The new social impact cruise line Fathom has introduced three new shore excursions to their lineup of experience in Cuba.
New Tours
- In Hemingway’s Footsteps (5 hours) – Ernest Hemingway fans and other travelers alike will see Havana through the eyes of the famed author. From the cobblestone streets of Old Havana to the shores of fishing village Cojimar, the spirit of the man is alive in bars, recipes, and museums. Guests will also visit Hemingway’s home “Finca Vigia,” stop by his favorite fishing spot and inspiration for “The Old Man and the Sea,” step foot in the room where he wrote “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” and grab a drink at his favorite watering holes. The excursion includes lunch and drinks and is $59 per person.
- Beyond Havana: Exploring the Cuban Countryside (9 hours) – Travelers will be able to experience rural life in Cuba as they visit the countryside known for its sugar and coffee production. One highlight is Las Terrazas, developed in the 1960’s as part of Cuba’s Green Revolution, and is now a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Las Terrazas is an ecotourism hotspot and sustainable community model for artists, farmers, and families utilizing organic farming and medicine. Guests can interact with doctors who transform plants into alternative medicine, visit organic farms, and wander the ruins of a former French coffee plantation. The tour includes lunch at one of Las Terrazas’ locally sourced restaurants, and refreshments throughout the day. It’s $69 per person.
- Magic of Santiago Featuring El Cobre (6 hours) – Travelers who want to experience revolution, rum, religion, and salsa will love this tour of Santiago de Cuba – the country’s former capital. Beginning downtown in Antonio Maceo Revolution Square, guests head to the resting place of Cuban hero Jose Marti before touring San Juan Hill, home to the Rough Riders assault during the Spanish-American War. The excursion then ventures beyond the city limits into the Sierra Maestra mountain range for the city of El Cobre, a historic copper mining town with African influence. Travelers will visit Basilica de Nuestra Señora de la Caridad del Cobre, where they’ll learn about the role religion plays in the daily lives of the locals, and learn about the history of the shrine. Guests will also have the option to attend a mass, and listen to the sounds of the city’s steel drum band El Cobre. The tour is $69 per person.
Other Options
Travelers interested in heading off on their own can also self-certify with approved People to People activities. For example, they can take a spin around Havana in a classic American car, sample rich Cuban rum, dance to lively Cuban rhythms at a tropical Cabaret, or enjoy an authentic Cuban meal in one of the country’s many restaurants. The choices are virtually limitless.
Prices for seven-day itineraries to Cuba start at $1,599 per person this year. Next year, they will begin at $1,699, and vary by season.
