HPMEC Finalizes Plans for Spring Trip to Cuba
PIGGOTT — Several openings are still available for a unique trip to Cuba in May presented by the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and Educational Center.
Members of the travel party who visited Cuba in 2014
This “Friends of the Pfeiffers” trip will follow writer Ernest Hemingway’s footsteps from his novel Islands in the Stream. This small, guided trip is open to the public and will feature visits to the beautiful and virgin cayos (keys) along the pristine central coast, and with sites associated with Hemingway’s time in Cuba and other traditional sites in Havana.
Hemingway lived in Cuba for 21 years. During his time there, he wrote The Old Man and the Sea (for which he won the Pulitzer Prize) at the home he called Finca Vigía or “lookout farm,” located nine miles outside of Havana.
This eight-day/seven-night trip will have two parts. First, the group will travel to Havana to enjoy the art, music, dance and architecture of the city. Travelers will enjoy a private reception with the curator of Finca Vigía, explore Old Havana (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and see the amazing architecture in central Havana as well as stop at many of Hemingway’s favorite places: Hotel Ambos Mundos, La Bodeguita del Medio, El Floridita, and Sloppy Joe’s.
In addition to sites specifically associated with Hemingway, travelers will also get to enjoy some of the Cuban classics, including a visit to the Rum Museum, a ride in a classic American car and a visit to a cigar factory.
Part two will be an exploration of the keys off the central coast, Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo, which provided the backdrop for Hemingway’s Islands in the Stream. Guests will have an opportunity to interact with the locals for optional activities including fishing, diving, snorkeling, hiking, bird watching, or just exchanging ideas with other Hemingway lovers.
This is the museum’s second trip to Cuba. Thirty-four travelers from 10 states joined the museum for a trip in 2014. To register for the trip, or to get pricing or other information, contact the museum at (870) 598-3487 or adamlong@astate.edu.
HPMEC is an Arkansas State University Heritage Site. Regular museum hours are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Saturday, 1-3 p.m., with tours on the hour.
