Florida Trust Architectural Tour to Cuba
ITINERARY
October 24-28, 2025
DAY 1: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 24 | ¡BIENVENIDOS A CUBA!
Meet at Havana International Airport
When you arrive in Havana, you will pass through customs, get your bags, and exit the airport. Don’t be alarmed if it takes a long time to get your luggage. Cuba has a slow X-ray system to scan all bags. When you exit the airport, you will be greeted by our Cuban tour guide, chauffeur, and U.S.-based tour leader who will be holding a “FLORIDA TRUST” sign. We will gather outside the airport in groups according to arrival times and transfer to our Havana hotels.
Transfer to Havana
During the drive, our travel staff will introduce themselves and give you some important information about Havana. Brief stop in Plaza de la Revolución to see ministries, monument to José Marti, and the colossal famous image of Che Guevara.
1:00 pm ~ Lunch at Paladar Ivan Chef Justo
We’ll have lunch at a nearby restaurant run by Fidel Castro’s former primary personal chef. The style of this paladar is thoroughly Cuban-Mediterranean, located on the second and third floors of a building that is over 200 years old. The food is nothing short of spectacular.
Paladar Chef Ivan Justo
2:45 pm ~ Tour of the Capitol Building
Cuba’s stunning Capitol building was constructed after the forming of the Republic of Cuba and adopted the exact same architecture as the U.S. Capitol but made to be one meter taller. After the Cuban Revolution in 1959 the Castro government moved out of this building into new government offices built around the Revolutionary Square. The former capitol sat empty for decades until undergoing a massive restoration initiated of over ten years. It is now being used again as the seat of the Parliament and the National Assembly under Cuba’s first new president post-Castro. It is also a museum that is open for guided tours only. We'll split into four groups for guided tours.
Capitol building
3:30 pm ~ Capitolio neighborhood walking tour
Get to know Havana's most grand neighborhood. El Prado is one of the most exquisitely designed major avenues in all the Americas and home to the quintessential structures that define Havana, ranging from Colonial to Baroque to Neoclassical to Art Deco. Designed in 1772 by French landscape architect Jean-Claude Nicolas Forestier, El Prado runs for many blocks from the dramatic fountain, La Fuente de la India, to the iconic Malecon, marking the boundary between Habana Vieja and Centro Habana. El Paseo, a marble promenade lined with a natural canopy of trees, marble benches and bronze lions, was chosen by the House of Chanel for one of the most dramatic runway shows in the history of fashion. It is home to El Capitolio (1929): El Gran Teatro de La Habana (1918), home to the National Ballet of Cuba; The Bacardi Building (1930), a testament to Art Deco, and dozens of other structures immortalized in photography and film for decades. El Prado encompasses all the cultural wealth that Havana has offered from the 17th to the 20th Century.
Capitolio neighborhood tour
4:30 pm ~ Check in at La Reserva Vedado
La Reserva Vedado is a luxury boutique hotel with a history intimately related to the Vedado neighborhood. The old restored mansion reflects the wealth and luxury typical to this part of Havana during the early 20th Century. The classic architecture and design is not too different from houses of the era found in the French Quarter or Garden Districts of New Orleans. Amenities include en-suite bathrooms, WiFi, daily housekeeping, full-time staff, and breakfast is included at their delicious and popular restaurant, La Bodega. When you check-in, they'll ask to see your passports.
La Reserva Vedado
4:30 pm ~ Check in at Claxon Hotel Boutique
El Claxón is a luxury boutique hotel located in an elegant mansion on Paseo Avenue. The restoration has preserved the classic eclectic architecture of the early 20th century typical to the neighborhood, and has incorporated a modern decore of Cuba's classic cars. The open spaces and patios feature tropical vegetation. Amenities include en-suite bathrooms, WiFi, daily housekeeping, full-time staff, and breakfast at their delicious and popular restaurant called El Fangio.
El Claxon
6:00 pm ~ Welcome mojitos and introductions
Meet & greet each other as we begin our tour. We will have a welcome and orientation over mojitos (or non-alcoholic refreshments).
Mojitos & introductions
7:00 pm ~ Welcome dinner at La Guarida
Anyone who has been to La Guarida will find it difficult to disagree that Enrique and Odeisys have managed to create their own magical home restaurant. The building, originally known as La Mansión Camagüey, shows its former grandeur from the magnificent wooden entrance door through the marble staircase up the two flights of stairs to the restaurant itself. The location is glamorized by Cuba's provocative and most iconic film “Fresa y Chocolate.” La Guarida has gone on to become one of the most popular restaurants in Cuba. On the menu is a choice of squash soup, eggplant caviar, or smoked marlin tacos for a starter; fish, chicken, or pork for the main course with sides of rice, black beans, fried yuca and plantains; and a cocktail, spring water, and coffee for dessert.
La Guarida
8:30 pm ~ Rooftop Jazz concert at La Guarida Sessions
Above the restaurant, the hottest new music scene in Havana is happening on this rooftop patio on Saturday nights. Tonight, we’ll get to hear one of Cuba’s greatest jazz artists perform under the stars.
La Guarida jazz
DAY 2: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 | COLONIAL HAVANA
Breakfast in our villas
Our house will cook a traditional Cuban breakfast which usually includes café con leche, freshly squeezed tropical juice, fresh fruit, bread, cheese, eggs, and ham.
PLEASE NOTE: To best experience the historic core of Havana, we will be walking more today than any other day. Please wear your best walking shoes and anything else that will help you be comfortable such as a hat, sunglasses, a backpack, and sunscreen. Shorts and t-shirts are fine to wear. And make sure to grab some waters from the bus in the beginning of the day. There will be many interesting things to see while we walk but we ask you to please stay together as a group. There will be plenty of time to return and visit anything on your own. If the walking is too much please let Gretell know and we can arrange an alternative accommodation that best meets your needs.
10:00 am ~ LECTURE: Overview of Havana’s Architectural History with Wilfredo Benitez at the Ludwig Foundation
We’ll begin our day with a multi-media presentation about Havana by Wilfredo Benitez, General Manager of the Ludwig Foundation and expert on the historical development of Havana. He will give a glimpse into the history of Cuban architecture, from the Colonial era to the 1950's modernism and until today. This will deepen our understanding of the city while we explore its many neighborhoods throughout the week. His presentation will take place in the hotel conference room on the rooftop behind the pool.
11:00 am ~ Old Havana four plazas walking tour
We will get to know the historic core of Havana surrounding our hotel. In this UNESCO World Heritage Site, we will see extraordinary Colonial architecture of Cuban baroque and art nouveau, both well preserved and decayed, many galleries, contemporary centers, boutique museums, and little shops. We'll begin with the Plaza de la Catedral where our hotel is located. There we’ll visit the collective graphic arts workshop, Taller de Gráfica. This public studio for local artists was established by Pablo Neruda and Che Guevara at the beginning of the Revolution as a place where artists living and visiting Havana work on printmaking. Next we'll see an exhibit at the Wilfredo Lam Center. We'll continue on to la Plaza de las Armas, Havana’s first square and origin point of the city’s settlement. The next stop is Plaza San Francisco where we'll enter the Basílica.
Plazas of Old Havana
12:30 pm ~ Lunch at Los Mercaderes
We’ll stroll down the oldest street in Havana, Calle de los Mercaderes (Merchants Street), to have lunch in a beautiful new restaurant built inside the home of the owner.
Los Mercaderes restaurant in Havana
2:00 pm ~ Four plazas walking tour continued
We'll continue our walking tour of Havana's historic core at the Plaza Vieja where we can see a couple of exhibits of contemporary Cuban art at two of Havana’s most important contemporary art centers, El Centro del Desarollo de Arte Contemporánea and la Fototeca de Cuba. Then continue our walk down the pedestrian promenade of Obispo street to the Parque Central, Capitolio, and Prado boulevards.
Plaza Vieja, photo by PRC traveler Chris Granger
3:00 pm ~ El Morro and La Cabaña Fortifications
Dive into the formidable history of Havana's colonial defenses with a visit to the iconic El Morro and La Cabaña fortresses. Perched majestically overlooking the entrance to Havana Bay, these imposing structures offer not only breathtaking panoramic views but also a fascinating glimpse into the city's strategic past. We'll begin at El Morro, officially Castillo de los Tres Reyes del Morro (Castle of the Three Kings of the Morro). Its construction, beginning in the late 16th century, reflects the anxieties of a burgeoning colonial power facing constant threats from pirates and rival empires. Our expert guide will illuminate the fortress's intricate design, explaining its layered defenses, the use of natural topography, and the role it played in protecting Havana's vital harbor. We'll cross the bay to La Cabaña, the largest fortress complex in the Americas. Built in the 18th century after the British briefly captured Havana, La Cabaña stands as a testament to Spanish resolve and a symbol of their renewed commitment to securing their prized colony. This sprawling complex offers a comprehensive look at the military architecture of the era. We'll explore its numerous fortifications, including the impressive Batería de la Divina Pastora, and discuss the strategic thinking behind its design. The fort also holds a more recent and poignant historical significance, having been used as a prison during the Cuban Revolution.
4:30 pm ~ Time at leisure
Continue exploring more of Havana's best museums such as the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of the Revolution, or return to the hotel to connect to WiFi, recharge your batteries, or take a siesta.
6:45 pm ~ Dinner at Cinco Sentidos
Nestled in the heart of Old Havana, Cinco Sentidos restaurant is a culinary gem that promises a sensory journey like no other. Its charming colonial-era ambiance is transformed with a chic contemporary artist flare and a menu that pays homage to the vibrant flavors of Cuban cuisine. From succulent ropa vieja to ceviche or perfectly grilled seafood, each plate tells a story of Cuba's rich culinary heritage.
Cinco Sentidos
8:30 pm ~ El Cañonazo de las 9
After dinner, we'll return to the Morro/Cabaña colonial fortification overlooking the bay and join in a nightly ritual that has been upheld for centuries, featuring the firing of cannons and muskets as the public announcement of the bay's closing for the night. Along with the pomp and circumstance of this recreation, you will enjoy a stunning view of the City of Havana illuminated at night. Havana was protected by a wall as part of the defensive system established by the Spanish Crown from the late 1700s to 1863. It was customary to fire a cannon every morning and evening to mark the opening and closing of the city gates, alongside the iron chain that blocked the harbor entrance at night. This tradition symbolizes Cuban independence and resistance. It has been preserved to this day, with the renowned Cannon Shooting Ceremony performed by soldiers dressed in military fatigues at 9:00 p.m. every evening. This daily ceremony signifies the beginning of the vibrant Havana nightlife.
El Cañonazo de las 9
DAY 3: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26 | VEDADO MANSIONS
Breakfast at our villa
Your house will cook a traditional Cuban breakfast which usually includes café con leche, freshly squeezed tropical juice, fresh fruit, bread, cheese, eggs, and ham.
10:30 am ~ Ernest Hemingway’s Finca Vigía
Visit the hilltop house of American writer Ernest Hemingway where he lived from 1940 – 1960 with his wife, Martha Gellhorn, and their children. Cuba was Hemingway’s most frequented country where he wrote the Old Man and the Sea, To Have and Have Not, and For Whom the Bell Tolls. Hemingway donated his Nobel Prize to the Cuban people. His home in San Francisco de Paula has recently been the subject of a massive preservation effort by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. At this farm, you will see his sport fishing boat, the Pilar. The Finca Vigia estate and the fishing village of Cojimar are considered the most significant locales for those interested in Hemingway’s history.
Ernest Hemingway’s house
12:30 pm ~ Lunch at Grados Paladar
For a truly authentic culinary experience, we invite you to indulge in a delightful lunch at Grados restaurant in Havana. Nestled in a historic building, this under-the-radar new eatery offers a fusion of traditional Cuban cuisine reimagined by a new generation of talented and creative chefs. Their own fermentation practice of traditional Cuban sauces and drinks such as "pru oriental," ginger beer, and kombucha are not to be missed.
Grados Paladar
2:30 pm ~ Museo de Artes Decorativos
One of Havana's best museums dazzles like a European stately home. It's replete with all manner of architectural features, including rococo furniture, Chinese screens, and an art deco bathroom. Equally interesting is the building itself, which is of French design and was commissioned in 1924 by the wealthy Gómez family. Walking around you'll encounter a weighty collection of porcelain, ceramics and glassware amassed by the former lady of the house María Gómez Mena, who was known for throwing lavish parties before the 1959 revolution put an end to wanton extravagance. The garden is a more Italian affair, guarded by statues and busts denoting the four seasons.
Museum of Decorative Arts
4:00 pm ~ House tour of Curator Pamela Ruiz
Pamela Ruiz and artist Damien Aquiles have invited us to their beautifully restored luxurious Havana mansion for a tour with cocktails. Read more about their home and story in New York Times Style Magazine.
Home of curator Pamela Ruiz and artist Damien Aquiles
5:00 pm ~ Dinner and evening on your own
Return to our accommodations for dinner and evening to explore on your own. Relax, Rconnect to WiFi, and explore the city on your own. There are a lot of great concerts and other options in Havana on a Saturday night. We’ll recommend options and make reservations at the best restaurants in town such as O'Reilly 304, Yarini, Cinco Sentidos, and Jama (optional – cost not included).
10:00 pm ~ Suggestion: La Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC)
Discover Havana’s hottest new magnet for the urban and chic: a refurbished peanut oil factory transformed into a multi-level, multi-purpose, and almost infinite art and music space. This expansive venue features a vibrant cultural program showcasing contemporary photography, installations, sculptures, three music stages, tapas, and seven bars. This cultural hotspot is the entrepreneurial venture of Cuban celebrity musician X Alfonso. This “Cuban Art Factory” brilliantly reflects what the future may hold for Havana as the cosmopolitan trendsetting capital of Latin America that it once was. The entry fee is $5, and it opens at 8:00 pm and offers multiple restaurants of various styles, making it an excellent choice for dinner.
The FAC
DAY 4: MONDAY, OCTOBER 27 | WEST HAVANA
Breakfast at our villas
Your house will cook a traditional Cuban breakfast which usually includes café con leche, freshly squeezed tropical juice, fresh fruit, bread, cheese, eggs, and ham.
10:00 am ~ Nature Journaling in Historic Cemeteries at Colon Cemetery
A cemetery of historical importance and essentially an open-air museum of Cuba's past, Necrópolis Cristóbal Colón is the final resting place of many prominent Cuban figures and notable families (pick up a map at the entrance to guide you along). The cemetery's best-known resident, the Milagrosa, gathers thousands of pilgrims annually for the miraculous events surrounding her past exhumation and is believed by Catholics to have supernatural wish-granting powers. Participate in the Florida Trust's program “Nature Journaling in Historic Cemeteries.”
Colón Cemetary
11:00 pm ~ Optional: Artist studio visit of Luis Camejo
For those who are not interested in participating in the historic cemetery journaling, we'll visit the studio of Luis Camejo, one of Havana’s great painters of the city itself. Camejo captures Havana in a way that is palpable and real. You will get a chance to see both his current works in progress and completed paintings as we discuss his life and work. Also, enjoy the amazing views from his garret on top of a building in Central Havana.
Luis Camejo’s work
12:30 pm ~ Lunch at Vistamar
Located in a mid-century modern home with an exceptional view of the Havana seafront and a piano-shaped swimming pool, this restaurant is a favorite place to catch the breeze while enjoying quality Cuban cuisine inspired by the sea.
Vistamar Paladar
2:00 pm ~ Afternoon free
Take an opportunity to continue exploring Old Havana on your own. We'll take you to the best shopping locations, art museums, or any other of Havana's many attractions if you're interested. Then return to the casas to recharge your batteries and take a siesta.
El Malecón
Optional Havana shopping tour: Alma Shop, Clandestina, San José Artisan Market
We’ll visit a selection of the most interesting and highest-quality Cuban designers and artisans. This is the best time to find a piece of Cuba to bring home with you for gifts or memories while supporting small Cuban entrepreneurs.
Clandestina
6:30 pm ~ Classic convertibles scenic car ride
Leaving from our hotel, we will travel to our final dinner “Havana-style” in a fleet of specially selected 1950s American convertibles that will take us on a scenic route through Havana’s most beautiful neighborhoods. Don't forget your cameras!
Classic 1950s convertible ride
7:30 pm ~ Dinner party at artist Kadir Lopez’s house and Habana Light Neon Studio
Celebrate with a home-cooked Cuban meal in a magical setting in the tree-filled Kohly neighborhood of Havana. In his home, gallery, and studio which includes a neon shop and studio for neon sign restoration, Kadir will discuss neon, some of the restoration projects in the city, and the efforts to restore the post-war heritage of Havana. Live music with the popular duo Nu9ve.
Kadir Lopez’ Neon Studio
DAY 5: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28 | ¡ADIOS, HAVANA!
Breakfast at our villas
Your house will cook a traditional Cuban breakfast which usually includes café con leche, freshly squeezed tropical juice, fresh fruit, bread, cheese, eggs, and ham.
10:00 am ~ Tour of Partagas Cigar Factory
The Partagás Factory is on the corner of Calle San Carlos in Central Havana, about a block down from the Romeo y Julieta factory. According to local histories, the factory has been home to other cigar brands over the decades such as the El Rey del Mundo Factory, La Gloria Cubana, Ramon Allones, Quai d'Orsay, and Bolivar cigars. The factory employs 400 people with space on the rolling floor for nearly 240 to produce about 20,000 cigars daily. Windows in a long row reach from waist height to the ceiling. Rollers receive their carefully portioned leaves for their blends from a storeroom at the front. A small quality-control area sits off to the side, where draw machines test the finished product for the day. As in all Cuban cigar factories, a podium is set up for a lector who reads the news to workers from 9 to 9:30 a.m. Two half-hour-long periods later in the day are devoted to novelas, or fiction books, of the workers' choosing.
Partagás Cigar Factory
Transfer to José Martí International Airport
We will bring people to the airport in groups according to departure times. You will be assisted through check-in. Those of you with later departure times can continue on with guided activities in Havana, TBD.
