Cuba by Land & Sea with Abercrombie & Kent

Centrally-located hotels in Havana and Santiago de Cuba provide access to the rich arts and cultural scene, while a seven-night cruise aboard the boutique sailing yacht ‘Le Ponant' allows time to explore the picturesque coastline and turquoise waters.

“Cuba has so much to offer that we have been working on new ways for our guests to see more of the country,” explains Bob Simpson, Abercrombie & Kent Vice President of Expedition Cruising. “This itinerary combines the most popular elements of our land programs with more remote regions like colonial Trinidad and the pristine waters of Punta Francés, a reserve that few Americans have had the opportunity to visit. And best of all, because of A&K's years of experience operating in Cuba, the necessary government approvals are already in place for the complete itinerary.”

Learn about Cuban architecture, arts, music and dining during intimate, one-on-one encounters with local residents. Walk through the streets of Havana with a local architect who describes the historic styles and ongoing restoration efforts. Visit historic locales with resident experts and meet locals where they live and work. Lunches off the ship provide an introduction to Cuban cuisine at locally-owned paladars and a chance to talk to local chefs about the challenges they face as entrepreneurs.

A visit to the University of Santiago de Cuba provides an opportunity to meet students and staff, hearing about the free education system and the island-nation's impressive literacy rate.There is also time to explore Punta Francés Nature Reserve, accessible only by sea, where guests may snorkel or cruise through palm and mangrove forests by Zodiac boat with expert naturalist guides who explain the conservation efforts that have made this one of the best protected reefs in the Caribbean.

‘Le Ponant' is a spacious-yet-intimate boutique, three-masted sailing yacht. Twenty-nine spacious, modern cabins feature the comforts of home, including flat-panel satellite TVs, satellite telephones, desks and dressing tables. Designed for uncommon comfort with a 1.3 to 1 crew-to-guest ratio, the many public spaces include a scenic Sun Deck and Panoramic Lounge with floor-to-ceiling windows. The Marina is designed for easy access to the crystalline waters for snorkelling and swimming. Dining options include a casual al fresco restaurant and a more refined dining room featuring gourmet international cuisine.

Enjoy all that Cuba has to offer on Abercrombie & Kent's Cuba by Land and Sea: A People to People Cruise, priced from $9,995 per person, double occupancy (when booked by July 31, 2016*) including hotel and cruise accommodations, sightseeing, onboard lectures, shore excursions, equipment, most drinks and gratuities. Two back-to-back charters are limited to just 58 guests:

Cruise #1: March 1-11, 2017 (Sailing Havana to Santiago de Cuba) Cruise #2: March 9-19, 2017 (Sailing Santiago de Cuba to Havana)

Abercrombie & Kent USA has been offering people-to-people travel to Cuba since 2013 with a portfolio that includes Cuba: People to People (10 days from $6,695), Cuba: Across the Island: People to People (13 days from $7,995) and Signature Cuba: A Private People to People Journey (7 days from $10,795). Call 800.554.7094 to speak with a travel consultant, go to www.abercrombiekent.com or contact your travel professional.

*Regularly priced from $10,995; Save $1,000 per cabin when booking categories 1-3 by August 31, 2016.

Please note: Cuba remains a developing country, and guests should adjust their expectations accordingly. Delays commonly occur, and flexibility and patience on the part of visitors is a must. Travelling to Cuba on a people-to-people license is quite unlike journeying to other destinations, involving full days spent getting to know the Cuban people and their culture through one-on-one cultural and social interactions; participation in all people-to-people activities is mandatory. While every effort will be made to operate the program as scheduled, all activities are subject to change without notice. In the event that an individual or location becomes unavailable, a comparable activity will be substituted.