A&K President Phil Otterson Announces Special Journey to Cuba

by Donald Wood
Last updated: 4:45 PM ET, Tue April 26, 2016

Photo courtesy of Thinkstock

Abercrombie & Kent USA announced that company president Phil Otterson will host a 10-day trip to Cuba with a small group of only 24 fellow travelers.

The expedition has been dubbed "Cuba: People to People: A Special President's Journey," and the trip to Cuba will take place between Oct. 11-20, 2016, and will focus on the rich culture and heritage of the once forbidden island nation.

Along with just 24 other guests, Otterson will host an itinerary that makes stops in Havana, Cienfuegos and Santa Clara, as well as the eco-community of Las Terrazas. The purpose of the journey will be to immerse travelers in the Cuban culture, educating the visitors about the country's tradition, art, culture and cuisine.

Guests traveling with Otterson will be able to walk the streets of Havana with an architect, dine at local restaurants serving the best in Cuban cuisine and learn about the contrasts between cultures in Cuba and in the United States.

In addition to the aforementioned activities, travelers will also enjoy local musicians and singers performing, engage in private salsa lessons and witness a baseball game featuring Cuban players, with a chance to interact with the athletes.

"I was a part of the first official tourism association contingent since the revolution to be welcomed to Cuba in 2003," Otterson said in a statement. "Since then the country has started to see many changes, and with the new tourism developments in the works, I felt this was the ideal time to go back. For this special departure, we've enhanced our flagship Cuba program with exclusive activities, such as meeting an artist in his home, not just to learn about art but also daily life in Havana, and a visit to Camajuani for a private tour of a working cigar factory."

"With the rapidly growing interest in Cuba, planning a trip there can be a challenge for Americans - whether it's finding accommodations that were sold out months ago, or researching activities required to meet the people to people exchange requirements," Otterson said. "Our guests appreciate that we've already done the research to secure the best available properties and find the most rewarding personal encounters, so they can relax and focus on the experience of being in a country that has changed little since the 1950's."

In addition to the "Cuba: People to People: A Special President's Journey," Abercrombie & Kent also offers 10-day or 13-day A&K Connections Worldwide Group journeys and seven-day privately guided Signature journeys.

Prices for the "Cuba: People to People: A Special President's Journey" start at $6,895 per person, based on double occupancy, plus an international charter air fee of $550. Check out the official Abercrombie & Kent USA website for more details.

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