connect with flights home.