Click on “Download the brochure” to access

• rates
• terms
• and more details!

Traveling to Cuba can be aptly described in one word: “life-changing.” Beyond all the sites and experiences you will encounter, this behind-the-scenes tour will help you get to know the true character of the country--a place of great creativity, vibrant community, renowned cuisine, music that moves the soul, and so much more!

Your base will be a charming boutique hotel in incredible Havana, where Cuba's tropical beauty, lively energy, warm hospitality, and abundant charm awaits. From centuries-old plazas to museums filled with historic treasures, you'll explore Cuba’s rich history, as well as the remnants of the 20th-century era.

This tour, more than many others, will invite you into the homes and lives of the citizens through opportunities to hear their stories, build an understanding of their traditions, and develop a deep appreciation for facets of modern Cuban life that most visitors don't see.

Explore the many rich influences of Afro-Cuban heritage in historical or cultural elements emanating from the combination of multiple cultural elements and manifested in religion, music, language, art, religion, and the arts.

As you may know, traveling to Cuba requires a special license. CAU's partner, Arrangements Abroad, takes care of that for you. Without the hassle of planning your own logistics, you can immerse yourself more fully in the experience.

Ambre is an experienced music scholar, artist, curator, and consultant who specializes in subjects relating to music, religion, gender, performance, and popular culture all of which she brings to her role as Assistant Professor of Africana Studies at Cornell University. She received her B.A. in Religion and Musical Studies from Oberlin College and Conservatory, her M.A. from Yale Divinity School and Institute of Sacred Music, and PhD from Yale University. In addition, she holds a certificate in Jazz Vocal Musicianship from Nashville Jazz Workshop. She has presented work for the Association of Black Women Historians, Society for American Music, Academy of American Religion, and the Christian Congregational Music Conference to name a few. She was awarded a Ford Dissertation Fellowship for the 2022-2023 academic year and has previously held fellowships with the Louisville Institute, Center for Lived Religion in the Digital Age at St. Louis University, the Sacred Writes project, the Center for Material and Visual Cultures of Religion at Yale University, and The Revealer magazine. Previous consultancies include: The United Methodist Church, Sound Diplomacy, the National Museum of African American Music, and the Nashville Symphony.

Ambre teaches the popular CAU Summer course Black Gospel and Sacred Music Traditions which debuted in 2024. This will be her first CAU Study Tour.

(Photography of Dr. Dromgoole by Dustin Gavin and Joshua Narcisse.)

"Dr. Dromgoole is a fabulous teacher. I did not know much about this genre of music and learned a lot. I would take any course that she might teach." ~CAU Summer 2024 Participant

Upon your independent arrival in Havana, meet your Arrangements Abroad Tour Manager at the José Martí International Airport and transfer to your boutique hotel, Paseo 206, that will be your home for six nights. This evening, gather for a welcome dinner at a paladar, a privately owned restaurant in the proprietor’s home, largely staffed by family members.

(Meals included: Dinner)

Get grounded in Havana with a lecture and walking tour of UNESCO-listed Old Havana. After lunch at a paladar, discover the colorful murals of Callejón de Hamel, an exciting center of Afro-Cuban art and culture in Havana. Enjoy a live performance of infectiously rhythmic Afro-Cuban music and dance. Later, visit the house of a Babalawo (Santería high priest) to learn about the rituals and practices of Santería, including rich spiritual traditions that have been passed down through generations and trace their origins to the Yoruba religion that West African enslaved people brought to the Americas. Indulge in a delicious dinner at a local paladar, savoring the unique flavors of Havana.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

After a morning lecture by Dr. Dromgoole, go behind-the-scenes to witness a rehearsal at the Rosario Cárdenas Dance Company. Visit the nearby municipality of Regla, known for their deep-rooted traditions in Santería, Palo Monte, and other Afro-Cuban religions. Venture just outside Havana to the picturesque fishing village of Jaimanitas, where you will have an exclusive visit to the house and studio of artist José Rodríguez Fuster and take a walking tour of the mural-decorated village. Explore the renowned 1930 Hotel Nacional de Cuba, designed by the acclaimed New York architecture firm McKim, Mead & White and check out its storied Hall of Fame to see tributes to its many famous guests, including Buster Keaton, Rita Hayworth, Nat King Cole, and Gabriel García Marquez. Enjoy a mojito on a terrace overlooking Havana’s harbor, followed by dinner at a local paladar.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch)

This morning, join a former Ambassador and Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs for an eye-opening discussion on Cuban current reality. Then an independent curator will guide you on a private morning tour of the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes de La Habana (National Museum of Fine Arts of Havana), Cuba’s largest museum.  After lunch, walk down Calle Obispo, Havana’s main shopping street, and explore Dador, a privately owned fashion boutique. Speak to one of the owners about the challenges and advantages of operating a small private business in Cuba. In the early evening, drive to The Ludwig Foundation of Cuba, one of only a few Cuban NGOs, for a presentation on Cuban art. The Foundation’s president will host a cocktail reception and buffet dinner on the penthouse terrace, where guests will include local Cuban artists. Later you may opt to attend a performance at one of Havana’s famed music venues.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Reception, Dinner)

Journey to the captivating seaside city of Matanzas, renowned as a birthplace of rumba and numerous Afro-Cuban folkloric traditions. Delve into the rich cultural heritage of the city with a private visit to the Castillo de San Severino, an 18th-century castle built by African enslaved people. Continue your exploration of Matanzas with a visit to Ediciones Vigía, an artisanal publishing house where skilled craftspeople create handmade books, and meet an artist in his studio. After lunch, ascend the Monserrate hills to La Ermita de Monserrate, a small late 19th-century neoclassical church, where you will witness a special performance by the Choir of Matanzas. Return to Havana for an evening at leisure.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch)

After a morning lecture by Dr. Dromgoole, join your expert local guide for an inside look at the 122-acre Colón Cemetery, a sprawling necropolis often referred to as “Cuba’s largest sculpture park.” Learn the stories of Cuba’s past through the elaborate sculptures, monuments, mausoleums, chapels, and family vaults in varied architectural styles, from Classical Revival to Art Deco. Following lunch on your own, visit NostalgiCar, a private, family-owned classic car workshop. At this garage where some of the city’s finest vintage cars are repaired and refurbished, the proprietor will talk about how he started the business and the challenges of acquiring parts. Before the day’s end, join a curator for a private tour of what Time magazine calls one of “the world’s greatest places,” the Fábrica de Arte Cubano (FAC), a spellbinding, multilevel cultural space that defies categorization. Is it a performance venue? An art gallery? It’s both and so much more. You’ll have an exclusive look at its spectacular exhibits and installations with an opportunity to purchase artwork. Next door, gather for our rooftop farewell dinner at El Cocinero, a former cooking oil factory transformed into a chic paladar with delicious food and world-class daiquiris.

(Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner)

Depart the hotel this morning for the flight home.

(Meals included: Breakfast)

Disclaimer: The itinerary is subject to change at the discretion of Arrangements Abroad. For complete details, please carefully read the terms and conditions at
www.arrangementsabroad.com/terms.)

March 30 – April 5 2025

To reserve your space, contact CAU partner, Arrangements Abroad
Phone: 800-221-1944 |  Email: trips@arrangementsabroad.com
Exclusive to CAU  |  Limited to 2o people  |  In support of the Cuban people

June 12 - 19, 2025

Study Tour featuring CAU Summer's dynamic duo, David and Jen Todd.

CAU is your first choice for in-depth, lifelong learning with Cornell faculty in the classroom and around the globe.