Cuba| Wendy Ida
Join Life Transformation and Fitness Expert Wendy Ida, on a one-of-a-kind Women's Fitness tour of Cuba, to be led by Cuba expert and news personality Christopher P. Baker.
Dates: TBA, 2017
Cost: $TBA (Double Occupancy)
On this fascinating and inspirational tour, acclaimed fitness coach and motivational speaker Wendy Ida shares her self taught approach to mental and physical training, joining with Cuban trainers and fitness enthusiasts to leave you feeling younger, healthier, and inspired.
Accompanied by Wendy and her close friend Christopher P. Baker (called by National Geographic “one of the world’s foremost authorities on Cuba travel and culture”), you’ll be treated to a VIP insight into Cuba’s own fisicultura culture… from gyms, yoga classes, and health-conscious dining to bodybuilders who train under crude conditions you can hardly imagine.
Plus, there’ll be lots of fun activities as you are immersed in the fascinating Cuban culture… from musical performances and salsa sessions to riding in classic 1950s American convertibles for a sensual night at the sensational Tropicana cabaret nightclub.
Daily Itinerary:
Day 1 | Miami/Havana Begin your journey by meeting a Cross Cultural Journeys representative at the Miami International Airport who will assist you and the other members of your group through check-in. Meet your Cuban guide when you exit the airport. Tour the beautiful organic garden at Finca Yoandra. Lunch at Il Divino. After lunch head out for a tour of Plaza de la Revolución and the guide will point out key sights in Havana. Then check-in to your hotel or casa particular, private homes. Dinner will be at La Guarida—Havana’s most famous, and perhaps finest, restaurant. Havana Accommodation (L/D)
Day 2 | Havana After an included breakfast, venture out into the streets on a walking tour of Habana Vieja (Old Havana), Havana’s remarkable colonial core, meeting local people along the way. Meet with the Director of INDER (Institute of Sports & Recreation) at an outdoor gym. Participate with community members in a workout session led by Wendy. Lunch at a local paladar. After lunch, learn about a program for victims of domestic violence and meet the staff. Dinner will be at Atelier restaurant. Havana Accommodation (B/L/D)
Day 3 | Havana After an included breakfast, participate in spinning, work-out and massage with Wendy and entrepreneurs Odalys and Omara Mirabal Lopez at their Spa O2. O2 is a private spa, combining multiple services including linking art, nature and beauty. Lunch at the Spa O2 Cafe. After lunch we will attend a remarkable session of music and dance by Habana Compás with its unique fusion of flamenco and Afro-Cuban dance that is unique to anything else in Cuba. Then practice your own rhythms in a Salsa dance lesson with Yoel Letan Peña and former Tropicana cabaret dancer Asmara Nuñez. Dinner will be at Opera, Vedado (or similar). Havana Accommodation (B/L/D)
Day 4 | Havana After breakfast we head west to visit the UNESCO Heritage planned community of Las Terrazas, an ecological community focused on sustainable living and environmentally friendly farming practices in the Sierra del Rosario mountains. There we will have a guided community tour with Oscar Campos. Lunch will be at the Eco-Restaurant El Romero. In the afternoon you will be able to take advantage of the outdoor activities such as guided hiking, horseback riding, and/or biking in the mountains. We will return to Havana in the early evening. Dinner is on your own. There will be an optional night time putting to the Famous Tropicana Cabaret. Havana Accommodation (B/L)
Day 5 | Havana After breakfast, visit the Gimnasio de Neptuno to meet the fisiculturistas (body-builders), including female boxer and fisicultura Caridad Villa Castro. View a Body-building competition including Wendy and Caridad Villa Castro. Lunch will be at Santy, Jaimanitas. In the afternoon visit the remarkable Fusterlandia, a community art project, full of murals, sculptures and more. Dinner at El Litoral. Havana Accommodation (B/L/D)
Day 6 | Havana After breakfast enjoy a refreshing yoga session and other exercises by the ocean.Visit the Panamericano sports complex, a multipurpose stadium with seating for nearly 50,000 spectators. Lunch at El Ajiaco, Cojimar, a neighborhood of Havana. The rest of the afternoon you can spend as you wish with much coveted free time to explore anything you wish in Havana. Farewell dinner will be at VIP Havana with special treat. Havana Accommodation (B/L/D)
Day 7 | Havana / Miami Following breakfast, we bid Cuba farewell as we transfer to the airport for our flight to Miami then onward flights home. (B)
Journey Details:
Dates: TBA, 2017
NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change to take advantage of the serendipity of the moment when we are in Cuba... to meet someone special, to engage in an activity that might occur unexpectedly, or to accommodate circumstances beyond our control. Restaurants or Accommodations may change in similar category.
INCLUDED: Round trip airfare Miami–Havana; Cuba visa; Cuba airport departure tax; Cuba medical insurance policy; Seven nights accommodations (double occupancy) in premium hotels or casa particulares; All breakfasts; Lunches and dinners as indicated (L/D on itinerary); Airport transfers in Cuba; Bilingual Cuban guide; Entrances at venues as indicated on itinerary; people to people events as described in ‘Highlights’; Pre-tour preparation materials; Expertise of Christopher P. Baker and Wendy Ida as trip leaders
Journey Leaders
CHRISTOPHER P BAKER California-based journalist Christopher has made a career as a professional travel writer, photographer, lecturer, tour escort and moto-journalist since 1983. Christopher—the Lowell Thomas Award 2008 ‘Travel Journalist of the Year’—has been honored with many awards, including ‘Travel Journalist of the Year’ by both the Caribbean Tourism Organization and Jamaica Tourist Board. He has been acclaimed by National Geographic as one of the world’s leading Cuba travel experts. He appears frequently on radio and television talk shows throughout North America and has provided TV and radio interviews and commentary for ABC, Al Jazeera, BBC, the Canadian Broadcast Corporation, CCTV, CNN, Fox News Channel, the National Geographic Channel, MSNBC, plus NPR, among many other radio programs.
