• Submitted by: lena campos
• Education
• 09 / 28 / 2012

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New program to Santiago de Cuba, Baracoa & Havana expands opportunities for meaningful exchange between Americans and Cubans

Harriet R. Lewis, Chairman of Grand Circle Foundation, is pleased to announce a new People-to-People program to Cuba for 2013 that will complement Grand Circle Foundation's two existing programs and expand opportunities for meaningful exchanges between Americans and Cubans.

"Since launching our first program in late 2011, we have received such positive feedback from both American and Cuban participants that we are both thrilled and honored to offer a third program," said Lewis.  "As the largest provider of People-to-People programs in Cuba at present, we are committed to creating opportunities for real and significant exchange and understanding."

Grand Circle Foundation's three People-to-People programs focus on close and meaningful cultural exchanges between American participants and Cuban residents and are conducted in small groups of just 12-20 participants. While available to all Americans, the programs are paced for Americans aged 50 and older. 

NEW for 2013: Cuba: Music, Culture & the Roots of the Revolution 13-day People-to-People program from $4595 Explores Santiago de Cuba, Baracoa, and Havana

This program brings participants to the easternmost third of the island—and to the vibrant seaside city of Santiago de Cuba, founded by Diego Velasquez as a Spanish colonial capital in 1515.   While there, participants will learn about the Afro-Cuban religion that developed in this region, visit artists' studios, meet local community members, spend time with seniors or children served by the relief agency Caritas Cubana, and enjoy a dance performance followed by a discussion with troupe members.  Participants will then travel to Baracoa, which was once accessible only by sea and which retains the look of an unspoiled colonial village.  The group will meet with the local guajiros, gatekeepers of Taino traditions, meet with Afro-Cuban musicians and dancers, a traditional cocoa farmer and his family, and a distinguished local historian to discuss Baracoa's rich history.  Participants next fly to Havana, where the city is brought to life in a meeting with noted Cuban architects, and will engage in several meaningful people-to-people meetings with students, seniors, artists and members of the Ludwig Foundation, an autonomous, non-governmental, not-for-profit public entity created to protect and to promote the work of young Cuban artists.

Grand Circle Foundation's other People-to-People programs includes Cuba: A Bridge between Cultures, its first program to Cuba that began in November 2011.  The 12-day program explores Havana, Trinidad, and Cienfuegos and begins at $4295. Grand Circle Foundation's second program, the nine-day Cuba: Havana & Vinales Valley, began operating in September 2012.  The program visits Havana, Soroa, Vinales, and Las Terrazas, and begins at $3395.  Both programs are sold out for 2012 but are available in 2013.

Approximately 1,950 Americans will take part in Grand Circle Foundation's People-to-People programs in 2012, while 2,000 participants are expected between January-June 2013.   Grand Circle Foundation's license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control to operate its People-to-People programs in Cuba (#CT-19272) was recently renewed and is valid until through June 2013.  Should its license be renewed beyond June, an additional 1,000 participants are expected by the end of 2013.

For reservations, please call (toll-free) 1-855-423-3443 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm EST).  To see a video of Grand Circle Foundation in Cuba, please click www.grandcirclefoundation.org/Cuba or for more program information, visit Grand Circle Foundation. To speak with participants, or for more information, please contact Priscilla O'Reilly at (617) 346-6841.

About Grand Circle Foundation Established in 1992, Grand Circle Foundation is a not for profit organization that supports educational, humanitarian and cultural organizations worldwide. It is the charitable arm of Boston-based Grand Circle Corporation, which consists of travel brands Overseas Adventure Travel, Grand Circle Travel, and Grand Circle Cruise Line that serve more than 100,000 Americans aged 50 and older each year.  To-date, Grand Circle Foundation has donated or pledged $91 million USD to more than 300 humanitarian, cultural, and educational organizations worldwide, including nearly 100 schools, in 50 countries.