This morning we will head out to MIA for our short flight to Havana! Once in the air, we will arrive at Jose Marti International Airport within an hour! After going through immigration, we will be transported by our private bus to Old Havana where we will have lunch at one of our fav places, Chacon 162! Our friend, Jose Hector, who owns this very popular place, has decorated in Route 66 decor including a Harley Davidson hanging over the bar! From here, we will visit our dear friend, Milton Bernal's Art Gallery. He has developed a technique of painting on tobacco leaves and has attained world class status with his painting. After checking into the beautiful boutique hotel, Tribe Caribe, we will be treated to a fabulous dinner at Al Carbon, owned by Chefs Ivan and Justo, where they welcome many Internationally known famous and infamous people! And the jazz band you’ll enjoy will keep your feet tapping all night long!

After a beautiful  breakfast on the Rooftop of Tribe Caribe Cayo Hueso Boutique Hotel, we will venture out to Finca Vigia, owned by Ernest Hemingway from 1939 to 1960. It’s a beautiful home overlooking the city of Havana from his own hilltop where he wrote two of his famous books – For Whom the Bell Tolls and Old Man and the Sea. His boat, the Pilar, is located at the “farm” and in great condition! From here we will go back to Old Havana and visit one of the historic museums, Belle Artes Museum...The contrast of artwork here based on the Cuban timeline will amaze you and our tour guide will explain the reasons for the transitions you view. We will also peek into the Museum of Automobiles and search for Hemingway's 1955 Chrysler Convertible he left to his friend when he departed Cuba for the last time in 1960.  Lunch today will be at La Vitrola, a cool restaurant that showcases Americana items new and old and always has live music! Now let’s return to Tribe Caribe and relax before our Fine Wine & Tapas Party at the new PlanH - an eccentric new wine bar in the heart of Old Havana within walking distance of the Capital! Enjoy the evening with a local Cuban band!

This day is going to be great fun! We will visit the studio of Eduardo Cordova, an amazing percussionist who has developed a program to help children lacking in social skills or needing some extra attention because of a challenge in their own lives such as Autism. Centerline Adventures donates a portion of their proceeds to help Eduardo with his program. I guarantee that you will get up and move around!!! Now we will visit a very unique area called Fusterlandia where Jose Fuster, an artist who uses mosaic tiles, has created a world in a neighborhood of Havana where he has tiled his entire home! When his neighbors wanted to do the same, he helped them create this amazing area as colorful as any painting! You should definitely take a souvenir from his gallery! Lunch at the new MUSA Restaurant rounds out our morning.  Once back at Tribe Caribe, you will have time to relax and walk around the neighborhood. The Malecon, the most famous boulevard in the Caribbean is within walking distance. Feel comfortable talking to the people along the way. Americans are very well respected in this country. Now prepare for dinner at a beautiful venue called BestView because that's what it has! Looking out along the rooftops of the buildings in Havana, you will get a sense of beauty that will transform you to the days before the changes in the country. Tonight we will enjoy a great meal, live music, and listen for the nightly cannon shot at 9pm.  This tradition began in the late 17th century when cannon blasts were fired at 4:30 am and 9:00pm to signify the opening and closing of the gates into Havana. In 1898, the custom changed to firing once at 9:00pm, which still holds to this day and reminisces the closing of the gates of Havana at sunset.

Christopher Columbus landed in Cuba on October 27, 1492 and said it was "the most beautiful land human eyes have ever seen". We will spend today on one of those magnificient beaches he was talking about! Clear blue water of varying shades, white sandy beaches and absolutely no crowds! A private beach just a few feet from the private house we will have total access to including staff making our exquisite barbeque lunch!
Today is St. Patrick's Day and they say everyone is Irish on this day....except for the Scots! We will celebrate this holiday at CocoBlue y La Zorra Pelua, owned by Jeff Fuentes and his partner, Rita McNiff who happens to be IRISH! Rita is putting together a fabulous party this evening to close out our great week in Havana! Wear your GREEN and prepare for an amazing night! 

Seems like the week flew by as we prepare for our flight back to the States! But before we do, remember the story Rita shared with us last night? This morning you will understand what she was telling us, and we think you will be greatly touched by this! Our last stop will be to visit our BFF, Vivian Melendez, who is highly regarded around the world for her knowledge of cigars. She will show us how to choose, cut, light, and smoke a cigar while paired with Cuban coffee or rum. She also has beautiful items you may want to take back to the US for friends and family! She has a great logo that you will appreciate once you experience her charming personality!! As we say adios to Havana and Bienvenidos to Miami, we greatly appreciate you joining us on our adventure to one of our favorite places -  Cuba! We hope you’ll feel “Havana in My Heart” for years to come!