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Suitable for Group, Senior
OVERVIEW
Explore Cuba Cultural Jewish Tour with this 5-day itinerary. Discover Revolution Square, a historic landmark where Fidel Castro delivered many of his speeches and Pope John Paul II celebrated a mass. Visit the Jewish Cemetery and the Memorial to the Holocaust, the first memorial built in the Western Hemisphere. Explore the Old Jewish Quarter and attend synagogue services at Adath Israel, the only Orthodox synagogue in Havana, or the Sephardic Hebrew Center.
Learn about the country’s revolutionary past and experience the vibrant atmosphere of Havana and the Havana Jewish Heritage. Enjoy a classic car ride through the city, shop at the San Jose Market, and attend a Salsa dancing class. Discover the city’s vibrant arts scene and explore the historic buildings of Old Havana. This Cuba Jewish Travel Itinerary offers a unique opportunity to connect with Cuba’s diverse culture and Jewish community.
Highlights*
*Some experiences are subject to minimum group size
Arrival and transfer to the hotel with a stop at Revolution Square home of many of Castro’s lengthy speeches as well as a visit by the Pope. There will be time for pictures.
After checking in, proceed to a local restaurant for your Welcome Dinner.
Return to the hotel.
Overnight at the Melia Cohiba
After breakfast, we will go to the Jewish Cemetery to see the Memorial to the Holocaust (the first memorial built in the western hemisphere) and recite Kaddish together.
We will walk through the city’s Old Jewish Quarter to Adath Israel, Havana’s traditional Orthodox synagogue. The synagogue offers morning and evening services, Cuba’s only Mikve, a daily minyan and a Kosher butcher shop, which has a limited supply of meat for those who are fortunate to have special rations.
In the afternoon we will freshen up and proceed to Kabbalat Shabbat services at the Patronato Synagogue. Visit the Community Center, Sunday School and Pharmacy. The Patronato features a full library, with an impressive collection of Jewish books and is a popular source of reference and education for Jews throughout Cuba. The pharmacy houses the JDC Cuban Jewish Relief Project, which along with other supporters, attempts to keep the shelves stocked with necessities.
Kiddush and dinner at the synagogue.
Overnight at the Melia Cohiba
After breakfast, we will go for services to the Sephardic Hebrew Center, the only Sephardic synagogue in Havana City, founded in 1954. Members hold Kabbalat Shabbat services every week, Shacharit on Saturday mornings and celebrate all Jewish festivals. The center also houses a community Sunday school for adults as well as a Hebrew Teacher’s school. We will also tour their Holocaust memorial.
After lunch, we will drive to Old Havana for a walking tour through the city’s main squares or plazas: Plaza de Armas, Plaza de San Francisco and Plaza de la Catedral, with its cobblestone and surrounding 18th century buildings.
Continue to a Cigar factory, not only seeing how cigars are made, but it will give you a sense of how important the cigar industry is to Cuba.
Return to the hotel and freshen up before dinner.
Overnight at the Melia Cohiba
Morning visit to the Fine Arts museum.
Enjoy a ride to Old Havana in a classic 1950s-1960s car followed by lunch and a Salsa dancing class.
After lunch, you will have time to buy souvenirs at the San Jose Market, the largest arts and craft marketplace in Havana. A former harbor warehouse restored by the Office of the City Historian to facilitate an environmental structure where craftsmen and artists can display their products. This is Cuba’s flea market and where private enterprise in Cuba started.
Return to the hotel for a Reflection Session followed by a Farewell dinner.
Overnight at the Melia Cohiba
Breakfast at the hotel and check out.
End of services
Accommodation
This five-star hotel lies alongside the Malecón seafront promenade in Havana. Comfortable rooms and suites provide ideal accommodation, further enhanced by the wonderful panoramic views.
*Star rating standards vary from country to country.
This experience is fully customizable. We will create your personal dream experience!
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