Friday, Day 1 | New York & Havana
- This morning, fly to José Martí International Airport in Havana. Upon arrival, meet your guide outside the baggage claim area.
En route to your accommodations, stop at the Plaza de la Revolución.
The Plaza of the Revolution has been the center of many of Cuba’s most famous speeches and public demonstrations, and was most recently the site of the Pope’s public address to the Cuban people. En route to your casa, stop to view the José Martí Memorial (the tallest structure on the island), the National Library, and the seat of many government ministries. In addition, view the large steel memorials for two of Cuba’s national heroes, Che Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos.
Check in to your accommodations.
Take the opportunity to drop off your bags and settled in to your accommodations.
- Enjoy lunch at the nearby paladar Cinco Sentidos.
After lunch, visit the Wilfredo Lam Contemporary Art Center
The Wilfredo Lam Center will serve as the headquarters for the 2019 Havana Biennial, and an excellent place to begin the trip! Meet with the center’s artistic director, Nelson Herrera, to learn about the exhibition and the artists featured.
Enjoy welcome drinks and a small reception at Arsenal Habana.
Arsenal Habana is a new gallery located in Old Havana, and has featured many of Cuba’s up-and-coming young artists. Participants will have the opportunity to meet several of the artists featured in the Biennial, as well as other invited guests.
- Enjoy a welcome dinner at the nearby paladar El Cocinero.
Attend a performance at the Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC).
One of the hottest venues in Havana right now, this new art space is home to a rotating schedule of gallery shows, musical performances, and nightly events for young people. Located in a reclaimed factory in the neighborhood of Playa, FAC is quickly becoming the place to be seen, and a center of cultural life in Havana.
Saturday, Day 2 | Havana
- Enjoy breakfast at your accommodations.
Participate in a walking tour of Old Havana with a well-known local architect, Aylin Robaina. Learn about the city's colonial history with stops at the four central squares: Plaza de San Francisco de Asis, Plaza Vieja, Plaza de Armas and Plaza de la Catedral.
Amble through the heart of Old Havana, and learn about the ongoing architectural renovation of Havana's iconic buildings on a private tour with a local expert. Ms. Robaina will provide background information on the area's history, and will offer many opportunities to explore the neighborhood's restaurants, galleries, and shops.
- Enjoy lunch at the nearby paladar Al Carbon.
- This afternoon, visit some of the exhibitions featured in the Biennial:
Option 1: “Behind the Wall” by Juan Delgado.
This collective exhibition along Havana’s famous esplanade, the Malecón, has been featured in the previous two Biennial events. Starting from La Punta and continuing all the way to the Almejeiras Hospital, participants will be able to view the various sculptures, installations, and paintings featured in this group show.
Option 2: Línea Street Project by Vilma Bartolomé
Another collective show, this project will stretch from Línea and 18th Street all the way to the intersection of El Prado and the Malecón, and will feature collaborative work from more than thirty cultural institutions in Havana. Not to be missed!
- Option 3: Wilfredo Benítez Gallery at the dockyards by the Almendares River.
- Enjoy dinner at the nearby paladar Otra Manera.
This evening, attend a performance at Havana's most famous jazz club, La Zorra y El Cuervo.
Located just a few blocks from the Hotel Nacional, La Zorra y El Cuervo (The Fox and The Crow) is a Havana institution, and home to some of the island’s most famous jazz musicians like Roberto Fonseca and Chucho Valdes. The basement club hosts a well-known Cuban ensemble each night, featuring a wide range of musical styles and instrumentation. A great spot for a post-dinner drink!
Sunday, Day 3 | Havana
- Enjoy breakfast at your accommodations.
This morning, visit the Arte CONTINUA project.
Located in the cinema Aguila de Oro in Havana’s Chinatown, this is a site-specific work by Daniel Buren including collaboration with six other Cuban artists.
Stop by Taller Gorria (GTG), a project founded in 2016 by the Cuban actor and painter Jorge Perugorría.
Famous for his role in the film Fresas y Chocolate, Perugorría founded this project in the neighborhood of San Isidro within Old Havana. The project aims to transform the neighborhood from a marginalized community to a destination for Cubans and visitors alike. Stop by to see the work and enjoy the opportunity to meet with some of the organizers.
- Enjoy lunch at the nearby paladar Doña Eutima.
Spend the afternoon stopping by several open studios of artists featured in the Biennial.
More information to come on these stops, but we anticipate visits with artists Roger Toledo, Luis Enrique López Chávez, Osvaldo González, and Laura Carralero, among others.
Attend a private jazz performance from percussionist Ruy López Nussa, and his ensemble, La Academia.
Enjoy the rare opportunity to attend a private performance of Ruy López Nussa, the reknown multi-instrumentalist who leads La Academia, a group known for inflecting Cuban standards with Afro-Cuban rhythms. Along with his ensemble, Nussa will offer a private performance of some of the group's classics along with an improvised set. A chance to see some of Havana’s finest musicians in an intimate setting.
Enjoy a cocktail on the terrace of the Hotel Nacional, overlooking Havana's famous oceanfront esplanade, The Malecón.
The Hotel Nacional is perhaps the most famous of Havana’s historic hotels, once the preferred destination for American guests like Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, Mickey Mantle, Rocky Marciano, and countless others. Take time to explore the hotel's beautiful lobby and make sure to try their famous mojitos - some of the best in Cuba!
- Enjoy dinner at the nearby paladar La Guarida.
Monday, Day 4 | Havana
- Enjoy breakfast at your accommodations.
After breakfast, head to one of the most popular and well-known private galleries in Havana, El Apartamento.
El Apartamento is currently showing the work of Flavio Garciandía, Reynier Leyva Novo, and Eduardo Ponjuán, though they have not revealed the exhibition they will host during the Biennial. More information to come as it’s available!
Visit the home and studio of the Cuban artist Roberto Diago.
Addressing questions of race, slavery, and religion in Cuban culture, Roberto Diago's paintings have been shown at the Venice Biennial in 1997 and at the International Contemporary Art Fair in 1999. Pending availability, meet with the artist in his private studio and the enjoy the opportunity to view his work.
Afterwards, stop by the home and studio of Carlos Garaicoa for a visit with the artist.
A rare opportunity to see the art and workspace of one of Havana’s most well-established working artists!
- Enjoy lunch at the nearby paladar Havana Mia 7.
Visit 331 Art Space, the shared studio and gallery of three emerging Cuban artists.
Located in a recently remodeled home in the heart of Vedado, 331 Art Space is the creation of three of Havana’s most compelling young artists. Visit the new gallery and work space of Frank Mujica (drawing), Adrian Fernández (photography), and Alex Hernández (painting/sculpture). Pending availability, meet the artists and enjoy an opportunity to purchase their work.
- Time permitting, stop by the studio of the artist Miguel Alejandro Machado.
Enjoy a private rum tasting at the trendy El Del Frente.
El Del Frente is a new tapas bar located on O’Reilly Street, across from its companion restaurant O’Reilly 304 - as the name implies, it is “the one across.” Known for their inventive cocktails and fabulous roof terrace, it's a place to be seen for Cubans and in-the-know visitors. Participate in a tasting with the restaurant’s bartender to learn about the different varieties of rum produced in Cuba.
- Enjoy dinner at the nearby paladar El Del Frente.
Tuesday, Day 5 | Havana
- Enjoy breakfast at your accommodations.
Attend a private rehearsal of Cuba's National Contemporary Dance Company, Danza Contemporanea de Cuba.
Danza Contemporanea de Cuba is a Cuban dance troupe that combines modern American theater, Afro-Caribbean dance styles, and classical European ballet. Under the direction of Miguel Iglesias, Danza Contemporanea has toured throughout Latin America, the United States, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Attend a closed-door morning rehearsal of the company, and watch as the company hones their craft to the beat of Afro-Cuban drummers.
Visit the National Museum of Fine Arts for a guided tour the museum's collection of Cuban, European, and Latin American Art.
The National Museum of Fine Arts is home to Cuba's most impressive collection of fine art, with stunning examples from the colonial period as well as many contemporary pieces. Enjoy a private tour from the art historian Raquel Carrero.
- Enjoy lunch at the nearby paladar Habana 61.
Stop by the souvenir and antiques market located adjacent to Plaza de Armas.
This antiques market is a great place to buy Cuban literature, movie posters, and other small collectibles - perfect for souvenirs or gifts for friends and family.
Spend the afternoon at leisure.
During this time, we will be happy to assist with logistics should travelers wish to visit other exhibitions not included in the program.
Attend a farewell dinner party in the private home of a Cuban family, with invited guests.
The heart of any trip to Cuba is the opportunity to meet with Cubans from a variety of fields and social strata, and we believe the best way to do this is over a homemade meal in a private home. Depending on your interests, we will arrange a small group of Cuban guests to discuss the current state of Cuban affairs, the country's relationship with the United States, and what the future holds for both countries. Begin the night with a cocktail hour for brief introductions, followed by a dinner party where guests may exchange views on a variety of topics.
Wednesday, DAY 6 | Havana & New York
- Enjoy breakfast at your accommodations.
- This afternoon, depart Havana from José Martí International Airport.