Dear Friends

Thank you for your recent enquiry about the Cuba Solidarity Campaign’s Revolution Route Study Tour, exploring Cuba’s culture and society in the western provinces.  The Cuba Solidarity Campaign are running this tour in association with Havanatour (ATOL 4636), the UK’s leading Cuba specialist, and I have pleasure in enclosing the booking conditions and Booking Form for your information.

Revolution Route Study Tour provides an exciting opportunity to meet the Cuban people in their neighbourhoods, workplaces, schools and health care centres with time to relax and enjoy the local entertainment, stunning scenery and beautiful climate. This is a wonderful opportunity to see the real Cuba away from the usual tourist trails and experience the achievements of the Revolution as well as the problems caused by the US blockade of over forty years.

·      Unique visits to Cuban health care centres, schools, work places and farms.

·      Soak up the delights of Havana, Cuba’s captivating capital city.

·      Ascend José Martí’s monument in Plaza de la Revolución.

·      Visit Che Guevara’s secret military HQ during the Cuban missile crisis.

·      Meet Cuban families at a neighbourhood Committee for the Defence of the Revolution meeting.

·      Visit the historic town of Santa Clara where Cuba’s revolutionary hero Che Guevara intercepted Batista’s troop train and his evocative mausoleum.

·      Visit the dramatic Viñales Valley with soaring limestone mogotes rising 100 metres from the valley floor.

·      Explore one of Latin America’s largest underground cave networks.

·      Relax on Cuba’s pristine white sandy beaches.

·      Study Cuba’s famous cigar making process in regional cigar factory.

The full cost of this unique 13-night tour is £1,199.00 per person

Father Geoff Bottoms will be leading the tour.  Father Bottoms has successfully led several Cuba Solidarity Campaign study tours to Cuba and has travelled extensively throughout the island.  He has a wide and detailed knowledge of Cuban politics, culture and society.  Father Bottoms is Chair of CSC Miami 5 Campaign and has made several solidarity visits to the families of the Miami Five in Cuba and Gerardo Hernandez and Ramon Labañino, two of the Miami Five political prisoners, imprisoned in US Lompoc and Beaumont prisons.  He has recently attended their appeal hearings.

Accommodation & Meal Plans

Hotel Plaza.  3 star.  14 – 18/11/2007.  4 nights.  Bed & breakfast.

Hotel Los Jazmines.  3 star. 18 – 23/11/2007.  5 nights.  Bed & breakfast.

Hotel Los Caneyes.  3 star.  23 - 26/11/2007.  3 nights.  Bed & breakfast.

Hotel Plaza.  3 star.  26 - 27/11/2007.  1 night.  Bed & breakfast.

Flight Times 

Cubana Airlines.  Winter timetable. 

Outbound: 14 November 2007.  CU401.  London Gatwick (South Terminal) to Havana, touching down in Holguín, eastern Cuba. 

Depart: 13:30.  Arrive: 20:40.

Inbound: 27 November 2007.  CU400.  Havana to London Gatwick. 

Depart:  20:30.  Arrive:  10:40 on 28 November 2007.

Flight times are subject to final confirmation by the airline.  Joining instructions, flight tickets and Cuban tourist cards will be issued 7 days before the departure date.

Transport

Air conditioned transportation with driver and English speaking Havanatur guide as per itinerary.

Itinerary

What is included: return flights with Cubana Airlines from London Gatwick to Havana, UK Departure Tax, 13 night’s accommodation (detailed in itinerary) based on two people sharing twin rooms with en suite facilities, all meals listed in the itinerary, services of an English speaking Havanatur guide and the Cuba Solidarity Campaign’s Tour Leader, air conditioned transport as per itinerary in Cuba and entrance to all visits and excursions, other than those marked as optional, listed in the itinerary.

What is not included: Cuban Tourist Card (visa), currently £15.00, travel insurance, which can be obtained directly from Havanatour (£48 for up to 17 days cover), transfers to and from the departure airport (Gatwick), Havana airport departure tax (CUC25 Cuban Convertible Peso as at January 2005), single room supplement (£100.00 per person) if required and any services not listed as included.  All drinks are excluded.

 To confirm your participation please complete and send the enclosed Booking Form with your deposit of £100 per person, made payable to ‘Havanatour UK Ltd’ to Alejandro Suarez, Groups Coordinator, Havanatour, 3 Wyllyotts Place, Potters Bar, Herts, EN6 2JD.  The deposit is used to secure your flight booking.  Once made the deposit is non-returnable. 

 All flights are subject to availability at the time of booking.  Please ensure that you have fully read and understood the Havanatour booking conditions.  Full payment will be required by 19 September 2007.  Minimum group numbers of 15 are required for this tour.  In the unlikely event of minimum numbers not being obtained your deposit will be returned in full.

 If you would like to discuss the Revolution Route Study Tour in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact the Cuba Solidarity Campaign offices on 020 7263 6452 or e-mail at tours@cuba-solidarity.org.uk

 With very best wishes

Cuba Travel Shop

Cuba Solidarity Campaign
c/o The Red Rose Club
129 Seven Sisters Road
London N7 7QG