Morning: Check out your hotel and transfer to Jose Marti Airport. Flight to Santiago de Cuba. Estimated flight time: 2 hours.

Santiago de Cuba is the former capital of the country and the second largest city in Cuba. Founded by Diego Velazquez in 1514, the city was built on the east side of the bay.

This was the starting point of the expeditions led by Juan de Grijalba and Hernan Cortes to the coasts of Mexico in 1518, and in 1538 by Hernando de Soto's expedition to Florida. The first cathedral was built in the city in 1528. From 1522 until 1589 Santiago was the capital of the Spanish colony of Cuba.

The city experienced an influx of French immigrants in the late 18th century and early 19th century, many coming from Haiti after the Haitian slave revolt of 1791. This added to the city's eclectic cultural mix, already rich with Spanish and African culture.

Visit to San Pedro de la Roca Morro Castle, a XVII century military construction atop the cliffs at the narrow entrance to Santiago Bay and one of the settings of the Spanish American War. The fortress was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997, cited as the best preserved and most complete example of Spanish-American military architecture.

Lunch at Paladar El Pirata, serving delicious local seafood dishes and boasting nice views of Santiago de Cuba bay and Sierra Maestra Mountains. Eating in private family-run restaurants directly supports the Cuban people and the Cuban families financially while encouraging independent entrepreneurial activities that in turn strengthen civil society in Cuba.

Afternoon: as part of our full-time schedule of professional research, we will attend professional meetings with sports and physical education teachers, trainers and coaches at the Santiago de Cuba Sports School (Escuela de Iniciacion Deportiva Escolar (EIDE)) “Capitán Orestes Acosta”. This activity will be of particularly interest for the professional research of those travelers from USA, Canada and all over the world whose profession, professional background, or area of expertise (including area of graduate-level full-time study) relates to sports and physical education.

Check in at your Luxury Casa Particular (breakfast and dinner included).

Evening: enjoy traditional local music at Casa de la Trova. Your guide will give you options the days before so that you plan ahead this day or just play as it goes!

Evening Special Event: participation in the different musical venues taking place in the historical center around the annual Fire Festival. There are over 50 locations holding activities during the fire festival, many of them in natural open settings (optional).

Morning: as part of our full-time schedule of professional research on Cuba’s educational system, we will attend professional meetings with professors of the University of Santiago de Cuba, also known as the Eastern University of Cuba. Founded in 1947, it is organized in 11 Faculties: Social Sciences, Humanities, Law, Economics, Natural Sciences, Mathematics, Distance Education, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Construction.

This visit represents a great opportunity for North American university and college professors, faculty and staff; K-12 teachers, and other educational professionals to conduct professional research on Cuba’s higher education policy and planning, student services, administration, as well as the teaching methods and curriculum for higher education in the island.

Visit to Basilica de Nuestra Senora del Cobre. This is the country’s most sacred pilgrimage site since the Virgin of Charity is the patron saint of Cuba. In the Afro-Cuban religion she is associated with Ochun, the Yoruba goddess of love.

Optional Lunch: optional lunch presents as a great opportunity to eat in a privately-owned family restaurant which are abundant in the area. Your Authentic Cuba Travel® tour guide will facilitate individual bookings and we will provide you with a list of recommended paladares before tour departure. Enjoy!

Visit to Moncada barracks, one of the largest military barracks of Batista government. On July 26, 1953, it was the site of an armed attack by a small group of revolutionaries led by Fidel Castro. This armed attack is widely accepted as the beginning of the Cuban Revolution. Today it houses the largest primary school of Eastern Cuba with over 1600 students and 245 teachers. We will attend professional meetings with teachers as part of our full-time schedule of professional research on Cuba’s educational system.

This visit will be of particularly interest for the professional research of those travelers from USA, Canada and all over the world whose profession, professional background, or area of expertise (including area of graduate-level full-time study) relates to the impact of early childhood education on academic success and social skills development, the role of creativity and play in early childhood education, the role of teacher-child relationships in early childhood education and the effectiveness of early literacy programs.

Panoramic bus ride of Modern Santiago de Cuba. We will visit the Heredia Theatre, San Juan Hill, Square of Revolution Antonio Maceo, baseball stadium Saturnino Lora, Palacio de Justicia, among others.

Visit to Parque Cespedes, located at the heart of the historical center of the city. The Plaza is surrounded by important buildings such as:

The Cathedral, originally built in 1522 and where the remains of Diego Velasquez are buried.

Ayuntamiento (City Hall) erected in 1950’s. From the balcony of this building Fidel Castro gave his victory speech immediately after the success of the Revolution on January 1rst, 1959.

Visit the oldest house in Cuba, today Museo de Ambiente Historico Colonial and formerly the residence of Diego Velázquez in the XVI century.

Evening Special Event: participation in the different musical venues taking place in the historical center around the annual Fire Festival. There are over 50 locations holding activities during the fire festival, many of them in natural open settings (optional).

Morning: ferry boat ride to Cayo Granma, a picturesque little island of red-roofed dwellings just inside the Bay of Santiago de Cuba.

Next we will visit the community art project, Suenos y Fantasia (Dreams and Fantasies) carried out by local children who use their imagination to create toys and crafts from recycled materials collected from the seashores. During this visit we will engage with the Cubans to learn more about the role of this Cuban independent organization.

This visit also presents an unparalleled chance for North American university and college professors, faculty and staff; K-12 teachers, and other educational professionals to conduct professional research on extracurricular participation and student engagement as a contributing factor for students’ success as well as the extracurricular work of outreach independent community projects in the island.

Seafood lunch at local paladar in Cayo Granma (included).

Afternoon: as part of our full-time schedule of professional research on Cuba’s educational system, we will attend professional meetings at a Family Doctor’s Office and Community Clinic. This exchange presents an unparalleled chance for North American university and college professors, faculty and staff; K-12 teachers, and other educational professionals to conduct professional research on Cuba’s medical education.

Family doctor's offices and Community Clinics in Cuba are part of the so called Primary Level of Attention. This is an opportunity to meet Cuban doctors and nurses and learn more about their health care system and its practices. You will also receive detailed information about the educational program for training doctors and nurses in Cuba.

Evening Special Event: participation in the different musical venues taking place in the historical center around the annual Fire Festival. There are over 50 locations holding activities during the fire festival, many of them in natural open settings (optional).

Check out your hotel. Check in at Santiago de Cuba airport to take flight back to Havana City.

Optional Lunch: optional lunch presents as a great opportunity to eat in a privately-owned family restaurant which are abundant in the area. Your Authentic Cuba Travel® tour guide will facilitate individual bookings and we will provide you with a list of recommended paladares before tour departure. Enjoy!

Afternoon: as part of our full-time schedule of professional research on Cuba’s educational system, we will visit to the headquarters of La Colmenita Children’s Theater Company next. La Colmenita (the little beehive) emerged from a dream and hobby of Carlos "Tin" Cremata when he was still a student at the Cuban Theatrical Art Institute directing aquatic and judo performances with young people.

The nucleus of La Colmenita was formed from some of these youngsters and children of three, four and five years from the popular television series "Cuando yo sea Grande" that he also directed.

The company, which was given the UNICEF Goodwill ambassador status in 2007, recently toured the United States with performances in Washington, New York and San Francisco. Enjoy a private performance, and exchange with directors, teachers and children!

This visit to Cuba’s “The Little Beehive” (La Colmenita) presents an unparalleled chance for North American university and college professors, faculty and staff; K-12 teachers, and other educational professionals to conduct professional research on extracurricular participation and student engagement as a contributing factor for students’ success as well as the extracurricular work of outreach independent community projects in the island.

Check in at your hotel Valentin Quinta Avenida (Valentin 5th Avenue) or Luxury Casa Particular

Morning: as part of our full-time schedule of professional research on Cuba’s educational system, we will visit the Workshop School in Old Havana. High school graduates enroll in this institution to learn the arts and crafts necessary to authentically restore the ancient buildings of Old Havana. The school teaches young people archeological and restoration work that helps preserving the heritage and cultural wealth of Old Havana.

Our professional meeting with Cuban teachers this morning will be of particularly interest for the professional research of those travelers from USA, Canada and all over the world whose profession, professional background, or area of expertise (including area of graduate-level full-time study) relates to the teaching of skilled trades. With an aging workforce, the school is training skilled trades people who can help restore, preserve and maintain the historical and architectural heritage of the nation.

Followed by guided walking tour of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Old Havana.

Visit to the Cathedral Square, named after the masterpiece of Cuban baroque architecture: the Cathedral of Havana built by the Jesuit order.

The Cathedral's baroque facade is simultaneously intimate and imposing, and one of the two towers is visibly larger, creating a pleasing asymmetry. As with many churches in the city, the building material of Havana Cathedral includes coral, cut and hauled from the edge of the sea by slaves. Look carefully and you'll see fossils of marine flora and fauna in the stone of the cathedral.

Visit to Square of Arms, ancient military parade ground for Spanish soldiers and surrounded by impressive buildings such as:

Palacio de los Capitanes Generales, the former official residence of the governors (Captains General) of Havana, Cuba. It is home to the Museum of the City of Havana. It houses exhibitions of art and historical artifacts and many of the rooms are preserved with their original Colonial decoration.

Palacio del Segundo Cabo. The seat of the second authority of the island. Today it houses important publishing concerns.

Castillo de la Real Fuerza. The second oldest fortress built by the Spaniards in the West Indies. The castle was recently renovated and reopened in June 2008 to hold the impressive maritime museum. Well laid out exhibits chart Spain and Cuba's naval history.

Continue walking tour onto San Francisco Square, named after the Convent of San Francisco, this square was conceived in 1628, with the objective of supplying water to the ships trading with the metropolis. For many years it also served to stockpile the goods arriving from the harbor. Chronicles of the time say that the square had a busy commercial life. The people, in humble carts or afoot, sold and bought a variety of goods. It’s important to know that through this place the Spanish immigrants arrived to Cuba.

Visit to Plaza Vieja, the only civic square of colonial times. Notice it doesn't have a church or government building around. Here we will visit important institutions for visual arts.

Lunch is optional today so you can try one of the many paladares (private restaurants) flourishing in the city due to the economic overture of Cuba in recent years.

Afternoon: followed by visit to Primary School “Angela Landa”. Exchange with teachers and students to learn Cuba’s primary education level. Tour the schools and enjoy educational and cultural activities by students. Meet the principal of the school Prof. Sonia Garcia. Tour of the school.

This visit will be of particularly interest for the professional research of those travelers from USA, Canada and all over the world whose profession, professional background, or area of expertise (including area of graduate-level full-time study) relates to the impact of early childhood education on academic success and social skills development, the role of creativity and play in early childhood education, the role of teacher-child relationships in early childhood education and the effectiveness of early literacy programs.

Free time in the famous handicraft market of Old Havana, located inside the Almacenes de Depósito San José, an old warehouse on the harbourside where you can purchase all sorts of crafts and souvenirs by local artisans. Shopping in these sorts of stores directly supports the Cuban staff and their families while encouraging independent entrepreneurial activities that in turn strengthen civil society in Cuba.

Return to hotel.

Evening: attend one of the most traditional and popular ceremonies in Cuba, the Fire of the Cannon of 9 O'Clock at the Fortress of San Carlos de La Cabana.

Morning: as part of our full-time schedule of professional research on Cuba’s educational system, we will attend professional meetings with professors of the University of Havana which has long been a cornerstone of higher education in Cuba. As first a religious institution, and then a secular one, it has been the birthplace of important cultural and political ideas for the country. During your tour of the campus, you’ll have an opportunity to meet with students from the Law School—whose most prominent graduate is the long-time leader of Cuba, Fidel Castro.

This visit represents a great opportunity for North American university and college professors, faculty and staff; K-12 teachers, and other educational professionals to conduct professional research on Cuba’s higher education policy and planning, student services, administration, as well as the teaching methods and curriculum for higher education in the island.

We are now "leaving" Havana and entering Fusterlandia, the studio, residence and wild kingdom of José Rodriguez Fuster, one of the most important Cuban ceramists and painters today. Lunch hosted by Jose Fuster. Hence, supporting the Cuban people by patronizing privately owned restaurants, stores, art galleries and other small businesses.

Afternoon: visit to the Literacy Museum in the Liberty City neighborhood of Havana.

Meeting with museum director Luisa Campos for an introduction on the history of the literacy campaign and the new literacy campaigns taking place in Venezuela, Bolivia and other regions based on the Cuban Campaign model.

This guided educational tour will be of particularly interest for the professional research of those travelers from USA, Canada and all over the world whose profession, professional background, or area of expertise (including area of graduate-level full-time study) relates to the history of literacy education and alternative approaches to teaching. The ideal approach to teach and learn literacy depends on the student. Every student is an individual with unique strengths, weaknesses, interests, and ways of learning. So how do you teach 700 000 people of different ages and backgrounds in such a record time? What teaching approach was used and why it worked.

Farewell dinner: a new wave of paladares (privately-owned restaurants) has recently swept the Cuban dining scene offering excellent food and charming ambient. Today we’ll enjoy a welcome lunch at the stylish Paladar San Cristobal, one of Havana's top ten private restaurants.

Early morning departure to Havana City International Airport for departure.