Havana will be our base, Feb. 8-15...

UPDATE: This trip has been postponed until 2019. A revised agenda and new prices will be announced when possible. Meanwhile, perhaps you would be interested in taking a writing-themed trip in southern Cuba. Andrew & I will be leading a group to Marea del Portillo, Jan. 31-Feb. 7. Click here for info.

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You're invited to join us for this exclusive exploration of Cuba but, don't worry, you don't have to be a writer to enjoy this tour! We'll be doing plenty of things that will be interesting for everyone, authors and otherwise. If you wish, you can also extend your stay in Cuba and do some exploration of your own.

 

Get ready to explore and be inspired

Did you know Cuba has a 99% literacy rate? This nice big number translates into a culture that promotes reading and grows writers like pernicious weeds, within the confines of the island as well as beyond it's beautiful shores. For many decades, Cuba has also inspired writers from other countries to explore this intriguing land on paper and in person.

Jenny Cressman and Andrew Wagner-Chazalon will guide the group through an exploration of the Cuban literary landscape during a Feb. 8-15 trip to Havana and Varadero. The dates for this adventure have been chosen to coincide with Cuba's 27th International Book Fair and it is definitely on our tour agenda! Other writing-related sites we'll see include Ernest Hemingway's home and hang-outs, the José Martí museum, a literary coffeehouse called Cuba Libro and a collective workshop that publishes incredible hand-made books.

Along the way, we'll have a chance to chat with Cuban authors, enjoy ample samples of the local rum, taste some cigars and discuss the fine art of writing. As well, we'll visit as many paladares (privately owned Cuban restaurants) as possible, stroll through UNESCO-protected Old Havana, take a joyful ride along the Malecón in classic '50s cars and see a myriad of interesting, historic spots in and around Cuba's capital. On Valentine's Day, we'll head for an all-inclusive resort in Varadero, where we'll stay for our last night together in Cuba.

Here's a little more information about your non-Cuban guides for this trip:

ANDREW WAGNER-CHAZALON - Andrew has been a professional writer for nearly three decades. He's written for newspapers and magazines in Canada, the U.S. and Australia, written or contributed to half a dozen non-fiction books and much more. Like most writers, he has thousands of story ideas, fragments, half-written plays and travel blogs, awaiting the right moment. Currently, he's the editor and CEO of Dockside Publishing.  


JENNY CRESSMAN - Jenny's love of writing and travel began in her childhood, inspired by parents, both published authors, who founded a Mennonite travel company called TourMagination. Although her first published piece was a poem, journalism became her primary career. In the last few years, she has gradually shifted her focus to writing fiction and to establishing a travel business that specializes in group trips to Cuba.

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While in Cuba, we will have Cuban guides to assist us in our exploration and to provide information about what we are seeing, as well as the country's history and culture. 

Don't hesitate to contact me, if you have any questions or are ready to sign up.
I'm always happy to talk about Cuba, so I'll be happy to help!

~ Jenny