Just 21 months to go till our first official tour to Cuba, all going to plan! Yes, we know it’s a long way off, but our dream is to spend an extended period of time in Cuba and to host some tours while there in 2011/2012 - one in Dec 2011/Jan 2012 (to coincide with NZ summer holiday period and the “cooler” weather in Cuba) and one in Jul 2012/Aug 2012 (to coincide with HOT Cuban Carnival season). This project is still in the conceptual stage, but we wanted to give you plenty of warning and time to save up holidays and money.
We are taking expressions of interest NOW.. so if you are interested, please send us an email and let us know your particular area of interest/what you’d like to see and do/when you would like to go and we’ll add you to the list/keep you up to date with developments! The number of people registered keeps growing (15 and counting), as does the list of interests:
- Afro-Cuban culture/religion
- Beach and relaxation!
- Carnival(s)/festivals
- Dancing/dance classes (of course)
- Film Festival held in Havana early December (and how Rafa and I met!) (NEW)
- Eco projects including Organic Farming (NEW)
- Galleries and museums (NEW)
- Habana Vieja Reconstruction (NEW)
- Language training
- Old American cars
- Percussion classes
Not exactly the A-Z of Cuba, but getting there!
NB: You don't have to be NZ-based to come on one of these trips - you can fly in from anywhere. Just let us know when you will be arriving and from where and we will factor it into our planning.
This month there have been two important developments:
1) We have chosen and met our official travel agent – Jane Southon from the Flight Centre @ Queensgate. Some of you may already know Jane as she’s also from the Salsa Scene and might even come with us! We have used Jane in the past for our family trips to Cuba and found her to be not only very efficient and knowledgeable, but good at getting the flights we want at the best price.
After looking at several options (flights via Europe, via USA and Round-the-World tickets) the best route in terms of price, simplicity and directness is with LAN Chile via Santiago de Chile. This is the route we always use and would also recommend it – and you get to stop-off in Santiago and dance at some of my old stomping grounds - I lived and danced in Chile for 6 years. Rafa ended up playing in one of the bands and giving an impromptu class the last time we were there – surprise surprise – NOT!
We also have worked out that it’s about $1000 cheaper to go in Jul/Aug period than Jan/Dec and that if we book as a group (min 10 people – departing all together, but returning independently if you want) we can also save another $1000 approx. Which means flights alone will can range from $2600-$4600. We will be working hard with Jane and LAN Chile to get the best deal for us all. You can only book such flights 11 months in advance, so we won’t have any specific pricing available until next Jan/Feb.
You should also know that you will need a Tourist Visa for Cuba, which you can get here in Wellington or in Chile at the airport now I believe. You don’t need a tourist visa for Chile if you are travelling on a NZ passport. The Cuban Tourist Visa is only valid for one month and extendable for only one month – with the limit being 2 months total.
2) We also met with the Cuban Ambassador last month and he has not only given us blessing, but has offered to put us in touch with specialists in areas we are not so familiar with e.g. Organic Farming and Restoration in Havana Vieja, which is fantastic and much appreciated.
Roll on Congress 2010 and Cuba 2011!