Cuban Easter flowers & a travel update

History is being made in Havana this week

As I write this, Barack Obama and Raul Castro are probably having lunch. Judging by the photos and videos I've seen this morning, it's a drizzly day in Havana. Here in Muskoka, it's snowy. I'd rather be in Cuba, even if it's rainy! 

One of my American pals called me this morning to chat about her upcoming trip to Cuba. She's flying to Havana from Miami on Thursday, just in time for the Rolling Stones concert! I am undeniably jealous. In a few weeks, though, I'll be flying to Cuba too, fleeing the dregs of winter. (Snow is in the forecast here right through the end of March, and there are still mounds of it in the yard.) 

If you want to join my April 20-27 group, you can still do so up until April 11... as long as there are still seats on the plane, that is! Obama and the Stones won't be hanging out in Cuba by that time but we will meet other interesting people and hear some great music. And, we'll be in one of the most beautiful parts of the island, where the Cuban Revolution has its deepest roots. 

However, if the April trip doesn't work for you, maybe another one will. I plan to continue taking groups to my favorite little resort, Club Amigo Marea del Portillo, twice annually - usually after Easter and in late October. As well, I am working on bus tours that will begin in Havana and travel throughout Cuba. I'll let you know more details as they evolve. 

Meanwhile, have a lovely Easter and, if you use Facebook, please check out (and join) my "JennicaCuba" group, where I'll post some selected images, videos and stories about this incredible time in Cuba's evolution. 

Hasta luego,
Jenny

Let's go to sunny, warm Cuba in April!

I don't know about you but I'm getting a bit tired of winter. I'm already mentally packing for this April sojourn to lovely, warm Marea del Portillo, Cuba, where there is 0% chance of snow. There's still room to join this group but seats are very limited at this point.

If you're not sure you want to bike every day, or even at all, it's not a problem – it's an option! If you decide to bike with Randy Pielsticker, an internationally experienced bike tour leader, and our local Cuban guide, I'm sure you'll have fun. But, if you get tired along the way, I'll be nearby with a car to give you and your bike a lift back to the resort.

As well, if you're not taking part in the bike excursions, there will be plenty of other options available to you on any given day. Please go to the "Activities" tab at the top of this page to have a look at our tentative agenda for the week. 

See you in Cuba?
~ Jenny

You can still join the April 20 group!

It is still possible to join the April 20-27 group going to Marea del Portillo, Cuba. Whether you want to bike or not, we'll have a great time! Contact me for current prices or other information. 
~ Jenny

Happy Valentine's Day to one and all!

Typical towel origami at Marea del Portillo, Cuba.

New prices for April 20 Cuba group!

Good news! We've been able to get better prices, which will be valid until Feb. 18. You can sign up after that, if space is still available, but the rates may go up. Don't delay; sign up today.... as they say. 

If you can't go, please help spread the word. One of the goals of this trip is to provide bikes for families in Cuba. Group participants make this possible. If you want to support this endeavor, you can also sponsor a bike; contact me to find out how.

Gracias,
Jenny

New bikes now available for April trip!

Hey folks, I have awesome news!

My April 20-27 Bike/Not Bike trip partner, Randy Pielsticker, has been able to arrange a special bikes-for-Cubans deal through Algonquin Outfitters ~ $300 + tax for a KHS mountain bike! You can now purchase a new bike to take along on this trip or sponsor one for someone else to transport via the JennicaCuba "Bike Shepherd" project. 

These bikes will be going to families in need who live near Club Amigo Marea del Portillo, Cuba, where we will be staying during this trip. So far, my groups and I have taken about 60 donated bikes to this area and they are being well used. Our goal is to take 10 new bikes to Cuba as part of the April group trip. But, we still need a few more people to sign up by Jan. 25...

Give me a call!
Jenny
647-216-1791 or 705-788-1791

Here are some samples of the bikes we've taken in the past...

We need 10 people by Jan. 25...

Want to join Randy Pielsticker and Jenny Cressman in Cuba? The upcoming trip to Marea del Portillo is a great opportunity to do some biking... or not. The April 20-27 group trip is designed to suit adventurous bikers as well as people who just want to chill out on a warm beach, so to speak, and those in between. But, whether you opt in or out for the daily bike excursions, you will still get a free massage as part of the package! Prices on the flyer (page 2) will be valid until Feb. 18, if at least 10 people sign up by Jan. 25. After that, prices may go up. Contact Jenny for more info or to sign up for this exclusive trip!