Dates: 27/11 - 12/6/2023

Difficulty Level: Easy-Moderate

Accommodation: Half-board - Hotels

Available Spots: 9

Transportation: Bus

Price: $3,150

A photographic journey through time to a land that is 150% heart, soul, joy, experience, and every photographer's dream.

Want to know what Cuba is? Well, it's not just a physical journey to a new geographical place you haven't been to before; it's a mental teleportation back to your childhood. The streets are the heartbeat of life in Cuba - all you need to do is step out onto the street, take a stroll, and reminisce about a time that won't return anymore. Childhood games play out on the streets, kids play classic street games, boys pitch baseball with a piece of wood and a bottle cap since there's no money for a ball and glove. Dad fixes his '54 Chevy, tinkering under its hood, while his wife leans on the car with an admiring gaze, her hair adorned with curlers made from the inner layer of toilet paper rolls. Children's laughter echoes from above as they call down to their friend on the fourth floor who joined them to play. At the same moment, Grandma, who just finished washing the house, pours the bucket of soapy water from the balcony onto the kids below. The neighbor from the fifth floor lowers a long rope with a basket of fresh treats for her granddaughter. Everyone's outside; it's warm inside without air conditioning. The elderly sit on the stoops playing dominoes. Cubans are warm people, noisy, loving to touch, hug, kiss, laugh out loud, drink, dance till dawn, sleep an hour, and then head out for another day of work. The most popular saying in Cuba: "Yesterday is already dead, and tomorrow is today."

Cuba is a magical, unique, and diverse land that offers photographers a rich variety of opportunities. With its diverse landscapes, rich culture, and a special sense of rhythm and vibrant life, Cubans mark decades of courage and vitality. A photographic journey to Cuba is a unique experience where you can capture the culture, history, nature, and the people who provide the true richness of the country.

What does Cuba offer photographers?

Colonial architecture: Historical cities like Havana, Trinidad, and Cienfuegos offer unique colonial architecture. Colorful houses, cobblestone streets, and architectural details capture attention and provide remarkable photography opportunities.

Natural landscapes: Mountains, sugar fields, and stunning beaches provide photographers with breathtaking vistas. The backdrop of the mountains and the varying stages of green fields offer photography opportunities. The sea, abundant and everywhere we go, surrounds us.

Street life and people: Cuban culture, their initiative, and energy provide excellent opportunities for photography. Markets and streets offer snapshots of daily life. In Cuba, life unfolds on the streets, providing a chance to meet locals who are involved in everything. Unlike other countries where we might feel like strangers, in Cuba, you'll strongly sense belonging and emotional connection with the locals on the street.

Street culture: Local festivals and events offer opportunities to capture Cuba's unique Spanish-African culture. Religious practices, music, and local dances influence street life and offer exciting and unique atmospheric photography.

Time tunnel: Vintage American cars from the '30s to the '50s help create an authentic Cuban feeling. They offer wonderful chances to photograph these colorful cars against the backdrop of historical cities and authentic figures.

Nature and marine life: The stunning beaches offer opportunities to photograph marine life and the diverse marine nature. Everywhere we go, the sea accompanies us. In every city we visit, there's a long promenade along the Caribbean tropical shore, with a genuine Cuban atmosphere, perfect for a Mojito and a cigar in hand.

In summary, a photographic journey to Cuba is a unique opportunity to capture the beauty and distinctive character of this country. The diverse culture, colonial architecture, and natural landscapes provide the perfect setting to create personal and unforgettable images and experiences that will accompany you throughout your life.

Why Travel to Cuba with Felix Lupa?

My first journey to Cuba was in 1999 – an immersive trip that transformed both my personal and photographic life. There's a great chance that this will happen to you as well, just like it has for many others who have traveled with me to Cuba over the years.

From then until today, I've led and guided numerous groups of photographers to Cuba, which I believe is the most important turning point in the photographic development of anyone who has come and experienced the true Cuba.

In principle, you can travel to Cuba alone, in a group, or on an organized tour. However, here I offer you something unique, bridging the gap between the well-known tourist Cuba and the authentic Cuba that tourists are unaware of. Given that time is the most precious commodity on this journey, from my extensive experience in Cuba, I will lead and guide you with a structured and smooth approach to the mentalities and secret places of Cuba, just as I have experienced them for many years. Cuba provides an abundance and intensity of emotionally moving experiences that reach their highest threshold with every encounter with the local population. I will ensure that the perfect connection is made between you and the emotional and photographic satisfaction. I will accompany you with the right tools for each of you to evolve and progress in your photography during the course of the trip.

Important Warning! The trip to Cuba will provide you with an unlimited abundance of photographs, in historical quantities. It's impossible not to significantly advance in photography, taking another step or more in your photographic journey during or after the trip.

This trip is recommended not only for photographers but also for anyone curious, adventurous, and original who wants to experience the hidden aspects of this enchanting country, Cuba.

I invite you to join me in this experience and become part of a large family of photographers who have been with me and fulfilled this dream more than once.

Travel Itinerary:

Day 1 - Tel Aviv to Havana

We will depart from Tel Aviv on a flight through an intermediate destination to Havana. After arriving in the evening and meeting our local representative at the airport, we will head to a local restaurant for dinner on our way to the hotel. Throughout the trip, our driver and local guide will accompany us, providing guidance and lectures on the important topics to deepen your knowledge about Cuba.

Day 2 - Modern Havana and Old Havana

The experience begins now! Havana, a vibrant city and the heart of Cuban life.

We'll start the morning with a panoramic tour through the significant landmarks of both modern and old Havana. A street photographer, a local pizza shop, wide-handled stairs, unique musical instruments in the hands of a passerby, a Cuban beer in the bustling city square. Street dogs, old sandal repair shop. A woman with a cigar, a newspaper vendor, sugarcane juice vendor. Children playing in the streets, American cars from the 1950s. A wall painting as a backdrop. These are just a few of the scenes you'll encounter as we venture into the streets. Paseo del Prado, the Malecon seawall, and a breathtaking view of the city, the new art market. Continuing with a walking tour in the old city, both Havana Vieja and Centro Habana – the heart and beauty of Havana. We'll visit places where Hemingway used to roam and enjoy, such as Cathedral Square, the Old Square, the Central Square, Obispo Street "Havana's Fifth Avenue," the Capitolio, the Malecón – Havana's seaside promenade. The university and the Revolution Square.

Later, we'll take a special tour of a cigar factory, a significant industry in Cuba, to learn about and observe the processing and packaging of the world-renowned Cuban cigars. After lunch, we'll delve deeper into the streets of Old Havana for photography and shared experiences until late afternoon.

Day 3 - Havana - Viñales (Tobacco Growing Valley of Cuba)

After breakfast, we'll leave bustling Havana behind and travel to the picturesque and historical tobacco-growing valley of Viñales, where much of Cuba's tobacco industry for producing famous Cuban cigars is located.

We'll visit tobacco plantations and receive a thorough explanation of the cultivation and production process of the Cuban cigar. The stunning valley is surrounded by mountains dating back to the time of dinosaurs, with endless fields of tobacco and coconut trees – a landscape that's a treat for landscape photographers.

Local lunch, followed by a short boat ride through impressive ancient caves.

Return to Havana in the evening.

Day 4 - Havana - Cienfuegos

After breakfast at the hotel, we'll set off on a four-hour journey towards Cienfuegos. Unlike Havana's Spanish architecture, Cienfuegos boasts classical French architecture. The streets of Cienfuegos are ideal for street photography: the enjoyable Malecon, wide-handled streets, Palacio de Valle located at the edge of Punta Gorda, Cienfuegos locals, street games, the Malecón's promenade to the beach. This is a non-touristy port city that has authentically preserved itself and is one of the Cubans' (and my) favorite cities. We'll arrive in time for lunch and then embark on a day of photography in the streets and neighborhoods until late afternoon.

Day 5 - Cienfuegos

After breakfast, following the experiences of yesterday, we won't start the day before enjoying a local cocktail on the rooftop of an Ottoman-style palace overlooking the sea. We'll then continue to explore this charming city intensively with a full day of photography and personal encounters with the locals on the streets and in their homes until late afternoon. Evening meal and overnight stay.

Day 6 - Cienfuegos - Trinidad

After breakfast, we'll set off on a 1.5-hour journey to the southernmost part of Cuba, to the colonial, photogenic, and colorful city of Trinidad, located by the Caribbean Sea. Trinidad offers fantastic opportunities for photography, with its colorful streets, colonial architecture, and rich culture. We'll stroll through the streets of the old town, making the most of the beautiful afternoon light and capturing the vibrant colors of the houses. Street games, many children playing outside, horses everywhere – and, of course, entering the homes of locals for portrait photography and shared experiences.

Evening meal and then a short trip to a salsa dance club, dancing salsa under the open sky, enjoying the famous music of Trinidad, and dancing to the rhythm that captivates the senses.

Day 7 - Trinidad

After breakfast at the hotel, we'll embark on a full and intensive day of photography in Trinidad until late afternoon. Evening meal at a local restaurant, followed by a short night photography session.

Day 8 - Trinidad - Sancti Spiritus - Havana

After breakfast, we'll head to the sugar plantations and visit a historically significant place called Manaca Iznaga, which was part of Cuba's illustrious sugar industry empire. We'll then continue our journey to Sancti Spiritus, Trinidad's non-touristy twin city, for lunch and photography. Later, we'll return to Havana for two more days of completing our photography.

Day 9 - Havana

Now that you've gained experience and confidence in Cuba, it's time to revisit the photographic days with a different level of expertise. We'll explore new points in the city that you haven't encountered yet and immerse ourselves in the streets of central Havana until the last light.

Day 10 - Havana - Tel Aviv

We'll start the morning at a special place, Colon Cemetery named after Christopher Columbus, one of the world's largest and most impressive cemeteries. A city of impressive marble monuments, bustling with activity, and intriguing photography. Then, we'll photograph in the Vedado district, and after lunch, we'll visit the massive art and souvenir market in Old Havana for some last-minute shopping of everything you've seen and wanted to buy in Cuba in one place.

Return to the hotel and prepare for departure back to the airport and to Israel via an intermediate destination in Europe.

Please note that the group size for this tour is intentionally kept small, limited to only 12 photographers. To secure your spot on this exceptional journey, do not hesitate to contact me today by phone at: 0547633932 or by email at felixlupa@gmail.com.

The itinerary may be subject to changes based on weather conditions or local factors that couldn't be accounted for in advance.

Throughout the trip, transportation will be provided in a spacious and air-conditioned tourist bus.

Price: $3,150

Single room supplement: $395 per person

Number of participants: 12 travelers

The minimum number of participants required is 8 people. In case the number of participants is below 8, the trip can still be held, but the price will be recalculated according to the number of participants.

If the recalculated price is not accepted by the participants, a full refund will be provided to all participants, without any penalties.

Accommodation in 4*/5* hotels.

International flights via an intermediate destination.

The price includes:

• Double/single room accommodation.

• Breakfast and dinner.

• Photography organization and guidance by Felix Lupa.

Payment terms:

Registration and payment. Payment can be made by credit card in installments or bank transfer. Payment will be charged in Shekels according to the dollar exchange rate on the day of payment.

Accompanying persons:

The price for accompanying persons is the same as that of the participants.

The price does not include:

• Lunches.

• Flight Tickets

• Drinks (alcoholic/non-alcoholic).

• Medical insurance or any kind of insurance.

• Personal expenses.

• Tips for local service providers (waiters, housekeepers, driver, and local guide).