gEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY EMBA PROGRAM

MARCH 13-17, 2019

ABOUT CUBA EDUCATIONAL TRAVEL

Cuba Educational Travel (CET) is a leader in educational travel to Cuba. CET unlocks the best of the island country by providing access to top academics, community programs, government organizations, leading cultural figures and everyday Cubans. CET’s tailor-made programs enable travelers to experience Cuba’s vibrant culture and gain a deeper understanding of the island, while ensuring full compliance with all U.S. regulations. 

CET has been on the frontlines of educational and cultural collaboration for a number of years. With wide ranging experience and contacts in educational exchange, CET has organized short term study abroad program for hundreds of American universities undergraduate and graduate programs spanning from international relations, business, economics, law, the arts and more. CET also specializes in coordinating academic conferences, research delegations and visits by University leadership teams. CET believes strongly in promoting multi-faceted exchanges and has organized dozens of academic exchanges for Cuban academics, students and entrepreneurs in the US. 

OUR VALUE PROPOSITION

By leveraging this expertise and curated travel capabilities, Cuba Educational Travel offers a product that is unrivaled. Our strong presence on the island and in important cultural circles gives us unparalleled access and knowledge. This combined with the beauty and intrigue of Cuba and its people make for truly unforgettable experiences.

ITINERARY

Wednesday, March 13

Arrive to Havana on Delta Airlines from Atlanta.

Check-in at the Hotel Parque Central. Located on the corner of Central Park and along Prado Boulevard, the hotel is just steps from the Capitol building, the Great Theatre and the famous Obispo Street.

Discussion with Ricardo Torres, Economist from the Center for the Study of the Cuban Economy. Get an overview of the Cuban economy, reforms, and growth outlook from one of the leading economic minds in Cuba.

Welcome dinner at paladar Vistamar, located in the Miramar neighborhood, it is on the 2nd floor of an attractive residence that looks out to the sea.

Thursday, March 14

Socio-economic discussion with urban planner Miguel Coyula, whose presentation will touch on housing, infrastructure, investment, and restoration programs in the city. It’s bound to leave you with a better understanding of why Havana looks the way it does today and possibilities moving forward.

Visit a centuries-old mansion in Vedado neighborhood for a discussion with specialists in the real estate market. Step inside this stately residence to discover what lies behind the crumbling facades of Havana’s impressive mansions. Josie, who has lived in the house for over 60 years, will show us around and explain its rich history. Real estate specialists will discuss the complexities of buying, selling and determining value in Cuba.

Light lunch of sandwiches followed by free time to explore Central Havana most famous places, including the Capitol Building, the Great Theatre, Central Park and the famous Prado Promenade.  

Visit to Vistar, Cuba's first music magazine, produced in Havana and created by Robin Pedraja in 2014, it now has 50,000 unique visitors from the island and abroad. Followed by a tour of WiFi hotspot parks, to discuss media, social media and connectivity in Cuba.

Presentation by Oniel Diaz, Managing Partner at Kreab Cuba and co-founder of AUGE about the private sector in Cuba.

Free evening

Friday, March 15

Meeting with foreign businesspeople currently operating in Cuba for a discussion of the challenges and opportunities of doing business on the island.

Briefing at the US Embassy in Havana.

Lunch with Cuban entrepreneurs at paladar Atelier. This restaurant is equally known for its atmosphere and exquisite cuisine. The lighting and textures of the house, which was home to a pre-revolutionary era senator, coupled with walls adorned in modern art, create a cozy, but modern setting.

Visits to small businesses and meet with local entrepreneurs to learn about their start-ups.

Evening free

Dinner reservation at Tierra, Havana’s newest international dinning spot. Located inside a container in the Fábrica de Arte Cubano, the restaurant mirrors the eclectic crowd, serving dishes from around the world. Calle 26, between Calle 11 and 13, Vedado (not included – to be paid on the ground)

Following dinner, enjoy live music, art and dancing at La Fábrica de Arte Cubano. Rock star X Alfonso has turned this into meeting spot for a young, eclectic crowd of Cubans and foreigners.

Saturday, March 16

Visit to the Nostalgic Cars restoration garage. Owners Nidialys Acosta and Julio Alvarez have taken advantage of the recent economic opening to put together a fleet of over 20 pristine clasicos to provide professional service to their clientele. We will visit the garage to see how they restore these beauties from the 1950s.

Discussion with La Reyna y Real, a female hip hop/jazz duo. The group’s music focuses on breaking down stereotypes in Cuban society, including machismo, healthy relationships, gender relations and race. They will share info about their interesting musical journey and insight into the challenges and opportunities young Cubans face.

Lunch at Doña Eutimia paladar. Famous for its ropa vieja and frozen mojitos, this cozy paladar made Newsweek Magazine’s top 100 restaurants in the world in 2012. The restaurant’s location in the beautiful cathedral square is unbeatable.

Walking tour of Old Havana’s Historic Center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. Wander through the Plaza de Armas, a scenic tree-lined plaza formerly at the center of influence in Cuba. It is surrounded by many of the most historic structures in Havana as well as important monuments. See the Plaza de San Francisco, a cobbled plaza surrounded by buildings dating from the 18th century, dominated by the baroque Iglesia and Convento de San Francisco dating from 1719. Visit the Plaza Vieja, surrounded by sumptuous houses of the Havana aristocracy from the 18th and 19th centuries. Visit Plaza de la Catedral de San Cristóbal de La Habana.

Tour of agricultural market and food ration store to better understand purchasing power and consumption.

Rum and cigar tasting at Café Madrigal. A local expert will explain the qualities and traits of fine Cuban rum and cigars, pairing them together for the perfect match. Café Madrigal, owned and run by film director Rafael Rosales, is housed in a beautiful colonial mansion with the walls lined with captivating artwork.

Farewell dinner at the home and studio of a family of artists, at AltaMira art loft with live performance of La Reyna y la Real. A few years ago, Edel Bordón and his family embarked on a journey to establish an art collective in their apartment building. Spearheaded by his wife Yamilé Pardo, the family created the AltaMira art space, which features an exhibition and workspace off of the main lobby and collaborations with neighbors.

Sunday, March 17,

Check-out and depart for airport.

Depart Havana on Delta Airlines to Atlanta.