12-03-2021 SANTIAGO CUBA

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Santiago Cuba December 3rd to December 11th 2021 

Trips start in Santiago

· Experience music, art and dance. Create with the Cuban people

· This trip is for photographers and adventure travelers alike.

· Trip runs: Santiago Cuba April 16th to April 24th

· Price $3975 (double occupancy) $395 additional for single room

· Deposit of $900 March 10th

· 9 days and 8 nights All Inclusive from Santiago

WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH TRAVEL TO CUBA?

Can we go to Cuba? YES

Camera Odysseys has traveled to Cuba for the past 10 years. We have great friends and connections to make your trip a once in a lifetime. The USA travel restrictions only effect the cruise ships from the USA. Camera Odysseys is Licensed to bring groups into Cuba under the: “Support for the Cuban people”No further permission from OFAC is required to engage in transactions by a person who meets all criteria in a general license.

GET READY FOR SANTIAGO

This trip will run on the eastern end of the island. Santiago, the sugar farms, the Santiago Rum. This exciting trip will provide flexible and personalized opportunities for both artists and photographers. Bruce will provide photographic guidance and expertise. Carlos is a renowned Cuban painter and printmaker and will be available to provide instruction as well as one on one consultation. Bring your camera and some art supplies and, if desired, work in progress that you would like to discuss. Once you sign up for the trip you will be contacted about your photography and art expectations for the trip.

Your adventure starts the moment we land.

We will stay in a CASA, which is a private home. Each room will have queen beds and their own private bathroom. Breakfast each day will be served by your casa. Water will be supplied. This is a trip that will let you be a native. We will travel overnight, to Baracoa on the east end of the island. Boracoa is the first city of Cuba and we will capture the history, culture and meet the people. 

Bruce Byers, Professional Photographer

Will be with us on the streets, photographing people and the architecture of Cuba. This will be his 20th trip. Bruce designs the trips to make sure you’ll never see, or photograph, the world quite the same way again. He is very excited about our upcoming trips and thinks you will be as well.

· Learn to approach and create with local Cubans

· Develop a “street style” for shooting on the streets

· Bruce will help you become comfortable with your equipment

· Onsite editing so you learn as you create.

Then over the trip you will learn

· The difference between creating an image and a snapshot.

· How to see with your eyes and capture with your camera.

Over the course of the trip, you will learn:

· The difference between photography and storytelling. 

· Learn to tell visually rich stories.

· The use of design in photography through color, texture, light, perspective and detail.

· To craft your own unique visual voice.

Carlos Aguilera, Cuban Artist

Carlos has opened his print making studio to those who want to work with a true Cuban print maker. Our Cuban artist Carlos Aguilera, will be our host and guide. We will walk the streets of Santiago to photograph and those who love print making will work in his studio. Carlos is a renowned Cuban painter and printmaker and will be available to provide instruction as well as one on one consultation. Our Cuban Artist will also be with us to introduce us to the world of Cuban artist. Born in Santiago with a famous Cuban artist father. Carlos will be our window into life and culture of Cuba.

See what our clients are saying: Testimonials

The Video 

Early sign up $125 off discount by October 10th 2021 

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SANTIAGO

The adventure starts. Santiago, is very different from Havana and Vinales Cuba, it has the Santiago rum, the sugar cane and the art.

· We will arrive at the casas and take a tour of the city and its historical battle fields.

· A visit to one of the famous rum factories of the famous Santiago rum. 

· Meet with the rum masters of Santiago rum. 

· Learn from the best.

Dec 3rd: Friday

Welcome to Cuba

Santiago

The adventure starts.  Santiago, is very different from Havana and Viñuales Cuba, it has the Santiago rum, the sugar cane and the art.

• We will arrive at the casas      and take a tour of the city and its historical battle fields.
• A visit to one of the famous      rum factories of the famous Santiago rum. Meet with the rum masters of      Santiago rum. Learn from the best.

December 4th Saturday 

Santiago

Early morning we will be on the streets with the sunrise.

• We will walk the streets of      a 500 year old town, getting involved in the culture and life.
• Walk the streets with Bruce 
• Lunch at Carlos studio. 
• The afternoon will take us      to the south shore for sunset at the Moro Castle of Santiago.
• Dinner will be filled with      music in the old part of town. 
• Night walks

December 5th : Sunday

Santiago, Dancers

· Early morning photo walk

· Breakfast

· With lunch at the studio.

· Work with Bruce on the street

· Work with the dancers of Santiago

· Did I say old car and music…. There here.

· Sunset at city square.

· Dinner 

· Night walks

December 6th : Monday

Head to Baracoa 

Early departure for Baracoa. On the east coast. The first city of Cuba.

· Stop along the way for photo opts.

o Sugar fields

o Local farmers

o Sugar factories

o Palm plantations 

· Arrive Baracoa early afternoon

· Explore town

· Sunset shoot

· Dinner local cafe’

· Night walks

December 7th : Tuesday

Streets of Baracoa

Early sunrise location shoot

· Breakfast at casa

· Photographs on the street

· We will have a tour of the city to artist studios and learn from the locals.

· Lunch with local artist

· Return to the streets for more exploration.

· Early evening head back to Santiago 

· Dinner on the road

· Night walks for those willing.

December 8th : Wednesday

Santiago

· Sunrise walks

· Work on the streets with local Cubans

· Lunch at local artist studio with music

· Ride the old cars of Santiago throughout the city

· Boat ride through the harbor to the sea.

· Sunset on the Malecon and main square

· Dinner at local cafe’

· Night walks for those willing.

December 9th : Thursday

Santiago Boxers

• Sunrise walks
• Work the streets
• Lunch at local artist      studio with music
• Work with the local boxers
• Dinner at local cafe’
• Night walks for those      willing.

December 10th : Friday

Artist Community

This will be a day of local artist just outside Santiago. Great for portraits and landscapes.

· Early departure to Artist community for great art, music and local friends. 

· Talk, photograph and work with the artist.

· Dinner pig roast with music

· Return back to Santiago

· Night is on your own

Farewell dinner at local cafe’ with music

December 11th : Saturday

Fly home to the USA (or stay ask Bruce) 

  What's Included:

• All meals Starting in Cuba
• All ground  transport in Cuba
• Accommodations  in Casa (bed and breakfast) including breakfast
• Double occupancy: Single $325 supplement
• Visa to Cuba
• Medical insurance in Cuba (Note this is not travel cancellation insurance) You      need to get your own personal travel insurance for medical and trip      cancellation.
• Entrance fees to attractions listed on itinerary

What's NOT included:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Airfare to Santiago, Trip starts in Santiago Cuba
• Accommodations      at if starting off point is in US, Miami
• Travel      insurance. You need to get your own personal travel insurance for medical      and trip cancellation.
• Internet or      communications costs in Cuba

Note: Final schedule may deviate from plan due to conditions on the ground. 

 Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba

• What do I need to bring with me?

1. You will need your passport and a visa (Camera Odysseys will take care of this) for entry into Cuba. Once there, shopping for essential items like toiletries is nearly impossible. You must bring anything you will need, including all medications. 
2. You will also need enough cash to last throughout your trip, since most American credit and debit cards are not accepted in Cuba, traveler’s checks are not accepted, and ATM cards issued by a U.S. bank cannot be used.  I always say " You can always bring the USA cash home, you can't get more once there."

• What should I leave at home?

1. Walkie talkies, satellite phones, and GPS devices are not allowed, and should be left at home. There is no phone service for U.S. cell phones in Cuba.  We carry Cuban phones that can call the USA and other places.
2. Plan to be without internet for the duration of your trip—it is available in some Cuban hotels for a fee, but it is slow and unreliable.   

• What is Cuban food like?

1. Cuban cuisine varies widely depending on the season, location, and market prices—and is limited by what’s available to the Cuban people. Thus, it includes staples like rice, beans, chicken, fish, pork, plantains, and root vegetables. 
2. As seasonings are hard to come by, we invite you to bring packaged spices, for your own use and to give to locals as gifts.

• What can I bring back from Cuba?

1. U.S. Customs rules surrounding Cuban souvenirs are similar to those for other countries. Since late last year, the limits on the number or value of Cuban cigars and alcohol have been eased, so you can bring back as much as you want. We also recommend Cuban coffee and art as a lasting memory of your adventure.

• Is Cuba safe?

1. Yes, American tourists are safe throughout Cuba, though we always recommend using common sense. Please see your Final Documents for more detailed information.

Quick Facts

• PASSPORT VALIDITY:

Must be valid at time of entry.  You need 6 months on the passport.  USA requirement.

• BLANK PASSPORT PAGES:

Two pages are required for entry/exit stamps

• TOURIST VISA REQUIRED:

Tourist travel to Cuba remains prohibited. You must obtain a license from the Department of Treasury or your travel must fall into one of 12 categories of authorized travel. See ENTRY, EXIT & VISA REQUIREMENTS below.

• Camera Odysseys will take care of this for you.
• VACCINATIONS:

None

• CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS FOR ENTRY:

U.S. credit and debit cards do not work in Cuba. Bring cash to cover your stay. The Cuban government requires that travelers declare cash amounts over 5,000 USD. Travelers should note that the Government of Cuba charges a 10 percent fee for all U.S. dollar cash conversions; this does not apply to electronic transactions or cash conversions in other currencies.

• Camera Odysseys will exchange money for you..