Our daily search for the soul of Cuba will take you to places where few people have been before. Cuba has wonderful people, but it is a poor country! Although we are not looking for misery, it is inevitable that we will meet poor families in their everyday environment. Expect to be invited into their homes by people you have never met before in your life. Learn that poverty can also be portrayed with a certain beauty and aesthetics without taking away people’s pride and dignity.
All participants will be provided with a wonderful 7-night, 8-day itinerary in Havana, with day trips to Viñales, Cojimar and countryside, local photographer, guides, daily transportation in Cuba, several group meals, exciting daily photographic itinerary, photographic workshop, a daily photo critique session led by FIGUEREDO (on request).
In Havana the eight-day program will include photographing boxing, ballet, dance, markets, one or two gyms, Santería religious ceremonies, walks through many exciting neighborhoods of the city, including Havana vieja, the community of Regla, Centro Havana, the oceanside Malecón, the famous Prado, and other neighborhood of Havana.
Participants will have plenty time to explore Havana on their own with an English-speaking Cuban guide and FIGUEREDO. The group will spend a day in the wonderful tobacco region of Viñales and will make a trip to the fisher village Cojimar where Ernest Hemingway wrote his Nobel prize winning novel “The Old Man and The Sea”. The group will enjoy a delicious dinner at a tobacco farm with the possibility to learn how the world-famous Cuban tobacco is produced and harvested.
The all-inclusive price is unchanged € 4,890 per person. It includes transportation (except air fare to and from Havana) lodging in one of the finest bed & breakfast (“casa particular”), each room with bathroom, air conditioning in a home with a gorgeous architecture located in the Vedado neighborhood of Havana.
The workshop fee is calculated to keep the group size quite small. If you want to discover the real Cuba and not want to be a member of a people chasing crowd, this is YOUR photography workshop!
The all-inclusive price is unchanged. It includes lodging in one of the finest bed & breakfast (“casa particular”), each room with bathroom, air conditioning in a home with a gorgeous architecture located in the Vedado neighborhood of Havana.
All rooms in the casa particular contain one large double bed. Beautiful house filled with innumerable antiques. Would cost many times this amount in a European country. Feels like you’re a millionaire for a few days. Friendly hosts. Excellent breakfast and dinners available for additional reasonable payment. Not in old Havana, 10-minute cab drive away but preferred this location as it was more peaceful. Really nice to have leisurely breakfast in their beautiful outside space.
Please note that the photos shown below are only examples and this house cannot always be guaranteed, especially if there are too many guests.
The workshop will be limited to 7 guests. Please note that the workshop can only take place if more than four participants have registered. To be on the safe side, you should take out travel cancellation insurance.
If participants would like to bring along a companion or spouse and share a double occupancy room with them, the package prize would also be € 4.890. All the rooms in the “casa particular” have only one large size double bed that should be shared. Companions or spouses will need to participate in all group activities and may attend and participate in all photographic review sessions, group dinners and lunches.
Cuban Authorities have mandated that all tourists entering Cuba carry health insurance and emergency evacuation coverage. This coverage is usually included as part of your airfare through the airline.
You may choose to purchase additional coverage through a U.S. insurance provider – especially travel cancellation insurance or for travelers over the age of 80.
Cuba, a country that is immediately associated with cheerful people in colorful clothes. With cars from the 1950s that catch the eye of every tourist on the streets, as well as a relaxed atmosphere in Buena Vista bars combined with a Cuban cigar and the legendary local rum. A country that, if you let your gaze wander along the streets and houses, gives the impression that time has simply stood still.
Contrary to this first association, the German photographer and self-taught photographer Volker Figueredo Véliz opens up a completely new and at the same time very impressive view of the country and its people with his photographs. Figueredo has spent a large part of his life in Cuba. He got married in Cuba and found his photographic inspiration there. With his Leica, he documents again and again what is typical of Cuba and is rarely seen by vacationers and cannot be seen. He offers visitors to the Leica Gallery Stuttgart a glimpse behind the scenes, giving them an insight into everyday life, customs and traditions. Figueredo is an excellent photographer who knows how to capture the essence of a moment with his camera – unposed, but always aesthetically and technically perfect.
Particularly impressive are his black and white photographs, which at first you don’t really want to associate with colorful Cuba. But it is precisely these images that stay with you. In 2021, in collaboration with dpunkt.Verlag, he published the book “Los Cubanos – Searching for Cuba’s soul” which, in addition to its impressive photographs, it also contains interesting background information about the country and the people of Cuba. The book is also available at the Leica Gallery Stuttgart. Volker Figueredo Véliz was born Volker Bueffel in 1953 and worked for a large computer manufacturer for around 40 years. He then moved to Cuba, where he lived for several years, found his photographic inspiration and met his current wife. He has made a name for himself worldwide as a photographer with his photo series on Cuba. His series “Cuba Inside” has already been exhibited in several galleries in Germany. He has lived in Germany with his wife Somaida and daughter Yoana since 2018, but visits Cuba whenever he can.
The program is legal under U.S. OFAC Travel regulations, for all participants under the “Support for the Cuban People” category of legal travel to Cuba. Throughout each day, we are committed to “Support for the Cuban People” under the General License 31 CFR § 515.574.
Our goal is to promote independent activity intended to strengthen and support civil society in Cuba and constitute a fulltime schedule that enhances contact with the Cuban people and results in meaningful interaction between ourselves and individuals in Cuba. We never pay for lodging at any property on the CPA List to the extent prohibited by § 515.210. In addition, we will support Cuban entrepreneurs launching their privately-owned businesses. Our only accommodations are private Cuban residences (casa particulars). We only eat at privately-owned Cuban restaurants (paladares), and we only shop at privately owned stores run by self-employed Cubans.
It is organized and operated exclusively by “SENSES of CUBA by Tourcom” a European travel agency licensed in Cuba with more than 20 years of experience in Cuba.
Package includes lodging in a wonderful “casa particular” each room with bathroom, air conditioning in a home with a gorgeous architecture located in the Vedado neighborhood of Havana. Breakfast and / or dinner are offered but is not included in package prize, wifi, and a beautiful authentic atmosphere. All participants will be provided with a wonderful 7-night, 8-day itinerary in Havana, with day trips to Viñales, Cojimar and countryside, local photographer guides, daily transportation in Cuba, several group meals, exciting daily photographic itinerary, photographic workshop, a daily photo critique session led by FIGUEREDO.
In Havana the eight-day program will include photographing boxing, ballet, dance, markets, Santería religious ceremonies, walks through many exciting neighborhoods of the city, including Havana vieja, the community of Regla, Centro Havana, the oceanside Malecón, the famous Prado, and other neighborhood of Havana.
Participants will have plenty time to explore Havana on their own with an English-speaking Cuban guide and FIGUEREDO. The group will spend a day in the wonderful tobacco region of Viñales and will make a trip to the fisher village Cojimar where Ernest Hemingway wrote his Nobel prize winning novel “The Old Man and The Sea”. The group will enjoy a delicious dinner at a tobacco farm with the possibility to learn how the world-famous Cuban tobacco is produced and harvested.
Our daily search for the soul of Cuba will take you to places where few people have been before. Cuba has wonderful people, but it is a poor country! Although we are not looking for misery, it is inevitable that we will meet poor families in their everyday environment. Expect to be invited into their homes by people you have never met before in your life. Learn that poverty can also be portrayed with a certain beauty and aesthetics without taking away people’s, daily transportation in Havana, pride and dignity.
Airfare to Havana, Cuba. All participants will need to book their airfare to and from Havana. Direct airfare prices to Havana roundtrip from the U.S. are very low and reasonable at this time of the year. All participants will be met at the airport of Havana by a driver and will be taken by car to the casa particular where the group will be staying.
Participants will be expected to cover breakfasts and their own food during the eight days.
U.S.-based airlines will distribute Cuban Visas at the airport. A Cuban Visa costs $50 – $100 depending on the airline.
“LOS CUBANOS – Searching for Cuba’s Soul” gives a first impression of what participants of his photo workshop can expect. A hand-signed book can be ordered for the prize of € 34,90 plus shipping cost here: Los Cubanos – Book
To ensure your participation it is necessary to send a deposit of € 1.250,- within two weeks of the registration date (below) to the following bank account:
Important! Under no circumstances should you use the words „Cuba”, „Havana” “Senses of Cuba”, “Los Cubanos” etc.
Upon receipt of your deposit, a letter of confirmation will be sent to you electronically. Additional information and forms to be completed will be sent to you at a later date.
Because of the U.S. embargo money transfer to Cuba with PayPal is not allowed. PayPal would freeze your money and you might never receive it again. As an approved participant and for the safety of your money, you will receive an email shortly before the start of the workshop with instructions on how to pay the remaining balance.
Upon receipt of your deposit participants will receive a preliminary workshop itinerary via eMail.
Please note that the deposit is fully refunded if the event does not take place by the fault of the organizer.
WORKSHOP QUESTIONS:
Any specific questions regarding the workshop or necessary equipment should be directed to FIGUEREDO. You can email him at [email protected].
REGULATIONS:
“Senses of Cuba by Tourcom” is a licensed Seller of Travel. Under the Seller of Travel Act, 100% of customer funds are deposited into a business client trust account and can only be used to pay for your services. In the event legal travel to Cuba should be suspended due to new rules and regulations, your payments will be returned.
FLIGHTS & TOURIST CARDS/VISAS:
U.S.-based airlines will distribute Cuban Visas at the airport. A Cuban Visa costs $50 – $100 depending on the airline. International travelers who require a Cuban visa can get their visas either through the Cuban Embassy or Consulate in their respective countries or at the airport.
There are multiple daily flights to Havana from the United States with American Airlines offering the most departures via Miami. Other airlines offering flights include: Delta, Southwest, JetBlue, and United. As CCT is a tour operator and not a travel agent, we are unable to assist in booking your flights. However, it is easiest to do so directly through the airline websites. When booking flights, the airline will try to sell you a tourist card/visa through a 3rd party (e.g. Cuba Travel Services.)
TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION:
Approximately two weeks prior to the final payment due date you will receive information regarding the necessary forms for travel, final invoice, and our comprehensive travel tips and emergency contact information.
