Photography Travel Tour of Havana Cuba
So you say you want to learn more about photography, and you love to travel too? Maybe you’ve taken photography classes before but want something different, something more interactive, in the field. How about putting it all together in this customized photo tour to the historic city of Havana, Cuba led by a 24 year professional photographer as your tour leader and instructor.
(Image in top header bar courtesy and copyright of Simon Keeping)
Habana Vieja - image courtesy Jon Bowen
Photography Tour – Quick Details
- Who: maximum group size 12 including myself. Spouses are welcome but a maximum of 3 on this trip total only.
- What: photography tour and workshop involving one on one time with me, image reviews, lessons and in the field practice in a fun small group setting
- Where: Havana, Cuba
- When: April 13-20th, 2012
- Why: to learn and do photography and to have a whole lot of fun doing it in a tropical, exotic place that is Cuba!
Havana musician, image courtesy of Joseba Arginzoniz Martín
I’ve explored numerous options for various things and had to make some tough decisions. I chose accommodation, events and schedule based on what I thought would work best for the group. As this is the inaugural tour you’re going to be helping me refine this tour and process for future dates and possibly other locations so I’m certainly open to your feedback along the way. So, here’s the scoop on the tour quote.
Plaza Vieja Havana Cuba - image courtesy of Marc Reid
- Originally I was looking into staying at the Casa Particulars instead of hotels, but ultimately have decided on a hotel for this trip for a few reasons:
- the potential size of our group (max 12) would mean more than one Casa would be needed and that makes things logistically a lot harder for meetings and pickups/drop offs
- they would likely have little or no space for us to hold our photo classes and meetings
- the hotels have things like in rooms safes and the one we choose has a pool and daily entertainment
- location of this hotel is also really ideal for getting to everywhere and walking distance to Old Havana
Classic car in Old Havana - image courtesy of Jordi Martorell
I’ve tried to incorporate as many photography and art related events and opportunities as possible, with help of the tour agency that’s put this quote together. The itinerary is flexible and we have the ability to adjust times daily. For example, if we go to one location and are supposed to be there for an hour, but we are really enjoying it and want to stay longer – we can do that, and perhaps shorten or delete the next location or rearrange to another day. I’ve also left quite a bit of free time so you can revisit a place you enjoyed or just relax by the pool.
Capitol Building Havana - image courtesy Paul Bica
Some of the things we may be doing are:
- walking tour of Havana Vieja (old Havana)
- daily photography lessons, images reviews and assignments in some form – could be on the go
- sunset photography on the Malecon (walk by the ocean)
- visiting an artist’s or photographer’s studio (may vary due to availability)
- seeing the Revolution museum
- necropolis de colon (the cemetery with lots of history)
- going to a Cuban nightclub show at Tropicana
- visit to an art or photography museum or gallery
- seeing a canon fired at an old fort during a ceremony at night
- going to an art street with music and dancers
- eating in Paladors (local style restaurants run out of people’s homes)
- getting some beach time to relax or photograph
- touring the city in classic old convertible cars
- have a chance to go to bars and see live music and try our hand at dancing salsa, ramba and other local dances
For the most part meals are not included with the exception of breakfast daily, and the welcome dinner the first night. We will try and eat in smaller Paladars which are restaurants in people’s home. More authentic local food, and great ambience and prices. The hotel we’ll be staying at also has a fancy rooftop restaurant if you want to splurge one night for the view and a little photography of the skyline.
Castillo de la Real Fuerza - image courtesy of Anthony Pond
Cigar gentlemen Havana - image courtesy of Anthony Pond
Cigar lady Havana - image courtesy of Anthony Pond
Class car of Havana - image courtesy of Anthony Pond
Classic convertible Havana - image courtesy Anthony Pond
To see more of Anthony Pond’s images visit his online portfolio or Flickr page.
Pricing of Photography Tour to Havana
Prices also do NOT include airfare. You will need to book that on your own to arrive on the 13th of April. If you wish to stay in Cuba after the 20th that’s up to you, so you can book your return flight for what ever date you choose. I will be staying 3-4 days to do research for the next trip myself.
- For photography workshop participation: $1847
- Non-photographers (spouse/partner): $1527
There will be a maximum of 3 non-photographers on this trip, first booked get the spots. After 3 are booked there will be no more available. We can take a maximum of 12 people total. I want to keep the group nice and small and intimate.
This is the tentative itinerary. Bookings and payment will be done through Paypal to the agent. If you want to come on this trip this we need to know ASAP. Cut off date for booking will be March 2nd, 2012.
I myself have never actually been to Cuba so I can’t show you any fabulous photos of mine. But if you want to see more Havana photos try these groups on Flickr:
On Trip Advisor you can see some of the attractions we have on the itinerary and our hotel, Hotel Sevilla, which is ranked #12. Please keep in mind that this is Cuba, so don’t expect 4 stars to be like 4 stars here in Canada or in Europe. We go to Cuba, and places like it, to experience life there, how they live, what they do, who they are. We won’t be in our rooms much so keep that in mind.
So at this point I need to know:
- If you for sure want to come and can arrange for the time away on these dates
- If you have a partner that also wants to come and can do so
- If you are a maybe until you can confirm some stuff like time off, expenses, etc.
DO NOT book any flights until we can confirm at least myself plus 3 photographers going, which is the minimum to make this happen. Once we have that many committed to the trip, we will be able to take your payments for the tour, and we will give instructions to book your flights.
If you’d like to come on this trip I need to know as soon as humanly possible. So please email me if you have any questions, or to answer questions 1-3 above to tell me you’re interested in coming on this tour.
Let’s do this!!! I’m excited!
