Arrive at Antonio Maceo airport, Santiago de Cuba. You will be met by our friendly staff and transferred to your homestay. All our accommodations are carefully checked; all are air-conditioned, with private bath or a share bathroom with one other room. Some of our hosts speak a little English - they will encourage you to use your newly acquired Spanish.

Breakfast.

Spanish Class.

History of Cuba - Part 1 "From Columbus to Independence" Early history of the Americas will come alive as you step back into the past. We'll visit the "oldest house in the Americas", a Spanish castle and the site of the end of the Spanish American War. Lunch during the tour.

A brief history lesson and then a walking tour led by a historian and architect.

Optional evening entertainment - visit to local Trova

Breakfast.

Spanish Class.

African-Cuban roots.

The African Cuban religion of Santeria informs much of the art (2), music and culture of Santiago and the island of Cuba. After a brief introduction to some of the fascinating aspects of Santeria, we will pay a visit to Casa del Caribe and visit various temples.

Lunch.

Free afternoon and evening.

Breakfast.

Spanish Class.

All day program of visits to health care facilities. Starting with a brief introduction at the Faculty of Medicine we will visit various clinics and teaching facilities.

Lunch.

Alternative medicine plays a large role in Cuban health care and we will visit a range of herbalists and other alternative practitioners.

Evening dinner and entertainment.

Breakfast.

An early start for an exploration in the Gran Piedra. This spectacular drive will take you through gentle valleys at the foot of the Sierra Maestra and then up through Tropical Forests and Bamboo Stands to a Cloud Forest. A climb of 500 stairs takes you to the top of the rock for a panoramic view of three provinces and the warm Caribbean Sea. An old Haitian style Cafetal brings to life the coffee technology brought by Haitian refugees. A tour of the Orchid Garden with its Bird of Paradise Flowers, camellias and beds of tropical flowers will complete our time on the mountain. Your guide will be an internationally respected botanist or one of Cuba's leading ornithologists. Lunch during the tour.

You will transfer to your beach homestay at the end of the day.

Dinner in your homestay.

Breakfast.

Spanish Class.

One of the joys of this part of Cuba is the many microclimates. Yesterday you visited a cloud forest and high altitude garden, and today we go to a large Cactus Garden. Developed by an internationally renowned cactus expert this garden displays cacti from around the world (2) and many which are indigenous to Cuba. The director who built the garden will accompany our tour.

Lunch.

For a relaxing afternoon we'll stroll around an Artisan Village. You'll visit with the artists in their homes and studios.

Breakfast.

Spanish Class.

We'll end our eco-tour of Eastern Cuba with a trip to a fascinating lagoon. Here endemic and rare crocodiles bask in the sun and fresh water dolphins swim in the lagoon. We'll take a leisurely boat ride among the mangroves to spot many of the wetland birds for which this area is famous, and try to photograph the brilliantly coloured crabs.

Lunch.

A gentle walk will take us through forest full of over-wintering birds and beautiful butterflies. One of Cuba's leading ornithologists will accompany our tour - he will call the birds to you!!!

Breakfast.

Free morning for those leaving the program.

For those who are leaving the program there will be Lunch in the city and then a transfer to Antonio Maceo Airport.

For those continuing for the second week:

Breakfast.

History Tour Part 2 "The start of the Revolution" we will visit the starting point of the attack which launched the revolution and follow the path of the revolutionaries into Santiago. Vintage vehicles are available for those who want to return to the 50's!

Lunch - a time to see your friends from the 1st week for a final time.