CUBA - THE FLANEUR WAY
Looking for a truly AUTHENTIC and INTIMATE experience. A place where you can disconnect from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life, to reconnect, recharge, and renourish yourself?
The time is NOW, to visit CUBA!
JOIN us, in embracing the simple idea of "Mindfulness". Take time to slow down, tune into yourself, others, and everything that surrounds you as the moment unfolds. A weeklong, all-inclusive pass to rediscover your senses. Focusing on ART & CULTURE & WELL-BEING to bring you a truly authentic adventure that will leave you restored, balanced and recharged. This adventure will take you to 3 different places in Cuba. Beginning in the vibrant, cultural city of Havana, making our way through the country by car to the breathtaking valley of Vinales. Finally ending our trip in the quaint Colonial town of Trinidad.
INCLUDED:
7 nights/ 8 days accommodation ( single/ double occupancy )
Daily Yoga Classes (optional) before breakfast or dinner.
Freshly locally sourced meals daily. 7 breakfasts, 1 farm-to-table lunch, Welcome & Farewell 2 dinner.
Creative mindful exercises with a focus on the 5 senses
Excursion to local "Organoponico", urban organic farm (Includes farm to table lunch)
Salsa Lesson
Locally guided Flâneur Walks (Beach, Mountains, Streets )
Locally guided tour of the town of Trinidad, Vinales and Havana (History, Culture, Arts)
Guided Visit to Studios of Local Artists and Artisans
Salsa, Flamenco and Afro-Cuban Dance Performances
Ground transfers (To and from Retreat Excursions)
Fulltime English Speaking Guides.
NOT INCLUDED:
Airfare
Travel &Health Insurance
Cuban Travel Tax 25 CUC ( Local Currency) Around $33.oo CDN
Optional Activities
Airport transfers ( Available upon request for an additional charge. Shared transfers can be arranged for guests arriving at similar times. Estimate taxi fee from Havana Airport ( 30 cuc (USD). Varadero ( 100cuc ( USD). Sits 4 people.
Alcohol Beverages
Gratuities
PACKAGE PRICE - $1875.00 (USD) tax included.
ACCOMMODATION:
Each guest will be staying in an authentic Casa Particular, ideally located in the centre of town. Like Bed & Breakfasts, Casa Particulars, are private homesteads, each revealing its own unique charm.
MEALS:
Organic healthy meals will be freshly-prepared and served daily; we are happy to try to accommodate vegetarian diets and other dietary needs. Continue the adventure of the senses by exploring the tastes and flavors of authentic Cuban cuisine in a colonial-style home. Venture out for a lunchtime excursion to taste the delights of a local "organoponico" an urban organic garden, enjoying a truly farm-to-table experience. Witness firsthand the impressive sustainable organic farming that is happening in Cuba and savour all the delights the landscape has to offer.
Additional Information
WHO IS WELCOME?
Flaneur TOURS is designed for ALL!!!
It is open to singles & couples of all levels & walks of life. They are interested in the ARTS, CULTURE and WELLNESS of CUBA. This program steps away from the technical aspect of creation and focuses more on the process. Learning techniques to the Art of Observing using the senses. Jennifer's unique program is adaptable, from working artists to those just curious about awakening, exploring and developing their creative sides. If your looking for an truly authentic place to experience and relax at the same time, this Cuban retreat is for you.
WHY CUBA?
Cuba is truly authentic. A city frozen in time. It forces you to disconnect from the high pace hustle and bustle, to reconnect with yourself, others and everything happening " real time". It's the perfect place to be a flaneur- an observer, as life moves slower here, giving you that much needed chance to catch your breath to enjoy each experience for what it is. The people are vibrant, beautiful and truly genuine. They hide behind nothing, revealing their true colours. History is written on their faces, on the buildings you pass, the places you stay, the cars you ride in, the music you hear, the art and Culture you see. It's all there, alive and beautiful. Then their are the natural attractions. Which Cuba has always been known for. The sun, the clear blue waters, the white sandy beaches, mountains and lush valleys. I believe Cuba has something for everyone, from the outdoor enthusiasts, explorers, artists, history buff, to the people who just want a quiet place to relax and check in.
WHAT MAKES THIS RETREAT DIFFERENT?
3 words, personalized, intimate, an authentic. This retreat steps away from the all inclusive style that Cuba is known for. It is designed to immerse you right into the Cuban culture and Arts and be connected with the Cuban people. So you can come away from this experience feeling like you truly have explored and experience the island for what it is. I've spent several years traveling there, meeting and connecting with the people. I’ve hunted down the perfect spaces and places that truly reflect Cuba. Including the lush landscapes, breathtaking beaches, beautiful lodging, and delicious authentic meals.
WE SUPPORT THE LOCALS?
We are proud supporter of the Cuban people. Using local guides, staying in Cuban casa particulars and eating at traditional Cuban restaurants. The whole retreat is based on getting to know an authentic Cuba, which of course includes the people.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
Coming soon, a post on what to expect while in Cuba and from this adventure.
PACKAGES PRICE INFO:
$1875 - Deposit - A non-refundable Deposit of $500.00 per person is required to reserve your spot. The final payment must be paid a month prior to departure. Book 6 months in advance to receive $100.00 savings.
****All rooms are double occupancy unless single occupancy is requested at an additional fee
LIMITED AVAILABILITY
Book today !!!! To ensure an intimate and authentic experience, the workshop is limited to 8 people.
INSURANCE
Purchasing both Health and Travel insurance is advised to give you that peace of mind.
GETTING THERE
We recommend looking on the following websites to book flights to the Cuba. These are mainly from Canada. WESTJET, CUBANA AIRLINES, SUNWING, AIRTRANSIT and AIRCHINA. Also there has been recent American chartered flights departing daily. Find the one nearest to you. Please don't hesitate to ask about online sites with cheap flights. The closet international airport is HAVANA for arrival and Santa Clara Airport for Departure.
PAYMENT- Can be made through cash, cheque, or e-transfer. Can be made in instalments.
***ALL RETREATS WILL INCLUDE ARTISTIC + CULTURAL Itineraries with the theme of Observation. YOGA CLASSES IS OPTIONAL and a wonderful ADD ON to your day and retreat experience. Beginner to Advance are welcome and classes will be done in the morning before breakfast or the evening before dinner.
Please forward your flight itinerary so that we can coordinate airport transfers with others arriving at the same time.
CONTACT JENNIFER
jennifercloutier11@gmail.com
www.jennifercloutier.com
OBSERVE
OBSERVE- Each day will open with a brief checkin and exercise about creative awareness through exploring the senses. Jennifer will be sharing her personal experience as a photographer/painter and a trained yoga/wellness instructor to teach this unique program on act of mindfulness and observation.
EXPLORE
EXPLORE- The Flaneur walks & talks is one of the highlights to this tour. Join Jennifer and local guide as she leads us on walks through the streets, valleys, beach, practicing the morning's intention creative exercises. Making plenty of time to stop and fully engage in the direct experience. SEE, HEAR, FEEL, SMELL and TASTE, exactly what is there: good or bad, without judgement, staying mindful and open to each experience as it unfolds.
CREATE
ARTS :
This retreat focuses on art in all forms. Noticing that art resides in everything and everywhere. We take time to become more aware and curious. Realizing that as observers of life , we are all artists. We all have a way of capturing, processing and expressing what we see. The exercises learnt in the morning will help you become more alert to life in the present. Bringing a focus back to the process of creativity and less on achieving the final product. We will learn to look and react without judgement or filtering in the moment. This experience will not only awaken the artist within by inspiring and nourishing creativity but also be immersed, informed and inspired through local artists, musicians, dancers, and artisans.
CULTURE:
Cuba is soaked deep in a rich history and exudes a proud and vibrant culture. Home to big communities of creatives of all mediums. Throughout the week we will not only be bringing in and incorporating dancers and musicians into the program to perform but also stepping out into the streets to visit the local artists in their studios. Getting a more intimate look at both the traditional and modern day Cuban art scene. We will also dive into the history of Cuba and each city and little town we visit, with a tour and presentation that will highlight the historical landmarks, unique architecture and many facets that make Cuba a complete gem that is just waiting to be discovered.
Other optional activities- There are plenty of activities to do and even more places to explore, just ask...i trust that you will never go bored.
Horseback riding
Snorkelling/Scuba Diving
Bike trips
Waterfall excursions
Beaches (Playa Ancon, La Boca, Playa Este)
Nearby towns- (Santi Spiritus and others)
Guided Cultural tours
Mountains Hikes
Galleries (Artistic, Historical)
GIVING BACK
Part of the mandate of the Flaneur Workshops is to give back to the local community in whatever way we can. There are numerous ways to do so. Each visit we make, a Humanitarian donation bag will be brought to help in the themes of creativity & well-being. Offering new and used tool and supplies to those in need to enable their creative potentials. Please ask, for which supplies are needed the most and how to give. If you can not make it on this tour but would like to donate, please feel free to contact me and I will gladly put your donation into the right hands.
